Kotooshu accused of fixing sumo matches

Former sumo wrestler Wakanoho (Soslan Gagloev) has told tabloid magazine Shukan Gendai that Bulgarian sumo wrestler Kotooshu paid him to throw matches:

“We are both Europeans. If you do this for me, I will never forget it. I will give you one million yen (9,700 dollars). I am okay with even 1.5 million. Please help,” Kotooshu told Gagloev, according to the magazine.

“Everyone is doing it, so don’t worry,” the Bulgarian told the Russian, the magazine said.

“You have scruples, but you will get used to this. The sumo world may look good from the outside, but inside it’s different. So don’t worry.”

According to Wakanoho, Kotooshu approached him and told him in Russian that he wanted Wakanoho to lose. However, Kotooshu has denied the allegations, adding that he can only speak very simple Russian and does not even know the phrase Wakanoho has accused him of speaking.

Shukan Gendai printed the article containing Wakanoho’s allegations just a day after Yokozuna Asashoryu appeared as a witness in the libel suit the Japan Sumo Association filed against the magazine for an earlier article about match fixing. Wakanoho, who was thrown out of the JSA last month after being arrested for marijuana possession, has announced his intention to appear in court on behalf of the magazine.

It has been reported that Wakanoho’s mother has demanded that he return home and stop bringing “shame” to Russia, but it doesn’t look like he’s ready to give up his quest to expose the “evil” going on in the sumo world.