Head of Bulgarian Sumo Federation gloats about Asashoryu’s retirement
An article from Sofia News Agency notes how Bulgarian sumo wrestler Kotooshu has a better chance of winning championships now that Asashoryu is gone:
Kotooshu is reported as behaving totally differently, abiding by all social and professional rules. His wedding, on February 14, will be conducted entirely according to Japanese protocol and tradition.
The entire sumo community will attend the wedding of Kotooshu and his bride Asako and some 250 wrestlers are expected to attend the celebration.
His future best man and head of the Bulgarian Sumo Federation Petar Stoyanov, commented on Kotooshu’s professional prospects, following Asashoryu’s retirement.
“We are not gloating over this, but for Bulgaria it is good. The retirement of Asashoryu gives him a very big chance to attack the top position from second place . Kotooshu needs to be the winner in the next two tournaments, in one to acquire a credit of 14:1 or 15: 0 and, I think, he will immediately be selected for yokozuna,” Stoyanov said.
While we’re on the topic of Asashoryu, just thought I’d like to share this interesting account of Asashoryu’s retirement, from a Mongolian blog I found today via Google:
Asashoryu has “volunteered” to quit the Sumo arena to avoid being “kicked out” officially by Japan Sumo Association because of his constant “bad behavour” violating Sumo rules and ethics.
That way he saved his name and stepped down with honor. The last incident happened during recent January Tournament when he punched the face of a Chinese-born “Japanese” who owned the restaurant where the Grand champion was dining. The owner of this restaurant must have said something offensive to Asashoryu , like “What is Mongolia anyway?” and “Mongolia is part of Great China”, etc., which would easily anger any Mongol.
Some say, it was a planned plot to get him into a trouble which would be enough to justify the banning him from Sumo.
The Japanese TV news programs I’ve watched in the last week have not gone into such detail. Perhaps it is based on some Japanese media report, or maybe the Mongolian press interviewed some people involved. It could also be a rumor being spread around in Mongolia by Asashoryu fans who want to put a positive spin on the fact that their hero assaulted someone. It sure would seem grand if the whole incident took place because he was trying to defend Mongolian honor from an arrogant Chinese-Japanese…
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