Nishikido situation; split from kyujo thread

[Orion 431]

As an absolutely neutral sumo fan living in Indonesia who's only interested in the spectacle of the sport kindly provided by Kintamayama and the good people of this forum, will anybody confirm if anything will come to light in the forum regarding the stuff everybody's been beating around the bush about or should I wait for an official report by the NSK? Feeling like a dumb mule reading this thread.

What we've been given so far as to a hint is that something is going on with Nishikido beya where 6 out of the 8 rikishi in the beya are withdrawn from the basho. Nishinoshima has inside information but for privacy reasons cannot divulge that information to us without another news source or the NSK making that information public. However whatever hints he's dropped indicates it is not a very good situation for the beya or the rikishi. As I said before my hopes are that whatever happened in what is seemingly a fallout doesn't end with many rikishi's careers ending. And I also hope that soon the situation will get to a point where we will be enlightened on what happened, maybe by Nishinoshima but I won't hold my breath until later in or even after the basho. We do not know what happened to the rikishi or why they have withdrawn.

Right. And I actually live here and my next NHK commentary is coming up next Sunday. Maybe I'm reading the wrong newspapers? But anybody who calls a heya a beya (not including Jesse and Akebono who, however much they brought foreigners into real sumo, are not experts on the Japanese language) is, these days, not exactly quotable.

Why don't we just hold our breaths until a reliable source appears?

Orion, rather busy these days....

Orion, I am sorry that my apparent incorrect use of the Japanese language has appalled you. However listening to broadcasts and hearing the gyoji who announce the rikishi as they are on the dohyo and their heyas are pronounced "beyas," at least give me the courtesy of trying to be as helpful to other people curious about what is going on instead of chiding me for what you presume to be my errors of the Japanese language. I do live in Kyushu, was educated in the Japanese school system, and do hold an N1 in the JLPT. Forgive me if my Japanese is bad to you.

I furthermore do not claim to have any inside information as to this incident, nor was I trying to assume what may have been going on. I am only trying to be helpful to those who are inquiring more into the situation. I am also not claiming to be a reliable source because I have no source as to what in the world is going on with one "heya's" problems. No official information is being given to the public, but like I said earlier, hints are being dropped that indicates something bad happened. So people become curious. Wouldn't you?

I will now remove myself from this conversation because it does no good to speculate, and it will more than likely resolve itself without nitpickers getting involved.

]

I'm really sorry about the confusion in my case. I wasn't following the main theme at all, but simply switched to the 'newest message' and joined in from there. I had absolutely no idea it was originally about Brodi and everything that has been added from there is new to me. But FWIW I am quite sure that Nishi knows exactly what he is doing and can be trusted to keep quiet when that is the best policy for now.

Orion, having a rather busy time...,

[bettega 431]

Oh man.

It's hard not to read behind the lines (or whatever is the technical term in english). To me, as an absolute outsider, it seems that Brodi was bullied to hell by 5 rikishi and is back in Canada for good. The rikishi are been punished (lightly) and will be back soon. Brodi don't.

Shame.

[Nantonoyama 252]

Oh man.

It's hard not to read behind the lines (or whatever is the technical term in english). To me, as an absolute outsider, it seems that Brodi was bullied to hell by 5 rikishi and is back in Canada for good. The rikishi are been punished (lightly) and will be back soon. Brodi don't.

Shame.

Unless the situation is grave enough to end up in a trial. In this case, if all 5 or any subpart of those 5 rikishi are judged guilty, I think that they could be expelled from kyokai

[Orion 431]

Oh man.

It's hard not to read behind the lines (or whatever is the technical term in english). To me, as an absolute outsider, it seems that Brodi was bullied to hell by 5 rikishi and is back in Canada for good. The rikishi are been punished (lightly) and will be back soon. Brodi don't.

Shame.

Unless the situation is grave enough to end up in a trial. In this case, if all 5 or any subpart of those 5 rikishi are judged guilty, I think that they could be expelled from kyokai

Guys and guyesses,

It's pretty clear that there is only one person on this list who really knows what is going on. It appears that he is going behind the scenes to try to sort things out. Why don't we just shut up and wait for him to give us the real skinny?

Orion

[Jojo 11]

Oh man.

It's hard not to read behind the lines (or whatever is the technical term in english). To me, as an absolute outsider, it seems that Brodi was bullied to hell by 5 rikishi and is back in Canada for good. The rikishi are been punished (lightly) and will be back soon. Brodi don't.

Shame.

Unless the situation is grave enough to end up in a trial. In this case, if all 5 or any subpart of those 5 rikishi are judged guilty, I think that they could be expelled from kyokai

Guys and guyesses,

It's pretty clear that there is only one person on this list who really knows what is going on. It appears that he is going behind the scenes to try to sort things out. Why don't we just shut up and wait for him to give us the real skinny?

Orion

Seconded...!

"give us the real skinny", ha! About a Sumo stable, cracked me up! Well done

[bettega 431]

Well.... ok. But I think that nothing will come out of it, no new info and no punishment (if aplicable). Just a gaijin in sandame...

Be well, Brodi. Be well.

[Rocks 1,809]

If there was bullying perhaps it is related to the Nishikido Oyakata getting injured judging Homarenishiki's match on March 19th at the Haru basho?

[Asameshimae 220]

I went to the first day of sumo, and before I could even get settled in, I heard that Homarenishiki had "gone" back to Canada, but that could've just been people jumping the gun. I heard no speculation or rumours about why.

Edited May 20, 2016 by Asameshimae

[WAKATAKE 2,671]

I went to the first day of sumo, and before I could even get settled in, I heard that Homarefuji had "gone" back to Canada, but that could've just been people jumping the gun. I heard no speculation or rumours about why.

Correction: Brodi is "Homarenishiki" while "Homarefuji" is in Juryo and belongs to Isegahama beya. Want to make sure there's no confusion.

[Asameshimae 220]

Have you had a chance to see sumo training in a stable? You would disabuse yourself quickly of "bullying being beneath your image of people who practice sumo". I have seen hazing/bullying on a scale that had me cringing. I think anyone who has been to see sumo practice a few times could tell similar stories. I can't imagine what goes on when visitors aren't watching. This all goes on under the premise of "toughening them up" but I think many would agree it goes way too far.

While I am commenting, I thought I'd add: the word "IJIME" translates well into English as bullying, there isn't much of a cultural nuance here, IJIME is bullying - by a group, by one person, whatever.

I am appalled to learn from his situation from ''sources''. I honestly thought that bullying was in the past after 2008-2010 scandals.

Bullying is so beneath my vision of Japanese people, or people who practice sumo in general. I understand the hierarchy system where sekitori rikishi treat sumotori rikishi like servants which include buying stuff, making meals and cleaning. But this is unacceptable.

I have such a good view of sumo and japanese in general so the bullying didn't even come to my mind. Every single person I have met from Japan have been great people.

To me sumo represents competetiveness, sacrifice, self-improvement via vigorous training and forming bonds with your family. It seems I have to re-evaluate what sumo means for certain japanese people. It distresses me to see that such people can even become rikishi.

Edited May 20, 2016 by Asameshimae

[Asameshimae 220]

I have done a few news searches in Japanese and have still found zip. Anyone else? All I know besides hearing a rumour Homarenishiki had gone back to Canada is what I have read here.

[kosomo 32]

I know that the dust hasn't even settled yet after the honbasho, but anything come to light yet?

I still hoping for a happy ending and more cheering for Homarenishiki next basho!!!

[bettega 431]

I doubt we'll get any more info (unless Brodi's father make a post in some social media).

[Benevolance 2,511]

And if Brodi is back in Canada, I seriously doubt there will be a reconciliation. As Kintamayama said, running away down the street is one thing, heading to a different country is another...

Edited May 24, 2016 by Benevolance

[MrGrumpyGills 134]

I found an article with some information on the issue, it's rather vague, though (and doesn't add anything new, really):

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2016/05/26/sumo/consistent-kisenosato-needs-title-secure-promotion-yokozuna/

The first half of the article is about Kisenosato, the second about Homarenishiki.

[Gurowake 4,100]

Effectively all the information in the part of the article about Brodi refers to posts on this forum.

[kosomo 32]

Effectively all the information in the part of the article about Brodi refers to posts on this forum.

haha yeah, I noticed that as well.

While I am consistently amazed by the level of knowledge on this forum, both of sumo in general and insider knowledge, by it's GREAT members, is quoting a forum really OK as journalism? (pardon my ignorance)

[hamcornheinz 839]

Effectively all the information in the part of the article about Brodi refers to posts on this forum.

haha yeah, I noticed that as well.

While I am consistently amazed by the level of knowledge on this forum, both of sumo in general and insider knowledge, by it's GREAT members, is quoting a forum really OK as journalism? (pardon my ignorance)

there is nothing that isn't OK in journalism my friend...

[Asameshimae 220]

The only info I have found in Japanese (and this is over 10 days or so) is exactly one twitter tweet that says nothing new. They are certainly keeping this under wraps for now.

[Kintamayama 45,511]

The significant thing for now is that he is not on the May retirement list, which to me means that Nishikido has not given up on him.

[WAKATAKE 2,671]

The significant thing for now is that he is not on the May retirement list, which to me means that Nishikido has not given up on him.

I noticed that too. But we'll have to see what he does for Nagoya.

[hamcornheinz 839]

just my two cents here, and I may very well get lambasted, but there is a reason why the best fighters tend to come from poor homes, the slums, mongolians generally have a hard life as well. You have to be a hard, hard man to do this stuff. Sumo's rules may be a bit less violent than say MMA but I doubt the training is easier, and I doubt the physical damage is any less terrible. I hope Brodi gets through whatever he's going through, but if he decides to leave Ozumo for a football scholarship or something, no shame in that either.

[Sumozumo 240]

I seriously doubt he is eligible for sports scholarship after participation in sumo

[hamcornheinz 839]

I seriously doubt he is eligible for sports scholarship after participation in sumo

why is that

[Umigame 82]

There’s a short, cryptic dispatch about Homarenishiki on page 88 of the May issue of “Sumo” magazine.

“He injured his left shoulder and went back to his hometown in early April and had surgery. His return is in a state of flux.” [...] A bewildered Nishikido oyakata said, “I heard he has a personal physician in Canada so I let him go. Haven’t been able to contact him…”

No mention of the other 5 kyujo rikishi.

Edited May 28, 2016 by Umigame