Takayoshitoshi scandal

[Yatagarasu 352]

According to this tweet posted by one of the Tachiai blog team, Asahi has reported that new juryo Takayoshitoshi allegedly assaulted his tsukebito today, resulting in injury.  My Japanese isn't good enough to translate the original article - apologies - but we'll see how this one develops.  

 

 

[Yatagarasu 352]

 

[Kaninoyama 1,773]

Here's a quick translated summary of the juicy bits of the Asahi article:

According to witnesses, following his 8th day bout, Takayoshitoshi of Takanohana-beya punched his tsukebito in the face several (5-6) times in the rikishi prep room while cussing him out. 

The face of the beaten tsukebito was bloody, cut, and swollen, and he was observed spitting blood in the bathroom. There was also blood splattered near the entrance to the room.

The reason given for the beating was that the tsukebito was slow in informing Takayoshitoshi to head to the dohyo. Rikishi who were in the room at the time observed the violence, but none made an effort to stop it. 

Edited March 18, 2018 by Kaninoyama
More detail and correction.

[Katooshu 3,219]

Well Takanohana won't stand for this violent, unhonourable behaviour.

Right?

[Rocks 1,809]

Sayounara Takayoshitoshi.  At least he can say he had 1 basho as a sekitori before retiring. 

[Taikoubana 144]

1 hour ago, Kaninoyama said:

Rikishi who were in the room at the time observed the violence, but none made an effort to stop it. 

You would think, after the Harumafuji scandal, the witnessing rikishi would learn that making an effort to stop it keeps them out of hot water much better than not stopping it. But this probably goes to show how much violence happens behind doors. They're so used to it that they just let it happen and don't realize how bad that makes them look when it's in public.

[Yatagarasu 352]

Well it raises a lot of questions on consistency.

Will Takanohana be making a police report?  Will he consider his duties as protecting the tsukebito or ensuring due process for Takayoshitoshi?  Will be cooperate with the NSK's investigation?  How will he respond to being potentially blamed for not supervising his deshi (both of them) and particularly given his absence from the stadium?  How will the NSK deal with the witnesses who did not intervene (assuming the report is correct) - how will they square this with the penalties imposed on Hakuho and Kakuryuu?

This is just too much.

[Yatagarasu 352]

14 minutes ago, Taikoubana said:

You would think, after the Harumafuji scandal, the witnessing rikishi would learn that making an effort to stop it keeps them out of hot water much better than not stopping it. But this probably goes to show how much violence happens behind doors. They're so used to it that they just let it happen and don't realize how bad that makes them look when it's in public.

Perhaps.  But - as Devil's Advocate - this is a slightly different scenario to a drunken party.  Many of them would have been mentally prepping for their own bouts which may explain why they did not want to get involved.  Not saying that's right necessarily, but it's a possible explanation.  Then imagine the announcement at the stadium "we're sorry, ladies and gentleman, but the juryo proceedings have been suspended while medics check on the next competitors and they change their blood-spattered mawashi".  The NSK can't honestly say they would have preferred that going out on a live broadcast to dealing with it after the event with hindsight and a lecture on moral judgment.  

Either way, Takanohana can't blame what comes next on a conspiracy against him.  His own deshi just handed the NSK a carte blanche.  

[Rocks 1,809]

Will Takanohana be making a police report?  No need. As it's already in the press that means it has been reported.

 Will he consider his duties as protecting the tsukebito or ensuring due process for Takayoshitoshi? He's explaining how intai works to Takyoshitoshi right now. 

Will be cooperate with the NSK's investigation?  Yes, as little as there will be considering Takayoshitoshi will be intai by the end of the basho.

How will he respond to being potentially blamed for not supervising his deshi (both of them) and particularly given his absence from the stadium? He'll state it is irrelevant because had he been at the venue at the time he would be doing his job and very likely not have been present in the room anyway.

 How will the NSK deal with the witnesses who did not intervene (assuming the report is correct) - how will they square this with the penalties imposed on Hakuho and Kakuryuu? This will have to be determined but I think it is unlikely anyone gets punished. Despite the excuse given I think it's clear Takayoshitoshi was simply taking his frustration out on his  tsukebito  after his 5th loss indicating he's very likely heading back to makushita. The whole incident was probably very rapid, unprovoked and with little to no warning.

[Kintamayama 45,081]

Takayoshitoshi, one of the Takanohana beya twins, attacked his tsukebito today causing him to bleed    Reason- Takayoshitoshimoshimoshi was late entering the dohyo area after his tsukebito failed to call him in time, and was reprimanded for this by Sakaigawa Oyakata.. After the bout (which he lost..) he entered the dressing room and proceeded to hit his tsukebito 2-3 times in front of all the other rikishi who were preparing for their matches. Kagamiyama Oyakata was notified of this and will investigate it today and tomorrow. Takanohana was not around as, as we know, he is playing mind games with the Kyokai regarding his presence at the stadium. He was there, but left earlier as part of his silent demonstration or whatever.

[rhyen 1,833]

I seriously doubt that they will demand retirement. (The YDC recommendation applies to Yokozuna & Ozeki, who are veteran sekitori)

A severe demotion is definitely in the cards. Perhaps even a hefty fine and schooling.

[Rocks 1,809]

9 minutes ago, rhyen said:

I seriously doubt that they will demand retirement. (The YDC recommendation applies to Yokozuna & Ozeki, who are veteran sekitori)

A severe demotion is definitely in the cards. Perhaps even a hefty fine and schooling.

After the Harumafuji scandal, earlier Takanohana scandal, now Minezaki , forming a committee and just having had special training on violence?

Throw into that Takanohana's dealings with the Kyokai.

He will be lucky if he is allowed to retire. He didn't complete a basho as sekitori so he is owed no exit money.  The Kyokai could just toss him as an example of their seriousness on this issue.  I'd give the odds of Takayoshitoshi ever mounting a professional dohyo again at less than 5%. 

[Rocks 1,809]

They are showing a picture with Harumafuji, Osunaarashi and Takayoshitoshi saying (according to Google translate):

Since last year 's Fuji violence incident in Japan, "scandals" were discovered like every month. There is no end in the negative chain.

There are 2 saving graces here for the Kyokai. First it was immediately reported and acted on so no one can claim any attempt at a cover up. Second the scandal is almost entirely contained to the Takanohana beya so Takanohana can't make hay of it. 

They've already talked with  Takayoshitoshi and he admits everything. Even accepting his excuse a tsukebito making a mistake in his duties hardly justifies corporal punishment. I think the announcement of 2 days is to give Takayoshitoshi time to announce intai himself and perhaps save a little face. A reward for his honesty.  If he doesn't I'd expect the Kyokai to demand it on Tuesday.

[Fukurou 534]

12 minutes ago, Rocks said:

I think the announcement of 2 days

I've missed something - 2 days of what? The NSK or Takanohana to decide punishment? Suspension from the basho?

[Rocks 1,809]

1 minute ago, Fukurou said:

I've missed something - 2 days of what? The NSK or Takanohana to decide punishment? Suspension from the basho?

I think suspension is a given but that hasn't been announced. They are planning an extraordinary council meeting for tomorrow which "discusses the correspondence, and hears the circumstances of the parties". I guess the extra day is to get everyone together. But IMHO it's just a formality at this point. 

[Bumpkin 438]

How injured is the tsukebito? I predict a suspension. Nothing more.

[Tsuchinoninjin 1,267]

If the kyokai makes a judgement before Takanohana boots him out then I can't really believe Takanohanas own storyline anymore.

[Rocks 1,809]

1 minute ago, Bumpkin said:

How injured is the tsukebito? I predict a suspension. Nothing more.

Doesn't really say. Just that he punched him a few times and he ended up bleeding from the mouth. Probably a split lip. 

[Rocks 1,809]

3 minutes ago, Tsuchinoninjin said:

If the kyokai makes a judgement before Takanohana boots him out then I can't really believe Takanohanas own storyline anymore.

Which is why I expect an intai announcement later today.  Takanohana will use this as an opportunity to show he is more effective than the Kyokai.  There is no saving Takayoshitoshi at this point IMO so might as well make the best of it as far as Takanohana is concerned. 

[Bumpkin 438]

47 minutes ago, Rocks said:

Which is why I expect an intai announcement later today.  Takanohana will use this as an opportunity to show he is more effective than the Kyokai.  There is no saving Takayoshitoshi at this point IMO so might as well make the best of it as far as Takanohana is concerned. 

Takanohana's m.o. has always been to protect his deshi. He could say this is an intra-heya dispute and he, as shisho, will handle it. No intai for Takayoshitoshi.

[Rocks 1,809]

Not 100% sure but I think this says Takannhana is pulling him out of the rest of the basho and Takayoshitoshi did not attend a dinner with supporters which was scheduled for last night. 

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2018/03/19/kiji/20180318s00005000337000c.html

[Kintamayama 45,081]

50 minutes ago, Rocks said:

Not 100% sure but I think this says Takannhana is pulling him out of the rest of the basho and Takayoshitoshi did not attend a dinner with supporters which was scheduled for last night. 

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2018/03/19/kiji/20180318s00005000337000c.html

Indeed, they are saying Takanohana is going to punish him. He MIGHT withdraw him from the basho. I also highly doubt that Takayoshitoshi will be forced to retire, but the punishment he may receive may cause him to retire on his own.

Edited March 18, 2018 by Kintamayama

[Yukiarashi 195]

That was surprising waking up to two new mid-basho scandals

What next in this soap drama? Now it turns out one of Takanohana's disciples beat up his junior. To his credit though he looks like he's taking swift action. Maybe Takanohana will dismiss him like he did Takatoshi for doing a lot less. 

Is it fair to say Takagenji and Takayoshitoshi are the new Roho and Hakurozan? Trouble making twins.

Real smart to do it infront of all the sekitori which is filled with Isegahama rikishi...

[Rocks 1,809]

This is blowing up quite a bit. Seems it's number 3 on Google Trends in Japan and it's only 7 am. 

Now this (barring a bad translation):

According to eyewitnesses, as soon as they returned to the eastern readiness room, they pressed them against the walls and beat them several times and added several kicks.

[Rocks 1,809]

Ya gotta love Google translate:: 

Takanohana's disciples · Kikitoshi Kiki beating asses

Blood flowed out of the mouth, with blood stains on the floor. It is an event of several seconds impossible for the surrounding wrestlers to stop, saying "When I do it this time ..."