Asanoyama's COVID violation suspension and comeback

[Seiyashi 4,097]

1 minute ago, Asashosakari said:

Sanspo's article may stop short (by about one inch...) from directly implicating ex-Asashio in Asanoyama's scandal, but it's clear what its author is saying. The headline even goes all the way, as far as I can tell, but of course headlines aren't necessarily written by the article author.

Amusingly the boot was further put in gratuitously by reminding readers that Asashio was also forced to deal with scandals due to Asashoryu.

Yes, I agree; the timing of this announcement is also very suspect, almost as if it's a deal to keep any indiscretions out of the news (but that's probably a bit too much of a surmise). 

Pardon the haha response - that was more schadenfreude at ex-Asashio than anything else.

Edited June 10, 2021 by Seiyashi

[nagora 88]

3 hours ago, Asapedroryu said:

You can read it by switching off the Internet once the page loads and before the pop up to login shows up.

Hey! Some other people might be using the Internet, you know!

[Seiyashi 4,097]

https://hochi.news/articles/20210611-OHT1T51001.html

On top of what was said in Sanspo yesterday, Hochi further reports that stable sources say that Asanoyama has handed in intai documents. It does point out that Abi did the same but the NSK didn't accept the documents then, but it's unclear whether Asanoyama himself handed in the documents or otherwise. 

Seems like Kintamayama is right, if Asanoyama would rather retire than fight back from the unsalaried ranks. 

We're still waiting for the formal decision though. 

[Seiyashi 4,097]

https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/sumo/20210610-OYT1T50337/

Yomiuri further reports that Nishikijima has actually resigned already (and also can't resist getting in digs at his other brush with trouble with Asashoryu). But a later Nikkan article still continues to say that Nishikijima intends to resign. Guess we'll have to wait for the actual press release from the NSK. 

Edited June 11, 2021 by Seiyashi

[Tigerboy1966 1,449]

18 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

Seems like Kintamayama is right, if Asanoyama would rather retire than fight back from the unsalaried ranks. 

I may be proved very wrong, very quickly, but I think that submitting the retirement papers is a necessary part of the process and a way of showing contrition, regardless of his actual intentions.

[Seiyashi 4,097]

11 minutes ago, Tigerboy1966 said:

I may be proved very wrong, very quickly, but I think that submitting the retirement papers is a necessary part of the process and a way of showing contrition, regardless of his actual intentions.

That's what I thought too, but the only modern precedent so far, Abi, had had his papers submitted for him. I'm given to understand the NSK didn't accept it not so much out of contrition, but because they had doubts whether Abi truly intended to resign or Shikoroyama had just gotten fed up and handed in the papers for him. In other words, the NSK didn't accept it not because they thought it was a tate-gyoji sashichigae situation.

Here, there's no mention of who handed in Asanoyama's papers. If Asanoyama himself handed them in there's really no telling whether or not he intends to just retire because he doesn't want to take a suspension and then fight his way back up. The NSK could also not immediately accept the papers and force him to serve out the suspension period then retire, but that's a little cruel.

Off-topic, considering the last thing I posted before I went to sleep last night was on this affair, I dreamt that Asanoyama had been suspended for 9 basho. That would put him... in Jonidan, pretty much, and might just get him to beat Terunofuji's record - if he stayed in sumo.

Edited June 11, 2021 by Seiyashi

[Tigerboy1966 1,449]

Well, that's enough of putting 朝乃山 into Google search- News- Past hour and hitting refresh every five minutes. I have a job to go to...

[Seiyashi 4,097]

3 hours ago, Tigerboy1966 said:

Well, that's enough of putting 朝乃山 into Google search- News- Past hour and hitting refresh every five minutes. I have a job to go to...

:in best Spongebob voice: three... hours.... later...... still hitting refresh every 5 minutes. They're leaving it a bit late for a Friday, this...

[Kamitsuumi 401]

I did it! https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210611/k10013080751000.html

Six basho suspension, six months of half pay

Edited June 11, 2021 by Kamitsuumi

[Seiyashi 4,097]

2 minutes ago, Kamitsuumi said:

I did it! https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210611/k10013080751000.html

Six basho suspension, six months of half pay

6 basho, hm. So kadoban in Nagoya, ozekiwake in Aki, mid maegashira in Kyushu, mid-juryo in Hatsu, high makushita in Haru, then mid makushita in Natsu. So by the time he comes back he'll be fighting from low makushita/high sandanme.

No word on Takasago, Nishikijima, or the intai documents, though.

[Stupidface 34]

3 minutes ago, Kamitsuumi said:

I did it! https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210611/k10013080751000.html

Six basho suspension, six months of half pay

Thank you, been waiting all morning for the news!

[Yokozuna Hattorizakura 153]

4 minutes ago, Kamitsuumi said:

I did it! https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210611/k10013080751000.html

Six basho suspension, six months of half pay

So he will end up at the exact same position as abi. I guess that counts as consistency.

[Seiyashi 4,097]

1 minute ago, Yokozuna Hattorizakura said:

So he will end up at the exact same position as abi. I guess that counts as consistency.

No, one basho more and potentially a division lower, even after accounting for the kadoban/ozekiwake basho. He will start at low makushita or high sandanme instead. Leaving aside the two basho needed to make him properly demotable as a 0-0-15, that extra basho doesn't seem like much. 

Abi got 5 months of half pay and 3 basho off. Asanoyama has 6 months half pay and 6 basho off, 4 if you don't count the two needed to take into account ozeki. That extra month and basho doesn't seem very much more to me, considering the alleged burden of his rank.

Edited June 11, 2021 by Seiyashi

[Stupidface 34]

4 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

No, one basho more and potentially a division lower, even after accounting for the kadoban/ozekiwake basho. He will start at low makushita or high sandanme instead. Leaving aside the two basho needed to make him properly demotable as a 0-0-15, that extra basho doesn't seem like much. 

Abi got 5 months of half pay and 3 basho off. Asanoyama has 6 months half pay and 6 basho off, 4 if you don't count the two needed to take into account ozeki. That extra month and basho doesn't seem very much more to me, considering the alleged burden of his rank.

Is the previous basho counting as part of the 6 basho suspension, or is it 6 from now do you think?

[Seiyashi 4,097]

Just now, Stupidface said:

Is the previous basho counting as part of the 6 basho suspension, or is it 6 from now do you think?

I think it is from now. They took pains to mention that Ryuden's suspension was retroactive, so it can probably be safely assumed that if it is not specifically mentioned, the punishment is prospective.

Edited June 11, 2021 by Seiyashi

[Godango 996]

13 minutes ago, Kamitsuumi said:

I did it! https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210611/k10013080751000.html

Six basho suspension, six months of half pay

Just want to point out I called the six basho suspension the day this all went down .

Big punishment, but it's only fair, as stated above, he needs to drop to the same level as the other two, and in this case his high rank means he has to sit out longer to do it -- which is fitting given more is to be expected from him. 

Will he stick it out? I'm on the fence.

[Seiyashi 4,097]

Aha. Asahi completes the picture. Asanoyama's intai documents not accepted, but Nishikijima's resignation is - Asahi makes some mention of him also having violated guidelines (so it's not entirely just because of the Asanoyama fiasco). Turns out that he went out for dinners repeatedly between July last year and March this year with acquaintances, even with tsukebito present (so during the period when he was still Takasago oyakata). No word on Takasago yet. 

 

 

EDIT: confirmed by NHK that Nishikijima has resigned due to COVID guideline violations himself. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210611/k10013080761000.html

Edited June 11, 2021 by Seiyashi

[Faustonowaka 130]

Terunofuji: “I am the only rikishi in history to have been demoted all the way down to the unpayed ranks and make it back to Ozeki!”

Asanoyama: “Hold my beer!”

[Stupidface 34]

18 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

I think it is from now. They took pains to mention that Ryuden's suspension was retroactive, so it can probably be safely assumed that if it is not specifically mentioned, the punishment is prospective.

Thank you, I'm glad they seemingly haven't accepted his retirement papers, hopefully he'll stick it out and come back.

[Seiyashi 4,097]

14 minutes ago, Stupidface said:

Thank you, I'm glad they seemingly haven't accepted his retirement papers, hopefully he'll stick it out and come back.

NHK's fuller report says he's under the same Damocles as Abi:

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210611/k10013080751000.html

His papers weren't accepted, but his remaining active is on the condition that he will retire if he causes any further trouble.

It seems that since January till now, he went out 10 times to restaurants accompanied. There was also one instance before the November basho last year. It's also said that he colluded with the sports reporter to lie to the NSK that he was going for treatment when initially questioned.

Apart from Nishikijima's resignation due to unnecessary outings himself, Takasago has a 3-month 20% pay cut for lack of guidance and supervision.

Hoo boy. If Asashio set this kind of example, I wouldn't be surprised if Asanoyama wasn't the last we heard of COVID violations at Takasago-beya. The compliance committee was quoted by Asahi as saying as much.

Edited June 11, 2021 by Seiyashi

[Eikokurai 3,437]

Man ... a whole year out. I know why they’ve done this obviously, but being selfish for a second, I’m not thrilled with the prospect of watching sumo without one of Japan’s best young rikishi. It’s an obvious outcome, so I’m in no way surprised, but I suppose until things are confirmed a small part of your brain holds onto the idea that it won’t come to that. A very disappointing episode whichever way you look at it.

I wonder what his response will be. He’s young enough that he can start an alternative career if he wants out, but also young enough to survive a year on the bench and still make a comeback. 

Edited June 11, 2021 by Eikokurai

[Seiyashi 4,097]

The interesting thing is this Nikkan Sports report, which notes for our benefit the seven types of punishment that can be given to all NSK members (and also for violence):

https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202106110000432.html

In order, they are a warning, reduction in pay, suspension from basho (presumably for rikishi), suspension from work (for oyakata and other NSK staff), demotion (also for oyakata and other NSK staff), recommendation to retire, and dismissal. 

There apparently used to be another punishment - name strikeout (jomei) - that was removed after the NSK became a public interest corporation. Context doesn't really say much of what this is; any old timers recall cases where this was used?

Edited June 11, 2021 by Seiyashi

[pricklypomegranate 730]

I am glad I was proven wrong - despite all he’s done he is a very promising rikishi. But I still think the punishment was a little light. He should have been docked his whole salary, for a start. 

[Koorifuu 1,003]

On 11/06/2021 at 11:14, Seiyashi said:

The interesting thing is this Nikkan Sports report, which notes for our benefit the seven types of punishment that can be given to all NSK members (and also for violence):

https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202106110000432.html

In order, they are a warning, reduction in pay, suspension from basho (presumably for rikishi), suspension from work (for oyakata and other NSK staff), demotion, recommendation to retire, and dismissal. 

There apparently used to be another punishment - name strikeout (jomei) - that was removed after the NSK became a public interest corporation. Context doesn't really say much of what this is; any old timers recall cases where this was used?

I reckon 'demotion' only applies to oyakata or similar NSK staff. That's not too uncommon, but I believe we've never seen any rikishi shunted down the banzuke the hard way. It's always been via a suspension + an organic ranking decline due to the 0 wins. At least officially... looking at you, Boody 

Edited June 13, 2021 by Koorifuu

[Seiyashi 4,097]

1 minute ago, Koorifuu said:

I reckon 'demotion' only applies to oyakata or similar NHK staff. That's not too uncommon, but I believe we've never seen any rikishi shunted down the banzuke the hard way. It's always been via a suspension + an organic ranking decline due to the 0 wins. At least officially... looking at you, Boody 

Yeah on relooking it you're right. Edited to reflect that.