The historic Japanese sport of sumo wrestling has endured a number of controversies over the past decade. So much so, that sumo has suffered a huge drop in popularity (and ticket sales). After some years removed from hazing, gambling, match-fixing, or yakuza scandals, the sport looked back on track. However, a new incident has threatened to throw the supposed noble world of sumo back into the gutter.
On November 14th it was reported that Harumafuji Kohei, the reigning yokozuna (the sport’s highest rank), had gotten into a brutal bar brawl with fellow, though lower ranked, wrestler Takanoiwa Yoshimori.