Hakuho, sumo’s greatest ever wrestler, receives a humiliating demotion after being held responsible for the violent acts of his 22-year-old protégé
- Hakuho, 38, will now be the absolute lowest rank a sumo elder can possibly have
- He had a brilliant career, with records for most wins and longest reign
- Violent newcomer Hokuseiho, 22, is ‘advised’ to retire
History’s greatest sumo wrestler will be demoted to the lowest rank of sumo ‘elders’ after being blamed for a newcomer’s violent behavior.
Hakuho, real name Monkybatyn Davaajargal, 38, originally from Mongolia, is the most successful sumo wrestler of all time.
Since retiring from the 2,000-year-old sport, Hakuho has led the Miyagino stable where sumo wrestlers live and train.
One of the wrestlers under his wing, 22-year-old newcomer Hokuseiho, is shown to be violent towards other wrestlers and also win fights against wrestlers not controlled by Hakuho.
Hokuseiho, who is 6 feet tall and weighs almost 30 pounds, was said to be on the rise but is now being advised to retire due to his poor behavior.
Hakuho, 38, originally from Mongolia, is the most successful sumo wrestler of all time
Hokuseiho, 22, is a newcomer and is on the rise, but is already being advised to retire
Hakuho, whose responsibility it is to watch over the wrestlers in his stable, will be demoted by two levels as punishment – meaning he will have the lowest rank a sumo elder can possibly be.
Not only his honor will be damaged, but also his wallet; a pay cut is expected.
Hakuho is 6ft tall and weighs an unwieldy 24 stone.
At the age of 22, he was made a yokozuna, meaning grandmaster – something that is said to be extremely difficult to become.
To become a yokozuna, you must prove you’re exceptional and be nominated — but it’s no wonder Hakuho received the honor.
His record is remarkable and he is truly a legend of the age-old sport. He has won 45 championship titles – the most ever. He has recorded seven consecutive victories – the most ever. As a major champion, he has played 84 tournaments – the most ever. And he has won 1,187 fights – again the most ever.
When he was made a yokozuna, he was the 69th person to experience the sport.
Not only is he a champion of the sport, he is defended the sport. Along with other successful Mongolians, he helped bring back its popularity when it began to decline several years ago, with sports fans beginning to favor more Western activities such as baseball.
Hakuho was a bit of an outsider and was always a rather unorthodox character. this was evident in his habit of roaring with triumph when he won a fight – something traditionally frowned upon in the ironically highly civilized sport.
The sumo legend has not always been as respected as he was at the height of his glittering career. When he started out, he was turned down time and time again to join a stable and become a professional sumo wrestler because he was only a measly nine and a half stone.
The retired sumo legend hosts after wrestling as master of the Miyagino stable
The violent and bullying behavior that Hokuseiho has been found guilty of is not uncommon in the world of sumo wrestling.
The mean treatment of younger wrestlers is often masked as a way to teach them how to be tough.
Sometimes the violent behavior leads to even more sinister activities.
The Times reported that in 2007, a 17-year-old in the sumo industry was beaten to death with a baseball bat.
The newspaper also reported that the Hakuho’s predecessor in the Miyagino stable, Kazuyuki Yamamura, was convicted in 2016 of sticking needles into an employee’s fingernails and smashing them with a baseball bat. He also reportedly threatened to crush the employees’ testicles and gouge out their eyes.