Last week news of a wild brawl involving sumo wrestlers broke across international outlets. In Japan, the epicenter of the story, the news rocked mainstream culture, giving yet another black-eye to the historic, and sometimes scandalous, sport.
The brawl itself happened in early November at a restaurant-bar in Tottori prefecture. Those involved were Harumafuji Kohei and Hakuho Sho (both yokozuna — the sport’s highest rank) and the younger and lower-ranked wrestler Takanoiwa Yoshimori.
Reports stated that Harumafuji and Hakuho were lecturing Takanoiwa regarding the junior wrestler’s attitude and perceived lack of deference. Supposedly, while this dressing down was happening, Takanoiwa was playing with his phone and not taking the discussion seriously.