- Hakuho, 38, will now be the lowest rank a sumo elder can hold.
- He had a brilliant career, holding records for most fights won and longest reign.
- Violent newcomer Hokuseiho, 22, ‘advised’ to retire
The greatest sumo wrestler in history will be demoted to the lowest rank of sumo “elders” after being held responsible for the violent behavior of a newcomer.
Hakuho, whose real name is 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 gone on to run the Miyagino stable where sumo wrestlers live and train.
One of the wrestlers under his protection, 22-year-old newcomer Hokuseiho, has been found to be violent towards other wrestlers and also wins matches against wrestlers Hakuho has not controlled.
Hokuseiho, who is 6’8 and weighs almost 30 kilos, is said to be on the rise, but is now being advised to retire due to his bad behavior.
Hakuho, 38, originally from Mongolia, is the most successful sumo wrestler of all time.
Hokuseiho, 22, is a newcomer and on the rise, but he has already been advised to retire.
Hakuho, whose responsibility is to watch over the wrestlers in his stable, will be demoted two levels as punishment, meaning it will be the lowest rank a sumo elder can have.
Not only will your honor be damaged, but also your wallet; A salary cut is expected.
Hakuho is 6’4 and weighs 24 kilos.
He was named yokozuna, meaning grandmaster, at the age of 22, something that is said to be extremely difficult to achieve.
To become a yokozuna, one must prove themselves exceptional and be nominated, but it is no surprise that Hakuho received that honor.
His career is remarkable and he truly is a legend of ancient sports. He has won 45 championship titles, the most in his history. He has achieved seven consecutive victories, the most in his history. He has participated in 84 tournaments as grand champion, the most in his history. And he has won 1,187 fights, again the most in his history.
When he was made a yokozuna, he was the 69th to have seen this sport.
Not only is he a champion in this sport, he has also defended the sport. With other successful Mongols he helped regain popularity when it began to decline a few years ago, and sports fans began to favor more Western activities such as baseball.
Somewhat nonconformist, Hakuho was always an unorthodox character. This was evident in his habit of roaring in triumph when he won a fight, something that is traditionally frowned upon in this ironically so civilized sport.
The sumo legend has not always been as respected as he was at the height of his brilliant career. When he started out, he was rejected time and time again to join a stable and become a professional sumo wrestler due to the fact that he was a puny nine and a half weight.
Retired sumo legend fills post-wrestling hosting role as Miyagino stable master
Violent and bullying behavior like that Hokuseiho has been found guilty of is not uncommon in the world of sumo wrestling.
Nasty treatment of younger wrestlers is often disguised as teaching them to be tough.
Sometimes 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 Hakuho’s predecessor at the Miyagino stable, Kazuyuki Yamamura, was convicted in 2016 of sticking needles into an employee’s fingernails and breaking them with a baseball bat. He also reportedly threatened to crush the employees’ testicles and also gouge out their eyes.
