Asashoryu has never been popular in Japan. He has never struck a chord with the Japanese, despite his many tournament victories. On numerous occasions, he has projected a “bad boy” image. A street fighter, a bathroom brawler.
Watching him on and off the sumo ring really makes us yearn for the days of truly great yokozuna who had an undisputable aura, charisma, and dignity.
Chiyonofuji, Kitanoumi, Taiho, Futabayama.
We’ve had our share of mediocre yokozuna as well, and even one bad and bizarre one in Futahaguro who never got his yokozuna career off the ground.
Asashoryu was well on his way to being one of the winningest yokozuna in history. But one misjudgment too many has brought all that crashing down. And now it looks like he will have his own defiant way again, when he is permitted to take a leave of absence in his native Mongolia.
No doubt, he is undergoing unprecedented humiliation. No yokozuna has ever been punished this severely. It is doubtful that he can overcome this humiliation and attain his winning form again. This is no longer the realm of the tabloids. It is national news. The Japan Sumo Association’s message to him seemed to be “Don’t mess with us” and “We own you, and you do as you are told or you are out.” Hopefully, he will get the message this time. But If he decides to retire, he will not be sorely missed.