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Japanese Martial ArtsDiscuss Japanese style Martial Arts here - Aikido, Iaido, Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Karate, Kenpo, Kendo, Kyudo, Kyudo, Ninjitsu, Sumo
So this explains how those guys pack on so much weight. Sumo wrestlers must have enormous cases of the munchies.
TOKYO, Japan (AP) -- One of Japan's highest ranking foreign sumo wrestlers has been arrested on suspicion of marijuana possession, Japanese authorities said Monday in the ancient sport's first major drug scandal.
Soslan Aleksandrovich Gagloev, 20, of Russia -- better known by his sumo name Wakanoho -- was taken into custody after officers found a marijuana cigarette in a wallet he had lost in Tokyo in June, said a spokeswoman for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
Someone found the wallet and handed it to police, who traced it to the 357-pound (162-kilogram) wrestler because of an identification card inside, said the official, who declined to give her name citing agency policy.
Wakanoho told police he had received the marijuana from a foreigner in Roppongi -- a Tokyo district famous for its bars, clubs and raucous nightlife.
Toshimitsu Kitanoumi, chairman of the Japan Sumo Association, expressed his disappointment following the arrest, pledging on national broadcaster NHK to investigate the situation and "consider serious measures."
Doreen Simmons, a longtime sumo commentator and columnist in Tokyo, said Wakanoho's days as a professional athlete in Japan could be numbered.
"If the charge sticks, then he will be thrown out of the sumo association," Simmons said.
Under Japan's Cannabis Control Law, possession of marijuana is punishable by up to five years in prison with forced labor. Foreigners convicted of drugs crimes can also be deported from Japan and slapped with a lifetime re-entry ban.
It was unclear how prosecutors planned to proceed. Wakanoho turned 20 on July 8 and was legally a minor at the time of the alleged violation.
After his professional debut in March 2005, Wakanoho powered his way up the ranks, reaching the top sumo division in a little over two and a half years. He is now one of 15 foreign wrestlers in the highest "makuuchi" level, along with Mongolian grand champions Asashoryu and Hakuho.
But his fiery temper has often overshadowed his talent. In May, the Japan Sumo Association reprimanded the Russian grappler for smashing a shelf in the wrestlers' communal bathroom following a defeat.
Simmons suggested Wakanoho's youth and the limited time he had to adjust to the expectations of Japan's traditional sumo world may have contributed to his recent troubles.
"One of the problems as I see it is that he went up too quickly," she said. "Others came up more slowly."
Japanese fans have made it clear that they have little patience with bad-boy wrestlers.
Sumo traditionalists were appalled last year by the antics of Asashoryu, who was suspended after claiming an injury and skipping out on summer tour events, only to be shown later on television playing soccer in his native Mongolia. The stress of the resulting firestorm proved too much for him and he left Japan for three months to recuperate at home
__________________ "An eye for an eye only blinds the world." - Ghandi
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein
"Without deviation from the norm progress is not possible." - Frank Zappa
LOL, at this being a major problem. Fringe sports are so funny in their reactions. I think they are blowing this up just to get some attention.
I agree that this is far from a major problem, but, in Japan, sumo is far from being a fringe sport. Those cats are very serious about their sumo.
__________________ "An eye for an eye only blinds the world." - Ghandi
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein
"Without deviation from the norm progress is not possible." - Frank Zappa
I guess it's bound to happen sooner or later, someone trying to get an edge over others.
What's next? Professional poker players?
I don't think anyone is smoking pot to get an edge over the competition. This guy Wakanoho is a major jerk anyway. I hope they give him cab fare to the airport and be done with him.
Wow when I read the thread title I thought it was a Japanese sumo wrestler who had been caught with drugs but I'm not surprised that it was a foreign wrestler. I hope they give him his bags, a plane ticket and show him the door. Japan has so few traditional things left so I am glad they are cracking down on this.
I'd be very surprised if they don't deport him. As the article stated, that's the standard policy for foreigners who are found guilty of breaking Japan's drug laws.
__________________ "An eye for an eye only blinds the world." - Ghandi
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein
"Without deviation from the norm progress is not possible." - Frank Zappa
What an ill-considered comment. Sumo is hardly a fringe sport in the market wherein it operates and needs nothing less than this kind of attention.
Think before you post.
LOL, dude that would be my advice to you, with as many antiquated posts youve been spewing my way.
Like I care about what market it operates in. Even there its still not as big as the likes of say baseball. Hell soccer is probably bigger in Japan. (but I admit I'm guessing about the soccer)
__________________ The name means...No matter how many times you cut him, he will never fall. My soul cutter has no name, it is merely a tool.
I'll Still Kill!
Even the best of men are capable of the most disgusting evil. Just as the most evil man is capable of showing kindness.
Do not be fooled into thinking your enemy's sin is worse than yours, or that your's is better than his.
LOL, dude that would be my advice to you, with as many antiquated posts youve been spewing my way.
Like I care about what market it operates in. Even there its still not as big as the likes of say baseball. Hell soccer is probably bigger in Japan. (but I admit I'm guessing about the soccer)
Sumo is very big here, and Sumo wrestlers are very famous. depending on who you ask, and what parts of Japan you go Sumo is popular more than baseball.
too bad. Wakanoho is going to do some time. does not matter where he got the marijuana from, he still had it, and if he wasnt going to use it(which he said) what was he going to do with it? sell it?
Even tough it's wrong for a person to do that, it's nothing big. I thought he was on coke or something when I saw the thread title.
On coke? C'mon, man. How many coke heads have you ever seen who weigh 350 pounds or more? Nah, he was trying to stimulate his appetite to pack on 50 more pounds.
__________________ "An eye for an eye only blinds the world." - Ghandi
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein
"Without deviation from the norm progress is not possible." - Frank Zappa
Sumo's First Drug Scandal
I'll Still Kill!
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