Japanese Sumo Scandals Continue

When it rains, it pours. And the trouble just keeps on piling up in the world of sumo wrestling. 

First, a scandal broke as some coaches were selling special ringside seats to the yazuka (mafia). Shortly after a second scandal hit as 34-year old ozeki Kotomitsuki admitted that he had a problem gambling on baseball games and got into trouble with the yakuza. And then, a Hairdresser going by the single name of Tokoike is suspected of having acted as a go-between between wrestlers and bookmakers. 65 sumo association members and wrestlers have admitted to illegal gambling, Japanese media have reported.

The latest trouble comes now as police have obtained an arrest warrant for 38-year-old Mitsutomo Furuichi for allegedly trying to blackmail Kotomitsuki in connection with the illegal gambling on professional baseball games. Kotomitsuki had claimed he had paid 3.5 million yen (US$38,000) in 'hush money' to Furuichi, who had demanded over 100 million yen.

And as if things weren't bad enough, sumo has lost their biggest sponsor as Nagatanien Co. decided to cancel its 12 million yen ($130,000) in sponsorship for the Nagoya tournament, scheduled to begin July 11.

A decision is to be made on July 4 on whether to go ahead with the Nagoya basho amidst talk of broadcaster NHK canceling their live coverage. The last time the Japan Sumo Association canceled a tournament was in 1946, when repairs at a hall were delayed.