Harumafuji questioned by Sumo group over assault

November 19, 2017

Tokyo- The Japan Sumo Association started questioning top wrestler Harumafuji in Tokyo Sunday morning over his alleged assault of a lower-ranking wrestler, informed sources said.

The questioning of the 33-year-old Mongolian sumo grand champion, or yokozuna, is being conducted by the association's crisis management committee, the sources said.

"Information needs to be gathered speedily" because there are conflicting accounts of the incident, a senior association official said.

On Friday, police questioned Harumafuji on a voluntary basis over allegations that he assaulted another Mongolian wrestler, Takanoiwa, 27.

The incident occurred when Mongolian sumo wrestlers were having a drinking party in the city of Tottori, western Japan, from the night of Oct. 25 to the early hours of Oct. 26.

Takanoiwa filed a complaint with the Tottori prefectural police department over the assault.

The crisis management committee plans to question other wrestlers who attended the party, including another yokozuna, Hakuho, the sources said. Jiji Press