Police to question sumo champ Hakuho on Harumafuji assault

November 27, 2017

Tottori- Local police plan to question yokozuna top-ranking sumo wrestler Hakuho soon over fellow Mongolian grand champion Harumafuji's alleged assault against a junior wrestler at a drinking party in western Japan last month, it was learned Sunday.

The Tottori prefectural police department's questioning of Hakuho, who attended the party in the city of Tottori, will take place after the November grand sumo tournament ended the same day. In the bimonthly tournament, Hakuho won the Emperor's Cup for the 40th time, extending his all-time record.

Police investigators have already questioned yokozuna Kakuryu and Terunofuji, who is in the third-highest rank of sekiwake. The two, who were also present in the party of wrestlers from Mongolia, sat out the latest tournament due to injuries.

The police will closely investigate the alleged violence of Harumafuji, 33, against Takanoiwa, a 27-year-old Mongolian wrestler in the makuuchi top division and send papers on Harumafuji to the prosecution on assault charges by the end of the year, police sources said.

While drinking at the party from the night of Oct. 25 to early next day, Harumafuji allegedly lost his temper over Takanoiwa's behavior and assaulted against the junior wrestler.

According to the sources, Harumafuji said he had pounded Takanoiwa with his bare hands and had not used a beer bottle as reported, while Takanoiwa said he had been hit with something hard.

The police are investigating the details of the alleged attack. Jiji Press