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Asashoryu suspended from autumn, Kyushu sumo tourneys

TOKYO, Japan - Isenoumi (R) and Musashigawa, both directors of the Japan Sumo Association, speak at a news conference in Tokyo on Aug. 1 about the JSA's decision to suspend yokozuna (grand champion) Asashoryu of Mongolia from the next two grand sumo tournaments as punishment for playing in a soccer charity event in his home country after opting to sit out the summer regional tour citing injuries.

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Sumo group head replaced by Hanaregoma

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Sumo Association's new Chairman Hanaregoma (R) answers questions from reporters after assuming his position on Aug. 12, 2010, in Tokyo. The 62-year-old, formerly known as ozeki Kaiketsu, is replacing Musashigawa, who resigned amid an organized crime-linked gambling scandal rocking the sport.

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Sumo group head replaced by Hanaregoma

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Sumo Association's new Chairman Hanaregoma speaks at a press conference after assuming his position on Aug. 12, 2010, in Tokyo. The 62-year-old, formerly known as ozeki Kaiketsu, is replacing Musashigawa, who resigned amid an organized crime-linked gambling scandal rocking the sport.

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Sumo chairman Musashigawa steps down over scandal

TOKYO, Japan - This photo taken in July 2010 shows former Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa (L) attending a ring entering ceremony at the Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, with grand champion Hakuho (R). Musashigawa stepped down to take responsibility for scandals involving gambling and crime syndicates.

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Nagoya meet gets under way under specter of gambling ring

NAGOYA, Japan - Yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho of Mongolia (L) returns the Emperor's Cup, which he won in the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in May, to Hiroshi Murayama, acting chief for suspended Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa, on the first day of the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya on July 11, 2010.

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Nagoya sumo meet gets under way under specter of gambling ring

NAGOYA, Japan - Hiroshi Murayama, acting chief for suspended Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa, apologizes to fans for a gambling scandal rocking the national sport before the yokozuna (grand champion) performs the ''dohyo-iri'' ritual ceremony at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya on July 11, 2010, the opening day of the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

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Nagoya sumo meet gets under way under specter of gambling ring

NAGOYA, Japan - Hiroshi Murayama (C), acting chief for suspended Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa, apologizes to fans for a gambling scandal rocking the national sport before the yokozuna (grand champion) performs the ''dohyo-iri'' ritual ceremony at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya on July 11, 2010, the opening day of the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament. High-ranking sumo wrestlers joined Murayama.

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Nagoya sumo meet gets under way under specter of gambling ring

NAGOYA, Japan - Hiroshi Murayama (C), acting chief for suspended Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa, and high-ranking sumo wrestlers bow in apology to fans for a gambling scandal rocking the national sport before the yokozuna (grand champion) performs the ''dohyo-iri'' ritual ceremony at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya on July 11, 2010, the opening day of the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

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Nagoya sumo meet gets under way under specter of gambling ring

NAGOYA, Japan - Hiroshi Murayama (C), acting chief for suspended Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa, and high-ranking sumo wrestlers bow in apology to fans for a gambling scandal rocking the national sport before the yokozuna (grand champion) performs the ''dohyo-iri'' ritual ceremony at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya on July 11, 2010, the opening day of the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

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Nagoya sumo meet gets under way under specter of gambling ring

NAGOYA, Japan - Hiroshi Murayama (C), acting chief for suspended Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa, bows in apology to fans for a gambling scandal rocking the national sport before the yokozuna (grand champion) performs the ''dohyo-iri'' ritual ceremony at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya on July 11, 2010, the opening day of the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament. Yokozuna Hakuho of Mongolia (L in front) and other high-ranking sumo wrestlers joined Murayama.

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JSA fires Kotomitsuki over gambling scandal

NAGOYA, Japan - Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa speaks at a news conference at a hotel in Nagoya on July 4, 2010, after the JSA decided to fire ozeki Kotomitsuki and stablemaster Otake for being the central figures in a widespread gambling scandal at an extraordinary meeting of its board of directors.

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JSA fires Kotomitsuki over gambling scandal

NAGOYA, Japan - Hiroyoshi Murayama, a former Tokyo High Prosecutors Office chief, speaks at a news conference at a hotel in Nagoya on July 4, 2010, after being named by the Japan Sumo Association as JSA Chairman Musashigawa's fill-in. Musashigawa will be suspended until the end of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, which runs from July 11 to 25 at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, over his disciples' involvement in a widespread gambling scandal.

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JSA fires Kotomitsuki over gambling scandal

NAGOYA, Japan - Hiroyoshi Murayama (R), a former Tokyo High Prosecutors Office chief, speaks at a news conference at a hotel in Nagoya on July 4, 2010, with Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa. Murayama will act as JSA chief because Musashigawa will be suspended until the end of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, which runs from July 11 to 25 at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, over his disciples' involvement in a widespread gambling scandal.

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Ex-prosecutor Murayama named as acting JSA chief

TOKYO, Japan - This undated file photo shows Hiroshi Murayama, a former chief of the Tokyo High Prosecutors Office, who was named as acting chairman of the Japan Sumo Association. The current JSA chief Musashigawa is to be suspended from the July 11-25 Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament due to a spate of gambling scandals involving wrestlers and members of the association.

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Sumo association meets over gambling scandal

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa (L) speaks in a press conference at the Ryogoku Kokugikan hall in Tokyo on June 28, 2010, after the association met to discuss a baseball gambling scandal involving sumo wrestlers and elders.

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JSA holds extra board meeting on illegal gambling

TOKYO, Japan - The Japan Sumo Association (JSA) holds an extraordinary meeting in Tokyo on June 28, 2010, to discuss illegal gambling on baseball by sumo stablemasters and wrestlers. Among the members attending the meeting is Shigeru Ito (L), who heads a special investigative panel, and JSA Chairman Musashigawa (3rd from L).

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JSA holds extra board meeting on illegal gambling

TOKYO, Japan - Members of the Japan Sumo Association (JSA) hold an extraordinary meeting in Tokyo on June 28, 2010, to discuss illegal gambling on baseball by sumo stablemasters and wrestlers. Among the members attending the meeting is Shigeru Ito, who heads a special investigative panel (L), JSA Chairman Musashigawa (3rd from L) and Hiroyoshi Murayama, former Tokyo High Prosecutors Office chief who is now a board member outside the JSA.

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Sumo rocked by wrestlers' gambling scandal

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa speaks to reporters at the Ryogoku Kokugikan gymnasium in Tokyo on June 14, 2010, after ozeki Kotomitsuki admitted to involvement in illegal gambling on baseball games.

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Stablemasters punished over gangster involvement

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Sumo Association chief Musashigawa speaks to reporters at the Ryogoku Kokugikan hall in Tokyo on May 27, 2010. The association decided that day to punish two stablemasters for giving senior members of an organized crime gang group tickets for grand sumo tournaments.

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Association to pay Asa 120 mil. yen in retirement settlement

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa leaves a meeting of JSA directors at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Feb. 10, 2010, after the meeting decided to pay an undisclosed retirement settlement to former yokozuna Asashoryu of Mongolia, who last week quit the sport following allegations he attacked a man outside a Tokyo nightclub in a drunken rage. According to a source close to the JSA, it is believed Asashoryu will receive 120 million yen in retirement benefits.

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Scandal-tainted champion Asashoryu calls it quits

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa speaks about an announcement by Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Asashoryu to bring an end to his sumo career at a news conference at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Feb. 4, 2010.

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Takanohana elected to Japan Sumo Association board

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa arrives at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Feb. 1, 2010, for an election to elect the 10 directors of the association. Reform-minded former yokozuna (grand champion) Takanohana was elected to the board in the governing body's first election in eight years.

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Emperor, empress watch sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are welcomed by officials of the Japan Sumo Association as they arrive at the Ryogoku Kokugikan gymnasium in Tokyo on Jan. 10, 2010, the first day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. The imperial couple were escorted by JSA Chairman Musashigawa. (Pool photo)

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Emperor, empress watch sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are welcomed by officials of the Japan Sumo Association as they arrive at the Ryogoku Kokugikan gymnasium in Tokyo on Jan. 10, 2010, the first day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. The imperial couple were escorted by JSA Chairman Musashigawa. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho wins Kyushu sumo tournament

FUKUOKA, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho (L) receives the Emperor's Cup from Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa after winning the 15-day Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament with a perfect 15-0 record at Fukuoka Kokusai Center in Fukuoka on Nov. 29, 2009.

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Asashoryu, Hakuho visit PM Hatoyama

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa (L in front) presents Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama (R in front) with a miniature of yokozuna's ropes at the prime minister's office on Oct. 14, 2009 in return for Hatoyama's attendance at an award ceremony in the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in September. In back are grand champions Asashoryu (L) and Hakuho (R).

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Hakuho beats Asashoryu to clinch Nagoya title

NAGOYA, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho (L) receives the Emperor's Cup from Musashigawa, chairman of the Japan Sumo Association, at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya on July 26 after winning the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament with a 14-1 record.

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JSA conducts 1st random doping test on sumo wrestlers

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Sumo Association chief Musashigawa speaks to reporters at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on April 22. The JSA carried out its first random doping tests on wrestlers following a series of drug-related scandals that have tarnished the image of the country's ancient national sport.

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Wrestler arrested for smoking pot refuses severance pay

TOKYO, Japan - Musashigawa, chairman of the Japan Sumo Association, reads out a statement of apology written by former second-division wrestler Wakakirin during a press conference at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Feb. 5. Wakakirin, who was fired on Feb. 2 by the JSA after being arrested for marijuana possession, offered not to receive severance pay.

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JSA fires wrestler arrested for marijuana possession

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa (L) and JSA Director Kokonoe bow in apology during a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 2 after the JSA executive committee decided to fire Wakakirin, who was arrested for marijuana possession on Jan. 30.

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JSA fires wrestler arrested for marijuana possession

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa speaks about a punishment on second-division wrestler Wakakirin at a press conference in Tokyo on Feb. 2 after a meeting of the JSA executive committee. The committee decided to fire Wakakirin, who was arrested for marijuana possession on Jan. 30.

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Asashoryu begins practice for New Year sumo tourney

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu (L in front) joins a practice session at Musashigawa stable in Tokyo on Jan. 3 for the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament scheduled to open at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Jan. 11. (Pool photo)

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Asashoryu begins practice for New Year sumo tourney

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu (R in front) begins practice at Musashigawa stable in Tokyo on Jan. 3 for the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament scheduled to open at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Jan. 11. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Hakuho wins 9th career title at Kyushu sumo

FUKUOKA, Japan - Mongolian grand champion Hakuho receives the Emperor's Cup from Japan Sumo Association chief Musashigawa after his victory in a playoff with countryman Ama at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Nov. 23.

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Hakuho wraps up 8th career title with win

TOKYO, Japan - Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Hakuho (L) receives the Emperor's Cup from Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sept. 28. Hakuho clinched his eighth title in the 15-day Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament with 14 wins and one loss.

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New JSA chief apologizes at outset of autumn sumo tournament

TOKYO, Japan - Flanked by sumo wresters, Japan Sumo Association Chairman Musashigawa apologies to fans from the sumo ring at the outset of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 14. Musashigawa promised a strict new regimen for wrestlers in the wake of alleged drug use involving three Russian wrestlers.

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New sumo chief urges young wrestlers to be 'self-aware and behave'

TOKYO, Japan - Musashigawa (R), the former yokozuna Mienoumi, watches morning drills by sumo wrestlers at his Musashigawa sumo stable in Tokyo on Sept. 9, a day after he took over the chairmanship of the Japan Sumo Association from Kitanoumi, who was forced to resign in the wake of alleged use of marijuana by two Russian sumo wrestlers. Musashigawa summoned all the wrestlers in his stable after the morning drills and, apparently referring to the marijuana scandal, told them to be ''self-aware and behave.''

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JSA chief Kitanoumi resigns, succeeded by Musashigawa

TOKYO, Japan - Outgoing Japan Sumo Association Chairman Kitanoumi (L), who stepped down Sept. 8 over recent marijuana scandals involving sumo wrestlers, and sumo elder Musashigawa, who has been named as his successor, attend a news conference at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 8.

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Japan Sumo Association head Kitanoumi resigns

TOKYO, Japan - Former Japan Sumo Association Chairman Kitanoumi speaks at a news conference at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 8 after sumo's governing body accepted his resignation over the alleged use of marijuana by two Russian wrestlers. At Kitanoumi's right is the new JSA chairman, Musashigawa, the former yokozuna Mienoumi.

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(1)Musashimaru announces retirement

FUKUOKA, Japan - Grand champion Musashimaru, flanked by his stable master Musashigawa, announces his retirement at a news conference in Fukuoka on Nov. 16.

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Musashimaru suffers 3rd loss, withdraws from tourney

NAGOYA, Japan - Yokozuna Musashimaru (R) is pushed out of the ring by No. 3 maegashira Takamisakari on the fifth day of the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on July 10. Musashimaru, who was tagged with his third straight defeat, will withdraw from the tournament July 11, officials of Musashigawa stable said after the bout.

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Musashimaru out of summer sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Samoan-born grand champion Musashimaru (file photo) will miss the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament starting May 11 after failing to fully recover from a wrist injury, Musashigawa, the master of the yokozuna's sumo stable, confirmed on May 6. Musashimaru, 32, has been out of action since November, when he damaged ligaments in his wrist. He underwent surgery later.

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Yokozuna Musashimaru to pull out of spring sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Musashimaru (file photo) will pull out of the upcoming Spring Grand Sumo Tournament after failing to recover from wrist surgery, his stablemaster Musashigawa said on March 3. Musashimaru has been out of action since November, when he aggravated a nagging wrist injury midway through the Kyushu tourney and underwent surgery later that month.

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Musashimaru wins summer sumo tourney

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Musashimaru (C) holds a giant sake cup as he celebrates winning the championship title at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament that ended in Tokyo on May 26. Beside him is his stable master Musashigawa (L). The Samoa-born yokozuna, who clinched his 11th Emperor's Cup with a win the previous day, finished the 15-day tournament with a 13-2 record.

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Musashimaru celebrates sumo tourney win

OSAKA, Japan - Yokozuna Musashimaru (C), with a big sake cup in his hands, celebrates his win in the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, along with his stablemaster Musashigawa (L) and others in Osaka on March 24. The grand champion, who clinched the 10th tournament title of his career on the previous day, fell to ozeki Tochiazuma on the final day of the 15-day tourney to finish with a 13-2 record.

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Ozeki Dejima to quit Nagoya tourney

NAGOYA, Japan - Ozeki Dejima (file photo) has decided to sit out his bouts from July 13 at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament because of an inflamed right thigh. Sumo elder Musashigawa, Dejima's stablemaster, said the same day, ''He had a temperature of 41 degrees two days ago and has been in hospital since last night. We will think about whether he can fight again this tournament after talking with the doctors.''

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Musashimaru, Miyabiyama tangle in pre-tourney tuneup

TOKYO, Japan - Yokozuna Musahimaru (R) and ozeki Miyabiyama (L) tangle in a pre-tournament training session before the Yokozuna Deliberation Council on Aug. 24 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. The Samoan-born grand champion and his Musashigawa stable mate were getting ready for the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament opening in Tokyo on Sept. 3.

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Miyabiyama, Musoyama beam as they see sumo rankings

TOKYO, Japan - Newly promoted ozeki Musoyama (R) and sekiwake Miyabiyama, both of the Musashigawa stable, beam as they look at the new rankings released April 24 by the Japan Sumo Association. Musoyama joins yokozuna Musashimaru and ozeki Dejima in the elite ranks for the May 7-21 Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. Miyabiyama could become the Musashigawa stable's third ozeki if he posts 10 or more wins.

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Miyabiyama into 'sanyaku' ranks for New Year sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Miyabiyama (L), one of the rising stars of the Musashigawa stable, is promoted to komusubi Dec. 22 in the Japan Sumo Association rankings for next month's New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. Miyabiyama points to his name in the rankings list he is holding with Musashigawa, his stable master. The wrestler had an 8-7 win-loss record in Kyushu last month.

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Miyabiyama keeps lead autumn sumo

TOKYO, Japan - Former collegiate star Miyabiyama (L) bounces Chiyotenzan out of the ring on Sept. 18 to remain the lone undefeated leader in the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, with senior stablemate Musashimaru and Akinoshima one step behind. Miyabiyama, a No. 5 maegashira from the Musashigawa stable, had Chiyotenzan (3-4) retreating at the outset of their bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan and shoved him over the edge of the ring to run his winning streak in the 15-day tourney to seven.