The sumo ranking committee has promoted seven wrestlers to the second-highest juryo division for the autumn tournament, including one Mongolian grappler here who was caught up in the recent baseball gambling scandal that shook the sumo world to its foundations.
Twenty-six-year-old Shironoryu, who acquired Japanese citizenship last year, was allowed to participate in the recent Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament because his connection to the gambling was minimal. However, the young wrestler was obviously moved by his promotion from the third-highest makushita division, as he broke down in tears during a news conference to announce the move at the Sakaigawa stable on July 28.
The promotion also comes with an ironic twist, as the makushita division had recently been enlarged to accommodate wrestlers demoted over the gambling scandal.
Shironoryu and his coach began the news conference by bowing to the attendees, and sumo coach Sakaigawa went on to tell reporters, "Properly speaking, this should be a happy event. But as Shironoryu was part of the gambling, this promotion is complex." However, "despite being small, he has not fallen to injury, and has put a lot of effort into the sport so he can help his family in Mongolia."
Hearing his coach"s words, Shironoryu could no longer contain his emotions and broke into tears.
During the Nagoya tournament, Shironoryu posted a record of 5 wins, 2 losses as a makushita division wrestler. Under normal circumstances such results would be unlikely to earn a promotion to the juryo division. However, with the ranks of that division thinned by four juryo wrestlers being forced to miss the recent tournament over their involvement in gambling, the opportunity for the unusual promotion arose.
Shironoryu arrived in Japan 10 years ago to attend Tottori Jyouhoku High School and made his grand tournament debut in 2003. He later suffered a left knee injury and, in May last year, a detached retina and he said he wanted to quit the sport. However, after being encouraged to stay on by his coach and obtaining Japanese citizenship in November, he decided to continue. To show his thanks and respect for his coach, when choosing a Japanese name Shironoryu took "Kobayashi" -- Sakaigawa"s real surname -- as his own.
Having adapted well to the sumo lifestyle in Japan, Shironoryu did allow one blemish to his record: baseball gambling. Sakaigawa scolded the young wrestler for the betting, saying, "If you"ve got that kind of money, send it home to Mongolia. Many people are saddened (by your actions)." Shironoryu subsequently quit gambling.
The Sakaigawa stable is also home to makuuchi division wrestlers Goeido and Toyohibiki, who were punished for involvement in the baseball betting.
"We must reflect on this continuously," Sakaigawa said.