Troubled sport of sumo accused of trying too hard

Fans of the ancient Japanese sport of sumo -- assuming there are a few left -- will know all about the slings and arrows of alleged match-fixing and gambling that have blackened the game’s name.

But here’s a new accusation to try on for size -- wrestlers trying too hard for their own good.

That’s apparently what’s happening at the current Technical Examination Tournament -- a replacement for the regular tourney, designed to re-rank sumotori and give the impression of a fresh start.

Butting heads

Observers say the wrestlers are going at each other in the dohyo with a renewed frenzy as they bid to stay ahead of rivals on the greasy pole of sumo’s rankings ladder.

Throw in a Japan Sumo Association (JSA) plan to remove ranking protection for injured men and there’s likely to be an increase in playing through the pain barrier just to keep up.

Good, solid sumo

Miyagino, a senior stablemaster keeping an eye out for anyone backsliding and not giving his all at the meet said, “If they go all out, of course there'll be more injuries.”

In a bid to highlight sumo’s newly wholesome image, however, JSA Chairman Hanaregoma saw only the positive side. "There are many opinions out there but we are seeing a lot of good sumo," he chipped in.

The Technical Examination Tournament runs until May 22 at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan stadium in Sumida-ku. A very limited number of free tickets may still be available -- call the ticket line on +81 (0) 3 622 1100 (Japanese only) to check.