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December 4, 2008 5:08:14 PM CST

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Killing Exposes Sumo's Brutality

Posted Mar 10, 08 4:50 PM CDT in Sports,  World 

(Newser) – Seventeen-year-old sumo wrestler Takashi Saito was beaten to death 8 months ago, but the Japan Sumo Association took until last Thursday to punish the alleged culprits—Saito’s trainer and three fellow wrestlers. The dawdling response was much too slow to prevent a public relations disaster: Japan now knows that most sumo stables have baseball bats—to beat wrestlers with.

Harsh discipline is rooted deep in Japanese society, a professor tells the Washington Post. In a recent survey, 90% of Japan’s sumo stables admitted having baseball bats or some similar instrument of punishment. “This happens all across the country,” the professor said. The wrestlers who beat Saito said they dared not defy their trainer, who says he punished Saito because of his “vague attitude” toward his career.

Source Washington Post

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A sumo wrestler stretches in the ring before a match. The recent death of junior wrestler Takashi Saito has shed light on the darker side of the sport of sumo.   (Shutterstock.com)
A sumo wrestler poses in this undated photo. The recent death of junior wrestler Takashi Saito has shed light on the darker side of the sport of sumo.   ((c) antjeverena)
Two sumo wrestlers compete in this undated file photo in Japan. The recent death of junior wrestler Takashi Saito has shed light on the darker side of the sport of sumo.   ((c) odegaard)
Mongolian grand champion Hakuho throws down compatriot Asashoryu. The sport of sumo has come under harsh criticism after a teenage apprentice was beaten to death last year.   (Getty Images)
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A brief documentary of Sumo courtesy of National Geographic.   (NationalGeographic (YouTube))
Could You Be A Sumo Wrestler?   (NationalGeographic (YouTube))

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Japan • Takashi Saito • baseball bats • beatings • sumo wrestling


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