Society | Mar 29

Sumo: Hakuho called on carpet for unapproved cheer leading

Mar 29 (Kyodo) - Yokozuna Hakuho was summoned to explain himself on Thursday after leading an impromptu cheer following his victory at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

The Japan Sumo Association's board of directors called in Hakuho and his stablemaster, sumo elder Miyagino, to hear their side of the story regarding the yokozuna's unapproved actions at Edion Arena Osaka on Sunday after he extended his record for career grand tournament championships to 42.

Hakuho's "sanbon-jime" hand-clapping cheer disrupted the flow of ceremonies and preceded the sport's spiritual "kami okuri" ceremony that concludes the tournament and uses the same sanbon-jime cheer.

The JSA's board of trustees and its yokozuna council advisory board have already sent documents to the grand champion over his behavior. The compliance committee will discuss possible disciplinary measures and report to the board of directors.

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