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Mongolia’s bathtub brawler makes history

TOKYO: A firebrand Mongolian who once picked a punch-up with a rival in a bathtub has turned Japan’s ancient sumo world on its head by rewriting the record books.

“Yokozuna” Asashoryu made history at the weekend by becoming the first wrestler to win seven Emperor’s Cups in a row and the first to win all six “Grand Sumo” tournaments in a calendar year. The Mongolian grand champion’s transformation from trouble-maker to history-maker has been a painful one involving frequent run-ins with sumo authorities. Asashoryu’s penchant for controversy and his distinctly un-samurai like demeanour once angered sumo’s elders so much that they ordered him to clean up his act.

His career threatened to come off the rails after he became the first Mongolian to reach sumo’s highest rank of yokozuna in January 2003 following several bizarre incidents. Asashoryu’s short fuse landed him in trouble after he became embroiled in a furious bathtub bust-up with Mongolian rival Kyokushuzan during a post-bout soak. Fellow wrestlers had to step in to defuse the row as the towel-clad behemoths squared up to each other in the bathroom.

Just days earlier Asashoryu had been disqualified for breaking sumo taboo by pulling his countryman’s hair in their tussle at the Nagoya tournament. Asashoryu had upset officialdom after complaining bitterly to judges about a decision earlier in 2003 — another serious no-no in the strictly conservative world of sumo. The Ulan Bator native was already in trouble after allegedly breaking the mirror of a car used by Kyokushuzan.

Closeted world: Historians agree sumo dates back some 2,000 years and began as a form of entertainment for the gods. The word sumo means “way of the gods”. For many inside the closeted world of sumo there was nothing divine about Asashoryu’s fist-pumping and posturing on the raised ring of dirt. From being once deemed too arrogant and lacking the dignity to bear sumo’s elite rank, his rehabilitation has been nothing short of remarkable.

Asashoryu’s 84-6 win-loss ratio for 2005 surpassed the previous record of 82-8 set by former yokozuna Kitanoumi in 1978. “This record means so much to me,” sobbed Asashoryu after taking the gargantuan Emperor’s Cup off a wobbling Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Sunday. “I’m still only 25 so I’m going to go on for a while yet.” As Asashoryu celebrated his 15th major title those words might have produced mixed feelings among sumo officials who are desperate for a homegrown hero.

Spartan lifestyle: Sumo’s undisputed number one is one of 58 foreign-born wrestlers from 12 countries, ranging from nearby South Korea to Bulgaria and Brazil. Asashoryu spent his formative years on the steppes of Mongolia, sleeping in a tent, herding sheep and riding horses — good preparation for sumo’s spartan lifestyle. At 145 kilograms, below average weight in a sport of giants, Asashoryu finally won over sumo’s hierarchy by tempering his natural exuberance and keeping his temper in check.

“His behaviour has improved without a doubt,” sumo commentator Clyde Newton told Reuters. “His mentor Takasago and the Yokozuna Council told him to brush up his act. But since then there’s been nothing but praise because he’s done so well.” Flying soap suds may be a thing of the past but Asashoryu still has a long way to go to overtake the record 32 Emperor’s Cups won by the great Taiho between 1960 and 1971. “It’s unlikely but not impossible,” said Newton. “He hasn’t had injury problems yet but he is fairly small so it’s odds-on he will have.” reuters

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