JPHiP Forum

General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Guchi_Jnr on June 29, 2007, 08:00:00 AM

Title: Sumo wrestlers mull asking for right to drive
Post by: Guchi_Jnr on June 29, 2007, 08:00:00 AM
Sumo wrestlers on Tuesday discussed asking the Japan Sumo Association to review its ban on rikishi¹ driving.

Meeting in Nagoya ahead of next month's tournament, the wrestlers association, chaired by yokozuna Asashoryu, discussed lifting a ban that most recently led to the suspension of former sekiwake Kyokutenho.

The Mongolian-born Oshima stable wrestler was suspended for one tournament and demoted to the juryo division after he was involved in a minor car accident in Tokyo's Nakano Ward in April.

Asashoryu told reporters that sekitori² with families were inconvenienced by the ban. "We're still only discussing it," he said, "Mainly because there are some wrestlers who have three children [and so need a car]." The yokozuna said further talks would be held before another meeting ahead of September's Autumn basho. (http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/20070627TDY22008.htm)

Rikishi¹ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rikishi) & Sekitori² (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sekitori) [wiki links]

WTF?! Sumo Wrestlers are banned from driving. (http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/7144/youcrazyfy2.gif)
Title: Re: Sumo wrestlers mull asking for right to drive
Post by: frblckstr1 on June 29, 2007, 10:48:05 AM
^ This is Japan, this is Sumo...
Title: Re: Sumo wrestlers mull asking for right to drive
Post by: stoneden on July 01, 2007, 08:31:49 AM
Here's my opinion.

Being a Sumo wrestler is similar to being a H!P performer. You have a list of strict rules of conduct (written and unwritten) that you must follow by. A H!P performer is discouraged to have personal relationships due to losing many fans with money. The same goes to a Sumo wrestler going places in a car (which seems to be a luxury in Japan). I guess Geishas could also be included in this discussion.

Sumo wrestlers train to be the best of the best and driving a car to get around instead of walking/jogging seems lazy in some eyes.

I say, let the wife do the driving. Are there cars that comfortably fit a Sumo wrestler that can drive? :?