Sumo wrestlers mull asking for right to drive

[Guchi_Jnr]

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.

Rikishi¹ & Sekitori² [wiki links]

WTF?! Sumo Wrestlers are banned from driving.

[frblckstr1]

^ This is Japan, this is Sumo...

[stoneden]

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?