At the start of last November’s Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, Shukan Taishu magazine (Nov. 20) led off its issue with a four-page article titled “What you need to know to enjoy the year’s final tournament tenfold.”
If only they had known.
Shortly before the Kyushu Tournament, two upper-ranked Mongolian wrestlers came to blows while drinking with their compatriots during a jungyō (regional tour) in Tottori Prefecture. The recipient of the beating, Takanoiwa, missed competing in Kyushu and is also hors de combat in the New Year Tournament.
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