In one of those only-in-Japan type of stories, Shukan Jitsuwa (Nov. 26) describes Donald Trump's refusal to concede defeat in this month's U.S. presidential election as analogous to the present situation in professional sumo.
It seems that for the second tournament in a row, two Mongolian-born veteran grand champions, Hakuho and Kakuryu (both age 35), remained sidelined due to injuries, while continuing to draw generous salaries.
"Japanese embrace the esthetics of isagiyosa (resolute resignation or manliness) and hikigiwa (knowing when to quit)," an unnamed sumo journalist tells the magazine. "But these attributes are completely lacking in both of them.
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