The punishment meted out to Asashoryu was neither lenient nor strict, but the accusation of "mental instability" was off the wall and totally inappropriate. Asashoryu's unrefined behavior in the past was tolerated because he was the only yokozuna, his sumo was exciting, and spectators and TV audiences applauded his strong, explosive, skillful sumo. Now that there are two grand champions, the cynical powers that be have seen fit to do him in.
Would this situation have erupted if all wrestlers could call time out on their own to rest their minds and bodies? Young athletes in other sports who continue to set new records can't be faulted for a lack of toughness and discipline. Yet when they want to rest, they do so and benefit from the period of relaxation. Bodies can't be in peak condition all the time. Bodies need rest, and the mind requires a break from routine. Asashoryu's cooking up a white lie, if indeed it was one, is understandable.
If sumo is to survive, the burly young potential wrestlers must be assured that they won't be treated like chattel. If the old-timers insist on the ways of previous centuries, they'll face empty stables and sumo will go the way of the dinosaurs. The Asashoryu hassle may be just the thing to shove the sumo world into the 21st century and keep the sport alive and profitable.
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