A teenage sumo wrestler just embarking on his career is bullied and hazed to death, yet nothing is done about it for months by either the Japan Sumo Association or the police — even after flags are raised. A sumo grand champion is banned for a perceived infraction, and then comes down with a stress disorder, further hobbling efforts by this conservative sport to shed an image long-tainted by allegations of abuses at stables and fixed matches.
A popular pro boxer, coached by his father and brother, and respected for continuing a family dynasty in the ring, gets caught fighting dirty after having been taught to do so.
These anomalies have given Japanese sports a collective black eye. What role, if any, has attitude, or money, played in the commission of such acts?
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