The sport of sumo has been going through some rough times recently. Big case in point: the recent arrests of former Tokitsukaze Oyakata, (Junichi Yamamoto) and three of his rikishi. The four are currently being held by police in relation to the mid-2007 hazing death of former Tokitsukaze Beya rikishi, Tokitaizan. Anything but a guilty verdict at this juncture looks highly unlikely.
In the bigger picture, claims of bout-fixing have hit the headlines more than once in recent years, and a case currently going through Japan's legal system should eventually determine, once and for all, if bribes have ever played any part in the successes of yokozuna Asashoryu and others accused of buying their way to the top.
Some people, however, believe that real sign of sumo's demise can be seen in the supposed disinterest among potential wrestlers. Poverty, specifically in northern and coastal prefectures, is often cited as the only reason that a Japanese teen would even consider sumo as a career.
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