In reaction to the yaocho (bout fixing) fracas enveloping sumo at present, many journalists in Japan and overseas have recently jumped on the sumo coverage bandwagon. Many have criticized the sumo association, the participants and their lifestyle and called for punishments, suspended basho and the like, without really giving a thought to repercussions.
What about the fans? Don't they deserve a voice? And what about the legions of former and current amateur foreign rikishi resident both in Japan and overseas, individuals who have actually gotten sand between their toes and faced off at the tachiai?
To this end Sumo Scribblings has rounded up comments from a range of well-known foreign nationals with experience atop an actual dohyo, including national and regional champions in the world of amateur sumo, as well as professional commentators and diehard fans. Each individual was asked where they see the world of (professional) sumo headed now, in both the long- and short-term, as well as what measures were needed for the sport bounce back from this latest scandal.
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