Sumo grand champion Harumafuji's retirement following his assault of another wrestler was seen by many Japanese as inevitable, a consequence of his failure to live up to the dignity any yokozuna must show.
But the 33-year-old Mongolian star's exit should not be considered "case closed," as the sumo world faces the daunting task of ridding itself of violence and restoring an image already tarnished by past scandals.
Speaking at a news conference Wednesday, Harumafuji said he would quit sumo to "take responsibility as a yokozuna" for injuring lower-ranked wrestler Takanoiwa at a bar in the city of Tottori in late October during a regional tour.