The death of a young sumo wrestler is shaking Japan's sumo world, which is still reeling from the yokozuna Asashoryu scandal. Tokitaizan, a 17-year-old wrestler, died shortly after a practice session, apparently because of exhaustion and a beating he received from his stable mates.
The Asashoryu incident had resulted from the failure of the Japan Sumo Association and Asashoryu's stable master Takasago to educate him on the proper behavior that sumo wrestlers must exhibit. Asashoryu played soccer in a charity event in his native Mongolia after reporting that injuries had forced him to skip exhibition tours in eastern Japan. He is now in Mongolia being treated for a mental disorder that he has been suffering from since his punishment — the suspension from two main tournaments.
The sumo association needs to rethink its culture that tends to rely on violence to train young wrestlers, as well as revise its system of education. Other sports associations should also take note of the consequences of education through physical violence.