Yokozuna Asashoryu retired Thursday in the wake of controversy after he allegedly attacked a man while drunk, causing injuries that included a broken nose.
He has repeatedly acted in a way unbefitting a sumo grand champion. Still, his retirement is too sudden and at too young an age — he is only 29 — for many fans who will miss the powerful and often charming sumo wrestler.
Asashoryu was the first Mongolian-born yokozuna. He won his 25th championship at the New Year's tournament in Tokyo, gaining third place on the all-time list for most title wins.