Japan Sumo Association chairman Kitanoumi reprimanded stable master and former yokozuna Takanohana on Monday for making critical comments about the sumo body in television programs. The oral rebuke was served after Takanohana expressed his private opinions on the handling of issues related to the sport and the JSA in a series of TV appearances since last month following the death of his father and sumo elder Futagoyama.
"In some of his remarks, he sounded like he was denying what our association has been doing," said sumo elder Takasago, who serves as director of the JSA public relations department.
"We'll take punitive action according to our written rules if he causes a similar problem in the future," he said. According to Takasago, Takanohana apologized earlier in the day and promised to put more focus on training wrestlers at his stable.