The Japan Sumo Association took the surprising measure Wednesday of suspending Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu from the next two grand sumo tournaments as punishment for playing in a soccer charity event in his home country after opting to sit out the summer regional tour citing injuries.
It is the first time in the history of the sport that a yokozuna has been suspended or received a salary cut.
Asashoryu, whose real name is Dolgorsuren Dagvadorj, will be barred from the autumn meet in September and the Kyushu meet in November and has also been slapped with a 30 percent salary cut for four months. His stable elder Takasago has also been hit with a four-month, 30-percent salary cut.