With sumo reeling from the tragic hazing-related death of a teenage junior wrestler and grand champion Asashoryu still out on punishment back in his native Mongolia, the ancient Japanese sport has definitely seen better days.
Yokozuna Hakuho trains ahead of the Kyushu basho, which starts on Sunday.
KYODO PHOTOBut business as usual kicks off with the start of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament Sunday, while sumo itself continues to deal with one of its biggest crisis ever.
Mongolian Hakuho, the only other grand champion, is the hot favorite to win his fifth overall Emperor's Cup after taking home the honors at the autumn basho in September.