Intentional or not, Asashoryu has done it again. In the run-up to the Kyushu Basho, he has stolen the spotlight.
It all recalls his behaviour of a year ago, when he had what many saw as a mental breakdown following suspension from two basho for skipping official duties in Japan by claiming to be injured, only to be later photographed in Mongolia running about a soccer field.
Once again, the one-time shining star of sumo has demonstrated a complete disregard for those paying his wages and the fans who want to see him. He's citing an injury again (elbow this time) and is holed up somewhere in Mongolia. Dagvadorj Dolgorsuren, as he was born, failed to return on at least two scheduled dates following treatment and may well stay away for the duration of the Nov. 9-23 Kyushu (Fukuoka) Tournament.