Man arrested for sumo champ threat
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AFP
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Ocak 16, 2009 00:00
TOKYO - Japanese police said yesterday they arrested an unemployed man for making a death threat against sumo grand champion Asashoryu, reportedly to intimidate the controversial star into losing.
Chiharu Takahashi, 29, from the northern island of Hokkaido, was arrested on Wednesday for posting the threat on an online bulletin board from his home computer, a police spokesman in Tokyo said.
Takahashi allegedly said he would storm into Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan arena, the venue for the ongoing New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, and kill Asashoryu, the spokesman said.
Takahashi's motive was not officially disclosed but reports said he hoped to intimidate the Mongolian, who is the fifth-ranked wrestler in sumo. "I didn't like Asashoryu's behaviour as a yokozuna," or grand champion, the suspect told police, according to the Yomiuri Shimbun's online edition. "I hoped he would get freaked out by the message and would lose bouts," he reportedly said. Takahashi turned himself in to police in Hokkaido, the Yomiuri said.
Asashoryu, 28, was on a four-day winning streak up to Wednesday in the 15-day tournament that opened Sunday. It is a welcome triumph as he comes under pressure to quit. Under sumo tradition, a yokozuna never takes a demotion but retires when his scores start declining. Asashoryu has been a controversial figure for his abrasive remarks and manners, which Japanese traditionalists say do not fit the ideal of a grand champion.
Takahashi allegedly said he would storm into Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan arena, the venue for the ongoing New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, and kill Asashoryu, the spokesman said.
Takahashi's motive was not officially disclosed but reports said he hoped to intimidate the Mongolian, who is the fifth-ranked wrestler in sumo. "I didn't like Asashoryu's behaviour as a yokozuna," or grand champion, the suspect told police, according to the Yomiuri Shimbun's online edition. "I hoped he would get freaked out by the message and would lose bouts," he reportedly said. Takahashi turned himself in to police in Hokkaido, the Yomiuri said.
Asashoryu, 28, was on a four-day winning streak up to Wednesday in the 15-day tournament that opened Sunday. It is a welcome triumph as he comes under pressure to quit. Under sumo tradition, a yokozuna never takes a demotion but retires when his scores start declining. Asashoryu has been a controversial figure for his abrasive remarks and manners, which Japanese traditionalists say do not fit the ideal of a grand champion.