The Fuji-non-Fuji tournament, more
Moti Dichne
Report of what was different from previous Fuji TV tournaments because of the scandal:
Although Fuji Television canceled its broadcast of the event, it was a great success, with a sold-out audience of 9,630 people. Ryuuden won the Juryo tournament, and Takayasu won the Makuuchi tournament. A series of problems have arisen surrounding Fuji Television, triggered by trouble between former entertainer Nakai Masahiro and a woman. Sponsorship companies withdrew one after the other, and no company names were listed on the tournament's official website, and on January 30th the cancellation of the broadcast was announced. As a result of the cancellation of the broadcast, there were no reports on the hanamichi or interviews with the winners. The traditional old boys match was not held, and was replaced by a tsuna tying show.. The sponsors' prize banners and the yobidashi's kimono with the sponsor's name written on them were changed to plain colors. The "Fuji Television Award", which in the past involved a cow as a prize, was not awarded as well..
There were also major changes to the promotional pamphlet. Last year, a greeting from Hieda Hisashi, chairman of the Japan Grand Sumo Tournament Executive Committee and representative of the Fujisankei Group, was printed at the beginning, but this year it was only Hakkaku's greeting. Despite being the organizer, there was no mention of Fuji Television or the group's symbol. There were no advertising pages whatsoever. Even inside the Kokugikan, "Fuji Television" was not announced. According to a source, "Fuji Television refrained from doing so in light of the uproar." This was an unusual tournament in which Fuji Television's influence was completely hidden. Prize money was the same as in previous years, with 2.5 million yen awarded to the winner of the Makuuchi tournament. This was because the prize money was not provided by sponsors, but rather raised by the Fuji Television business division.