Isegahama Oyakata admits to violent behavior towards Hakunofuji

[Moti Dichne]

It was learned on the 26th, according to multiple sources, that ex-Yokozuna Terunofuji's  Isegahama Oyakata, is being questioned by the Kyokai for his violent behavior toward his protégé, Maegashira Hakunofuji . He was questioned at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo two days ago, the day the new rankings for the Haru Basho were announced. The Kyokai will now discuss disciplinary action against the Oyakata, who holds the most power among all 45 heya, with 31 wrestlers and 7 sekitori. On the 24th of this month, Isegahama entered the Ryogoku Kokugikan with Hakunofuji. He was originally scheduled to be in Osaka, where he is staying, for Haru Basho, but he returned to Tokyo on the day the rankings were announced. A source revealed, "Isegahama was questioned for his violent behavior toward Hakunofuji." Maegashira Nishikifuji, who was aware of the situation, also accompanied the two for questioning. The Compliance Committee is expected to compile a disciplinary proposal and submit it to the Kyokai. 

Currently, Isegahama Oyakata is instructing training at the heya in Osaka, but sources have learned that Hakunofuji is not participating in training. Isegahama Oyakata was originally scheduled to attend Atamifuji's press conference for his new Sanyaku rank on the 24th. However, on the 23rd, the day before, the Kyokai's Public Relations Department suddenly contacted reporters, stating, "Although the Oyakata was scheduled to be present, Atamifuji will now be the only one present." Last June, Isegahama Oyakata inherited the heya upon the retirement of former Isegahama Oyakata and current Miyagino Oyakata (former yokozuna Asahifuji). A hair-cutting ceremony was held on January 31st, and a new Sanyaku rikishi emerged for the heya. Just when things were looking promising, his own mistake has tarnished his career as an Oyakata. Details of the circumstances leading up to the violence will be revealed in the Kyokai's investigation. The heya has already gathered its rikishi to report the violent behavior against Hakunofuji. Sources have also learned that Isegahama Oyakata expressed remorse, saying, "I take responsibility for it." While he reported the incident to the Kyokai himself, some rikishi are reportedly anxious about their future. In recent years, the Kyokai has imposed strict disciplinary measures against violent behavior, especially by sekitori ranked at or above Juryo. Unlike Harumafuji, Takanoiwa, Takanofuji, and Hokuseihou, who were forced to retire, Isegahama Oyakata reported the violent behavior himself. It's unclear how this will affect the disciplinary action, as there is no precedent, at least in recent years. However, the fact that the Oyakata of a major heya made advances on Hakunofuji, a deshi still for all intents and purposes temporarily housed at Isegahama but from Miyagino beya, where former yokozuna Hakuhou was the Oyakata, could potentially spread anxiety among those from the former Miyagino beya.

Me: This was bound to happen with the inflation of temporarily attached rikishi at Isegahama after the Hakuhou affair. Among the ex-Miyagino boys, it seemed to me that Hakuouhou (Hakunofuji) was the most close to Hakuhou and did not seem happy at all at Isegahama. Then came the forced shikona changes - I bet al ot of anger has been bubbling up there..