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Mongolian yokozuna Harumafuji leaves Japanese sumo

Xinhua,November 30, 2017 Adjust font size:

ULAN BATOR, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) - Sumo grand champion (yokozuna) Harumafuji of Mongolia made an announcement On Wednesday that he decided to retire for assaulting another Mongolian sumo wrestler Takanoiwa.

"As yokozuna, I feel responsible for injuring Takanoiwa and so will retire from today," Harumafuji said at a news conference.

"I have heard that he was lacking in manners and civility and thought it was my duty as a senior wrestler to correct and teach him. But I went too far."

His stablemaster Isegahama submitted Harumafuji's letter of resignation to the Japan Sumo Association.

Harumafuji hit Takanoiwa in the head with a beer bottle during a drinking event on October 26 in Tottori, Japan.

Takanoiwa was hospitalized and was unable to take part in Kyusu basho 2017 in Fukuoka.

Having heard his statement, the Mongolians regret that he is leaving Japanese sumo forever.

Harumafuji began his sumo career in 2001 and became yokozuna, sumo's highest rank, on September 26, 2012. Enditem