As expected, the Japan Sumo Association handed down punishment to stablemaster Isrgahama fka Terunofuji today and as expected, it wasn’t severe.
The punishment: 2 Rank Elder Stock Demotion to the lowest rank and a 10% pay cut for 3 months. It could have been as bad as kicked out of sumo.
There is some precedent here as a similar incident caused then-stablemaster Nakagawa to lose bis stable 6 years ago, but it seems that since it was essentially just one punch and from a seated position, Isegahama got off easy It also seemed to be seen as corrective action towards Hakunofuji and there seems to be no indications of regular violence in the stable. The stable will also be placed on the equivalent of probation.
As for Hakunofuji, he is given a severe reprimand but no formal disciplinary action.
Both appeared before the Japanese media today and apologized for the incident.
But yeah, sumo again protecting its own elders above all else plus it’s that powerful Isrgahama clout.