Developing sumo news-Nikkan Sports reports Stablemaster Kokonoe has been SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY for allowing a minor (underage) wrestler, who was not identified due to age, to drink alcohol while accompanying Kokonoe on the current autumn tour (exhibition events held throughout Japan in even months between Grand Sumo tournaments). Kokonoe was acting as deputy director for the tour. The minor wrestler is also suspended indefinitely. No word yet on if this will include the November tournament in Fukuoka. Both Kokonoe and the wrestler have apologized in person to the Japan Sumo Association.
UPDATE: According to Nikkan Sports and YouTube channel “Chris Sumo”, the latter being a reliable English-language sumo news source with insider connections, the wrestler was identified as Chiyoshishi. He is 18, which is underage for alcohol consumption in Japan (legal age is 20 or 21), and currently ranked in the Sandanme, but having gone 6-1 at Sd68 in September he would have a slight chance to reach Makushita in November. If he is not suspended for the November Tournament that is. He almost certainly would be above his career best rank so far which is Sd33 in 14 career tournaments (including one Absent tournament). He is definitely done until then-hospitalized for alcohol poisoning and sent home.
UPDATE 2: Chris Sumo now reports Chiyoshishi has retired from sumo. Personal decision and not forced. His latest YouTube video update essentially translates the earlier Nikkan Sports report into English.
