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Tokyo. Japan’s Emperor Akihito has given the scandal-hit sumo world a boost by pledging his support to the ancient sport in a letter to Mongolian ‘yokozuna’ champion Hakuho.

The Imperial Household Agency said the Emperor had congratulated Hakuho, who last month became the first wrestler to win three straight tournaments with perfect 15-0 records.

The Mongolian grand champion also extended his winning streak to 47 bouts – the third longest ever.

An illegal betting scandal with links to Japanese crime syndicates has further tarnished the image of the roly-poly sport after a turbulent few years.

“Despite the difficult situation you have fought with great determination and also broken Taiho’s winning run to sit on third on the all-time list,” the Emperor told Hakuho on Tuesday.

The Imperial Household Agency said: “Despite the gambling scandal the Emperor’s feelings towards the national sport stays the same.”

“There is nothing more rewarding than this,” Hakuho told reporters. “It’s a great honor.”

The Emperor’s words of encouragement come at a welcome time after champion wrestler Kotomitsuki was booted out of the sport following a probe into an illegal baseball betting racket.

Kotomitsuki became the first ‘ozeki’ – sumo’s second-highest rank after yokozuna – to suffer the humiliation of being fired.

Japan’s government has pressed sumo’s under-fire authorities to sever all links to organized crime groups.

More than 60 wrestlers have confessed to gambling in the latest scandal to rock the sport, whose origins date back to the mythological founding of Japan.

Sumo’s image has taken a battering in recent years after corrosive assault, drugs and drink scandals.

The sport’s biggest name, Mongolian Asashoryu, quit earlier this year after accusations that he had broken a man’s nose while in a drunken rage outside a Tokyo nightclub.

 
Reuters