Debates over Hakuho’s conduct highlight not only one wrestler’s behavior but broader issues of authority and arrogance.
The question of dignity—precisely because certain actions are not forbidden—applies equally to major media institutions such as Asahi Shimbun and NHK.
This commentary warns against the danger of leaders who begin to believe that they themselves define the rules.

This observation applies exactly as it is to the Asahi Shimbun and television networks such as NHK.
2018-01-26
The following is a chapter I published on 2017-12-02 titled, “The reason I consider Hakuho the worst is his elbow strikes… above all, striking opponents while his own elbow is hardened with a supporter.”
Television talk shows and figures such as Yasuko Ikenobo have turned stablemaster Takanohana into a villain.
They likely do not understand sumo, or the way of sumo, in the first place.
In the era when Takanohana was yokozuna, enormous and extremely powerful wrestlers stood as rival yokozuna and ozeki.
Many people surely remember his bouts in which, despite suffering fatal knee injuries in fierce battles with these huge and powerful wrestlers, he still competed, won, secured the championship, and displayed an expression like that of Asura.
Had he continued his career without those injuries, his number of championships would have been far greater.
In other words, he was a true grand yokozuna.
The reason I consider Hakuho the worst is his elbow strikes… above all, striking opponents while his own elbow is hardened with a supporter.
That is not sumo.
I am convinced he should quickly switch to professional wrestling, go to the United States as a master of the Mongolian lariat surpassing even Stan Hansen, become a WWF star, and earn vast sums of money.
He can shout banzai after every victory to his heart’s content.
If dissatisfied with a decision, in the WWF he could even knock out the referee and no one would complain.
He could live out his life as the unquestioned champion.
The following is from page 25 of today’s Yomiuri Shimbun.
The runaway arrogance of self-centered Hakuho.
“I would like to lead everyone here in three cheers. May I?”
For this act performed by yokozuna Hakuho during the championship interview on the final day of the Kyushu tournament, the Sumo Association issued a stern warning.
Regarding Harumafuji’s assault, Hakuho also commented, “As a representative of the wrestlers, I apologize,” “We will tell the truth and purge everything,” and “I hope to see Harumafuji and Takanoiwa back on this dohyo again.”
The Yokozuna Deliberation Council expressed discomfort, calling it “a completely unprecedented interview,” and questioned, “Hakuho was at the scene of the incident,” and “What does ‘purge everything’ mean?”
When Asashoryu’s conduct was under scrutiny, Hakuho had been celebrated as a “model yokozuna.”
However, since surpassing Taiho’s record with his 33rd championship at the New Year tournament two years earlier, changes began to appear in his behavior.
These changes have also appeared in his sumo style.
While he continues the traditional yokozuna sumo of pulling the left overarm grip, a brutal finishing move striking the opponent’s face or jaw with his right elbow has become increasingly prominent.
In the match against Endo on the 14th day, which secured his championship, he lifted Endo’s face with a left slap and then delivered a right elbow strike.
Endo’s lower body collapsed, and he stepped out of the ring in a state of lost fighting spirit.
Is this attack acceptable or not.
Sumo rules prohibit eight actions, including “striking with a clenched fist,” “slapping both ears simultaneously,” and “grabbing the throat.”
However, elbow strikes are not included.
Former Yokozuna Deliberation Council chairman Hide Shige Moriya (76), professor emeritus at Chiba University, who stepped down after the January tournament this year, had long pointed out, “Precisely because it is not a forbidden move, the question is whether it is appropriate as a technique for a yokozuna. No yokozuna in history has done such a thing.”
Even after stepping down, Moriya has continued to attend tournaments as a Sumo Association steward in Tokyo.
Regarding Hakuho’s recent behavior, he stated, “When a person remains at the top for a long time, they either become arrogant and think ‘It must be me,’ or they bow their heads in humility.
Perhaps Hakuho has become someone who believes, ‘I am the rule.’
This observation applies exactly as it is to the Asahi Shimbun and television networks such as NHK.
I see no value in forty championships won with techniques bordering on forbidden moves.
I completely agree with this.
Those around him who allowed it are also at fault, but Hakuho has become excessively self-righteous,” rebuked the enraged grand yokozuna.
The assault incident involving Harumafuji is not merely a personal matter but is bringing to light issues concerning the authority of yokozuna and the nature of the Sumo Association itself.
“For the Japan Sumo Association, the misconduct of a yokozuna is a matter of survival.
They say all six tournaments a year are sold out for ninety days, but in the autumn and Kyushu tournaments there were noticeable empty seats.”