JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK | Sumo Stablemaster Isegahama Faces Discipline for an Act of Violence Against Wrestler
Stablemaster Isegahama departs after a training session in Osaka on February 27, 2026. (©KYODO)
Stablemaster Isegahama has confessed to using violence against sumo wrestler Hakunofuji, who trains under his supervision, media outlets reported on Friday, February 27.
Isegahama, more commonly known as former Mongolian-born yokozuna Terunofuji, reported the problem to the Japan Sumo Association. In addition, he was interrogated by the sport's governing body.
According to Kyodo News, Isegahama and two of the stable's wrestlers, seventh-ranked maegashira Hakunofuji (formerly Hakuoho) and No 14 maegashira Nishikifuji, were questioned by the JSA on February 24.
The 34-year-old stablemaster, who won 10 Emperor's Cups during his wrestling career before retiring in January 2025, insisted that "the responsibility lies with me," the news agency reported.
"I committed an irresponsible act," Isegahama said, according to Kyodo News, before adding, "I informed the association and am awaiting punishment."
Isegahama did not share specific details of the violence while speaking to reporters in Osaka on Friday.
"To say anything more at this stage would just complicate things, which would be the worst outcome," the former yokozuna was quoted as saying by Agence France-Presse.
The JSA's compliance committee is conducting an investigation of the allegations of violence at Isegahama stable.
Another Recent Crisis in Sumo
Former yokozuna Hakuho, who won a record 45 grand sumo titles, was linked to a high-profile bullying scandal, which led to his retirement from the JSA in June 2025.
As the head of the Miyagino stable, he bore responsibility for his protege Hokuseiho's repeated violence against two junior wrestlers. In February 2024, the stablemaster was demoted to the lowest rank in the hierarchy of sumo elders.
"Miyagino has been judged unfit by his peers to run a sumo stable," The Sankei Shimbun wrote in a March 2024 editorial.
The same article noted that Miyagino's peers had concluded he was "seriously lacking the qualifications and awareness required of a mentor."
Miyagino stable was shuttered, with its wrestlers transferring to Isegahama stable, where Hakuho worked in the aftermath of the scandal before his well-publicized retirement.
Next Up for Sumo
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium will host the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament (March 8-22).
Can Aonishiki win a third consecutive title?
The Ukrainian ozeki earned his second consecutive Emperor's Cup at the New Year Basho in January, beating Atamifuji in a playoff.
RELATED:
- Beyond Yokozuna Hakuho, Deeper Problems Beset Sumo Association
- [JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Sumo Stablemaster Miyagino Demoted as Punishment for Wrestler's Violence at Stable
- Wrestlers at Scandal-Hit Miyagino Stable Transferring to Isegahama Stable
Baseball
Padres Reliever Matsui to Skip WBC
San Diego Padres reliever Yuki Matsui, who is coping with a left groin strain, will not pitch for Japan at the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
The left-hander, who's preparing for his third MLB season, sustained the injury while pitching a recent batting practice session at San Diego's spring training complex in Peoria, Arizona.
Matsui has started to play catch, according to reports published a week after the injury. But he hasn't returned to the pitching mound yet as he aims to get ready for the season.
"It's pretty disappointing," Matsui said through an interpreter, according to MLB.com. "Especially since I didn't do so well in the last WBC [in 2023], and I was looking forward to playing in this one. But that's not the only thing. It's baseball. I'm trying to move on, to get the best preparation for the season and to play for the Padres."
Matsui, 30, pitched in 61 games for the Padres in 2025. He had a 3-1 record with one save and a 3.98 ERA. In 63⅓ innings, he struck out 61 batters.
Chunichi Dragons left-hander Yumeto Kanemaru has replaced Matsui on reigning WBC champion Samurai Japan's roster. Kanemaru, 23, was 2-6 with a 2.61 ERA in 15 relief appearances as a rookie last season.
A Look Ahead
Japan begins defense of its WBC title on Friday, March 6 with a game against Taiwan at Tokyo Dome. First pitch is scheduled for 7 PM.
Also, Japan will play first-round games in Pool C against South Korea (March 7), Australia (March 8) and the Czech Republic (March 10).
The 20-nation tournament runs through March 17, and the semifinals and final will be held in Miami.
RELATED:
Figure Skating
Miura, Kihara to Skip the World Championships
Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara, who captured the pairs gold medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics, will not defend their world title in March.
An announcement was made on Friday, February 27.
"We have decided to withdraw from competing at the World Championships," the gold medalists said in a statement.
"This season, our primary goal has been the Olympics. Even before the season began, we had not considered competing in the world championships at all.
"Having won the gold medal at the Olympics, we judged that it would be difficult to immediately restore our physical and mental condition to pre-Olympic form for the world championships. Therefore, we have decided to withdraw."
What's next for the duo often referred to as "Rikuryu" in Japanese?
"Regarding our future plans, we will make an announcement ourselves after the season concludes," they added in the statement.
Miura and Kihara won their second world title in March 2025 in Boston.
The ISU World Figure Skating Championships will be held March 24-29 in Prague.
RELATED:
Rugby
Steelers, Wild Knights Earn 9th Wins in League One
The title-chasing Kobelco Kobe Steelers and the Saitama Wild Knights are tied for the best record in Japan Rugby League One.
On Saturday, February 28, the Steelers and the Knights became the league's first squads with nine victories in the 2025-26 season.
The Steelers thumped the Urayasu D-Rocks 78-19 at Komazawa Olympic Park Stadium in Tokyo, raising their record to 9-0-1. At halftime, Kobelco led 38-5. Shunsuke Uenobo and Tiennan Costley scored tries in the 12th and 14th minutes to ignite the rout.
In Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture, the Wild Knights ran roughshod over the Mie Honda Heat, recording a 66-19 win. Saitama (9-0-1) raced out to a 21-0 lead by the 17th minute. Taiki Koyama, Koki Takeyama and Lachlan Boshier had the first three of the Wild Knights' nine tries in the match.
The Yokohama Canon Eagles (1-8) face the Kubota Spears (8-0-1) in Oita on Sunday, March 1.
Check out the complete League One standings on the league's website.
Basketball
Kawamura Sets Windy City Single-Game Assist Record
Windy City Bulls point guard Yuki Kawamura had 11 points and a team-record 19 assists in a 121-106 road win over the Maine Celtics on Friday, March 27.
Kawamura struggled with his shot (4-for-20 from the floor), but made his mark with his pinpoint passes in this NBA G League contest. In nearly 34 minutes, he had only one turnover.
Windy City (12-11) is the G League affiliate of the Chicago Bulls.
In his injury-shortened season, Kawamura is averaging 17.7 points and 11.3 assists in nine G League games. He's also appeared in four games for Chicago.
RELATED:
Golf
Solid Results for Japanese Golfers at HSBC Tourney
In Singapore, Akie Iwai and Rio Takeda tied for eighth at 7-under 281 in the HSBC Women's World Championship on Sunday, March 1.
Australian Hannah Green, the overnight leader, won the tournament with a 14-under 274.
Miyuu Yamashita carded a 6-under 282 and tied for sixth.
Also for Japan, Mao Saigo, Ayaka Furue and Chisato Iwai were among six golfers at 4-under 284 in 21st place.
Heading into the final round, Furue held the best position on the leaderboard among Japan's entrants.
The LPGA Tour pro had her second consecutive 3-under 69 on Saturday, February 28. She was tied for eighth with a 7-under 209 at Sentosa Golf Club.
Furue had four birdies, including on the 18th hole, on Saturday.
"I was able to stay focused and keep a good rhythm until the end," she said, according to Golf Digest Online, before adding, "and I had a really good round despite the heat."
Quote of the Week
"Pitching in front of the Wrigley crowd, that's an amazing experience. Doing my best for them, that's what's important."
―Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga, on his enthusiasm for playing in front of the team's fans at Wrigley Field. In an interview with The Athletic, Imanaga also discussed his aspirations for the 2026 season.
Author: Ed Odeven
Follow Ed's [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and he can be found on X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
