Category: Sport

  • Yaocho: The Dark Side of Sumo Wrestling

    Yaocho: The Dark Side of Sumo Wrestling

    Yaocho, also known as match-fixing, is a serious issue that has plagued the sport of sumo for many years. This illegal activity undermines the integrity of the sport and threatens its credibility as a fair and honest competition. In this article, we will explore the world of yaocho and its impact on the sport of sumo.

    What is Yaocho?

    Yaocho is the practice of rigging sumo matches by bribing wrestlers to intentionally lose or win a match. The term “yaocho” comes from the Japanese words “yao” which means “cooked” or “manipulated,” and “cho” which means “sumo betting.” The practice of yaocho is illegal and considered a form of corruption, as it goes against the traditional values of sumo, which include fair play, honor, and respect.

    The History of Yaocho in Sumo

    The practice of yaocho has been present in the sport of sumo for centuries. It is said that the first recorded instance of yaocho in sumo dates back to the 17th century. During this time, sumo was not just a sport, but a form of entertainment for the ruling class in Japan. The wrestlers were often seen as celebrities and were treated accordingly.

    However, with the increasing popularity of sumo, the sport became more competitive, and the stakes became higher. As a result, some wrestlers began to resort to yaocho in order to gain an advantage over their opponents. Over time, the practice of yaocho became more widespread and sophisticated, with wrestlers forming alliances and networks to rig matches.

    The Impact of Yaocho on Sumo

    The impact of yaocho on sumo has been significant. The practice undermines the credibility of the sport, and damages its reputation as a fair and honest competition. The fans of sumo expect to see fair matches, and any hint of yaocho can lead to a loss of interest in the sport. Additionally, yaocho has a negative impact on the wrestlers themselves, as it creates an environment of distrust and suspicion.

    Efforts to Combat Yaocho

    In recent years, the authorities in Japan have made efforts to combat yaocho. The Japan Sumo Association (JSA) has implemented a range of measures to prevent yaocho, including increased monitoring of matches, the introduction of a whistle-blower system, and the imposition of harsh penalties for those found to be involved in yaocho.

    Despite these efforts, yaocho continues to be a problem in sumo, and cases of match-fixing still occur from time to time. The JSA has acknowledged that yaocho is a complex issue, and that it will take time and effort to eradicate it from the sport entirely.

    Conclusion

    Yaocho is a serious problem that has plagued the sport of sumo for many years. It undermines the integrity of the sport, damages its reputation, and creates an environment of distrust and suspicion. While efforts have been made to combat yaocho, it continues to be a problem in sumo. To protect the sport and ensure its longevity, it is essential that all involved in sumo, from the authorities to the wrestlers themselves, continue to work together to eradicate yaocho once and for all.

    Check out the video exposing Yaocho.

  • Yaocho – How Sumo Wrestling Is Fixed

    Yaocho – How Sumo Wrestling Is Fixed

    The video discusses the issue of match-fixing and bribery, known as Yaocho in Sumo wrestling. Sumo, which is considered the national sport of Japan, has a complicated incentive scheme that affects every part of a wrestler’s life.

    Lower-ranked wrestlers, who live in poor conditions and have limited opportunities to advance, may resort to match-rigging to earn a better rank. The video cites whistleblowing wrestlers who allege extensive corruption within the sport, including drug use, sexcapades, bribes, tax evasion, and ties to the Yakuza, the Japanese Mafia.

    Despite allegations of match-fixing, formal disciplinary action against wrestlers is rare, as officials from the Japanese Sumo Association usually dismiss such charges. The video concludes by reflecting on how acknowledging the issue of Yaocho in Sumo allows for greater clarity in understanding the sport.

    00:00:00

    In this section, it is explained how the ancient Japanese sport of sumo is often fixed, just like any other professional sport in the world. The incentive scheme that rules sumo is intricate and powerful, with each wrestler maintaining a ranking that affects every part of their life.

    The top athletes can earn millions of dollars and be treated like royalty, while lower-ranked wrestlers must tend to their superiors, prepare their meals, clean their quarters, and even clean their hard-to-reach parts during baths.

    Rankings are everything, as lower-ranked wrestlers, who often live in poor conditions and have limited opportunities to advance, may resort to match rigging, sometimes with cash bribes, to earn a better rank. Despite allegations of match rigging, formal disciplinary action against Japanese sumo wrestlers is rare, as officials from the Japanese Sumo Association usually dismiss such charges.

    00:05:00

    In this section, the video discusses how Sumo wrestling in Japan is often fixed, and how two whistleblowing Sumo wrestlers came forward with extensive allegations of match rigging, drug use, sexcapades, bribes, tax evasion, and close ties to the Yakuza or the Japanese Mafia.

    The video indicates that most wrestlers who weren’t specifically named were also corrupt, and in some matches, the allegedly corrupt wrestler who was on the bubble won about 80% of the time, suggesting that corruption was rampant in the sport.

    Although the allegations of match-fixing had been published in tabloid newspapers for years before, the book by Konoshin Suga, who was also known as Anaruto stable master, detailed match-fixing allegations, and pointed to close ties with high-ranking officials in the Japan Sumo Association and Japanese organized crime syndicates that provided Sumo with drugs and women.

    00:10:00

    In this section, the video discusses the concept of Yaocho in sumo wrestling, which refers to match-fixing and bribery. Despite being considered the national sport of Japan, sumo has a long history of scandals, including allegations of yaocho.

    The video presents evidence suggesting that yaocho is still prevalent in the sport, and that the sumo association has not taken sufficient action to address the issue. The discussion concludes with a reflection on how accepting the reality of yaocho in sumo is like wiping dust away from a mirror, allowing us to see ourselves more clearly.

    YouTube Video