Japanese police have sent papers to prosecutors on former sumo grand champion Harumafuji for assaulting and injuring a rank-and-file wrestler.
In the papers sent on Monday, the police in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, are calling on prosecutors to indict Harumafuji.
The police say he hit Takanoiwa with his bare hands and a karaoke remote control in October at a bar in Tottori City. They say Takanoiwa sustained head injuries that took about 10 days to heal.
The 2 were among a group of Mongolian wrestlers who were out drinking during a regional tour for the Japan Sumo Association. Members included Hakuho and Kakuryu, also yokozuna grand champions.
Police investigators interviewed the Mongolians and others at the scene to determine what brought about the assault.
Investigators say they learned that Harumafuji became angry with Takanoiwa's behavior while the junior wrestler was being admonished by Hakuho.
The police say they sent the papers to prosecutors as the unilateral assault caused serious injury. They also noted that the 2 sides have not reached a compromise settlement.
Late last month, about one month after the incident, Harumafuji retired from sumo to take responsibility for his actions.
Takanoiwa sat out the year's last 15-day competition because of his injuries, and is expected to be demoted to the 2nd sumo division.
www3.nhk.or.jp
Japanese police have sent papers to prosecutors on former sumo grand champion Harumafuji for assaulting and injuring a rank-and-file wrestler.
In the papers sent on Monday, the police in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, are calling on prosecutors to indict Harumafuji.
The police say he hit Takanoiwa with his bare hands and a karaoke remote control in October at a bar in Tottori City. They say Takanoiwa sustained head injuries that took about 10 days to heal.
The 2 were among a group of Mongolian wrestlers who were out drinking during a regional tour for the Japan Sumo Association. Members included Hakuho and Kakuryu, also yokozuna grand champions.
Police investigators interviewed the Mongolians and others at the scene to determine what brought about the assault.
Investigators say they learned that Harumafuji became angry with Takanoiwa's behavior while the junior wrestler was being admonished by Hakuho.
The police say they sent the papers to prosecutors as the unilateral assault caused serious injury. They also noted that the 2 sides have not reached a compromise settlement.
Late last month, about one month after the incident, Harumafuji retired from sumo to take responsibility for his actions.
Takanoiwa sat out the year's last 15-day competition because of his injuries, and is expected to be demoted to the 2nd sumo division.
www3.nhk.or.jp