Mongolian-born grand champion Asashoryu, who was reported to have punched an associate in a drunken tirade during a recent night out on the town, was strictly reprimanded on Monday, one day after celebrating his 25th Emperor’s Cup victory at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
   
The 29-year-old Asashoryu admitted to drunken conduct, which allegedly took place in downtown Nishiazabu after midnight on the sixth day of the New Year meet, after he was summoned along with his stablemaster Takasago by Japan Sumo Association chairman Musashigawa.
   
"My drinking alcohol caused a lot of trouble and I feel bad about this. I have reflected on my behavior," Asashoryu said, referring to the article printed in weekly magazine Friday. In the incident, in which two police cars were reportedly dispatched, Asashoryu slugged one of his managers after leaving a pub in the early morning.
   
But for Asashoryu, who moved into sole possession of third on the all-time list with the most title victories behind sumo yokozuna legends Taiho (32) and Chiyonofuji (31), getting into hot water with sumo’s officialdom is nothing new.
   
Musashigawa said he warned the yokozuna to take more responsibility in his daily life, while some sumo officials even suggested that Asashoryu be forced into early retirement, if he commits a similar offense in the future. "I warned him that he has to behave responsibly in his daily life, saying that this type of thing cannot happen again," Musashigawa said.
   
Asashoryu faced the firing squad in 2007, receiving a two-tournament ban after it was revealed that he had played hooky from a summer regional tour by feigning the degree of his injuries while later taking part in a soccer match in his native Mongolia.
   
He was censured by the JSA chairman for playing golf with other Mongolian wrestlers, including rival yokozuna Hakuho, immediately before last year’s summer meet.
   
"I have told him (Asashoryu) that this cannot happen again. I have also reflected on this," said stablemaster Takasago.
   
Makiko Uchidate, an outspoken critic of Asashoryu who ended 10 years of service as a member of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council the same day, was scathing till the end. "He is always being warned. Is that all that can be done? Asashoryu got the victory and gave me a great sendoff. Too bad it is an unrequited love. I completely recognize his ability as an athlete but I will never recognize him as a yokozuna," she said.
   
Asashoryu had said that he was happy to win the title at Uchidate’s final basho, adding that he wished to "send her flowers".