TOKYO, July 26, 2007 - A fresh scandal was brewing Thursday around controversial sumo champion Asashoryu after media reports alleged that he faked :eek: injuries to cancel a charity tour.
(Who would have thunk it? A wrestler faking it! :eek: :rolleyes: 
)
The Mongolian, who is the fifth-ranked wrestler in sumo history, complained of lower back pain during the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, in which he swept to another title on Sunday.
His stablemaster Takasago submitted a doctor’s diagnosis to the Japan Sumo Association, which agreed to let him off a tour of an earthquake-hit region, the Sports Nippon tabloid said.
But a Japanese television network aired footage purported to show the 26-year-old wrestler already back in Mongolia and cheerfully playing soccer with children.
Japan Sumo Association chairman Kitanoumi said he expected Asashoryu to talk to him later to clarify his actions.
``I suspect that he will tell me later. But I find it strange that he would play soccer after submitting the medical certificate,’’ Kyodo News quoted Kitanoumi as saying.
The news agency said stablemaster Takasago was red-faced and said he had told the wrestler he had to compete in the sumo tour if he was up to it.
Asashoryu reportedly visited the Mongolian children at an event with Hidetoshi Nakata, the retired Japanese football hero who is also known for his tense relationship with the media.
There was no immediate comment from Asashoryu.
Wrestlers of the Japanese ancient national sport are expected to be role models, and have wide-ranging duties, including charity tours.
In August, the wrestlers will take part in an 18-day tour to northern and central Japan, including Niigata prefecture which suffered a deadly earthquake last week.
Asashoryu, whose real name is Dolgorsuren Dagvadorj, has long complained he has never been accepted by Japanese fans, many of whom see the Mongolian as too ostentatious.
Asashoryu has also been accused of involvement in match-fixing, charges he has adamantly denied.