InsideJapan News Network

Two weeks before the test meet to decide the Japan Sumo Association's rankings for the season, Mongolian grand champion Hakuho has spoken of his mixed feelings about the upcoming event.

Tokyo will play host to the test meet at Ryogoku Kokugikan from May 8th to 22nd after the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament was cancelled due to a match-fixing scandal, which was revealed in February, the Associated Press reports.

Hakuho said of the upcoming season: "I never thought we would see another meet like that one [last year], but here we are again. If I win the title, I'll definitely cry, so maybe I shouldn't win it."

If he does emerge victorious at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament in July, Hakuho will equal former yokozuna Asashoryu's record of seven titles in a row.

Earlier this month, national broadcaster NHK said that it would not be televising the May test meet, but the event is free for the public to attend.

Written by Mark Smith


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