Mongolian firebrand Asashoryu has been banned for the next two grand sumo tournaments for playing soccer while supposedly injured.
The Japan Sumo Association (JSA) said yesterday that Asashoryu would receive a 30 per cent pay cut for four months on top of his suspension.
The 150-kilogramme Mongolian stunned Japan's ancient sport by taking part in a charity soccer match in his home country after pulling out of a regional sumo tour with a back injury.