Sumo Wrestler Cheating Exposed

Freakonomics was right about sumo wrestler cheating: Three sumo wrestlers have admitted to fixing their matches, and another 11 are suspected of doing the same, said Japan’s Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Yoshiaki Takaki (who apparently has a large variety of responsibilities).

Media reports said police are also now investigating whether active wrestlers bet on the outcome of bouts, deepening concerns that gangsters—who allegedly played a role in an earlier gambling scandal—may again be involved.

While there have been unsubstantiated claims of gangster involvement in sumo wrestling for years, this is the first time there has been any proof.

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Robert Quigley