Russian sumo wrestler Roho is the latest foreign import to land himself in hot water after smashing a window and belting two photographers in a fit of pique.
The 195cm giant faces a ban from Japan’s ancient roly-poly sport after throwing a temper tantrum in the wake of a defeat on Saturday.
Sunday’s newspapers carried pictures of Roho in various stages of combustion after the red mist enveloped him in Nagoya.
Roho, nicknamed the ”Russian bear”, chased opponent Chiyotaikai into a bathroom after an explosive bout where both men broke several of sumo’s strict rules of engagement.
After exchanging angry words with Chiyotaikai following his loss, Roho punched through a window of a bathroom door, showering his conqueror with broken glass.
Roho, whose real name is Boradzov Soslan Feliksovich, then slapped two photographers just moments after being dragged over the coals by sumo officials.
One of the photographers was taken to hospital suffering bruises to his face.
Roho’s violent outburst was widely condemned by sumo elders and could earn the 26-year-old a lengthy suspension.
”I shouldn’t have lost control of my emotions like that,” a contrite Roho said. ”It was a bad thing I did.”
Saturday’s incident was reminiscent of the infamous ”battle of the bathtub” involving fire-brand Mongolian Asashoryu in 2003.
Grand champion Asashoryu squared off with another towel-clad Mongolian as tempers flared during a post-bout soak at the Nagoya tournament three years ago.
Asashoryu, who became the first Mongolian to reach sumo’s elite rank of ”yokozuna” in January 2003, has broken several sumo taboos during his meteoric rise to the top.
He has been disqualified for pulling an opponent’s hair, criticised for complaining to judges after losing a decision and accused of breaking the mirror of a rival’s car.
Professional sumo has around 60 foreign-born wrestlers plying their trade in Japan, ranging from South Korea to Brazil with many more from Eastern Europe. – Reuters