Russian sumo wrestler Roho became the latest foreign import to land himself in trouble after smashing a window and hitting two photographers in a fit of pique.
The wrestler was given an unprecedented three-day ban from Japan's ancient sport Sunday for throwing a tantrum after a defeat the previous day.
Sunday's newspapers carried pictures of Roho in various stages of combustion after he lost his temper in Nagoya on Saturday.
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 reprimanded by sumo officials.
One of the photographers was taken to hospital suffering bruises to his face.
UNWANTED FIRST
Roho's outburst was condemned by Japan Sumo Association officials and earned him the indignity of becoming the first wrestler to be banned for violent conduct outside the ring.
"I shouldn't have lost control of my emotions like that," a contrite Roho said. "It was a bad thing I did. I'm very sorry for what I did."
Saturday's incident was reminiscent of the infamous 'battle of the bathtub' involving firebrand 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, criticized for complaining to judges after losing a decision and accused of breaking the mirror of a rival's car.
Professional sumo has some 60 foreign-born wrestlers plying their trade in Japan, ranging from South Koreans to Brazilians with many more from Eastern Europe.
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