On the 23rd, the Japan Sumo Association held an extraordinary board meeting at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo and announced that it had accepted the retirement notification of Kitaseiho, who was accused of assaulting junior wrestlers.

A document distributed after the board meeting revealed Kitaseiho's assault. ``Assaults such as slapping the face, back, and testicles'' ``Assaults by hitting the buttocks with a broom handle or a log-like stick made from a mawashi, and igniting insecticide spray to create a burner and flames were brought close to the bodies of (victims) A and B."

As a result of the interview, it was said that these asuults had been repeated two to three times a week since August 2022, and the association said, ``It was also recognized that he was amused by the painful reaction, and the motive for the assault was determined. It is extremely despicable." ``During this investigation, Kitaseiho deeply regrets the assault and pledges to never repeat the same type of assault. Although he accepts any punishment, if he is allowed to do so, he hopes to continue to compete in sumo. However, such remorse and commitment should be said to have come too late, and it is hard to say that there were extenuating circumstances."

The statement said that although the notification of retirement had been accepted, ``we have determined that a disciplinary action of recommendation to retire is appropriate.'' It was also revealed that during the January event, he entered the event in a Rolls Royce.