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TOKYO: Controversial grand champion Asashoryu has demanded a pay rise for sumo wrestlers for the first time in seven years, citing the global crisis of fuel prices, reports said on Wednesday.
"I want pay rises for wrestlers. The price of petrol and many other items are rising but our pay remains flat," Asashoryu told a customary meeting of wrestlers before a grand tournament, as quoted by the Nikkan Sports daily.
The 27-year-old Mongolian -- the fifth-ranked wrestler in sumo history -- is deeply unpopular with much of the sumo establishment which argues he is too unrefined for the ritual-heavy sport.
The newspaper said it was rare for sumo wrestlers to ask for a pay rise, but that other high-ranking wrestlers cheered and clapped hands during Tuesday's meeting in central Aichi prefecture.
"I wonder if we could have a raise of around 10 per cent or get paid for transport from stables to tournament venues," Asashoryu was quoted as saying.
Asashoryu, who is chairman of the wrestlers group that makes proposals to the sumo authority, said he made the proposal out of a "sense of duty."
Professional wrestlers are paid by the Japan Sumo Association. A wrestler in the top rank of "yokozuna" grand champion earns 2.82 million yen (26,600 US dollars) a month, according to the association.
Sumo wrestlers also get prize money, gratuities and allowances in accordance with their tournament results.
The Nikkan Sports said Asashoryu gets 60 million yen a year from the association alone.
No confirmation of the report was available from the association.
"It is true that the group meeting was held Tuesday but we do not usually disclose what is discussed there," an association spokesman said, while confirming that pay has not been raised for the past seven years.
The executive board of the sumo association discusses salary scales for wrestlers in November every year.
Local media said high fuel prices have dealt a blow to sumo wrestlers who frequently use cars for transportation.
Crude oil was trading on Wednesday at near record levels amid uncertainty about future investment in facilities to boost output.
- AFP/jk
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