All of us know that in almost all sports, game fixing has been one of the oldest form of cheating. Different sports have been bugged by it, but then again, the show must go on, as many would say. After all, when people have developed close association with a certain sport, it is really hard to stay away from it. So, ok, there's fixing, there's drugs, there's black market. But most of us, still watch and support the game. We sometimes participate in those too. I am guilty of purchasing tickets at a black market when I went to Vancouver to watch a hockey game. Just because the regular prices are really high....
This past week, 八百長(yaochou) or game fixing is the recent scandal that hit the sumo wrestling world. The sport has a very long history and is considered by many part of the old tradition of Japan. Spring tournament has been stopped pending the investigation. People have been echoing out different points of view. Although I'm not a fanatic, I do enjoy watching sumo wresting, and also dreams of one day watching it live. But with the recent track that the sumo world is going down, with its recent string of scandals, the sport is showing the sign of old age. Perhaps the sport that accepted its norms as part of its tradition has finally come to terms with the currency of time. Ideologies that never changed are now challenged with bolder, more diverse, individualistic points of view. The once communal Japanese society is now crumbling down into individuals, much like the scenes of Sodom and Gomorrah?
But then who am I to say for sure. However, as an athlete, I hate the thought of game fixing, of giving away your honor and dignity in exchange of money. Nowadays money may look like the more important things (sadly). But I still have faith that deep within the hearts of the real athletes is the pledge to honor the game. And so, not just for the world of Sumo but for all of us, I pray again the prayer that I've implanted in my heart since I was a child...
In this battle that goes through life, I ask but a field that is fair, a chance that is equal with all in the strife and the courage to do and to dare. If I should win, let it be by the code with my honor and head held high. If I should lose, let me stand by the road and cheer as the winners pass by.
This past week, 八百長(yaochou) or game fixing is the recent scandal that hit the sumo wrestling world. The sport has a very long history and is considered by many part of the old tradition of Japan. Spring tournament has been stopped pending the investigation. People have been echoing out different points of view. Although I'm not a fanatic, I do enjoy watching sumo wresting, and also dreams of one day watching it live. But with the recent track that the sumo world is going down, with its recent string of scandals, the sport is showing the sign of old age. Perhaps the sport that accepted its norms as part of its tradition has finally come to terms with the currency of time. Ideologies that never changed are now challenged with bolder, more diverse, individualistic points of view. The once communal Japanese society is now crumbling down into individuals, much like the scenes of Sodom and Gomorrah?
But then who am I to say for sure. However, as an athlete, I hate the thought of game fixing, of giving away your honor and dignity in exchange of money. Nowadays money may look like the more important things (sadly). But I still have faith that deep within the hearts of the real athletes is the pledge to honor the game. And so, not just for the world of Sumo but for all of us, I pray again the prayer that I've implanted in my heart since I was a child...
In this battle that goes through life, I ask but a field that is fair, a chance that is equal with all in the strife and the courage to do and to dare. If I should win, let it be by the code with my honor and head held high. If I should lose, let me stand by the road and cheer as the winners pass by.
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