Sumo gambling scandal

Japanese police searched several sumo training facilities, known as a stables, yesterday in search of more evidence on a widespread gambling scandal that his hit the country's ancient sport.

Police searched the Onomatsu stable and several other training facilities, Kyodo News agency reported.

The Onomatsu stable was the training base of a 34-year-old wrestler who admitted to gambling on professional baseball. They also searched several other stables.

Dozens of sumo's top wrestlers and coaches allegedly wagered as much as US$50,000 ($72,000) on baseball, with gangsters reportedly acting as go-betweens.