Asashoryu depressed, wants to go home Mongolian grand champion Asashoryu, who has been diagnosed with a mild case of depression after being suspended from the next two grand sumo tournaments, is still in limbo as to whether he will be granted permission to travel back to his homeland to avoid any further emotional breakdown. Stable master Takasago, who met with Asashoryu for the first time since he received the punishment Aug. 1, suggested Aug. 6 that the Japan Sumo Association is carefully considering the yokozuna's mental condition. "He appeared totally wiped out," Takasago said after holding a 20-minute meeting with Asashoryu at the grand champion's Tokyo home. "He was just staring off into space and would mainly just nod without saying much." The Japan Times Weekly: Aug. 11, 2007
key words: grand champion 横綱 depression うつ病 be diagnosed with 〜と診断される sumo tournaments 相撲の場所 in limbo 中ぶらりんになっている【中途半端な状態】 emotional breakdown ノイローゼ、神経衰弱 stable master 親方 punishment 処罰 the Japan Sumo Association 日本相撲協会 mental condition 精神状態 wiped out くたくたになる、ひどく弱らせる hold a meeting 会合をひらく start off into space ぼんやりしはじめる
Today’s topic 1. What do you do when you feel depressed? 2. What do you do when you see your friend is wiped out? 3. Do you like old traditions? (Why?)