They rue their texting “WE WILL not be able to show sumo in the ring until all the pus is removed,” says Hanaregoma, chairman of the Japan Sumo Association (JSA). The rot this time is match-fixing. Fans are angered, and sponsors fleeing. Japan's sports ministry is considering yanking the JSA's public-interest status, which gives it tax breaks. In an unprecedented move, sumo's governing body cancel