Japan“s sports minister has asked the Japan Sumo Association to investigate allegations that sumo grand champion Asashoryu assaulted a man during a late-night drinking session, according to an AP report carried in The Canadian Press. “The association is responsible for Japan“s national sport,” Sports Minister Tatsuo Kawabata said on Friday. “This must be dealt with appropriately. If the reports are true, it”s deplorable.”

Weekly magazines reported last week that Asashoryu was intoxicated when he hit a man. The man”s injuries reportedly included a broken nose, lacerations of the lip and bruises to the back of his head. Asashoryu, 29, claimed the man was his manager and has apologized for the incident, saying that alcohol was the cause.