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."