oh yeah, it's been an open secret in japan that sumo has fixed matches for decades. kinda like boxing in the USA

any competition sport where you only have to get to one person to throw the event, you're gonna find organized crime/match fixing. it's not as bad as it was, as the 2011 scandal broke and forced the japan sumo association to make some reforms, but it's never entirely going away

Its also that both sumos can have a better life collectively if they both throw matches at key times so their co-sumos can get better ratings, have access to more money and a better lifestyle, etc. And the way the rating system works means that a sumo can throw a match or two without affecting their own standing/income, but while helping someone else raise theirs.

Here's an article on it:

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2011/02/09/national/sumo-rig ging-born-of-necessity/

That’s impressive. Seeing humans cooperate for mutual benefit shouldn’t be impressive but it’s 2020.