The Metropolitan Police Department questioned the man on a voluntary basis at the Azabu police station in Tokyo, where Asashoryu's lawyer had informed officers of a settlement reached between both men.

Asashoryu was reported by a weekly magazine late last month to have caused the unidentified man injuries that included a broken nose in a drunken rampage during a January tournament won by the 29-year-old.

The victim of the alleged booze-fuelled late night violence said in the written settlement that he "forgives" Asashoryu over the incident, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Tokyo police will see if they need to question Asashoryu depending on the results of the questioning of the man and a close examination of the settlement, police sources said.

Asashoryu, the first Mongolian to reach the highest rank in Japan's ancient sport, announced his retirement last week shortly after being summoned by the Japan Sumo Association for questioning about the reported incident. He claimed 25 tournament victories, third on the all-time list.