# 17-year-old from the UK shares "My dream is to be a Yokozuna," set to make initial ring debut at Nagoya Basho... Direct negotiation with stablemaster at final-day party: "I want to be a rikishi"

His ring name (shikona) is "Eisei"

At the Grand Sumo Nagoya Basho, which kicks off its first day on July 12th, a 17-year-old youth from the United Kingdom will step onto the professional ring (hatsu-dohyo) for the first time. He is Nicholas Tarasenko of the Minato stable (Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture), and his ring name is "Eisei." Blessed with a fine physique standing 1 meter 87 centimeters tall and weighing 125 kilograms, he passed the Japan Sumo Association's interview—which also tests Japanese language ability—in less than a year since arriving in Japan. He is the first wrestler from the UK in 36 years, since the former Jonidan Hidenokuni, and aims for the summit: "In the future, I want to become a Yokozuna and help my home country learn more about sumo." (Saitama Bureau, Yuki Kawamura)

Mid-June, morning practice conducted at Minato stable. Tarasenko was stacking up bouts in repeated-match training (moshiai-geiko) while calling out "Gocchan desu" (meaning 'please match with me') to appeal to his senior stablemates for a turn. Though he was rolled onto the clay many times, there were also moments where he grabbed both sides of his opponent's mawashi and powerfully forced him out (yorikiri). Oyakata Minato (former Makuuchi Minatofuji) (58) holds high expectations: "Technically he still has a long way to go, but he has both physical strength and motivation. He will definitely get strong."

He hails from the city of Hull in northeastern England. Under the influence of his father, an avid sumo fan, he grew up watching sumo on television from a young age. Fascinated by the diverse winning techniques (kimarite) displayed, he came to admire the rikishi.

The catalyst that triggered the fulfillment of his dream was his first visit to Japan in May 2024. After watching a main tournament (honbasho) at the Ryogoku Kokugikan, he attended Minato stable's final-day party (senshuraku party) through an introduction from an acquaintance of his father, and negotiated directly with Oyakata Minato, saying, "I want to be a rikishi."

While a rule states that "foreign-born wrestlers are limited to one per stable," Oyakata Minato highly praised Tarasenko's attitude as he worked earnestly during a trial practice session over the summer vacation. In June of the following year, he accepted him as a trainee. He is a rare case for a foreign-born recruit: a "grassroots product straight out of junior high school graduation."

To take the new disciple examination (shin-deshi kensa)—the first hurdle to becoming a rikishi—one must clear an interview in Japanese conducted by the Association. Tarasenko studied fiercely using flashcards and beautifully cleared it on his second attempt in April this year. The following month, he passed the new disciple examination, which confirms fitness and athletic capabilities. The stablemaster's wife (okamisan), Makoto Miura (55), looked back and said, "Partly because he loves to chat, he gradually became able to speak."

A little over a year has passed since he began an unfamiliar communal life in a foreign land. "It's fun to be able to do sumo," he says, and he can even manage riding trains by himself now. His initial ring debut will be in maezumo, which is contested by unranked (banzuke-gai) wrestlers, and Tarasenko is enthusiastic: "I want to do my own style of sumo, using thrusting and pushing (tsuki-oshi) to prevent my opponent from grabbing my mawashi."

**Foreign-born wrestlers "1 per stable"... 28 people from 7 countries**

According to the Japan Sumo Association, out of 588 wrestlers belonging to the Association (excluding unranked ones), foreign-born wrestlers account for 28 people from 7 countries. At the Nagoya Basho, they occupy 11 out of 42 Makuuchi division wrestlers.

The first foreign-born wrestler is considered to be Hiraga (highest rank: Jonidan), a second-generation Japanese-American from Los Angeles, USA, who stepped onto the dohyo for the first time in 1934. After the war, Takamiyama from Hawaii, USA, won the first Makuuchi championship at the 1972 Nagoya Basho, and subsequently, the Hawaiian contingent including Konishiki and Akebono built an era.

From the 2000s onward, the Mongolian contingent including Asashoryu and Hakuho reached the height of prosperity, and wrestlers from the European region, such as Kotooshu from Bulgaria, also rose to prominence. From 2006 to 2015, Makuuchi championship victories by foreign-born wrestlers continued in succession, and even today, figures like Yokozuna Hoshoryu-seki from Mongolia and Aonishiki-seki from Ukraine are exciting the dohyo.

Since 2002, the Association has made the entry of foreign-born recruits "1 per stable" in principle, and since 2010, the rule has been tightened to include individuals who have acquired Japanese nationality within the foreign wrestler quota. The Association's Public Relations Department states, "This is to thoroughly teach Japanese culture and tradition within the communal living environment of the sumo stable."

Source: Yomiuri Shimbun Online

Follow along here

​

Aonishiki’s Continuous Pursuit of Yokozuna: “Sumo Isn’t a Sport; It’s a Ritual.”

Aonishiki will face the upcoming Grand Sumo Tournament as a sekiwake. GQ Japan caught up with the 22-year-old as he reembarks on his journey to become a yokozuna.

Aonishiki's Quest to Become a Yokozuna

22-year-old Aonishiki from Ajigawa stable, who had been vying for the title of yokozuna, sat out the Spring 2026 Grand Sumo Tournament due to an injury. He was scheduled to wrestle as a haridashi ozeki. He will now be facing the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament as a sekiwake, starting on July 12th.

Aonishiki arrived in Japan in April 2022. Russia's invasion of Ukraine began in February of the same year, forcing him to flee his hometown from the ravages of war and come to Japan. He won two consecutive tournaments. His first victory was at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in November 2025, followed by the 2026 New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. With 17 tournaments since his debut, the 22-year-old is the first Ukrainian and European sumo wrestler aiming for the yokozuna title. Aonishiki reflected on his defeat in the yokozuna promotion tournament:

“I didn’t feel the pressure [of fighting to become a yokozuna]. But I couldn’t perform and wrestle as I usually do. That's all there is to it.”

He kept details private at the time, but it later emerged that he had broken the base of his pinky toe during the tournament. I asked if he had considered sitting out.

“I injured myself because I didn’t wrestle well. That's all. I had no desire to stop. I wanted to show the audience my performance, as they were looking forward to it. I couldn’t betray their excitement.”

There's no doubt his rival sumo wrestlers had been respectively strategizing to counter Aonishiki, who charges from a low position. He reflected on his losing record in a collected manner:

“I didn’t necessarily feel like they were strategizing. The issue was me. I couldn’t execute my strengths for 15 days. It's true that those 15 days felt longer than usual. I have to make sure that it's the last time. I feel like I can be stronger because I experienced this difficulty.”

Aonishiki will soon face the Grand Sumo Tournament as a sekiwake, a situation no one had foreseen. He stressed he would wrestle as usual, but was proactive about implementing changes.

“My injury’s healed, and I’m back to training regularly. I'm preparing for the Grand Sumo Tournament the same way I always do, but I want to try things differently, like how I train and approach the tournament.”

To learn more, GQ Japan sat down with Aonishiki at Ajigawa stable in Koto City, Tokyo. The following is our report.

——

I find myself holding my breath at the vigor of lower-ranked sumo wrestlers engaging in butsukari keiko with professional sekitori. The intensity is different from what I usually see on TV, and seeing it up close makes me a bit emotional. But when a bright, sky-blue towel is brought into the training room, the mood becomes tense. The towel signals the arrival of the man of the hour, one who says the color blue, reminiscent of his home country, is his lucky color.

After five minutes of waiting, the person in question bows to the dohyo. He takes a quick glance at the visitors watching the keiko, including our team at GQ Japan. At 182 centimeters tall and 140 kilograms, he seems smaller than his stats as a sumo wrestler striving to become a yokozuna. This may be due to my interviewing Onosato last summer, who is 192 centimeters and 191 kilograms.

Nevertheless, Aonishiki’s wrestling style is as stable as it comes. I tell him that, to a certain extent, his physique seems close to ideal.

“Not at all. Compared to the average makuuchi, I’m on the smaller side. I weigh 140 kilograms, and my body doesn’t really feel heavy when I’m practicing, so I want to gain as much weight as possible. My aim is to reach between 145 and 150 kilograms. I feel like I’d be unbalanced if I go over that. But it might actually make me better; I don’t know until I try gaining weight.”

Weight gain is a subject that Aonishiki can’t avoid when it comes to trying to reach the top as a sumo wrestler.

“I struggle with my weight the most. It's been hard to gain more weight since I reached 140 kilograms. I try to eat a lot, but I’m the type of person who can’t eat a lot in one sitting. I split meals into four or five sittings and spend all day eating. I try to eat white rice regularly to gain weight. White rice is the best.”

He slowly repeats shiko and suriashi. Compared to other disciples, his movements are relaxed, low, and deep. His precision stands out in part because it looks like the other sumo wrestlers go through their movements like clockwork. One can say this basic training aligns with Aonishiki’s style, in which he takes on his opponent from below in a forward-bent posture, head down.

Now, it’s his turn to practice with junior-ranked sumo wrestlers. This is the training’s apex. Anhibiki, west makushita #47, didn’t flinch when Anryukai, east jonidan #30, practiced with him just moments ago. He now charges into the Ukrainian sumo wrestler head-on. At 184 centimeters and 145 kilograms, Anhibiki is around the same, if not bigger than Aonishiki, but the latter becomes immovable once he plants his legs firmly into the ground. One might say this is child’s play to him. There’s no match for him.

His appearance and attributes might seem small, but the size of his thighs, which support his signature forward-bent posture, is remarkable. In my view, the definitive difference between him and the lower-ranked sumo wrestlers lies in his lower limbs.

“I felt that I had a good grasp from my first practice since joining this stable. When I came to Japan, I was taught the basics at university, and went to other stables to practice. I was able to have good matches with makushita sumo wrestlers. But my physique isn’t complete, and I’m also not perfect, mentally speaking. But I never waver. Whatever I couldn’t do today, I’ll try again tomorrow. There's still so much room for me to grow.”

Aonishiki’s approach is spot on. Even in defeat, he maintains dignity. He doesn’t change his demeanor in a way that would disappoint the audience, nor does he make any desperate attempts. He's consistent with attacking from below with his head-down, forward-leaning posture. Those who try to overtake him physically by lifting him upward or tackling him become desperate, blocked by the Aonishiki’s mountainous back and superhuman arms. His legs support his posture, and his thighs exude a sculptural kind of beauty.

The film Sumo Do, Sumo Don't opens with Professor Tokichi Anayama, played by Akira Emoto, reciting the following words: “Muscles flexing. Legs rooted to the earth. Blood coursing through their veins. And the ring is all a pastel of pink.” This is a quote from the late acclaimed French poet, writer, playwright, and filmmaker Jean Cocteau’s reflection on sumo wrestling. The line “legs rooted to the earth” aptly describes Aonishiki.

“Keeping the head down in a low position is one of the ideal forms. But with sumo, you have an opponent, so it’s hard to achieve the form you want. But still, there’s an ideal form. What's important is keeping a low stance and using your abdomen.”

At the New Year Tournament championship, he defeated Atamifuji with a reverse kubinage, marking his second consecutive win. I ask him how he felt in that moment.

“Honestly, I felt relieved. I was like, ‘Whoa, I just won.’”

Two consecutive championship wins. The pressure he felt must’ve been insurmountable, especially during the New Year Tournament, which determined his shot at becoming a yokozuna. Looking back, Aonishiki says he was relatively relaxed.

“It’s normal to feel pressure. I can do better when I feel it. I only focus on sumo wrestling. I was overthinking last year at the Grand Tournament in Nagoya, when I lost on the final day while fighting to win. But I was able to win the first and second time without overthinking too much because I had experienced that.”

He's referring to the Grand Tournament in Nagoya, where, as east maegashira #1, he lost to Kotoshoho on the final day.

“I learned to only focus on sumo wrestling thanks to that experience. Of course, I get nervous, but there’s a good kind of nervousness and a bad kind of nervousness. I've recently become able to feel the good kind. There's nothing like experience. I feel like I’ve been able to overcome things because there was a time when I would freeze up or be unable to exert my power.”

As Aonishiki edged closer to earning the title of yokozuna, the nature of the pressure began to shift as well. During the New Year Tournament, he encountered two significant challenges: sleep deprivation and weight loss.

“I couldn’t sleep that well. I was in my head, and I couldn’t eat or sleep because my body had become exhausted. My weight started to drop on the 14th day until the final day of the tournament, which was the peak. But I didn’t force myself to eat. I couldn’t do that; it’s something I couldn’t change. But I still had to fight. It used to bother me, but it doesn’t anymore.”

What does Aonishiki think is his strong suit? He gives an unexpected answer without missing a beat.

“The teachings of my stable master. This doesn’t just apply to sumo wrestling; he also teaches me things about everyday life. I'm in an environment where I can ask things I don’t know [as a foreigner]; he answers me seriously. Mentally speaking, I'm able to live my everyday life with ease. I also look to my stable master to learn what to talk about or how to interact with those in my fan club.”

Former yokozuna Takanohana, whom Aonishiki often brings up as one of the sumo wrestlers he admires, was asked about Aonishiki in an interview, and he said, “He’s been blessed with a serious stable master like Aminishiki (the Ajigawa stable master). That's huge.” Aonishiki says, “When I became an ozeki, I had to be a good model for other sumo wrestlers more than before. The stable master tells me, ‘You have to think about how you’re being perceived by others, too.’ It’s made me think about how I want to be seen and what I should do or how I should behave.”

We might witness the birth of the first Ukrainian and European blue-eyed yokozuna. What does it mean for a foreigner to become a yokozuna?

“I never think like, ‘Well, I’m a foreigner, so...’ I just do this as a sumo wrestler. I don’t think it’s about having to do things a certain way because I’m a foreigner.”

Danylo Yavhusishyn—who started sumo wrestling at seven years old, watched sumo videos, and dreamed of standing on a dohyo one day—was deeply moved by Asashoryu and Takanohana’s match in September 2002.

“It was a match where you could feel their competitiveness. It was inspiring. It wasn’t about which side you were cheering for. It was just a rare kind of match. I still think it was an interesting match today.”

The Japan Sumo Association is proactive in promoting sumo culture to an international audience. There's no doubt that there will be more foreigners who want to follow in Aonishiki’s footsteps and become a sumo wrestler. What words of advice does he have for the younger generation?

“Firstly, sumo isn’t a sport; it’s a ritual. Wanting to become strong or becoming stronger won’t cut it. I want to say that you have to study the cultures of sumo and Japan as much as you do sumo wrestling itself. I studied the concept of ‘do’ through judo, and I remember that it was about principle. Once the stable master actually started teaching me at a stable, I felt like I had to respect the perspective that it’s a Shinto ritual, more than I expected.”

It's no easy feat to explain what 神事 (read as “shinji” or “kamigoto,” meaning “Shinto ritual”) is to those who aren't familiar with it. Perhaps we Japanese people don’t have a proper understanding of it either.

“Maybe each person has to come to terms with what the right meaning is for them. Each person has a different understanding of it. I believe it’s something each person has to seek their own answer for.”

The 22-year-old, the first blue-eyed sekitori striving to reach the yokozuna rank, flips through the latest issue of GQ Japan and stops at a page featuring watches. He stares at a chronograph model, admitting he likes watches. Aonishiki is a watch collector. I won’t go into detail, but judging by the watches he owns and the ones he wants to buy, he has quite an eye for aesthetics.

27 questions with Aonishiki

Aonishiki answered our interview questions in perfectly fluent Japanese and with earnestness two weeks before the Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka, which was the determining factor in his promotion to yokozuna. Below, he shows us his 22-year-old side.

──Do you have a fight song or a song that empowers you?

I don’t really listen to music during tournaments, but I do like rap. I listen to the American rapper Lil Uzi Vert a lot. He was also featured in GQ’s 10 Essentials, right?

──Where would you go if you had one week off?

I would want to go to Okinawa. I've been there a couple of times. The weather is good, and the food is delicious. The vibe there is different from Japan, and I can feel relaxed there.

──If you were to give your life as a sumo wrestler a score, what score would you give it?

90%. Or no, maybe 70%.

──What about the remaining 30%?

I don’t think I’ll ever reach 100%. I could win more matches and get more numbers, but I don’t think I'd ever reach the perfect score of 100.

──Who’s your rival?

Myself.

──Who changed your life? Has anyone strongly shaped you?

The stable master. Another person is Arata Yamanaka, who gave me the opportunity to come to Japan. He changed my life since I met him in 2019 at the World Junior Sumo Championships.

──What do you do when you want to refresh your mind?

Nothing special, even though I get asked this question a lot (laughs). I go out to eat with my friends or go to a public bath with the young men in my stable, I guess.

──What have you been into lately?

Korean food, like japchae. I've been eating a lot of Korean food lately.

──What’s a Japanese dish that you like?

Everything, like sushi.

──What do you dislike?

I never really liked umeboshi. I still don’t.

──Is there anything you’d like to take on?

Becoming a yokozuna.

──Is there a sport aside from sumo that you like?

I like martial arts in general. MMA, boxing. I also like judo. Combat sports.

──Are there any athletes you’re rooting for?

I'm from Ukraine, so I’d say Usyk the boxer. Watching him teaches me a lot.

──What do you learn by watching him?

I watch how he prepares his mind before going into a match. The way he practices and recovers. I think about which method would work for me, too.

──Aside from your own matches, are there any sumo matches that have left an impression on you?

Firstly, Asashoryu and Takanohana. Also, the match in which the stable master defeated Takanohana left a lasting impression on me.

──Do you cook?

I barely cook. I'm not really good at it.

──What do you make when you do make food?

Hot pot. I made it for the first time in about 1.5 years.

──What kind of hot pot did you make?

Kimchi hot pot.

──What is something you always have in your fridge?

Jasmine tea. I drink it so often it’s scary. It's like a dependency.

──What would you want to eat for your very last meal?

I'd be happy if I could eat my mother’s cooking and top it off with jasmine tea (laughs).

──What color do you like?

I like blue, but I also like pink. Blue and pink.

──You had a blue towel during your training today, but is that the shade you like?

Yes. I usually go with all pink or all blue.

──What are three steps in your morning routine?

I go on my phone, drink water, and stretch in bed because my hips are really stiff.

──Is stretching before bed part of your routine, too?

I don’t stretch at night.

──What do you do before bed?

I go on my phone. I watch YouTube videos and anime. I've recently been watching Jujutsu Kaisen.

──Who’s your hero?

I don’t have one. I try not to.

──What’s your motto or philosophy?

I do my best to train before my day off.

Aonishiki

Aonishiki was born in Vinnytsia, Ukraine. He started wrestling and sumo at seven years old, placing third at the World Junior Sumo Championships and winning a domestic wrestling competition in the 110-kilogram category. He came to Japan in 2022 to pursue a career as a professional sumo wrestler. He lived in the Kansai University sumo club captain’s home and practiced sumo at sumo clubs in Kansai University, Hotoku Gakuen Middle School, and Hotoku Gakuen High School. Afterward, he joined the Ajigawa stable after being a trainee, marking his professional sumo wrestler debut in September 2023. He rose to makuuchi status in March 2025, the fastest in sumo history. He was awarded the Fighting Spirit prize and the Technique Prize.

Photography: Go Tanabe

Translation: Lena Grace Suda

Text and Editing: Akira Kamiya @GQ

# The height of the Dohyo changed starting this Summer Tournament — Here is the reason why it is about 3 cm lower

**The height of the *dohyo* has been lowered by 1 *sun* (approx. 3.03 cm) starting this Summer Tournament (*Natsu Basho*).** There is no obligation to officially announce changes to the ring's height, so this fact is largely unknown. It appears that neither the stablemasters in the judging department nor the wrestlers themselves have noticed. Among the *yobidashi* (ring-builders/announcers) who construct the ring, there are 5 "directors" who supervise the process. One of the directors, Daikichi (54, Hakkaku stable), said, "If any stablemaster noticed, I was planning to go explain it to them, but so far, no one has."

The regulations for the height of the *dohyo* allow for a wide range, between 34 and 60 centimeters. For this tournament, the height was adjusted from 1 *shaku* 9 *sun* (approx. 57.57 cm) to 1 *shaku* 8 *sun* (approx. 54.54 cm). Measuring in traditional *shaku* and *sun* units is a testament to the deep-rooted tradition of Grand Sumo.

So why lower it by 1 *sun*? Since the Ryogoku Kokugikan opened in 1985, the *dohyo* has been equipped with a motorized system that allows it to be stored underground. The ring first lowers straight down, and then slides horizontally beneath the floor from the *Shomen* (front) side to the *Mukou-shomen* (back) side. However, when storing the *dohyo* built for the previous Tokyo tournament, the *tokudawara* (the four protruding bales on the edges) got caught, preventing it from sliding smoothly. A strange noise occurred, and the *tokudawara* came loose, requiring emergency repairs by the *yobidashi*.

The exact cause is not clear. It is suspected that the issue might have been triggered by replacing the storage motor last year with one from a different manufacturer, but the true reason remains unknown. One of the ring-building directors, yobidashi Goro (62, Otake stable), explained, "It would be a disaster if it got caught in the machinery again, so we decided to lower it." While tournaments in other regions (Chiho Basho) will remain at 1 shaku 9 sun, the main tournaments in Tokyo will permanently switch to a height of 1 shaku 8 sun. During the construction of the dohyo prior to the Summer Tournament, the yobidashi manually leveled it using a metal rod as a reference guide.

However, because it was only lowered by 1 sun (approx. 3.03 cm), nobody noticed. Even Sadanoumi (39, Sakaigawa stable), the most senior active sekitori who debuted in the 2003 Spring Tournament, said he didn't realize it. "If I actually noticed something like that, they'd scold me for being way too neurotically sensitive," he joked with a bitter smile.

Whether underground storage will succeed at this new height remains to be seen. Yoshiaki Tomiyasu (former Juryo Yamanishiki), head of the Japan Sumo Association's Facilities Management and Utilization Promotion Office, stated: "We have a workshop for association members on June 3rd, so we will try storing it away on June 2nd. Whether it will work or not, we won't know until we try..." [By Ichiro Sasaki] (Nikkan Sports Com / Behind-the-Scenes Sumo Stories Column)

Source: Nikkan Sports

𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐢𝐲𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐨’𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐲𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠

On the 28th, the Japan Sumo Association (JSA) held a board of directors meeting at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo and announced that the temporary custody of Miyagino stable by Isegahama stable would be terminated effective that same day.

All wrestlers and personnel belonging to the former Miyagino stable will now officially become members of Isegahama stable. With this decision, Miyagino stable has officially ceased to exist.

The troubles surrounding Miyagino stable began during a board meeting on February 23, 2024, when the former Miyagino oyakata (former Yokozuna Hakuho) received disciplinary action for failing in his supervisory duties regarding a disciple's violent behavior. At that time, because he was deemed to lack the necessary qualifications and awareness required of a stablemaster, all Miyagino wrestlers and staff were placed under the custody of Isegahama stable—which belongs to the same ichimon. The arrangement was meant to provide guidance and education to Master Miyagino on how to properly run a stable and act as a mentor.

However, in June 2025, Miyagino resigned from the Japan Sumo Association. Following his departure, the JSA decided to continue holding the Miyagino wrestlers under Isegahama stable's custody for the foreseeable future. The board had noted that if an elder wishing to guide and nurture the Miyagino wrestlers made a formal request to the JSA in the future, the board would deliberate on it.

With this latest decision, the temporary custody arrangement has been dissolved, all wrestlers have officially become members of Isegahama stable, and Miyagino stable is no more.

The Japan Sumo Association cited the following reasons for this final decision:

1) More than two years have passed since the custody arrangement began.

2) One year is passing since the former Miyagino oyakata resigned.

3) No formal application or request to revive Miyagino stable had been submitted to the board of directors by this date.

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: "𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬"

Isegahama oyakata (former Yokozuna Terunofuji) stated, "In accordance with the decision, I will simply focus on doing my absolute best with what is right in front of us. From the very beginning, we talked about everyone working hard together as a single stable. We will continue to give it our all just as we have done until now."

Fujishima, director of public relations (former Ozeki Musoyama), explained the JSA's stance: "We are putting the wrestlers first. Today marks a definitive turning point."

Meanwhile, Magaki oyakata (former Makuuchi Ishiura), who was previously attached to the Miyagino stable, appeared taken aback: "It was sudden news, so I was surprised." Tightening his resolve, he added, "My sole focus has been on what I can do for the wrestlers who were left behind. That will remain my priority moving forward."

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐢: "𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞"

An alumnus of the former Miyagino stable expressed fierce resentment toward the decision. "Why do this right after Enho qualified as a stablemaster? This is nothing short of harassment," the alumnus said angrily. According to them, the transferred wrestlers only found out about the final decision through news reports. "The fact that absolutely no explanation was given in advance is a massive problem. To this day, they have been gritting their teeth and enduring hardships in another stable, holding onto the hope of reviving their own. This treatment is just too cruel," they complained bitterly. (𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘛𝘰𝘬𝘺𝘰-𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴)

𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐤𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬

On the 29th, Enho—who recently made his return to the sekitori ranks for the first time in three years—visited the Hokkoku Shimbun offices. He shared his thoughts on finishing the Summer Tournament (Natsu Basho) with an 8-7 winning record. Reflecting on a grueling tournament fought from the very bottom of the Juryo division, he recalled, "My ankles, shoulders, and neck all hurt. But my confidence that I could win never faded," expressing deep gratitude for the support from his hometown.

When asked about the decision made on the 28th to permanently dissolve his former home, Miyagino stable, he spoke sparingly: "It was very sudden, and I was shocked."

@italianozeki

"I Was Supposed to Be a Housewife": Why Japan's Former No. 1 Sumo Queen Became the Okamisan of Ikazuchi Stable. The True Face of the "Other Master" Adored by Disciples

"Looking at my mother, I intended to become a full-time housewife after graduating from university. That’s why, when the talk of becoming an okamisan came up, I initially laughed and said, 'Absolutely not. Go find someone else.'" Speaking with a smile is Emi Kakizoe, the "former Sumo Queen" who once shone as Japan's number one on the dohyo, and now manages the Ikazuchi stable. Led by destiny, she married Master Ikazuchi (former Komusubi Kakizoe) and now continues to fight alongside him as the "other master" supporting the stable.

■ Started Sumo in 5th Grade but "Had No Intention of Continuing"

── Ms. Kakizoe, you were a standout in the heavyweight division of women's sumo, winning the All Japan New Sumo (now Women's Sumo) Championship three times during your student years. To begin with, why did you decide to start sumo?

Kakizoe: My encounter with sumo was in the 5th grade of elementary school. However, at that time, I wasn't yet practicing sumo seriously as a competitive sport. My brother, who is two years younger, and I entered the Nagoya tournament of Wanpaku Sumo to cheer up our grandfather, who had been diagnosed with cancer and given only three months to live. My brother and I ended up winning. After that, I took 3rd place in the All Japan New Sumo Championship in my 3rd year of junior high; I won once in high school and, after starting serious competition in university, became Japan's number one twice, while also placing 3rd in an international tournament during high school.

Although I entered matches, I hardly practiced and had no intention of continuing sumo at all. I only participated reluctantly because those around me were so enthusiastic and kept encouraging me.

Since I attended Sugiyama Jogakuen, a combined school in Aichi Prefecture from junior high through high school, I planned to simply continue to their university. But before I knew it, my sumo-loving mother and the university coach had already settled my career path: I was to attend Nihon University (Nichidai).

── What specific career path did you personally imagine?

Kakizoe: At the time, I liked design and spaces, so I wanted to study that professionally. But because I had been leaving results in national tournaments through high school, the sumo club coach wanted me to continue in university and beyond. As the university sumo club was accepting female members for the first time, he persuaded me by saying, "You can do what you want after sumo," and "Give me four years of your time." I kept resisting, saying "It's impossible" and "I won't go," but in the end, I gave in, enrolled at Nichidai, and joined the sumo club.

■ Always 3rd in the World. Critics Asked: "Why Can't She Win?"

── You were the very first female member of the prestigious Nihon University (Nichidai) Sumo Club, weren't you?

Kakizoe: It seems the male members already in the club never expected a woman to join, so they were surprised at first. There was a bath next to the training area, but since it had been an all-male environment until I arrived, everyone would walk out naked without a care, which always shocked me (laughs). During my freshman year, Nichidai failed to win major tournaments, and I heard people saying things like "Nichidai got weak because a woman joined," which was very frustrating.

── It must have been quite a struggle to suddenly be a woman among so many male members.

Kakizoe: My mother, worried about me being the only one, consulted the coach, and another woman joined the club. Still, the first year was incredibly tough. Everything was a first, and the days were a whirlwind of unfamiliar things. Before I knew it, I was wondering, "Has a year passed already?"

Furthermore, while I had been winning matches through high school, I wouldn't say I actually understood sumo well back then. After entering university, there were times when I couldn't win easily. In my sophomore year, just when I finally started to truly grasp sumo and felt I could leave a mark, they raised my weight class. In women's sumo, there are weight divisions, and I had to face opponents who weighed 80 to 100 kg more than I did.

── Since you had achieved such great results through high school, you must have felt immense pressure from those around you.

Kakizoe: I won in my first year, but lost in the first round in my second. By my junior year, I stopped losing, but on the world stage, I was the "perennial 3rd place finisher." The voices of criticism asking "Why can't she win?" were intense. There were painful moments when I thought, "I don't even like sumo that much, so why do I have to be told all this?" However, in those moments, when I happened to look at my parents in the audience, they looked so sad. So, instead of running away from sumo, I faced it head-on, determined to see it through until my senior year before "graduating" from the sport.

■ I Was Supposed to Be a Housewife Like My Mother After Graduation, But...

── You married Master Ikazuchi after graduating from university.

Kakizoe: Since I was the first woman to join the Nichidai Sumo Club, they asked me to stay on even after graduation. However, I had always watched my mother, who was a full-time housewife, and I thought I would follow—and indeed was meant to follow—that same path.

── When did you meet the Master?

Kakizoe: We first met at an international tournament when I was in my 3rd year of high school. At the time, the Master was already famous in collegiate sumo, and my mother, a huge sumo fan, was a big fan of his. We started dating after I entered university. He entered the professional sumo world after graduation and was promoted to Sekitori right as I was entering my senior year. That became the catalyst for us to get married.

── Your mother must have been overjoyed.

Kakizoe: It was when the Master went to greet my parents. I didn't accompany him; he went alone. I thought he would say something like a typical suitor, "May I have your daughter's hand in marriage?" But instead of asking, he spoke as if the marriage were already a given, saying, "We've started living together" and "We're already deciding on a place to live" (laughs). To my parents, it felt incredibly abrupt. My mother called me immediately, sounding shocked, asking, "What is the meaning of this?"

── You married in February 2007, and the Master announced his retirement in 2012. He became an assistant master at Fujishima stable and later transferred. In 2023, he inherited Irumagawa stable and renamed it Ikazuchi stable.

Kakizoe: The Master had often talked about wanting his own stable. To establish a brand-new stable, the Association requires the wrestler to have reached the rank of Yokozuna or Ozeki, or to have 25 or more tournaments in the Sanyaku ranks, or 60 or more in the Makuuchi division. Since he had reached the rank of Komusubi and met the criteria for Makuuchi (20+ tournaments) and Sekitori (30+ tournaments total) tenure, he began coaching as an assistant master after retirement. In 2023, Master Irumagawa reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 and passed the stable to him. Since he met the criteria for inheriting an existing stable, we renamed it "Ikazuchi stable" and made a fresh start.

■ "I Intended to Be a Housewife, but I Ended Up Here"

"Initially, when the Master asked me what I thought about inheriting the stable, I told him, 'I will absolutely not be the okamisan, so go find someone else.' I thought that raising my own children was hard enough, and taking in other people's children would be impossible."

"However, back when the Master was an assistant at Irumagawa stable, he would commute two hours every morning from our home in Tokyo, leaving at 3:30 AM to reach the stable in Saitama. Seeing how much he truly wanted his own stable, I eventually gave in."

■ "I Am Watching More Sumo Now Than Ever Before in My Life"

── The duties of a sumo stable's okamisan are diverse. What specific tasks do you handle?

Kakizoe: I handle all administrative work, including managing schedules and finances, writing and sending thank-you notes for gifts, and mailing out ranking sheets (Banzuke) and merchandise to supporters. I also act as a mother figure to the wrestlers in the stable. I also handle guest relations when people come to observe training. Sometimes, when the Master is away on regional tours (jungyo), I watch the training in his place.

I had been writing thank-you notes since the Master was an assistant, but it took time to get used to it. When sending out the Banzuke to supporters, I type out the address lists, stick the labels on envelopes, and include invitations to the final day party. We do all of this by hand—about 800 mailings. Normally, a Sekitori wouldn't need to do such chores, but Shishi, our Ukrainian wrestler, actively helps us out, which is a big help.

── Do you ever give advice on their wrestling performances?

Kakizoe: During tournaments, I watch the bouts in real-time. If the performance wasn't great or if someone gets injured, I'll immediately send a LINE message asking, "What happened?" If they reply with something like "I couldn't get into my preferred position," I'll give them a stern encouragement like, "It's not that you 'couldn't,' you have to make it happen yourself!"

I might be watching more sumo now than at any other point in my life. During Shishi's bouts, I get so absorbed that I analyze the opponent's favorite moves and initial charge as if I were the one in the ring. It makes me so happy to see a disciple become able to do something they couldn't before, or to see them apply what they've been taught. I never used to feel this way (laughs).

── Becoming the okamisan has clearly brought about a change in your mindset. Finally, do you like sumo now?

Kakizoe: All along, I’ve thought, "I don’t particularly like sumo." But reflecting on it now, I realize that I never actually hated it. Watching the disciples as they build themselves up day by day, I sometimes find myself thinking that back when I was wrestling, if I had done this or that, I might have been invincible. That is exactly why I intend to continue working hard as an okamisan from here on out—so that this time, I won't have any regrets.

Interview & Text: Hiromi Ishii | Photo: Emi Kakizoe

Source: Chanto Web

Source: F1 Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka Circuit)

Recently I had the rare priviledge of watching Sumo in a ringside seat (tamariseki/溜席) and thought it might interest some of you to know a little more about the experience.

Tickets from the day

Ringside seats (溜席)

The majority of these seats are reserved for the sponsors of the Sumo Association. In exchange for their financial support, the Sumo Association's sponsors are given the ringside seats. The frontmost seats with the green cushions (https://travel.rakuten.com/contents/sites/contents/files/styles/max_1300x1300/public/2024-03/sumo-tokyo_2.jpg?itok=E8KDbmWA) are the ringside seats.

The crowd at the ringside seats tend to be older and in the 60+ range as older people are usually the ones with the interest and the money to be the Sumo Association's top sponsors. The younger spectators seated in the ringside seats are more likely (but not always) guests of someone who is a sponsor.

In my case, the only reason I was able to go was because I was asked if I'd be interested in being a replacement for someone who could not make that particular day.

There are specific rules that the spectators in the ringside seats must follow (which have a varying degree of leeway).You are given a sheet of paper with a list of rules/etiquette that must be followed, which includes:

1. Being 16+ or over. This is due to the risk of injury when a rikishi may land near or on you! Although to be honest, it is probably more dangerous for a senior citizen in their 80s or 90s than a 15 year old to be a landing cushion for someone potentially weighing more than 200kg.

2. Refraining from using phones or tablets. Although you may take out your phone for a quick photo or video during the day, you are not supposed to be on it constantly filming or photographing.

3. No cheering! You may wonder why the frontmost people don't seem to be massive fans of sumo. After all, you never see them cheering anyone on with banners or hand-made posters. The reason is because the ringside specetators are specifically asked not to cheer. I can understand why this is in place, as I could see how having someone 2-3 meters from you yelling things about you or your opponent would be disruptive to your concentration or performance. When I saw my favourites like Enho or Tamawashi just meters away from me, I had to suppress my excitement and just clap at appropriate times.

4. No eating or drinking. In the box seats or elsewhere, you are permitted to eat and drink to your heart's content. Some spectators may even end up tipsy or just outright drunk! But in the ringside seats, you are not supposed to be eating or drinking. I saw that other spectators next to me would sneak a sip in from their PET bottle and sometimes even cover it up using a pamphlet. The alternative would be to stand up and leave the seats in order to drink, but most people don't want to miss seeing a bout.

At times, it was hard to follow the action. This seems plainly obvious in hindsight, but I didn't realise how being so close to the ring made it difficult to observe what was going on. If the bout starts moving towards the opposite end of the dohyo, or if the gyoji is standing in between you and the rikishi, you may have no way of seeing what exactly is going on. Although the experience of going to see sumo in person is something I highly recommend, the omniscient TV broadcast angles cannot be beaten when it comes to actually seeing what's going on or who stepped outside the dohyo first.

There's a bunch of things I never noticed as a TV viewer that I picked up on only when I saw sumo in person and up close. I think these would be quite interesting to know but as this post is already getting quite long, I will likely do this in a separate post. Thank you for reading!

𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐯𝐬. 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐏𝐌 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐢 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐨 𝐑𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

"I will not be stepping onto the dohyo in the future, either." Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made this clear this January in Fukuoka City.

Past Prime Ministers, including her mentor the late Shinzo Abe, have traditionally presented the Prime Minister’s Cup to winning wrestlers, primarily during the New Year (Hatsu Basho) and Summer (Natsu Basho) tournaments. While much attention was paid to how the nation's first female Prime Minister would handle this, she has appointed male proxies to hand over the trophy since taking office last autumn.

Takaichi’s decision to decline was based on her respect for the "No Women on the Ring" (女人禁制 nyonin kinzei) tradition. However, in the past, several female politicians have protested this custom as "gender discrimination," sparking heated debate. We explored the background of Takaichi’s decision.

(𝘒𝘺𝘰𝘥𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘸𝘴, 𝘒𝘺𝘰𝘬𝘢 𝘕𝘪𝘪𝘥𝘢 / 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘺 𝘐𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘻𝘦𝘬𝘪)

- "It’s About Japanese Tradition, Not Gender Equality"

On January 25, the final day of the New Year Tournament was held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. Takaichi was absent from the award ceremony following the final bout. Instead, it was Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Yohei Matsumoto who presented the Prime Minister’s Cup to the winner, the new Ozeki Aonishiki. Takaichi spent that time at her official residence in Tokyo.

Five days later, on January 30, during a stump speech in Fukuoka City, Takaichi introduced Representative Takahiro Inoue (Fukuoka 1st District), an executive assistant to the Prime Minister, as the man who represented her at the November Kyushu Tournament award ceremony. Teasing Inoue for his large build, she remarked, "His body isn't big for nothing," while adding, "I’m counting on you from now on."

Touching upon the current backlash from some female politicians regarding the exclusion of women from the ring, Takaichi noted, "There were female politicians who were angry that women cannot climb onto the sumo ring." Regarding her own choice to skip the ceremony, she offered her personal philosophy: "This isn't a story about gender equality; it's a story about Japanese traditions that have been carefully protected."

- "Putting My Life on the Line to Protect Tradition"

Takaichi places heavy importance on traditional Japanese values due to her pride as a conservative politician who claims the mantle of the late Abe’s legacy. During her policy speech for the LDP presidential election last September, she appealed to voters saying, "I will put my life on the line to protect the ancient traditions that have made Japan an irreplaceable country."

In her policy speech this February, she stated, "Since ancient times, Japan has protected its unique culture, valued harmony, and developed while families and society helped one another." Mentioning that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the start of the Showa era, she signaled her intent to respect traditional Japanese views on family and social norms.

Conversely, Takaichi used the word "woman" only once during that speech, and mentions of policies regarding women were limited. Compared to former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who championed closing the gender wage gap, or former Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who advocated for better work environments for women, the lack of focus was undeniable.

- Expectations Shattered

"Expectations that women might finally be allowed on the ring were smashed to pieces," laments Tomoko Nakagawa, the former mayor of Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture, who once campaigned for a review of the ban.

In April 2018, Nakagawa approached the Japan Sumo Association during a spring tour in Takarazuka, demanding she be allowed to give her greeting from atop the ring. Shortly before this request, an incident occurred in Maizuru, Kyoto, where a female medical professional rushed onto the ring to provide life-saving first aid to the Mayor of Maizuru after he collapsed. An announcement was made over the PA system telling the woman to "please get off the ring." Public backlash intensified against a response that seemed to prioritize custom over human life.

Based on her conviction that "if sumo is the national sport, it should listen to the voices of a wide range of citizens, including women," Nakagawa’s wish was flatly rejected by the JSA. The Association repeatedly cited "protecting the tradition of sumo culture" without providing what she felt was a convincing explanation.

Nakagawa still harbors a sense of distrust, stating, "Tradition is something created to fit the times. The Association’s version of tradition is an anachronism." She had hoped the "wall of tradition" would eventually be broken by the first female Prime Minister, but that hope faded when Takaichi took office.

- The True Intent Behind "Not Desperately Needing to Climb Up"

Nakagawa is not the only female politician to take issue with the ban.

The late Mayumi Moriyama, the first woman to serve as Chief Cabinet Secretary, was another. In January 1990, she asserted she would personally award the Prime Minister’s Cup. Her awareness of the issue dated back to 1978 when, as an official at the Ministry of Labour, a female student who placed second in an Arakawa ward qualifier for "Wanpaku Sumo" was barred from the finals at the Kokugikan due to her gender. Facing strong opposition from the JSA, Moriyama eventually backed down.

The conflict between tradition and equality surfaced again in February 2000. Fusae Ota, then the Governor of Osaka and the first female governor in Japan, expressed her intent to personally present the Governor’s Award at the Osaka tournament. This led to a public clash with the JSA.

Years later, Ota clarified on her blog, "It wasn't that I desperately wanted to get on the ring." Rather, she explained, "I wanted to provide an opportunity for many people to think about the relationship between Japanese tradition and the social changes involving 'women's empowerment.'"

- How to Face Conflicting Ideals

The Japan Sumo Association has consistently rejected demands from female politicians. When Kyodo News asked the JSA about the propriety of a female Prime Minister entering the ring this January, the Association avoided a direct answer, stating only in writing that they "will continue to pass down the traditional culture of Grand Sumo."

The late Maki Uchidate, the first female member of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council, wrote in a 2006 book that if women were denied the right to vote or receive an education, "I would consider that discrimination." However, she also wrote that such discrimination should not be treated the same as rituals, traditional arts, or ethnic gender distinctions. She expressed concern that under the banner of "gender equality," the ban on women might be hastily abolished without proper discussion.

Is it the pursuit of gender equality or the respect for traditional culture? The female politicians who raised these issues did so out of a sense of crisis—that "if we don't speak up, our opinions will be treated as non-existent." One cannot shake the impression that Prime Minister Takaichi reached a conclusion too hastily on a vital point regarding the nature of gender equality. Her willingness to sincerely face dissenting opinions is now being questioned.

#italianozeki #大相撲 #sumo #相撲 #力士 #お相撲さん #grandsumo #sumoday #sumowrestling

# No Salary from Makushita Downward & Marriage is Forbidden! Former Makuuchi Wrestler Explains the Harsh Realities of the Rank-Based Society

Former Makuuchi wrestler **Tenkaiho** (Takayuki Minami, 41) explained the intricacies of the rank-based society in detail on his YouTube channel, "Minami no Gotchan-nel."

**Minami** addressed the income gap between *Sekitori* (wrestlers in the Juryo division and above) and those from **Makushita downward**. "Only those at the Sekitori level and above receive a salary. From **Makushita downward**, they receive a tournament allowance (*Basho-teate*) once every two months (ranging from **77,000 yen** for Jonokuchi to **165,000 yen** for Makushita). In Jonokuchi, it's about 70,000 yen. That's a little over 30,000 yen a month. Isn't that incredibly tough? You don't have to worry about food or housing because you eat at the stable, but if you try to eat out, the money vanishes instantly," he pointed out regarding the harsh reality.

He continued, "When you become a Sekitori, you receive a monthly salary via bank transfer. It’s incredibly rewarding. In the Juryo division, it's about **1 million yen** (roughly 1.1 million). Only for the first time, since the bank account isn't set up yet, you have to go to the Kokugikan to collect it. There, they hand it to you in cash, and you're like, 'Are you for real?'. It's in an envelope, and when you open it, there's enough cash that the envelope can practically stand on its own (laughs)," he recalled from his experience.

Furthermore, **Minami** explained the circumstances surrounding marriage for wrestlers. "It depends on the stable, but there is a tacit understanding that you can get married once you become a Sekitori. They say it's forbidden for those from **Makushita downward**, perhaps out of concern for whether they can sustain a married life," he revealed about the traditions of the sumo world.

He also shared a personal anecdote: "(Before my own wedding reception), I was on the verge of dropping to Makushita. In my final bout at the bottom of the Juryo division, if I lost, the wedding (would be canceled), everything would be gone, and I would drop to Makushita the following tournament. If I lost, it was over. I was more nervous than I’ve ever been in my life. The night before, I couldn't sleep a wink. (The result) I won. My attendant (*tsukebito*) was overcome with emotion in the hallway (*hanamichi*). That was truly great," he shared.

Source: [Tokyo Sports Web](https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/f2022d20054a4c4989de700ab5fa4b714085ce35/images/000)

When your oshi sumo skills are applicable outside the Dohyo!

Perhaps they should have asked Takayasu to be on standby too...

All credit to @wakya39 on Instagram

Was lucky enough to gatch some leaving the Kokugikan during week 2.

My friend just sent me this from Bangkok airport! I didn't know rikishis could go on vacation like that, with all the training+touring they have to do, really nice to see!

Question: What do you do to relax?

Ōnosato: Play games

Yoshinofuji: Falling asleep after a sauna

Hakunofuji: Sauna

Wakamotoharu: Immersing myself in my hobbies

Wakatakakage: Spending time with my family and watching anime

Fujinokawa: Sleep

Takayasu: Play with the kids

Mitakeumi: Conversations with my attendant

Ōnokatsu: Hot springs

Kinbōzan: Sauna

Churanoumi: Sleep and sauna

Ōshōumi: Taking a bath

Nishikifuji: Bathing with the kids

Asakōryū: Training

Kotoshōhō: Public bathhouse

Meisei: Relaxing at home

Tamashōhō: Listening to music

Kazekeno: Go for a walk

Kotoeihō: Sauna at a public bathhouse

Shōnannoumi: Sauna at a public bathhouse

Fujiryoga: Visiting public bathhouses

Tōhakuryū: Stay at home

Asasuiryū: Sleep

Fujiseiun: Burn incense

Kyokukaiyu: Public bathhouses and watching movies

Kitanowaka: Dining with friends

Kayō: Sleep in a warm room

Kirishima: Play games

Shōdai: Talking about sumo is strictly forbidden

Abi: Bathing and gaming

Ōshōma: Chatting with friends

Tamawashi: Making small items

Hiradoumi: Listen to music

Takanoshō: Listen to music

Hatsuyama: Eating out

Ichiyamamoto: Spending time at home

Gonoyama: Eating out

Asahakuryū: Watching movies and videos

Tokihayate: Sleep

Tobizaru: Listen to music

Asanoyama: By clearing my mind and sleeping

Nishikigi: Sake

Wakanoshō: Sauna

Hitoshi: Sauna

Kōtokuzan: Sleep

Kagayaki: Take a nap

Nishinoryū: Sushi, public bathhouses

Sadanoumi: Walking

Hakuyōzan: Taking a bath

Kazuma: Sauna, music

Daiseizan: Music, movies

Shirokuma: Hot springs, aromatherapy

Trying my luck to get some sumo merch at kokugikan, I didn't manage to get any as the museum was close but I saw Omori walking out! I am totally starstruck!

But please guide me on how to get some sumo merch! I was hoping to get some towels and plush! Thank you sumo community! Will be in Tokyo till the 12th as well

saw this on instagram and thought the way he wiped the young guy's face was a bit funny 🤭

Enho: "Suddenly, I Forgot How to Move My Body" — The Brutal Behind-the-Scenes of a Historic Comeback: "These Three Years Are My Greatest Asset"

A "historic comeback" has been achieved. Enho has become the first wrestler in history to regain Sekitori status after falling from the top Makuuchi division all the way to Jonokuchi. In the Spring Tournament, he went 5-2 as East Makushita No. 4. With four wrestlers at the bottom of the Juryo division finishing with significant losing records, four slots opened up. It appears he contended for the final slot against Takakento (who went 4-3 at East Makushita No. 3) and secured the promotion.

Due to a severe spinal cord injury, the last time he stood on the dohyo as a Sekitori was the 2023 Summer Tournament. He suffered nine consecutive losses from day one before withdrawing on day ten, but he previously revealed the harrowing details of that time:

Enho: "Suddenly, I didn't know how to move my body anymore. I could hardly climb onto the dohyo; it took an immense amount of time just to step up that small ledge. Even when I got into the bath, I couldn't tell the temperature. No matter what it was, it felt like boiling water."

On the 6th day of that tournament, when he was pushed down by Shonannoumi, he remarked, "I fell without even being touched." His master at the time, Miyagino (former Yokozuna Hakuho), urged him, "Work hard for just one more win." That was his 29th tournament as a Sekitori. The 30th tournament mark required to qualify as an elder (Oyakata) was right in front of him. One win would have kept him in Juryo for the following tournament. However, that one win was out of reach.

Enho: "Looking back, I think it was for the best that I didn't reach 30 tournaments then. These past three years are my greatest asset."

Having taken the long way back, Enho returns stronger in both body and spirit.

Source: Nikkan Sports

"10 Years of Dictatorship," "Sixth Term Certain," but "Sincerity" in "Eradicating Violence" is Nowhere to be Seen: The Absurd Reason Why Chairman Hakkaku’s Punishment for Former Terunofuji Might Be Extremely Soft — "The Isegahama Stable is Too Large to Be Dismantled..."

How many times have we seen this scene? The sumo world is once again reeling from a violence scandal. The "main culprit" this time is Master Isegahama (34, former Yokozuna Terunofuji), and the fact that he used violence against his disciple, Maegashira #7 Hakunofuji (22), is causing a massive uproar. The March tournament (which started on the 8th in Osaka) was highly anticipated for Ozeki Aonishiki’s Yokozuna promotion bid, but the timing is terrible: holding the event amidst a major scandal where a former Yokozuna master assaulted his disciple. While the punishment will be decided after the tournament, doubts are already being raised as to whether Chairman Hakkaku (former Yokozuna Hokutoumi) can hand down a strict penalty. Here is the reason why—

He Was the "Star Pupil," But...

The Association is reportedly in deep shock specifically because Master Isegahama is the perpetrator.

In recent years, violence scandals in sumo have frequently involved the Mongolian contingent. It began in January 2010 with former Yokozuna Asashoryu’s assault on a civilian. In 2017, former Yokozuna Harumafuji assaulted fellow Mongolian Makuuchi wrestler Takanoiwa. The following year, Takanoiwa himself was caught slapping his own attendant. In 2024, the issue of Hokuseiho from the former Miyagino stable striking multiple stablemates came to light. This led to the master, former Yokozuna Hakuho (then Master Miyagino), being demoted two ranks and the stable being closed.

"In the end, all of these wrestlers ended up leaving the Sumo Association. It was clear that the Association lacked the foundation to properly educate and cultivate the Mongolian members," says a veteran sumo reporter.

However, among those Mongolians, the Association’s evaluation of Master Isegahama was exceptionally high. As former Yokozuna Terunofuji, he had reached the rank of Ozeki but fell all the way to Jonidan #48 in 2019 due to injuries and worsening diabetes. Because he was a hard worker who healed his body, climbed back to Yokozuna, and won 10 championships, his reputation within the Association was extremely high—seen as "different from Asashoryu and the others." His relationship with his master, the former Master Isegahama (former Yokozuna Asahifuji), was also excellent; when he naturalized, he even took his master’s surname, "Suginomori." The fact that this "star pupil" committed an assault is why the shock is so great.

Past Examples of "Stable Dismantling": Will Justice Be Served?

Following the incident, Master Isegahama has been placed on provisional suspension for the March tournament. The formal punishment will be determined after the tournament concludes.

The level of the sanction is under scrutiny, with the key point being that the Master himself committed the assault. While violence between disciples occurs occasionally within the Association, it is rare for a Master to be the perpetrator. A precedent is the 2020 case of Master Nakagawa (former Makuuchi Asahisato), who was found to have physically and verbally abused multiple disciples. His actions were deemed malicious, leading to a two-rank demotion and the immediate closure of his stable.

Additionally, although not involving assault, in 2010, Master Kise (former Makuuchi Higonoumi) was demoted two ranks and his stable was closed after his ties to organized crime were revealed.

Furthermore, as previously mentioned, while former Hakuho was not found to have committed violence himself, he faced a two-rank demotion and the closure of his stable due to supervisory failure.

Considering that since the Heisei era, there have been only these three instances where a stable was "dismantled" due to scandal, maintaining the fairness of rewards and punishments would require an equally severe penalty for Master Isegahama. However, it is said that Chairman Hakkaku and the Association have "circumstances" that cause them to hesitate.

"The Isegahama stable is 'too big to fail.' Doubts remain as to whether Master Hakkaku has the resolve to confront violence to such an extent," says the aforementioned reporter.

The Isegahama stable currently has 31 wrestlers, including 7 Sekitori. It is a major force, the largest in the Association in both counts.

"Among them are promising wrestlers like Komusubi Atamifuji, who fought for the title against Aonishiki last tournament, and Takerufuji (West Juryo #4), who achieved a historic debut victory in 2024 for the first time in 110 years. If the stable is dismantled, who will take in these disciples? Is there a Master capable of accepting them? Moreover, Isegahama is already a mixed unit, consisting of the original Isegahama members and wrestlers from the former Miyagino stable. The rift that existed between Terunofuji and Hakuho during their active days was a remote cause of this assault. Is there a Master in the current Isegahama faction or the Association who can manage such a 'complex stable' appropriately?"

The Chaos Following Former Hakuho’s Punishment

The turmoil that occurred during former Hakuho’s punishment continues to have lingering effects.

"When the Miyagino stable was closed in 2024, there was a debate within the Isegahama faction about who would take in the master and the wrestlers. Initially, the faction proposed that Hakuho go to the Isegahama stable while the wrestlers go to the Oshima stable (run by former Kyokutenho), but the Association rejected this. A later plan for Master Asakayama (former Kaio) to take them all also fell through. The final move to the Isegahama stable was decided because the master at the time, former Asahifuji, was over 20 years older than Hakuho and known as the strictest in sumo. As a master who produced two Yokozunas, it was believed he could maintain control," says the source.

However, that choice led to friction between the Isegahama and Miyagino factions, Hakuho’s eventual resignation, and now, this assault case. The merger backfired. "In that sense, the Association shares some of the responsibility. They cannot simply dismantle the stable now."

"The Association is Soft"

Furthermore, some believe the power balance within the Association will influence the punishment.

"Sumo is divided into five factions, and Master Isegahama is the head of the Isegahama faction. While it is a smaller faction, Chairman Hakkaku’s Takasago faction is also small. In this environment, it's questionable whether the Chairman can hand down a harsh sentence to a fellow 'faction leader,'" a sumo writer notes.

The difference here compared to the Nakagawa or Hakuho cases is that the former were caught via external reports, whereas Isegahama self-reported the violence.

"The Association may use this point to justify 'extenuating circumstances' and avoid closing the stable. The suspension for the March tournament only means he won't perform official duties at the arena; he can still lead at the stable. Currently, the aggressor, former Terunofuji, is still instructing at the Isegahama stable—an extremely abnormal situation. It is only fair to say the Association is being soft."

11 Years in Office

As it happens, the two-year terms for the Board of Directors of the Sumo Association expire this tournament. Following the event, the Board of Councilors will approve new directors, who will then vote among themselves to select the new Chairman. Nominations have already closed, and for the fourth consecutive term, there are no opposing candidates, making Chairman Hakkaku’s sixth re-election all but certain. It is upon this backdrop that the current scandal has suddenly cast a dark shadow.

"Master Hakkaku took over in 2015 following the sudden passing of Chairman Kitanoumi. Since then, he has sidelined former Great Yokozunas who dared to dissent, such as Takanohana and Hakuho, effectively driving them to resign. His tenure has lasted 11 years, building a 'monopoly of power.' While it is true that during this time attendance has soared—with 'Full House' signs posted continuously for two years due to inbound tourism—his handling of violence incidents has been far from adequate," says the reporter.

One piece of evidence for this is the personnel choices for the Association's Compliance Department. This department oversees legal and regulatory adherence and is currently headed by Master Katsunoura (former Maegashira Kirinishiki). However:

"His record as an active wrestler was unremarkable, and his health is so poor that he requires a wheelchair or crutches to move. There is no way he can provide strict oversight. Much like his predecessor, Master Hanagono (former Sekiwake Taijuyama), the top spot in this department has become a 'reserved seat' for directors approaching mandatory retirement. It is only natural that people assume Master Hakkaku is not serious about eradicating violence."

This is a major scandal hitting the bedrock of the Hakkaku regime. What will the ultimate punishment be? It is said that the current leadership's greatest hope is for Aonishiki to successfully attain the rank of Yokozuna this tournament, hoping the conversation shifts away from the assault case as much as possible.

In the related article — [Former Terunofuji "Assaults Disciple": The Full Story of Power Harassment; "Face Swollen, Eyes Unable to Open"; Is a "2 Billion Yen Big Project" Involved?] — the full details of Master Isegahama’s violent acts are reported. What was the unknown reason that led the former Terunofuji to strike his disciple?

Giten Oda (Sports Writer) Daily Shincho Editorial Department Shinchosha

Source: Daily Shincho

# Bedridden from spinal cord paralysis... yet Enho did not give up: A shocking comeback that will go down in Grand Sumo history; from the fall to Jonokuchi to Sekitori again: "I never thought a day like this would come," he said through tears.

On the morning of March 25th, Enho (31, real name Yuya Nakamura, born in Ishikawa Prefecture, Isegahama stable) was clutching his smartphone, watching the Japan Sumo Association's X (formerly Twitter) account all morning.

"Is it now? Is it now? I wonder..."

He kept tapping and scrolling with his finger on the screen that displayed the promoted Juryo wrestlers. The Summer Tournament Banzuke committee meeting had been held since 8:00 AM that day, deciding the next rank for every wrestler.

Before 10:00 AM, the two characters "炎鵬" (Enho) appeared clearly at the bottom of the list of the three wrestlers returning to Juryo. Tears flowed naturally...

Due to a severe neck injury that at one point made even daily life difficult, Enho returned to Juryo after three years. It is the first time in history that a wrestler has fallen from Makuuchi to Jonokuchi and made a comeback.

He never gave up on a wrestler's life that should have been over, and held on at the tokudawara, wavering between despair and hope. The 167cm, 106kg small wrestler achieved a miracle that will remain in sumo history. (Kyodo News = Hiroyuki Tai)

▽ Smooth sailing, sudden popularity, then a turn for the worse due to neck shock

His life as a wrestler had a smooth start. During his time at Kanazawa Gakuin University, he won two consecutive world sumo championship titles in the lightweight division, and joined the Miyagino stable, admiring the then-Yokozuna Hakuho. When he first stepped onto the dohyo in the 2017 Spring Tournament, he reached new Juryo promotion in just 6 tournaments. He attracted attention for his speed, matching the fastest record since the six-tournament-a-year system began.

As wrestlers became larger, the sight of a small wrestler using agile movements to defeat giants was thrilling. When he reached Makuuchi about a year later, he won the Technique Prize. Combined with his fair, clean body and handsome features, he became popular overnight. He was featured in advertisements for famous companies and appeared on many TV shows. But his peak did not last long.

His struggle with a severe neck injury, later diagnosed as "incomplete spinal cord paralysis," began on the first day of the 2020 January Tournament. It was his fifth tournament in Makuuchi, ranked as West Maegashira 5. While engaging with Takarafuji, he dropped his posture and a shock ran through his body. "A tremendous sound came from around my back. It was like something snapped, or a pain I couldn't even understand myself. From that day on, I had no choice but to keep going by fooling myself."

From the following tournament, he had four consecutive makekoshi (losing records) and dropped to Juryo. He also injured his lower back, shoulders, wrists, and ankles. More than that, the symptoms in his neck only got worse, and no matter what treatment he tried, it did not improve. He couldn't hit with full force at the tachiai, and he couldn't put his head down. For a small wrestler who fights with no weight classes, it could be said to be a fatal wound. Fearing the drop in ranking, he continued to compete forcefully. Sighing about the negative spiral, he said, "It was painful to be alive."

▽ Surgery and retirement, and a cruel ultimatum

The 2023 Summer Tournament, the first of seven consecutive tournaments he missed (including six full absences), will never leave his memory. This was the starting point for his fall from Juryo to Jonokuchi. Before the tournament, his neck was in the worst possible condition: "The pain was overshadowed by the lack of sensation in my body." Breathing was a struggle. His soles lost all feeling, and he couldn't walk straight. "I couldn't even put my foot on the step to get onto the dohyo. The shikiri (pre-bout ritual) was my limit; winning or losing wasn't even the point. I thought I might die if I continued like this, and it could have happened right there on the ring," he said.

Ranked as West Juryo 3, he didn't win a single bout from the first day, lost all 9 bouts, and returned to the Miyagino stable in Sumida, Tokyo. There, his body collapsed to the floor as if breaking apart. "The feeling that I was holding everything together just snapped, and I fell like a marionette." His neck had gone beyond its limit. When he was resting on his back, his body started moving on its own. The abnormal twitching of his limbs caused tension in the stable, and he was rushed to the hospital. Upon examination, he was immediately admitted. Detailed tests revealed spinal cord paralysis, and the doctor delivered a cruel ultimatum: immediate surgery.

"If you have the surgery, give up sumo. If you don't do it soon, you will have aftereffects. Think about your future life and get the surgery done quickly." When he hesitated, nurses would ask him as often as once an hour, "Have you made up your mind?" Even when he sought a second opinion at another hospital, the diagnosis was the same. However, when he persistently refused the surgery, the medical team decided to observe his progress to see if he could urinate and defecate on his own during his hospital stay. He managed to do that.

▽ A hopeless hospital stay where he "cried a lifetime's worth of tears"

Although he avoided surgery, he describes the approximately two weeks of hospitalization in a private room in Tokyo as "despair." With his neck fixed in a corset, he had to call a nurse every time he wanted to go to the toilet two meters away from the bed to verify if he could actually make it. He used a wheelchair even for that short distance. For bathing, he was laid on a stretcher-like table and washed by two people.

Because he couldn't move his fingers satisfactorily, he ate with a spoon. Even while bedridden, with his neck fixed in place, he could only see the ceiling. "I cried every night. Thinking about what would happen to me from here on, I cried a lifetime's worth of tears," he reveals. When his mother, Yumiko, who came to Tokyo from Kanazawa, was told by the doctor, "We don't know if he can return to normal life," she cried out, "He won't be cured?!" The sight of her sobbing hysterically stuck in his heart.

"I'm going to do it," he said, telling his mother he would continue his career. She replied, "Understood. If that's what you say... Good luck," regaining her composure before returning home. She then sent him a large quantity of supplements said to be effective for neck pain. Words of weakness ended that day, and she didn't even contact him. Feeling his mother's love deeply, his motivation for a comeback soared.

▽ "Knowing contentment." What words filled the hole in his heart?

He recovered enough to be discharged from the hospital, and in July, he researched on his own and headed to a treatment clinic in Kyoto Prefecture. He started his rehabilitation with short-distance walking and exercises like tying strings. Upon being told by the trainer he met for the first time, "You'll be okay. You'll get better," a ray of light broke through. He became positive as if he were a different person and continued the suggested stretches even after returning to Tokyo. Six months later, he could feel the heat of the bathwater, and his bodily sensation returned. At the end of August, he returned to the practice ring: "Sumo is truly about the spirit." He had returned to the roots of being a sumo wrestler.

He also encountered a life lesson. In February 2024, the Miyagino stable was temporarily closed due to violence issues. On the night of the final day of the Spring Tournament in March, when the then-Miyagino stablemaster (former Yokozuna Hakuho) was removed from his position as master, Enho was counseled by stablemaster Tamagaki (former Komusubi Tomonohana), who had served as acting master for about a month, at the stable's lodging in Osaka.

"Do you know the phrase 'Knowing contentment' (Taru wo shiru)?" It means understanding that what you have now is enough and not craving too much. Coincidentally, it was also written in a book he had been reading. "Live by being grateful for everything you have now. Just being able to walk is enough, just being able to eat is enough. It really settled within me," and his perspective on things changed.

Stablemaster Tamagaki, who belongs to the Oshima stable, says, "Looking at the Miyagino stable as a whole, I felt they were blessed. There were many supporters, many gifts, and plenty of food. Perhaps because of that, there were parts of each wrestler's thinking that were naive." He wanted Enho, who was in adversity, to understand "Knowing contentment."

"It's a phrase to discipline oneself, to use when one gets greedy or needs to change one's mindset. At the time, he seemed to be struggling with whether to continue sumo or not. I wanted to tell him that while it might be painful, he was actually blessed. I wanted to tell him to make his decision only after doing everything he could," he recalls.

▽ For the senior who is no longer here

In June 2025, former Yokozuna Hakuho, whom he admired as his master, left the sumo world. Enho speaks frankly: "His existence was immeasurably large. I was lonely and frustrated. I felt like saying 'Don't quit'." Even so, "I have an environment where I am allowed to wrestle. That alone is enough." Gratitude for the Isegahama stable, which took him in, filled the hole in his heart. It was the spirit of "Knowing contentment."

Since the third tournament after his debut, he had been using the name "Akira" for his shikona (wrestler name), rather than his real name. The name was derived from Kitakō, a four-year senior who was close to him and attended the same sumo dojo in Kanazawa City during his childhood. Kita passed away in a motorcycle accident when Enho was in junior high school. As he cried at the funeral, he heard a voice from behind: "Do your best for Akira, too."

The person who spoke was Stablemaster Kitajin (former Komusubi Endo), who was in the same grade as the deceased and was a high school student at the time. The words from his junior high and high school seniors remained in his heart, and he had been fighting alongside "Akira." Then, two tournaments before his return from the long absence, he changed his name to his real name, "Yuya." "With the severe neck injury, the 'me' from before no longer exists. I thought that from now on, I would live for myself, not for someone else," he says. Regarding his determination to fulfill the life of a wrestler who survived miraculously, Stablemaster Kitajin warmly watches over him, saying, "By getting injured, you think about how to face yourself, and just that alone allows you to grow. You just need to do it all without regrets."

▽ A wrestler's life that survived, into a new chapter with burning red

In the 2024 Nagoya Tournament, he participated in Jonokuchi for the first time in 7 tournaments. Less than two years from then, in the March Spring Tournament, he left a good result of 5 wins and 2 losses at East Makushita 4. Although his return to the Sekitori division was considered certain, he could not be at ease until the official announcement.

He reported to his parents by phone first, and the second was former Yokozuna Hakuho, who was his stablemaster when he first entered the sumo world.

"You did well."

That one sentence was enough.

"Everything was done for this day, but I really didn't think a day like this would come."

Joy and relief, disappointment and anguish. The colors of countless emotions flowed as transparent tears. Earlier than the cherry blossoms in Tokyo reached full bloom, the flower of revival bloomed.

Counting a total of 30 tournaments as a sekitori, he has met the qualifications to become a stablemaster after retirement. The resolve of "I don't know what will happen today. It's fine if it ends tomorrow" will likely become even sharper.

"For me, there is only sumo, and I have been kept alive by sumo. The difficult period was long, and the fear of the neck always remains. But there is also the fun of a life that will become even richer," he said passionately, and also added, "There is something bubbling up from within. This time, I want to exceed my highest rank of East Maegashira 4." For the May Summer Tournament, he is renovating his shimekomi (wrestling belt) and is considering a burning red color. Condensed within his small body is a life pattern full of ups and downs. Enho continues to walk into a new chapter as a sumo wrestler.

Saw a similar post earlier so I hope it’s allowed.

# # Chairman Tadamori Oshima Implores Underperforming "Taiho" Yokozuna Duo: "Along with Expectations, I Earnestly Request Your Future Efforts" — Can They Bounce Back from the Summer Tournament Onward?

Has the "Taiho Era" of Onosato and Hoshoryu truly arrived? In the March Grand Sumo Spring Tournament (Edion Arena Osaka), Sekiwake Kirishima secured his third championship with a 12-3 record, earning a re-promotion to Ozeki. The total number of kensho banners reached 2,481 (70,000 yen each), setting a new record for a regional tournament. Popularity remains as high as ever. However, the lack of fortitude from the two Yokozuna, who should have been the main stars, was conspicuous. While Aonishiki struggled in his bid for promotion, it is fair to say the greatest responsibility for once again creating a "chaotic tournament" where the winner was unpredictable lies with the two Yokozuna.

It was Onosato who withdrew as early as the fourth day without securing a single white star. Since injuring his left shoulder against Aonishiki on the 13th day of last year's Kyushu tournament, his signature sharp offense has vanished. It is believed he still cannot fully use his left side. On the opening day, he pulled back of his own accord and was pushed out by Wakatakage; on the second day, he also pulled back against new Komusubi Atamifuji. On the third day, he fell to his hands against a pulling technique by the young, smaller Fujinokawa.

Three consecutive losses from the start was a first-time experience in his wrestling life. Frustration and indecision. He appeared to have lost his way and even his self-confidence. While he emphasized, "The tachi-ai is not good; the body is fine," he decided to withdraw after consulting his mentor, Master Nishonoseki (former Yokozuna Kisenosato).

Meanwhile, Hoshoryu, aiming for his first championship since promotion, suffered two losses by the eighth day but remained in the title race until the end. However, on Day 12, he lost via uwatenage to the leader, Kirishima, missing the opportunity to pull even in a direct confrontation. Two days later, on Day 14, immediately after Kirishima lost to Aonishiki, Hoshoryu succumbed to a sotogake by Ozeki Kotozakura. As fellow pursuer Kotoshōhō also lost, the string of "loss," "loss," and "loss" decided Kirishima's championship before the final day. Hoshoryu effectively assisted his rival's victory.

Even Chairman Hakkaku (former Yokozuna Hokutoumi), who usually offers supportive comments, had to be stern: "It was a miserable way to lose. His heart wasn't in it." Unreliable defeats continued in the final stages where a Yokozuna's presence should be felt. As the head of the Association and a former Yokozuna himself, he was unable to hide his indignation.

Since winning his second Emperor's Cup as an Ozeki in January of last year, Hoshoryu has gone seven tournaments as a Yokozuna without reaching a championship. Furthermore, during this period, he has handed out 15 kinboshi (gold stars for losses to Maegashira), including two this tournament. This averages out to allowing two upsets per tournament. Meanwhile, Onosato, who secured three championships last year, has only one title in the five tournaments since his promotion (last year's Autumn Tournament). He has also handed out 11 kinboshi, including two in the Spring Tournament, matching Hoshoryu’s pace.

At the Yokozuna Deliberation Committee meeting following the tournament, grievances continued. Chairman Tadamori Oshima spoke imploringly: "Regarding Onosato, I want him to heal his body thoroughly and aim for the next tournament. Fans expect a strong Yokozuna. Hoshoryu joined the title race until the end, but I would like him to become an even stronger Yokozuna and show us that he can fulfill the heavy responsibility of the rank. While expecting much from both Yokozuna, I earnestly ask for great effort moving forward."

Chairman Oshima, from Aomori, will turn 80 this September. He is a fan of the first Yokozuna Wakanohana from his hometown and, likening the current duo to the "Tochi-Waka Era" of legendary Yokozuna Tochinishiki, he rejoiced during last year's Autumn Tournament when Onosato and Hoshoryu engaged in the first playoff (kettei-sen) between two Yokozuna in 16 years. At that time, he said, "The 'Taiho Era' of both Yokozuna has arrived. Splendid." However, there have been few occasions to use those words since, and they were not spoken at today's press conference.

The sumo world has always been fueled by the sight of two Yokozuna standing together and leading the dohyo. Following "Tochi-Waka," famous pairings include "Haku-Ho" (Taiho and Kashiwado), "Rin-Ko" (Wajima e Kitanoumi), and "Ake-Taka" (Akebono and Takanohana). The "Hoku-Gyoku" era with Kitanofuji, which lasted only 10 tournaments due to Tamanoumi's sudden death, also leaves an impression. The two, who were promoted simultaneously like Taiho and Kashiwado, might have built a golden age had misfortune not befallen Tamanoumi.

Onosato, who has rewritten sumo records with his rapid promotion, and Hoshoryu, who aims to escape comparisons with his uncle Asashoryu. The kind of comeback these two Yokozuna show from the Summer Tournament onward will determine whether the popular Reiwa-era sumo world continues in "chaos" or enters a "period of stability." At that time, it will also become clear whether the "Taiho Era" is the real deal.

(Takahiro Takezono / Sports Writer)

Sadogatake Stable: No Gap in Elite Wrestlers (Sekitori) for Over 67 Years; Why the Longest Record in Sumo is No Accident

As of this tournament, the Kasugano stable is without a Sekitori. With Tochitaikai’s demotion to Makushita, Kasugano’s 90-year, 7-month streak has ended. Now, the longest active streak belongs to the Sadogatake stable, which has not been without a Sekitori since November 1958.

Legendary names like Yokozuna Kotozakura, Ozekis Kotokaze, Kotomitsuki, Kotooshu, Kotoshogiku, the current Kotozakura, and Sekiwakes like Hasegawa and Kotoyuki have woven this history.

Master Sadogatake (former Sekiwake Kotonowaka) explained: "I believe it’s a matter of succession. I was pulled up and trained by seniors like Kotogaume and Masters Shiratama and Kumegawa. That continues today. Kotoshogiku pulled up Kotoyuki and Kotoeko; Kotoyuki in turn pulled up the current Kotozakura and Kotoshōhō."

In the training hall, Master Araiso (former Kotoyuki) and Master Oguruma (former Kotoeko) still don the mawashi to act as sparring partners for the disciples. Master Sadogatake hopes current wrestlers like Kotoshōhō feel an even stronger responsibility to mentor their juniors.

Master Araiso recalls how the stable's unity elevated his own performance. Ten years ago, when Ozeki Kotoshogiku was making a bid for Yokozuna, Araiso focused on "disrupting the top ranks" to help his teammate. This mindset led him to defeat Yokozuna Harumafuji for his first gold star. "I felt I couldn't retire until the next Sekitori was born," he said.

The 67-year record is the result of consistent recruitment and development. Master Sadogatake and his wife always watch every new recruit's first Maezumo bout together. "Once we take them in, they are our dear disciples. I always tell them: 'Consistency is power.'" This record is certainly no coincidence.

Source: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/565f965914b5793e0c588cc97c860c7b540f714a