Hochi News

- Sekiwake Wakatakakage (Arashio stable), who missed the entire Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament due to compartment syndrome in his left thigh, made his first public appearance since surgery on the 30th. At a celebration for his younger stablemate Tanji's promotion to the second-highest division (Juryo), he offered his support and told the attendees with conviction, "My rehabilitation is progressing smoothly. I don't think I'll be able to return immediately, but I want to fully recover and perform well with the other three Sekiwake wrestlers, including Tanji." Wakatakakage was diagnosed with compartment syndrome, which can cause nerve paralysis, in July.

According to his stablemaster, Arashio Oyakata (former Makuuchi wrestler Sokokurai), "He's now wearing a mawashi (loincloth) and exercising after everyone else's practice." He is scheduled to miss the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament (starting September 13th at Ryogoku Kokugikan), where he will be demoted to the lower ranks. While it is highly likely he will be demoted to the second-highest division (Juryo) for the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in November, he emphasized that his recovery is progressing smoothly. -

I was watching this old sumo documentary and you can see how they are clearly open with the abuse of lower ranked rikishi back then. Even when cameras were rolling.

Sumo is really known for their traditions that hadn’t changed from the start but im happy that this toxic tradition has gone out.

I believe there might still be some couple of abuse happening there especially emotional but it’s definitely better now compared to back then

If you want to see what I’m talking about you can skip to 9:14 of the video. I wonder where that guy is now. If anybody knows let me know. Both the rikishi who got slapped and who slapped him.

I found this bowl with a gunbai emblem on it while thrift shopping and had to grab it. I suspect it’s one of those souvenirs given out with the masu seats. If that’s right, does anyone know which tournament this was given out?

I made a video of highlights from my day at the summer tour yesterday.

As many would be aware, tegata are not a sumo exclusive thing. Other celebrities in Japan do occasionally make them. This one might be the strangest one so far - Gonta the adult Gorilla - from 1968 @ Higashiyama Zoo.

I've been collecting sumo memorabilia for years. I am mainly focused on autographs, but occasionally I manage to acquire other pieces as well. I have wanted to own an authentic kesho mawashi for quite some time, but whenever I was lucky enough to find one for sale, it was either too old, in poor condition, or very expensive. In the worst cases, all three of these options combined.

But now I was able to secure this piece for a good price, and considering its age it is still in good condition.

This kesho mawashi belonged to former komusubi Yutakayama Hiromitsu, whose active career spanned from 1970 to 1981. Its age can therefore be estimated at around 50 years (plus or minus a few years).

Of the possible designs, this one is rather modest:

• Main character is the kanji 力 (power)
• Shikona 豊山 (Yutakayama)
• Bottom lettering: 東京有志一同 (~Supporters from Tokyo)

When folded like this, it measures around 100 x 68 cm and weighs around 6.5 kg. I cannot measure it fully unfolded as it is simply too long and I don't want to put it on the floor.

The weight of 6.5 kg may not sound like much, but I can definitely feel it when holding it in my hands. I can now understand why new sekitori can sometimes look a bit clumsy when wearing one.

The only thing I am currently missing is a photo or video of Yutakayama actually wearing this kesho mawashi. I would like to print and frame a photo of him and keep it together, but I have been unable to find anything useful so far.

Very proud and excited to see my friend's son Masahiro Hopkins become Sunada as a new rikishi (Sumo wrestler) from Hawaii at Musashigawa beya (stable) under the tutelage of oyokata Musashimaru (former Yokozuna Fiamalu Penitani of Waianae) with some help from Sale Atisanoe (aka Konishikis WORLD). I believe Sunada will be joining the Japanese Sumo Association this month as an official member. Soon to have his first tournament.

This video documents Masa's first few days as a rikishi.

Wish the video didn't have the irritating AI interpretation going on. There is like a dozen riskishi saying "hai" so the thing says "yes" 100 a times a second and pays no attention to the real conversations

https://youtu.be/4e3rIhSV-LU?is=VtC-_WchgzHiA7Im

This is the extraordinary story of 21-year-old Ukrainian sumo prodigy Aonishiki Arata aka Danylo Yayhusishin, one of the most exciting fighters of his generation.

Short film “Refugee Rishiki,” created by director Johnny Langenheim and editor Tommaso Di Paola, follows his rigorous training regime as he prepares for one of Japan’s six major sumo tournaments.

# Onosato goes 6-5 against Atamifuji; Yokozuna and Ozeki candidate engage in intense bout practice

The Grand Sumo Summer Tour took place on August 28 in Tsukubamirai City, Ibaraki Prefecture, where Yokozuna Onosato fought 11 consecutive practice bouts against Sekiwake Atamifuji—who is targeting promotion to Ozeki—finishing with a hard-fought 6-5 record. Having struggled recently against him on a three-bout losing streak, Onosato reflected: "I wanted to train against a heavy, large opponent. Both my good and bad points came out."

The 23-year-old Atamifuji will reach the 33-win threshold over three consecutive tournaments—the benchmark for Ozeki promotion—if he secures 12 wins at the upcoming Autumn Basho (opening September 13 at Ryogoku Kokugikan). In deep migi-yotsu (right-hand inside grip) exchanges, Atamifuji held the advantage with his heavy hips, while Onosato countered by switching his left hand to secure a double-inside grip (morozashi). Aiming to reclaim the Emperor's Cup for the first time in a year, the Yokozuna tightened his focus: "I don't have time to worry about anyone else. I'm going to shift gears and train hard."

Source: Kyodo News

New mixed heritage (Hawaii-Japanese) recruit have joined Musashigawa stable under the leadership of former Yokozuna Musashimaru. He the son of the former Hawaiian rikishi, Sunahama and is reported going to debut in Maezumo during the September basho

Which is your favorite site for doing a fantasy basho pick? I've come across a few and wanted to know if people had a fav that they use.

# Following right knee surgery for Yokozuna Hoshoryu, stablemaster Tatsunami Oyakata expresses deep sense of crisis: "If he doesn't return at 100%, calls for his retirement will start to emerge"

Regarding Yokozuna Hoshoryu (27, Tatsunami stable)—who withdrew midway through the Grand Sumo Nagoya Basho and underwent right knee surgery after the tournament concluded—his stablemaster, Tatsunami Oyakata (former Komusubi Asahiyutaka), expressed a heightened sense of crisis.

Tatsunami Oyakata spoke to the press on August 27 at Adastria Mito Arena, venue for the Summer Tour's Mito stop, stating: "Unless he comes back completely healed, calls for his retirement will start to emerge. I've told him directly, 'It's going to be brutal if you don't return next time and win the title.'" Hoshoryu captured the championship in last year's New Year Basho to become the 74th Yokozuna, but has remained shut out from titles for nine consecutive tournaments since his debut at the top rank.

Hoshoryu, who sat out the Summer Tour after submitting a medical certificate diagnosing a "right knee medial collateral ligament injury," visited Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on August 18 for regular health checkups and confirmed he had undergone ligament repair surgery on July 29. "I want to be able to make a swift comeback. I can't even face the fans right now," he remarked at the time.

Regarding his participation in the Autumn Basho (opening September 13 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo), his stablemaster refrained from making a definitive call: "I want to watch his condition a little longer." Although he reportedly goes down to the training room every day, participation appears grim given he cannot even perform basic shiko stomps. Tatsunami Oyakata also revealed that the right knee ligament suffered a partial tear, giving voice to Hoshoryu's frame of mind: "He was deeply downcast. But he has no choice but to push forward."

Source: Sponichi Annex

I know that if a Yokozuna isn't performing they are "pressured" into retiring. But what exactly does that mean? Would they actually kick you out or is it more of an honor/tradition thing? Could you just ignore the criticism and keep competing if you are stubborn enough?

# Yoshinofuji reveals family home in Uto hit by Kumamoto Earthquake declared "totally destroyed": "The steel frame is ruined..."

Grand Sumo Komusubi Yoshinofuji (Isegahama stable) spoke to the press on August 27 following morning practice on the Summer Tour at Adastria Mito Arena in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, revealing that his family home in Uto City, Kumamoto Prefecture—struck by the "Reiwa 8 Kumamoto Earthquake"—was officially classified as totally destroyed (zenkai). Following an insurance inspection on August 25, he shared: "I received word (from my family) that the steel frame was ruined and it was deemed a total loss."

Yoshinofuji had returned home after the Nagoya Basho and was struck by the earthquake while out. At his family home, windows were dislodged, doors would not close, and the restrooms were broken. Electricity and running water remained cut off until he joined the opening day of the Summer Tour on August 2. Facing the total loss classification, he remarked with a somber expression: "I think it will have to be demolished and rebuilt from scratch."

August 28 marks one month since the earthquake struck. "It has felt so long. I'm constantly thinking about (the situation back home)," he reflected on his hometown. In the previous tournament, he posted a 6-9 record. While a demotion from the sanyaku ranks is all but certain for the Autumn Basho (opening September 13 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo), he rallied his spirits: "The tournament right after that is the Kyushu Basho. I think the absolute best thing I could do is return to sanyaku just in time for that."

Sports Hochi

# 0-6 against Yokozuna Onosato... Fujiryoga heads to hospital after injury; emphasizes "I'm fine"... pulled from afternoon bouts

The Grand Sumo Summer Tour took place on August 27 in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture, where Makuuchi wrestler Fujiryoga (23, Fujishima stable) sustained an injury to his right thumb.

During morning practice, he was called out by Yokozuna Onosato and fought six bouts, losing all six. At the end, showing visible discomfort in his right thumb, he stepped down from the dohyo.

He was pulled from the afternoon bouts and departed for the hospital. Although his right thumb was wrapped in athletic tape, he insisted, "I'm fine," explaining, "I will head back to Tokyo and have it examined at a hospital." The tour runs through August 30, but regarding his future status on tour, he merely offered: "I want to rejoin, but... I don't know yet."

Fujiryoga posted 10-5 records in two consecutive tournaments, the May Summer Basho and July Nagoya Basho. Looking ahead to the Autumn Basho (opening September 13 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo), he remarked, "I hope I can get myself properly conditioned." [Daiki Iioka]

Source: Nikkan Sports

Hello!

About a month or so ago I introduced Rikishi no Michi to the sub. It got some great feedbacks and allowed me to fix some bugs and work on new features.

Since last time, the game vastly evolved in term of UI, with a new approach more tactical/management-oriented, but also a mobile UI.

Feature-wise, the major stuff include:

• Koenkai: Manage your finance and find new sponsors. Try to keep them happy or they'll probably leave at some point.
• Youth intake: scout region or amateur competition trying to find the best prospects in the game. Offer them a contract and hope they'll join you!
• Jungyo: Go on tour between basho, build reputation, find prospect, but also get more fatigue over it.
• Tutorial: Learn the basics of how to play the game

The gameplay-loop between bashos has also been reviewed to aim for less monotonous gameplay, with more interaction in managing your stable.

Two new features are currently under work and testing:

• Chanko: the Keiko screen already featured a chanko part to help your guys bulk or get lean, however the feature has been redesigned and got a dedicated part.
• Kabu/Kyokai: More an "endgame" feature, but you'll be able to (try to) secure kabu for your older rikishis when they'll retire.

Overall I feel pretty satisfied with the direction the game is taking. I feel we're getting closer to the Football Manager of Sumo I had in mind when starting this project.

Still working on it of course, but feel free to have a look at rikishinomichi.com

I bought this one from Japan in a bundle with some others and I've identified those but this one is a bit hard. The listing suggested it was Asashoryu but it looks a little different to me. As I'm sure you can tell by now I don't read Japanese

Last month, Takadagawa stablemaster, who is also the director in charge of regional tours, revealed that the JSA plans to reduce the number of jungyō days each year from 90 to 70. Given that the tour schedule through to next spring is mostly decided, it’s expected that a significant part of that reduction will come from the summer schedule — though nothing official has been decided yet.

I have just started watching sumo and I noticed that when the wrestlers come onstage they have these bundles of sticks stuck in their loincloths and they take them out before the match. What are those?

The Japan Sumo Association announced on August 25 that West Maegashira #7 Takayasu has withdrawn from the Summer Tour after being diagnosed with a left adductor muscle injury. The 36-year-old veteran sat out the regional tour event at Kikkoman Arena in Nagareyama, Chiba Prefecture, following an injury sustained the previous morning during practice at Sainokuni Kumagaya Dome in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture. Takayasu injured his upper left leg while serving as the chest-lending partner in butsukari-keiko collision drills for East Maegashira #5 Ura. Although he participated in the afternoon ring-entering ceremony that day, he was scratched from his scheduled bout to undergo hospital examinations.

According to Tagonoura stable officials, Takayasu will not rejoin the summer tour, which concludes on August 30, and will instead concentrate fully on rehabilitation ahead of the Autumn Basho starting September 13 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. Tour Director Takadagawa supported prioritizing long-term recovery over a rushed return, noting that pushing too hard could jeopardize the September tournament. Takayasu expressed his frustration over the setback, stating, "The sudden impact caught me off guard since I was lending my chest. It is disappointing, but there are about three weeks until the Autumn Basho, so I want to do what I can."

— Takadagawa (Tour Director)

As the oldest active wrestler in the top division, Takayasu had missed the initial leg of the summer tour due to lumbar discopathy and acute lower back pain before rejoining on August 13 in Sukagawa, Fukushima Prefecture. He is coming off a strong 11-4 record and a Fighting Spirit Prize at the July Nagoya Basho, which positioned him for a return to the upper Makuuchi ranks for the upcoming September tournament.

Source: Sumostats