[sumo] Death of former Fujinokawa

[Jeff A]

Thank you, Katrina for this intimate look into Yuji Hattori’s life. Another
reason why I love being on this list.

Jeff

For of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these:
It might have been.
- John Greenleaf Whittier


On Sat, Jun 7, 2025 at 6:46 AM Katrina Watts via Sumo <sumo at webtrek.com>
wrote:

>
> I was very saddened to learn of the death of my good friend, Yuji
> Hattori, former Fujinokawa of Isenoumi beya
>
>
> Due to his success in amateur sumo, twice Student Yokozuna and twice All
> Japan Amateur Yokozuna, he entered sumo at Makushita level and secured the
> yusho there 7-0.  He was expected to do well in Ozumo and hailed as
> possibly the next student champion to become Yokozuna.  However, he
> explained to me that when he entered in 1983 he already had a herniated
> disc and his back problems only got worse, forcing him to retire in 1987.
>
>
> Fujinokawa’s story highlights Onosato’s success in achieving the rank of
> Yokozuna as only the college champion to achieve that rank since Wajima in
> 1973.  By the time these college champions enter Ozumo many of them already
> worn out or carry injuries,  and have a hard time living up to the promise
> of their amateur successes.
>
>
> Fujinokawa only reached makuuchi 3 before his retirement and told me that
> was a reason for him to leave the Sumo Kyokai.  In Ozumo you are always
> referred to be your highest rank, former yokozuna Hakuho, former komusubi
> Mainoumi.  Hattori didn’t want to be known as former Makuuchi 3 Fujinokawa,
> so left to undertake study at Tsukuba University where he gained a
> doctorate in coaching science.
>
>
> While working at Tokai University he began a sumo club, which did quite
> well but later closed, and was involved in research into sports related
> injuries, with a focus on sumo.
>
>
> He worked with the International Sumo Federation and I would see him at
> the Sumo World Championships until his back made long international flights
> difficult.
>
>
> A kind, intelligent and generous man with a great sense of fun and
> humour.  At 64 a great loss from cancer to his friends, family and students
> and to the world of sumo.
>
> Katrina
>
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