[sumo] Fwd: [Sumo news] - Fujinokawa, Daieishou

[Jeff A]

Moti

Best regards,
Jeffrey Anderson
Gaijingai

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


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Moti Dichne <niramiai at gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Sep 8, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Subject: [Sumo news] - Fujinokawa, Daieishou
To: Sumo Newsletter2 <sumo-newsletter2 at googlegroups.com>


Daieishou, ranked at Maegashira 10E, faced sekitori for the first time in
about three months. On the 8th, he participated in the Tokitsukaze
rengo-keiko, held at the Sumo Training Center at the  Kokugikan. He went
3-4 record in bouts against sekitori, and lost all four consecutive matches
against Yokozuna Houshouryuu, for a total of 3 wins and 8 losses in 11
matches. Nevertheless, he expressed a sense of satisfaction, saying, "I've
been wrestling with makushita rikishi for two or three days, and this is
the first time I've wrestled with sekitori since June, before my injury.
I'm glad I was able to wrestle with a Yokozuna." He injured his right calf
in June, and withdrew from the Nagoya tournament in July after submitting a
medical certificate stating that he "has torn his right gastrocnemius
muscle and will likely require approximately two months of treatment." This
marked his first absence since his sumo debut, ending his streak of
consecutive appearances. He also dropped significantly from the rank of
Sekiwake, which he had held for five consecutive tournaments, and if you
add 2 basho at Komusubi, this will give you 7 straight bashos in sanyaku.
He was considered by many Oyakatas to be "the closest to becoming an
Ozeki." If he were to win his second yusho, there would have been little
argument regarding his immediate promotion to Ozeki. However, for the first
time in seven years, since  Aki 2018, he is ranked below Maegashira 10,
moving his long-awaited promotion to Ozeki dream back to square one. He
practiced  today with a supporter on his right calf. When asked if he was
worried about the injury, he said, "I can't say I don't have any concerns,
but during today's keiko, I felt the pressure and hits of the sekitori for
the first time in a while, so I want to keep going from here." He
continued, "The pain is gone. My rank has just changed, but my goal of
aiming higher remains the same. From now on, I want to keep working hard
and aim higher." He remained positive throughout the session, showing no
signs of being discouraged. With the same desire to improve, he vowed to
aim for the rank of Ozeki again.

Fujinokawa , currently ranked Maegashira 9W and in his second tournament in
Makuuchi, practiced on equal terms with Yokozuna Houshouryuu. On the 8th,
he participated in  Tokitsukaze Ichimon rengo-keiko, held at the sumo
training center at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. After being called out
by Houshouryuu, he won their first bout, charging headfirst at the tachiai,
continuously pushing forward without pausing, and then pushing Houshouryuu
out. The bouts continued back and forth, with a 4-3 Fujinokawa lead after
seven bouts. Houshouryuu, who had superior stamina, eventually handed him a
four-match losing streak, but his 4-7 record was more impressive than only
the wins and losses. This was his first time competing against him, not
only in a honbasho but also during jungyos. At 177 cm and 120 kg, he is the
youngest and least experienced makuuchi rikishi, but he won 10 matches last
tournament and was awarded the Fighting Spirit Prize. Inheriting his
father's, Kabutoyama Oyakata (former Maegashira Oikari),  spirited sumo
style and has reached his highest career rank. He also borrowed
Houshouryuu's chest for some butsugari at the end. receiving advice such
as, "Don't try too hard to throw." Looking back on his 11 matches with
Houshouryuu, Fujinokawa described him as "strong." However, he also spoke
of the magnitude of his own performance, saying, "I was ale to win, which
was a real confidence booster..." While he has already surpassed his
father's highest rank of Maegashira 11, he is determined to aim even
higher, saying, "I'll go for degeiko again." He revealed his determination
to continue racking up wins, aiming for double-digit wins in two
consecutive tournaments since his debut in Makuuchi.

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