[sumo] Fwd: [Sumo news] - No maezumo this basho

[Jeff A]

Moti

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Moti Dichne <niramiai at gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Nov 11, 2026 at 1:36 AM
Subject: [Sumo news] - No maezumo this basho
To: Sumo Newsletter2 <sumo-newsletter2 at googlegroups.com>


Shikoroyama Oyakata has expressed his sadness that there will be no
maezumo  during the current tournament. Four new recruits passed their
entrance examinations, including Hayato Yamada (16) and Daichi Kudo (16)
from Shikoroyama beya. Ordinarily, they would have participated in maezumo
matches, which typically begin on the third day of the tournament. However,
the other two new recruits—Anatoli Zadroznoi from Estonia and Luvsuren
Myanganbayar from Mongolia—are foreign nationals; they are scheduled to
make their debuts at the Hatsu basho of 2027, once their performance visas
have been secured. As a result, they cannot step onto the dohyo during this
tournament. Furthermore, because Yamada and Kudo belong to the same heya,
they cannot face each other in official competition, and with no rikishi
returning to professional status (*saishusse*) this time around, it has
been decided that no maezumo matches will take place. While acknowledging
that "sometimes it’s just a matter of luck," Shikoroyama candidly admitted,
"Still, it is a bit sad." He noted that he had warned his new recruits
during their entrance exams that there was a possibility maezumo might not
happen. Upon learning by midday on the first day that no rikishi were
returning to the professional ranks, he realized, "So, it’s not happening
this year after all." He confessed, "Maezumo is the very first time a
rikishi steps onto the dohyo. I really wanted them to have that
experience." At the same time, he added, "It’s not that these boys are in a
unique situation; there have been times in the past when others couldn't
participate—for instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic. I suppose we can
just look at it as one of those things—a rare occurrence, perhaps." Yamada
and Kudo are expected to take part in the *shinjo shusse hiro* (a ceremony
introducing new recruits) during this tournament, with their official
Jonokuchi debuts set for January. Their rankings will be determined by the
order in which they submitted their applications for the entrance
examination.

-- 
Gaijingai
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