[sumo] Fwd: [Sumo news] - Kirishima and Fujinokawa

[Jeff A]

Moti

Best regards,
Gai

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: Wed, Sep 9, 2026 at 5:42 AM
Subject: [Sumo news] - Kirishima and Fujinokawa
To: Sumo Newsletter2 <sumo-newsletter2 at googlegroups.com>


A rengo-keiko for the Tokitsukaze Ichimon was held today at the training
hall of the Kokugikan. New Sekiwake Fujinokawa participated in 19 bouts
against other Sekitori . He charged headfirst into his opponents, working
up a sweat energetically. He had eight bouts against Ozeki Kirishima,
securing one win. While reflecting on being "beaten badly," he took a
positive view, saying, "I'm glad I was able to face an Ozeki." He has yet
to defeat Kirishima in honbasho. "I'll gambarize to win in a honbasho" he
declared, expressing his determination for his first victory. [Ryotaro
Yamada]

Ozeki Kirishima, who is on his second consecutive  Yokozuna run,
participated in the Tokitsukaze Ichimon rengo-keiko as well. He faced
Tokihayate, Komusubi Daieishou, and the newly promoted Sekiwake Fujinokawa,
winning 19 out of 21 bouts. True to his stated mindset of "hitting hard
right from the *tachi-ai," he moved forward forcefully with his head. He
displayed a rock-solid performance, giving no opening for movement to
Fujinokawa, known for his aggressive style. He concluded the session by
lending his chest to the newly promoted Juryo Tokifudou in butsukari-geiko.
He had hoped to face Yokozuna Oonosato, having heard the Yokozuna would be
participating from outside the Ichimon. At the YDC soken on the 4th, he had
gone 5-6 in 11 bouts. "I had a good session there, even though I lost more
than I won. I prepared specifically thinking I’d be facing the Yokozuna."
He looked slightly disappointed that the opportunity to lock horns with him
did not materialize. Nevertheless, he felt positive about his condition,
saying, "I think I'm in good shape. There are still a few days left, so
I'll keep training hard right up to the start." He showed no signs of undue
pressure regarding his second straight bid for promotion, adding, "I'm not
nervous at all; I just want to do what I always do—execute properly—and
enjoy it." His Oyakata, Otowayama, who observed the session, assessed his
progress as "going smoothly." Regarding the consecutive promotion bids, he
commented, "To consistently post these kinds of results even after reaching
the rank of Yokozuna, he needs to make what he's doing now his standard
routine. Viewed that way, it's not actually that difficult. It all comes
down to his mindset and how he prepares mentally." He places great trust in
his disciple, who has maintained a record of consistent performance. "He
doesn't need to force himself too hard. He has the ability. I think the key
is for him to stay calm and maintain his focus, just as he has been doing,"
he said, offering words of encouragement.


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