Oonosato training

[Moti Dichne]

Yokozuna  Oםnosato excited his Oyakata's hometown. Today, he participated in the first postwar jungyo in Ushiku City, Ibaraki. During asageiko, he challenged Ouhou, doing five bouts and finishing 4-1, demonstrating his excellent condition ahead of his second Yokozuna tournament. He also showed off his skills in the children's keiko, showing a painful expression after a sharp push from a child, bringing down  the crowd. Ushiku City is the hometown of his Oyakata, former Yokozuna Kisenosato, and is adjacent to Ami Town, Ibaraki, where Nishonoseki beya is located. For Oonosato, a native of Ishikawa Prefecture, this is a place with deep ties, and he received thunderous cheers. After keiko, Oonosato said, "I'm happy that so many Ibaraki fans came out." All of the young rikishi from his heya who were not accompanying him on the jungyo also came to this jungyo venue and worked up a sweat through keiko and other activities. He confessed that he feels a sense of familiarity with the venue, Ushiku Sports Park, saying, "I like walking, so I often come around here. (The young rikishi) apparently came by bicycle." At the Nagoya basho,  where he finished with an 11-4 record, he faced Ouhou on day four, and gave up his first kinboshi as a new Yokozuna to him. He also mentioned the reason he chose to call Ouhou out, saying, "I lost to him the previous tournament. I want to work hard and improve my image," as he looked forward to their next meeting.

Nishonoseki Oyakata, who visited the venue and watched the keiko, said, "Oonosato's keiko was neither good nor bad, so" and said that he cannot gauge his condition at this stage. He also said, "When you're on a jungyo the time for  keiko is short, so if he can do five bouts with Makuuchi opponents, that would be considered good," showing sympathy for the difficulty of pushing him by increasing the number of bouts and making adjustments. With his eyes set on the September 1st banzuke announcement, when preparations for the Aki basho will begin in earnest, Oonosato said, "I would like  to increase the number of bouts after I return from the jungyo," revealing the determination of Oyakata and disciple to aim for the Emperor's Cup for the fifth time . [Takada Bunta]