Fresh topknots and what-nots..

[Moti Dichne]

Makuuchi Fujiryouga and Juryo Fujitensei, both from Fujishima beya, showed off their first mage today.  Fujiryouga, who made his sumo debut in  Makushita at last year's Haru basho after graduating from Takushoku University, has risen through the ranks quickly, and his hair was disheveled until this year's Haru basho when he was promoted to Makuuchi. At the Haru Jungyo today , after the day was over he turned to Tokyo and had his mage tied, and looking in the mirror, he smiled and said, "I wanted to tie it as soon as possible. It feels like my face is being pulled. After all, the first impression of a rikishi is their topknot, so I'm happy." Fujitensei, Fujiryouga's contemporary who was promoted to Juryo at Haru 2026 also showed off his topknot. "I feel like I've become a part of the sumo world, and the topknot is a symbol of a rikishi, so I'm genuinely happy," he said with delight. Unfortunately, he had a makekoshi in Haru*, and it looks like he'll have to start over from  Makushita in Natsu, but he vowed, "It was a great experience. I will definitely get stronger and come back in one basho."

*Call yourself Fuji-ten-sei, what can you expect other than ten losses?

Excellent photo where you can REALLY see the mages. I mean, really see.