Oonosato training news

[Moti Dichne]

Yokozuna Oonosato showed excellent form during asageiko today at the Morioka City jungyo, winning six and losing two of his eight consecutive bouts. He called out Juryo Ryuuden, who is likely to return to Makuuchi  next tournament, and his fellow Maegashira Ounokatsu, his classmate at Nippon Sport Science University, finishing with three wins and one loss against each. In the winning bouts, he overwhelmed his opponents with his signature pressure and pushing technique from the tachiai. But in his two losses, , he was defeated by Ryuuden, who kept a low stance and took his time before pulling his mawashi and pushing him out. Ounokatsu overwhelmed him with a strong oshidashi after a quick tachiai.

Oonosato resumed sumo practice on the 10th, and this was his third sumo session, following  one on the 11th. "It wasn't that great.. I'll try to work on it gradually," he said, suggesting that he's still not in top form, with Aki just one month away. However, during the eight matches, he never once backed down. In Nagoya, he showed a strong will to correct his bad habit of backing down, which was the reason he distributed four kinboshi, the worst record for a new Yokozuna in history. When asked why he called out Ryuuden, he said, "He's difficult to deal with. He does stuff I have difficulty countering... I'm working on it with him in mind. He's also strong," revealing that he is trying to overcome the challenges he faces against a type of rikishi who shows his strength when he grabs the mawashi.

"It's hot, so I want to make sure I take good care of my health," he said, as if persuading himself.