Ichinojou interview-part 2

[Moti Dichne]

Part 2- the present:

He currently lives alone in a rented apartment in the metropolitan area. " I no longer have any tsukebitos  Since I don't  have a driver's license, my associates drive me  to greet my supporters. I basically take care of all my fundamental needs myself. I live in a 3LDK apartment. However, I still have a lot of luggage. Akeni, keshomawashi.. One room is only full of luggage. Also, the toilet is small (laughs). But it's fun. I do cleaning and laundry myself but I used to do it at the heya, so I don't have any problems. When my mood 'turns on', I do it all at once. It takes a while for it to turn on, though.. I want to get a driver's license someday.'' Regarding his weight: ``I don't think it has changed.'' He doesn't have a scale nearby that can measure weights over 200 kg, so he doesn't know exactly. ``I haven't been on a diet at all. My appetite is the same as when I was active. However, I haven't been practicing as much as I did when I was active, so my body may have lost its tension and I may look smaller.'' Before coming to Japan to study  he used to cook for his younger sister and younger brother. In sumo, he made his debut  at Makushita 15, and was promoted to Juryo after three bashos. Since he had no experience making chanko as a junior, he says, ``I told them I can't make chanko.'' However, he currently prefers to cook ``chanko-style'' hot pot dishes. ``I make a lot of Mongolian dishes, but I put bonito flakes and various vegetables in a pot and eat the meat like shabu-shabu. I cut the vegetables myself. There's a supermarket nearby, so I go buy them myself. I sometimes go out to eat with supporters, but at home I cook my own food. I like cooking. I eat two meals a day, lunch and dinner, just like I did during my active days.."  He says that the back pain he cited as the reason for his retirement is improving,, ``I feel good now. I'm in good shape.''