Asanoyama trains

[Moti Dichne]

The Haru Jungyo took place on the 20th in Ishioka City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Asanoyama did sumo for the first time in the tour, winning 8 out of 12 bouts against Ouhou and others. He used pressure to force his opponents out by yorikiri, and the crowd cheered at his powerful sumo style. "There are many rikishi who have not done any sumo keiko, so I wanted to do it. Everyone is taking it easy to avoid injuries, but I made sure to apply pressure only at the tachiai," he explained. He has recovered from a serious left knee injury sustained at the Nagoya basho in 2012, and at one point he dropped to Sandanme. This is his first tour appearance in two years, excluding a special appearance in his hometown of Toyama City. He received advice from Wakamatsu Oyakata, who was attached to Takasago beya until March  and seriously did basic exercises. "I've been diligently practicing shiko, and now it's time to do some sumo with a week left in the tour," he said. This shows he's learned from his mistakes, having to miss the first day of the Kyushu basho in 2023 and the Summer basho in 2024 due to injuries sustained during tours. He made it back to the Makuuchi in the January basho this year, but started both the January and Spring bashos with losses. He also ended both bashos with three consecutive losses. "I've had disappointing results after getting my kachikoshi.. I want to rack up wins," he vowed, determined to redeem himself. His goal remains the same as before the January basho: to return to sanyaku by the end of the year. "There are still four basho left. I want to get closer to that goal," he said, excited.