Jungyo ends-summary
Moti Dichne
The 26-day summer jungyo concluded on the 31st in Kasukabe, Saitama. During the asageiko, Yokozuna Houshouryuu and Oonosato, along with the other sekitori, did not do any keiko matches, but instead demonstrated their skills through butsugari against the younger rikishi. Tour Director Sakaigawa (former komusubi Ryogoku), who accompanied the entire tour, said, "We're so grateful to the audience who came out in large numbers even on a weekday. Even with the heat, each rikishi gave it his all.. The Yokozuna and Ozeki voluntarily participated in many of the children's practice sessions, and I'm impressed by their dedication to fan service." Sakaigawa also offered individual encouragement to the rikishi who are garnering attention ahead of the Aki basho. Regarding Houshouryuu who was forced to sit out the first three days of the tour due to an injury to his left big toe and had tape on his left shoulder towards the end, he said, "You can't complain about it hurting or itching. The rankings are announced tomorrow (September 1st)." His words were harsh, but he is also a member of the Dewanoumi Ichimon and felt a need to encourage him for the coming basho. Houshouryuu did gave away three kinboshi in the early stages of the Nagoya basho and withdrew midway through.
Regarding Oonosato, who was on his first jungyo as a Yokozuna, he praised his adaptability, saying, "There were a lot of things going on like a rope-tying demonstration, so I think that was a burden in that respect. However, he responded well to the requests of the audience." He also commented on his remarkable growth, saying, "It was a thing to behold," about the Yokozuna's Unryu-style dohyo-iri which was criticized for being too fast. Regarding sekiwake Wakatakakage who will be aiming for Ozeki in Aki, he said, "When he was there, he did good keiko. I watched and thought, 'Wow,' his level of technique is amazing. Overall, he knows sumo well. He has a solid foundation and shows good sumo," expressing his hopes for a promotion after the tournament. During the summer jungyo, Oonosato injured his ankle, which forced him to miss matches, but the Oyakata emphasized that there was no problem, saying, "He was only out of matches for one day. He recovered quickly. He worked hard to cool it down, even on the bus."