Houshouryuu today

[Moti Dichne]

Yokozuna Houshouryuu, who withdrew from the previous tournament due to a right leg injury in preparation for the Nagoya basho, practiced at Sakaigawa beya in Fusō-cho, Aichi Prefecture on the 6th, his first training session since the banzuke were announced. He showed great strength and satisfaction, saying, "I was able to practice in a good way." He chose Hiradoumi, as well as Hakunofuji and Fujiryouga, who were also there for degeiko, for a total of 21 bouts. He overwhelmed them with a variety of techniques, including sharp de-ashi and powerful yori. Regarding the condition of his right leg, he smiled and said, "As you can see, it's fine." Other top-division rikishi who came for training included Ozeki Kirishima, Sekiwake Atamifuji, and rank-and-filers Fujinokawa and Fujiseiun.

Ahead of the Nagoya basho, former Ozeki Asanoyama had a seven-bout keiko session with Yokozuna Houshouryuu (Tatsunami) at his heya. In the first bout, he managed a left uwate but was cut off and forced out, suffering three consecutive losses. However, he managed to get a right-hand grip, grabbed a left-hand grip, and forced his opponent out. In the next bout, he exposed his right hand, inserted his left hand, and forced the Yokozuna out, securing two consecutive wins against the Yokozuna. In all, he went 2-5 against the Yokozuna, for a total of 7 wins and 8 losses, but said, "I'm really happy that the Yokozuna came for degeiko. The atmosphere is different. I've  known four Yokozuna, but he's young, and it was a very good practice session." His Oyakata, Takasago also nodded and said, "He was able to wrestle normally against the Yokozuna. It was good keiko." Asanoyama withdrew from the last basho  from the 12th day due to a Lisfranc ligament injury in his left foot (sprain of the instep), finishing with a record of 7 wins, 5 losses, and 3 absences. He aimed to return to competition, but the swelling did not subside, resulting in a makekoshi. He took time off from the Paris koen to take care of his injured foot. He resumed sumo training after arriving in Aichi. "I was just one win away. But it is my duty to participate in the Nagoya tournament, and I've been working towards that for the past month. Winning in honbasho is what's important," he said with determination. Takasago Oyakata also smiled, saying, "He's progressing well."