Ex-Gagameru talks of rikishi and the summer heat..
Moti Dichne
Former Komusubi Gagamaru (38) explained how rikishi spend their summers on his YouTube channel "Gaga Channel." He began by saying, "Rikishi sweat an incredible amount in the summer," before reflecting on his days as an active rikishi, saying, "They have to wear yukata (when going out). They can't wash their yukata themselves; they have to send it to the dry cleaners. They start sweating profusely just by standing outside for about two minutes. They have to be careful when going outside. They can't go out in their own clothes, so they have to wear yukata. Just going (outside) costs about 1,500 yen in dry cleaning fees. That's why I try to stay under the air conditioner as much as possible. It's also hard to breathe. I don't like to walk too much, and there were times when I didn't go outside for a week." He continued, "I was a rikishi for 15 years, I think. People say (during my active days), 'it must have been hot in the summer,' but I have no idea. I never went outside. In July and August, I would leave my room, take a taxi, go into the shop, and then take another taxi home. The only time you know (how hot it is) is the time it takes to get to the taxi. Sumo wrestlers don't walk, after all. Not everyone does. I particularly didn't want to walk." He went on to explain his surprising lifestyle habits, saying, "I would call a taxi even for a 500-meter walk. I would call one even to go to my heya (from my house). I hated walking, I hated it." "Ordinary people are not allowed into rikishi's' rooms. In particular, they are only allowed in my room for three minutes. The air conditioner is set to 16 degrees. (With older air conditioners, it can go up to 16 degrees..) Lately it's set to 18 degrees."
The full episode: