Asanoyama news

[Moti Dichne]

Returning ex- Ozeki Asanoyama (punished for breaking COVID protocol and suspended for 6 bashos) trained at his home heya today. He had 24 bouts in total, going 9-3 against Juryo Asanowaka. "He is steadily moving better  It's been a while (a year.) but he's back for Nagoya, probably from Sandanme, but I want him to gambarize as it is a come-back.." said his Oyakata. He has not been receiving preferential treatment this past year, doing all the heya chores, cooking, cleaning, etc.. like all the other Makushita and unders. "He's just like the others so it goes without saying..Those are the heya rules," added the Oyakata. Additionally, he has been living at the heya in a room with 3 other rikishi ("our Makushita guys live in the Makushita rooms", explained Takasago Oyakata..).  At the beginning of his punishment he seemed to be dejected but has gotten over it gradually . "After about half a year he seemed to be returning to his old self and has been training seriously. I advised him not to forget his sumo, even though a year has passed. We have a month till next basho and I'm sure he will be preparing himself  mentally and physically. If he goes about it as usual  when he steps on the dohyo on day 1, that would be good!" summed Takasago Oyakata.