Fujinokawa, Daieishou

[Moti Dichne]

Daieishou, ranked at Maegashira 10E, faced sekitori for the first time in about three months. On the 8th, he participated in the Tokitsukaze rengo-keiko, held at the Sumo Training Center at the  Kokugikan. He went 3-4 record in bouts against sekitori, and lost all four consecutive matches against Yokozuna Houshouryuu, for a total of 3 wins and 8 losses in 11 matches. Nevertheless, he expressed a sense of satisfaction, saying, "I've been wrestling with makushita rikishi for two or three days, and this is the first time I've wrestled with sekitori since June, before my injury. I'm glad I was able to wrestle with a Yokozuna." He injured his right calf in June, and withdrew from the Nagoya tournament in July after submitting a medical certificate stating that he "has torn his right gastrocnemius muscle and will likely require approximately two months of treatment." This marked his first absence since his sumo debut, ending his streak of consecutive appearances. He also dropped significantly from the rank of Sekiwake, which he had held for five consecutive tournaments, and if you add 2 basho at Komusubi, this will give you 7 straight bashos in sanyaku. He was considered by many Oyakatas to be "the closest to becoming an Ozeki." If he were to win his second yusho, there would have been little argument regarding his immediate promotion to Ozeki. However, for the first time in seven years, since  Aki 2018, he is ranked below Maegashira 10, moving his long-awaited promotion to Ozeki dream back to square one. He practiced  today with a supporter on his right calf. When asked if he was worried about the injury, he said, "I can't say I don't have any concerns, but during today's keiko, I felt the pressure and hits of the sekitori for the first time in a while, so I want to keep going from here." He continued, "The pain is gone. My rank has just changed, but my goal of aiming higher remains the same. From now on, I want to keep working hard and aim higher." He remained positive throughout the session, showing no signs of being discouraged. With the same desire to improve, he vowed to aim for the rank of Ozeki again.

Fujinokawa , currently ranked Maegashira 9W and in his second tournament in Makuuchi, practiced on equal terms with Yokozuna Houshouryuu. On the 8th, he participated in  Tokitsukaze Ichimon rengo-keiko, held at the sumo training center at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. After being called out by Houshouryuu, he won their first bout, charging headfirst at the tachiai, continuously pushing forward without pausing, and then pushing Houshouryuu out. The bouts continued back and forth, with a 4-3 Fujinokawa lead after seven bouts. Houshouryuu, who had superior stamina, eventually handed him a four-match losing streak, but his 4-7 record was more impressive than only the wins and losses. This was his first time competing against him, not only in a honbasho but also during jungyos. At 177 cm and 120 kg, he is the youngest and least experienced makuuchi rikishi, but he won 10 matches last tournament and was awarded the Fighting Spirit Prize. Inheriting his father's, Kabutoyama Oyakata (former Maegashira Oikari),  spirited sumo style and has reached his highest career rank. He also borrowed  Houshouryuu's chest for some butsugari at the end. receiving advice such as, "Don't try too hard to throw." Looking back on his 11 matches with Houshouryuu, Fujinokawa described him as "strong." However, he also spoke of the magnitude of his own performance, saying, "I was ale to win, which was a real confidence booster..." While he has already surpassed his father's highest rank of Maegashira 11, he is determined to aim even higher, saying, "I'll go for degeiko again." He revealed his determination to continue racking up wins, aiming for double-digit wins in two consecutive tournaments since his debut in Makuuchi.