YDC convenes Aki 2023
Moti Dichne
Mr. Yamauchi YDC head regarding Terunofuji, 13 bashos (and 7 kyujos after his promotion: " A bad back and diabetes. It's hard for him to do sumo in this condition. Still, we need to see what he contributes to the sumo world as a whole. Joining the jungyo (last Natsu jungyo), mingling with the people- he fulfilled his responsibilities well. We need to praise him for that. I am waiting for his return," he said.
On Takakeishou: "11-4 is historically a low-level yusho, but kadoban Takakeishou fulfilled his responsibilities as an Ozeki and attained the yusho. This fact in itself is important. This sends out a great message of hope to all the rikishi who are struggling with injuries or attempting to return from injuries. Wonderful news for them. I value that facet as well and hope for him to recover and be healthy" he added. The internet was buzzing with the henka business. "The truth is, you go for the yusho, and that's what will be remembered. A brilliant result. It's important that he won his regular bout and then the playoff bout. I think we need to take a positive view of his reaching the playoffs. Sumo is about keiko and effort. We should look at that this way as well There are some people who think an 11-4 yusho leaves much to be desired, but what's important is lifting that Cup. It's important that all efforts should go towards that goal. Only one person can win the yusho. That is the important thing. He has overcome his knee and neck injuries and won the yusho and that deeply moved many people. The henka question is a complicated one. There is no one answer to that. I watched it many times on video. Parts of the media have said that he was 'flying' but I felt he was not. Worst case, it could be called a henka. Big difference there, as he did hit first and then shifted. In any case, he wasn't going to let Atamifuji get that right hand grip so that thought may have resulted in that kind of sumo. The way I saw it may be interpreted that I am biased towards Takakeishou, but it's a viable view and I feel whatever it was, henka or flying, it did not leave any extremely bad feelings," he summed.