Tanji from Makushita

[Moti Dichne]

Going down to Makushita 1, we find Tanji (20, Russian mother). Some folks follow him religiously. He took part in asageiko at his heya Arashio's lodgings in Nagoya today, making his final adjustments. He had five bouts, and his sharp tachiai and strength were noticeable. "I was able to adjust well. Things are going smoothly," he nodded, and regarding the tournament, he said in a quiet tone, "I just need to stay focused." Even though it is an important tournament where his promotion to Sekitori is at stake, he regarded his situation and said, "I am aware of it, but it will be different once the tournament starts. I want to focus on the opponent in front of me." His otibekust ( a word I use for tsukebito, but the other way around, as he is Wakatakakage's tsukebito, but there's no word for the opposite..), Wakatakakage, injured his left thigh during practice on the 1st and was diagnosed with femoral compartment syndrome, underwent surgery and was hospitalized, and will miss this basho. "I have to to gambarize. I want to give him good news," he said with determination.

And there was this..