Training news- Houshouryuu

[Moti Dichne]

The winter jungyo arrived in Sasebo, Nagasaki today. Yokozuna Houshouryuu did sumo for the first time since the Kyushu basho, having 14 bouts. He first called on  Gounoyama, blocked his opponent's blows, and then sent him off on his way. He then suffered consecutive losses to Hiradoumi but recovered, winning nine straight matches against Yoshinofuji and others, finishing the day with a record of 12-2-. It was only the second day of the tour, but he declared with determination, "Today is when the training started." He was 12-3 in Kyushu. He lost to sekiwake Aonishiki (now Ozeki)  in the playoff match, missing out on his first Yokozuna yusho. He hopes to rectify that and hold the Emperor's Cup in his hands at the New Year tournament come January. When asked if today was the start of his new bid, he nodded briefly and said, "Yes."

Full Wintertour schedule (not to be confused with Winterthur, which is a nice place but has nothing to do with Sumo:

https://www.sumo.or.jp/EnJungyo/schedule