Takayasu starts training

[Moti Dichne]

Sekiwake Takayasu went to Sadogatake beya for degeiko today. During his first keiko session since arriving in Osaka, Takayasu had 11 consecutive matches against Fujinokawa and Kotoshouhou, winning 9 and losing 2. He displayed his strength with a variety of offensive moves, including pushing, shoving, and throwing. He also had nine consecutive matches against Ozeki Kotozakura, winning more than he lost.. "My body moved well. I think I was able to react to my opponents in any situation and managed to use a variety of offensive moves. I think I can improve a little more, so I'd like to do that and continue this at the basho," he said with a satisfied look on his face. Despite being suddenly faced with 20 matches in his first keiko session, he commented, "I'm in better shape than I've been in recent years. Usually, I get tense after 20 matches, but I wasn't that tense and my movement was good. Going head-to-head with the Ozeki really inspired me."

Tomorrow, the 28th, is his 36th birthday. In his year as a 35-year-old, he advanced to the yusho bout in March last year, and returned to Komusubi at the following May Basho.  Since then, he has maintained his position as a sanyaku regular. "I've been working hard on building my physique more than when I was younger. To aim for the next level, I need to build my physique even more, so I have no choice but to do it," he said, looking ahead to Haru at the age of 36.