Nishikigi and more check-ups

[Moti Dichne]

Nishikigi, who returned to Makuuchi for the first time in two bashos for the Aki basho, declared himself to be in "good health." He underwent a medical check-up at the Kokugikan on the 2nd and responded to interviews. He was forced to withdraw from the summer jungyo midway through due to cellulitis and was hospitalized for 12 days. The area around his left calf, where the symptoms appeared, still appears painful, with red, swollen scars. "It's happened before, and it healed quickly, so I thought it would heal quickly this time too, but I underestimated it (wry smile). After I was hospitalized, it got (even) worse," he said, revealing that the pain was more severe than he expected. He lost 13kg and is now down to 173kg. He said he had abstained from alcohol while in hospital. "It's been about a month now. It's been a few years since I abstained.. I thought it looked delicious, but I didn't think to drink it myself." He said he was worried about gaining weight back because he eats a little, but smiled and said, "I think today's numbers are really good." Regarding resuming drinking: "I thought I'd start drinking from today. I also drank on my birthday (August 25th)." revealing that he had already lifted the ban a little.

With the Aki Basho (Tokyo) approaching, health checkups for more rikishi were held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan on the 2nd. While rikishi boast arms as thick as logs, some sekitori struggle with drawing of blood. Juryo Oushouumi flashed a look of pain as he exclaimed, "I'm going to cry..." As the needle pierced deeper, he shrunk his massive 150kg frame, yelling, "They're taking away my blood..." and "I'm going to lose weight..." Yokozuna Oonosato also grimaced and endured the pain. Meanwhile, Sekiwake Wakatakakage who is aiming for Ozeki status, maintained a cool expression throughout the entire procedure. The level of patience required for the needle, which appeared even thinner next to the rikishi, varied from person to person, regardless of rank, as one would expect.