Houshouryuu getting ready, Takayasu too

[Moti Dichne]

Yokozuna Houshouryuu trained at his heya in Minami-ku, Nagoya on the 5th in preparation for the Nagoya basho. He had 14 bouts against  East Makushita 19E, and Shunrai (21), Sandanme 10E, winning 13 and losing 1. He showed a variety of techniques, including thrusting, underarm throws, and powerful yorikiri with a right grip, and expressed his confidence, saying, "I think I'm doing well." At the end of the keiko, he repeatedly did icho-oshi (一丁押し - what's THAT? Never came across it before.. One push?), carefully checking his tachiai. This is something he used to do when he was promoted to Makuuchi, and he added otsuke while working up a sweat, explaining, "I used to do this a lot. I was trying to remember the feeling." Last basho, he injured his right hamstring and had to withdraw from the tournament from the second day. There is one week until the start of the Nagoya basho. He plans to start training at other heya from the 6th to finalize his preparations. "I shouldn't overdo it," he says, as he prepares for the crucial stage where he will make his comeback.

 Takayasu had 16 bouts against lower-division rikishi at his heya's lodging in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture, in preparation for the Nagoya tournament. He had to withdraw from the last tournament due to a right adductor muscle injury, but he has recovered smoothly, saying, "I can practice without worrying about almost anything." Up until now, he has been steadily working out at his heya, and he said, "I've been able to adjust without any problems, so now I just hope my body moves properly." This tournament, with 41-year-old Tamawashi (Kataonami) being demoted to Juryo, for the first time in history, all the top-division rikishi were born in the Heisei era. 36-year-old Takayasu will be competing as the oldest in Makuuchi for the first time, and he chuckled, "I've become the oldest. That's not good." Nevertheless, his fighting spirit remains undiminished, saying, "I'm a competitor after all. I can't lose to younger guys, and if I stop feeling frustrated when I lose, it's the end for me." This year, the Nagoya basho lodgings of his heya have moved to Hachioji Shrine in Seto City. The environment has become more friendly to observing keiko, and on this day, many officials and fans came to watch. "It's a very comfortable place to live, and with so many fans gathered here, I can practice with great enthusiasm. I'm grateful for this wonderful environment," he said with a smile. Although he was demoted from the top ranks due to his absence from the previous basho, expectations remain high for his long-awaited first yusho. The former Ozeki said with conviction, "I want to avoid injuries and perform well until the final day. If I do that, I think the results will come towards the end." (Naofumi Hayashi)  

Ranked at the very bottom of Makuuchi Asakouryuu did keiko for the second time since his right knee injury in the morning today. He had 15 bouts with Asasuiryuu and Kyokukaiyuu, who came from Ooshima beya for keiko, and won 12-3. "I was worried, but now I'm fine. I wasn't scared either," he said, expressing his confidence in competing. Similarly, Asanoyama, who withdrew from the previous basho midway through due to a left leg injury and also missed the Paris koen, worked up a sweat with basic exercises such as shiko and suriashi, but revealed that he has already resumed sumo practice. "My leg is much better. I took a break from Paris to go to Nagoya. It was my own decision, and I have no regrets," he emphasized, stressing that there would be no problem with him competing in the tournament.