Paris tidbits

[Moti Dichne]

 Atamifuji and Shoudai were invited to a Tudor store near the Arc de Triomphe on the 12th, where they tried on watches and had their pictures taken. 23-year-old Atamifuji smiled and said, "It's an honor to be invited. I really want one now." Atamifuji visited Disneyland in addition to the Eiffel Tower. He enjoyed popular attractions like Big Thunder Mountain and It's a Small World, saying, "It was fun. It went by so fast." 34-year-old Shoudai said he prioritized buying souvenirs for his family, saying, "I just bought a bunch of children's clothes."

Ozeki Kotozakura, Takayasu, and Tamawashi participated in a traditional Japanese cultural exchange event near the venue for their Paris performance (opening on the 13th) on the 12th, receiving a warm welcome from local fans. Kotozakura, who withdrew from the May Basho due to a back injury, said, "I'm happy that so many people have come. I'll do my best to become a Yokozuna, so please support me." During the Q&A session with attendees, they were asked about athletes in other sports protesting referee decisions. Takayasu expressed the strict discipline of the national sport by saying, "What the referee says is absolute." Tamawashi, the oldest rikishi at 41, was asked about his retirement prospects and drew laughter by saying, "I'll go on forever."