Fujishima beya looking good
Moti Dichne
For the first time in 15 years, two rikishi from the same heya (Fujishima) have simultaneously been promoted to Makuuchi. Fujiseiun (28), was promoted to M13W, while Fujiryouga (22) has been promoted to M17E. The two held a joint press conference at their heya's lodgings in Takatsuki, Osaka. Upon seeing their new rankings, Fujiseiun expressed his joy, saying, "I'm happy that I've risen more than I expected," while Fujiryouga expressed his joy, saying, "I'm glad I'm in a position where I don't have to fuss about." This marks the first time in 15 years that two rikishi from the same heya have simultaneously advanced to Makuuchi since Myougiryuu and Sadanoumi of Sakaigawa beya were promoted at the Kyushu Basho in 2011. Fujiseiun graduated from Meiji University and spent a year working in the corporate world before joining the sumo world. He struggled to achieve his promotion over the course of about five years, despite significant injuries and poor Banzuke luck. When the photo was taken, he wrote his favorite saying, "Three years on a rock (meaning "perseverance prevails")," on a piece of colored paper. "There were times when I couldn't get to the top, no matter how hard I tried, but by working hard, I was able to achieve that," he said, becoming the first Meiji University graduate in 25 years to make it to Makuuchi since Buyuuzan in Kyushu 2001. His family are third-generation tangerine farmers in Kumamoto Prefecture, with a vast field the size of two or three Tokyo Domes. He's the eldest son with one sister, but he's grateful to his parents for letting him focus on sumo without worrying about entering the family business, saying, "You decide your own path." He joked with the press, saying, "No matter how hard I try, the harvest won't change," but he vowed to give back to his hometown and named fellow Kumamoto natives Shoudai and Yoshinofuji as rikishi he would like to face in Makuuchi . Fujiryouga, on the other hand, started at Makushita 60 tsukedashi in Haru last year, and is making his debut just one year later, enjoying a rapid rise through the ranks. His hair has not grown fast enough for him to keep up with his rapid rise, and he hasn't yet been able to wear a topknot, but he said, "Maybe before the tournament. I never thought I'd be able to move up so quickly. Only a few people out of hundreds make it to Makuuchi . It's not easy to get there, so I'm really happy," he said in his characteristically cheerful and clear voice. He also stated his goal of fighting in an active and aggressive style reminiscent of his Oyakata Fujishima (former Ozeki Musouyama), saying, "I want to fight like my Oyakata."
Both have spoken of their goal of reaching Sanyaku in the future. It has already been announced that Fukuzaki, now known as Fujitensei, has been promoted to Juryo for this tournament, meaning that these three rikishi in the heya will reach a milestone at the same time. With the keiko-ba becoming even more lively, the atmosphere at Fujishima beya is one in which the fight for dominance within the heya is likely to raise the rankings of its rikishi.