Training news- Wakatakakage

[Moti Dichne]

Sekiwake Wakatakakage trained at home today against degeiko-ing Rouga (11 bouts in a row) and  Juryo Daiseizan and was 9-3 . Against Rouga, who is good at migiyotsu, he pushed him out in one go with a powerful left otsuke. "Because (Rouga) came to train with us, I was able to stay focused. (My otsuke) is the same, coming from below," he reflected. He seriously injured his right knee in Haru 2023, missing three consecutive tournaments and falling to Makushita. He fought his way back up, winning 12 matches in the previous tournament as a Komusubi, and this tournament marks his first return to Sekiwake since the tournament where he was injured, 14 bashos. "In the last tournament, I was determined to fight my own style of sumo at all times. I think my wins accumulated by fighting from a low stance. I feel fulfilled to have returned to the rank of Sekiwake after my injury. I would like to give it my all again in this tournament," he said.