Makushita Satorufuji
Moti Dichne
West Makushita 46 Satorufuji has achieved a kachikoshi for the first time in seven tournaments. Facing Makushita 40 Ryuuji , he instantly yorikiri'd him after a quick tachiai, bringing his record to 4 wins and 3 losses. "I'm glad I was able to get a kachikoshi," he said, his voice filled with emotion. After getting a kachikoshi in last summer's tournament, he had suffered six consecutive makekoshi. In the last five tournaments, he went 3-4. His highest rank was West Makushita 1, but in the past year his rank had fallen from Makushita 7th to 46th. "I could never win in the early stages. I'm always slow to get off to a good start once a tournament begins. When I look at the rikishi in the Makuuchi, their mindset leading up to the tournament is different." In the last six tournaments, Satorufuji had lost his first bout, failing to gain momentum. He would carry that loss with him and lose the next one as well. He couldn't break the negative cycle. This tournament, however, he started with three consecutive wins. He then suffered three consecutive losses, but managed to turn the tables with a victory in his final match. "I got carried away thinking that I had won three in a row and would finally have a kachikoshi for the first time in a while. It should have just been a stepping stone, but the kachikoshi became the goal." His opponents during the three consecutive losses were strong opponents such as former Juryo Mita and former Makuuchi Shimazuumi, but he accepted the results and used them to secure the kachikoshi. He hopes to use this kachikoshi to climb back up the ranks. "My goal is to reach Makuuchi. I want to get that far," he said enthusiastically.
On a personal note, I met him at Isegahama two years ago and he was really nice. It was at a koenkai party to which i was invited by a member of our forum. I got to meet Takerufuji, Atamifuji, the former Oyakata, Seihakuhou (Toshinofuji) and Kusano (Yoshinofuji) and others. They were all obliging with the photos etc., but Satorufuji was something else. he was even on the celebs list for a while until I gave up on him.. So I'm happy for him.