Wakatakakage situation

[Moti Dichne]

Arashio Oyakata revealed the current condition of Wakatakakage. Wakatakakage was diagnosed with compartment syndrome after training at the Sadogatake stable before the Nagoya tournament and underwent emergency surgery. Arashio Oyakata explained, "He is getting better and better." He is already walking and no longer in a wheelchair. On the other hand, he revealed that Wakatakakage had undergone "four major surgeries and two minor surgeries," and that he had a tough period after the surgeries where he was unable to get out of bed for a while. Arashio Oyakata visited him at the hospital on the fourth day of the basho and spoke with him for about 30 minutes. Wakatakakage told him, "I will do my best with rehabilitation." Even when he had his first surgery, he asked the doctor, "I will undergo the surgery, but will I be able to return to competition?" Furthermore, he was also concerned about "how much his muscles would recover," and the Oyakata said, "I think he was very conscious of that." Regarding the timing of his return, he spoke cautiously, saying, "I won't try to decide on anything."