Bow twirling ceremony-yumitorishiki

[Moti Dichne]

The bow twirler at the end of the day usually belongs to the Yokozuna's heya. The highest ranked one, usually. This basho, Akua from Houshouryuu's Tataunami beya started off doing it for five days, but after Houshouryuu went kyujo, Hananoumi, who is from Oonosato's heya, started doing it. In a weird turn of events, the two faced each other today in Makushita in the "Battle of the Yumitorikishi." Akua beat Hananoumi by hikiotoshi. Having won his third win, Akua said with a relaxed expression, "I was nervous about the yumitori showdown.. Everyone was talking about it..." According to Akua he plans to retire from performing the  ceremony at the end of this basho. From now on, Makushita Kamito and Jonidan Tatsuoushou (usually mid Makushita but working his way back up after an injury), who are also from Tatsunami beya, will be getting ready. Next basho, a rikishi from the East Yokozuna's heya will be in charge of the yumitorishiki..