Training news

[Moti Dichne]

  Kirishima welcomed Hokutofuji and fresh new Makuuchi Kitanowaka to his heya for some intense training yesterday. 13 bouts, 9-4. He hasn't had double digit wins yet since getting promoted to Ozeki. "Last basho is history. We start now.. I know what I have to do," he said.  

Tobizaru, two days ago, faced Daieishou, Endou, Tsurugishou and Daiamami and was 4-10. "I'm not ready yet. My aim is kachikoshi," he said later. Occasional sanyaku stints with no kachikoshi there yet. "That is the goal," he said

Hokutofuji went to Michinoku beya for degeiko yesterday, facing Kirishima 4 times, 1-3. "I'm not thonking of the win/loss thing, I just want to do stubborn, relentless sumo," he said.

Kitanowaka was also there and did surprisingly well against Kirishima, 3-6. "I don't get these opportunities very often..I was totally overwhelmed in every aspect, " he said humbly.