Sumo heya signs cooperation agreement with a college
Moti Dichne
Ajigawa beya and Aichi Gakuin University signed a cooperation agreement today. The signing ceremony was held at the Aichi Gakuin University Kusumoto Campus in Chikusa Ward, Nagoya City, with Ajigawa Oyakata and Aichi Gakuin University President Fumiteru Kimura in attendance. According to Aichi Gakuin University, this is the first time that a heya and a university have signed such an agreement. Ajigawa beya has been using Aichi Gakuin University as its lodging for the Nagoya basho since last year. They have been interacting with the university by holding joint keiko sessions with the university's sumo and American football clubs, and hosting chanko parties with students and local residents. In the future, they plan to further develop the relationship, creating opportunities for students to learn practical skills through sumo, and receiving support for the conditioning of rikishi from the university, which has a dental school and a pharmacy school.
This year, a chanko party and other events are planned, and President Kimura said, "We want to fully support the rikishi of Ajigawa beya so that they can perform well. After the 15th day, I was thinking of holding a victory celebration at the top of the Meijo Park campus (across from the IG Arena)." Ajigawa Oyakata said, "I am truly happy. Many of the rikishi are of the age of the students. It is a great opportunity for them to learn from students in various ways. Aichi Gakuin University is in front of the IG Arena. This year, I hope we can enter there for the victory parade and celebrate together." Aonishiki, who aims to regain his rank as Ozeki in just one tournament, said, "The environment (at the university) is good. I am 22 years old, and there are many students close to my age. We can talk about things other than sumo. Last year I couldn't yusho (11-4), but this year I would like to properly repay the favor."
