Ex-Hakuhou and his taking over Miyagino beya

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Moti Dichne

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Aug 10, 2022, 2:43:07 PM8/10/22
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Interesting article I came across today, regarding ex-Hakuhou's becoming Miyagino. This is reportedly a young oyakata's take:

"Usually when you establish a heya you need money, lots of it. You need to buy land and build a building. If you take over a heya, you need to buy the building from the retiring oyakata. Getting some rikishi to follow you there is also not an easy task. Since the rikishi need to be schooled in the sumo way by the Kyokai, and there are maintenance costs as well, it's customary to pay the retiring Oyakata for that as well. When Futagoyama beya and Fujishima beya merged, it was rumored that it cost 300 million yen. But Hakuhou obviously didn't have a lot of expenses. That is because while still active, he skillfully built his army of future rikishi that he chose personally. He planned his future move from early on and created some routes of recruit. He established the "Hakuhou Cup" for youngsters where he could check out the future prospects first hand. He established close relations with sumo powerhouse Tottori Johoku high school. Additionally, he has good relations with college powerhouse Nichidai, through Tottori's coach who is a Nichidai alumni. He also has obvious connections to Mongolians who are studying in Japan. That's how he was able to recruit some great prospects. There are 17 rikishi in Miyagino beya at present, but the majority are Hakuhou's boys - Sekitoris Ishiura, Enhou and Hokuseihou, Makushita Houkahou,  Mukainakano, Raihou,  Sandanme Senhou, Chura, Kenyuu and Jonidan Takabahou, Ishii and Kurokage. Ex-Miyagino has certainly benefitted from that. The next step seems to be to become head of his ichimon. Current head of Isegahama beya/Ichimon isegahama Oyakata will be retiring in three years. The next head of the Ichimon will probably be Asakayama (ex- KaioU) who is very popular. After that, it seems it will be Hskuhou's turn. Isegahama Oyakata seems to be planning to pass the heya over to Terunofuji, so we may see a Hakuhou-Terunofuji battle for the Ichimon riji in the future.. Hakuhou's current target seems to be to widen his support within the Ichimon with his eyes on the prize. The first step towards all that was becoming a heya-owning Oyakata."

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