YDC convenes-Nagoya 2026

[Moti Dichne]

The Yokozuna Deliberation Council, the advisory body to the Kyokai, held its regular meeting on the 27th at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, with former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tadamori Oshima (78), attending the press conference. He spoke about Houshouryuu and Oonosato, both missing out on the yusho at the Nagoya tournament that ended yesterday. "I conveyed to Chairman Hakkaku my strong desire for them to fulfill their awareness and responsibilities as Yokozuna," he said. Regarding Houshouryuu, he added, "It is truly regrettable that he withdrew from the tournament on the final day, which was crucial in the yusho race," expressing his disappointment. Houshouryuu withdrew from the tournament on the 14th day, with a record of 7 wins and 6 losses. He submitted a medical certificate stating that he had suffered a "right medial collateral ligament injury and a right hamstring injury, requiring approximately 6 weeks of recovery." Ozeki Kirishima, who was in contention for the yusho, won by default. Houshouryuu had to withdraw from the previous tournament due to a right hamstring injury, making this his ninth absence and two consecutive ones. Since his promotion to Yokozuna in March last year, he has missed out on winning the yusho for nine consecutive tournaments. On the other hand, Oonosato completed all matches for the first time in three basho, but finished with a record of 9 wins and 6 losses. He was unable to win the yusho for the first time in six tournaments. He had missed the entire May tournament due to a left shoulder injury and had to withdraw from the last two tournaments, and it seems he is not yet in top condition, as he struggled, giving away three kinboshi.