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Hey, how about some positivity here? The nice guy makes a major move upwards (with the Yokozuna actually participating, and even taking the yusho..) and we're speculating on what happens if he is kado-bound? Let's send him some good vibes and discuss the bad things if and when they happen. Peace and love.

This message is forwarded form Kintamayama who is presently serving a one-month ban from posting. I am his evil twin brother Zambara. He is currently replenishing condiments at the local McDonalds. Disclaimer: I am not responsible for the contents of this post and I did not look up the words "replenish" and "condiments". His nickname is Daniel. At the Kyushu Basho in November, Aoiyama (37, Kasugano) was ranked Juryo 1 east and had 8 wins and 7 losses, ensuring his return to Makuuchi next basho. He had a record of 7 wins and 7 losses entering the final day, and faced Takahashi, beating him for the kachikoshi. Naruto Oyakata (former Ozeki Kotooushuu), also from Bulgaria, rushed to the dressing room to congratulate him. Aoiyama expressed his gratitude for the handshake and congratulatory words from his hometown senior, saying, ``I'm really happy that he made the effort and came all the way here.'' Those around him know better than himself that he is a valuable asset that transcends the boundaries of his heya. He had 5 wins and 10 losses in Aki at Maegashira 14 and fell to Juryo for the first time in 5 years and 10 months. This also meant that the prestigious Kasugano stable was without a makuuchi wrestler for the first time in 56 years, since the Aki basho in 1967, He did drop to Juryo once back in January 2018 but returned after one basho to Makuuchi. It was during that basho that his heyamate Tochinoshin won the yusho and ex- Tochiouzan was also active. Currently, Aoiyama is the second oldest Sekitori after Tamawashi, who is 39 years old. Both Tochinoshin and Tochiouzan, with whom he used to practice intensely at their heya, have retired. Before the fall to Juryo this time, Aoiyama had revealed his inner feelings. "I know the history of the heya. There's pressure. I try not to think about it too much. But if I'm not thinking about anything, that means I'm not thinking about the heya. After all, it's history. I don't want the record (Kasugano presence in Makuuchi) to be interrupted. After all, I am a sumo wrestler at the Kasugano stable." He joined sumo in 2009 at the former Tagonoura stable. However, former Maegashira Kushimaumi his Oyakata suddenly passed away at the age of 46 in February 2012. In the absence of a successor, he was forced to transfer heyas, as his was folding. Aoiyama: ``Originally, I went to Kasugano beya for training, and the wife (of the former Tagonoura Oyakata) told me, ``If possible, I'd like you to go to Kasugano beya. There are a lot of Sekitori there, and you can become even stronger.'' “I'm really glad I listened to her and went to Kasugano . If I hadn't gone there, I don't know how long I would have stayed in Makuuchi. At the time of the death of Tagonoura I had only experienced 2 Makuuchi bashos. Now I have 70 Makuuchi bashos under my belt. It's been almost 12 years. I am where I am today because I joined Kasugano.." The actual heya transfer procedure back then was unprecedented, and there are actually very few people involved who knew about it. Aoiyama: “I received an envelope from Chairman Kitanoumi (who took office for the second time at the end of January 2012). It was a normal sized envelope. It was delivered to everyone (in the former Tagonoura stable) there. One by one, each rikishi wrote down which heya they wanted to go to and sent it in. There was no need to consult in advance about which heya they wanted to go to. Everyone thought they were going to Dewanoumi beya. I sent the envelope, and until the announcement was made the next day, I thought, ``I could feel lonely by myself.'' Just as I was thinking that, Aozora and Aokishin also chose the Kasugano stable. I was happy. Out of the eight members, five went to Dewanoumi including Kairyuu, and three of us went to Kasugano. The training at Kasugano was tough, but it was the path I chose. I'm glad I chose it." Up until then, in similar cases when changing heyas, it was customary for all wrestlers to change their affiliations to one other heya. It was unusual for the transfer to be divided into multiple heyas and to respect the wishes of each individual. That's why he couldn't make any excuses and became attached to the heya. Aoiyama: "I really managed to do great training with Tochinoshin and Tochiouzan. We are almost the same age. They were born a year later than me, but Tochiouzan was born a bit earlier, so we were in the same school- grade. I think it's because of those two that I'm where I am today. That's why I try to lend my chest as much as possible, even to young wrestlers. As I get older, I suffer a lot of pain, so I wake up early and do a lot of warm-up exercises." He is known for training not only the rikishi from Kasugano, but also rikishi from other stables during jungyo tours. ``Practice is the only way to become stronger.'' He has now obtained Japanese citizenship. The 37-year-old, who was born in the Showa era, feels it is his mission to pass on the intense training methods of Kasugano beya to the next generation. If he returns to Makuuchi next basho he will be fighting in the first half and we will once again see him leaving the shitakubeya in a hurry, saying, ``I have to go pick up my daughter from kindergarten.'' On November 29, it was announced that heyamate Tochimusashi will be returning to Juryo., and will be the second sekitori at the stable. In the shitakubeya after his last bout on senshuraku last basho, Aoiyama said:``I want the young rikishi to gambarize and not give up.'' To those words, he added, ``Maybe I should gambarize as well..'' and smiled. Kasugano beya, whose continuous reign with at least one Makuuchi rikishi came to an end last basho, is about to begin a new chapter in its history.

In 1998 I went back to Japan for the first time in 31 years. Most of that visit was spent in the Kokugikan area visiting various heya. One sunny morning I was randomly ambling through the neighborhood when I passed Izutsu beya. I immediately recognized Terao standing outside chatting with other rikishi, wearing short gym pants. It was in the dawn of his career and he seemed a bit tired to me. No phones with cameras back then, but I had a real camera with me, so I gestured that I would like a photo with him like the fanboy that I was.. He seemed fed up with these foreigners and their pictures and turned to one of the other rikishi and said in Japanese: “ Is this one of your boyfriends?” I answered in street Japanese that he wasn’t my type. Terao was more amused than embarrassed and sort of smiled (??) as the photo was taken. I was thrilled just to be standing next to him..

In preparation for watching Grand Sumo Highlights on NHK World, to celebrate Meisei's first win of the basho, I prepared some (very lightly) seared tuna, accompanied with Kubota sake. Go Meisei!

as Ababyi - with dad Tsurugamine, Sakahoko on the left o joining the heya Natsu 1979, shindeshi kensa Nagoya, maezumo ooo Haru 1984, makushita joi o o juryo promotion after Natsu 1984 o oo makuuchi Haru 1985 o the brothers: 1981, ? o o 2 brothers at sekiwake Haru 1989 oo bouts - trademark tsuppari oo Aki 1985 vs Wakashimazu and Kirinji, Nagoya 1993 vs. Tomonohana oo o first kinboshi Hatsu 1988 vs. Onokuni, win against him Hatsu 1990, bout Nagoya 1989 ooo first bout with Hokutoumi (then Hoshi) Aki 1985 o loss to Hokutoumi Haru 1988 and 1989 oo win over Hokutoumi Nagoya 1990 o the famous tsuriotoshi loss to Chiyonofuji Kyushu 1989 o o facing Chiyonofuji Aki 1989, Natsu 1990 oo vs. Konishiki Haru 1989, Hatsu 1989, Nagoya 1997 ooo First bout with Takahanada Haru 1991 o o win against Takahanada Natsu 1991, loss to him Kyushu 1991 oo Haru 1995 win over Takanohana o Haru 1999 vs. Takanohana o ?, 1993, 2002 oo o 2000 o vid o o o o o Intai Aki 2002 oo guard job with Takatoriki Kyushu o 2003: Mainichi award Hatsu, day 15 Natsu oo danpatsushiki after Natsu - keiko with his son, who then had a cut o o o final cut o oo new hairstyle oo o ball ceremony in August, charity golf in November oo shimpan: 2010, 2016 oo o o o 2019 o the shisho o Takanohana group rengo geiko o Homasho, juryo after Kyushu 2005, makuuchi Natsu 2006 ooo o Seiro to juryo after Natsu 2013, Irodori after Haru 2019 o o with Terao II o Abi for juryo, makuuchi, komusubi o o oo o o o vid o at Kakuryu's yokozuna promotion, the funeral of Sakahoko, the engagement announcement of his niece with Shimanoumi o o o with Homasho at a care facility o as commentator for NHK and elsewhere o o o o last appearance for Aki this year - NHK and NSK oyakata channel vid o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

Day 1: https://rumble.com/v46ww69-january-14-2024.html

Thank you. I’m fine, physically, but I will be away for a while as this has taken its toll on me mentally. Broadcasts will resume in better times. Again, thank you for the thoughts.

Name change or not is a secret till Wednesday - taking the name Kotozakura is a promise to granddad, but not the day he takes it the road to ozeki 1 with granddad ooo o dohyo-iri with dad o first time with mawashi, age 2 o age 4 o age 5 o dad becomes Sadogatake o o interhigh Saitama Sakae high yusho (with Naya 2 - the present one) o shindeshi, shin-juryo Saitama Sakae kesho mawashi, shin-nyuumaku o oo with Kototsurugi o oo with the family -zakura-dogs: Cherry III & IV (born on his birthday) o o o

@Kintamayama, any information on this?

Mr. Yamauchi YDC head regarding Terunofuji, 13 bashos (and 7 kyujos) after his promotion: " A bad back and diabetes. It's hard for him to do sumo in this condition. Still, we need to see what he contributes to the sumo world as a whole. Joining the jungyo (last Natsu jungyo), mingling with the people- he fulfilled his responsibilities well. We need to praise him for that. I am waiting for his return," he said. On Takakeishou: "11-4 is historically a low-level yusho, but kadoban Takakeishou fulfilled his responsibilities as an Ozeki and attained the yusho. This fact in itself is important. This sends out a great message of hope to all the rikishi who are struggling with injuries or attempting to return from injuries. Wonderful news for them. I value that facet as well and hope for him to recover and be healthy" he added. The internet was buzzing with the henka business. "The truth is, you go for the yusho, and that's what will be remembered. A brilliant result. It's important that he won his regular bout and then the playoff bout. I think we need to take a positive view of his reaching the playoffs. Sumo is about keiko and effort. We should look at that this way as well There are some people who think an 11-4 yusho leaves much to be desired, but what's important is lifting that Cup. It's important that all efforts should go towards that goal. Only one person can win the yusho. That is the important thing. He has overcome his knee and neck injuries and won the yusho and that deeply moved many people. The henka question is a complicated one. There is no one answer to that. I watched it many times on video. Parts of the media have said that he was 'flying..' but I felt he was not. Worst case, it could be called a henka. Big difference there, as he did hit first and then shifted. In any case, he wasn't going to let Atamifuji get that right hand grip so that thought may have resulted in that kind of sumo. The way I saw it may be interpreted that I am biased towards Takakeishou, but it's a viable view and I feel whatever it was, henka or flying, it did not leave any extremely bad feelings," he summed.

Maenofuji retires after a 25-year career, a nice round 150 basho, and his final win was his 500th in total. On posting the pictures from his danpatsu-shiki, Takadagawa-beya remarked that his Makushita debut in his 100th career basho was the slowest in history. Hatachijo retires after a 21-year career - he originally entered Hatachiyama-beya which closed in 2006 after the premature death of the shisho, the remaining rikishi moved to Kitanoumi/Yamahibiki-beya. With his retirement, Amamidake is the last active survivor of Hatachiyama-beya. Izumigawa retires after an eight-year career, having originally made his debut in Minezaki-beya. When the heya closed in 2021 the remaining rikishi moved to Shibatayama-beya. He suffered a terrible left knee injury in summer 2022, having two surgeries and a lengthy period of rehabilitation. Thankfully it won't affect his daily life, but continuing in sumo was not recommended so he is retiring now. Sad to see Mitozakura retire - he was the last rikishi from Nakamura-beya, which closed in 2012. I think he had the best shiko of anyone on the banzuke, a mantle which in my opinion now goes to Tsurunoumi. Persistent back problems led to his gradual drop down the banzuke, and ultimately the decision to retire. Having joined ozumo from middle school, he later became a high school graduate via correspondence course from Japan Aviation High School. Itadaki retires after almost 14 years on the dohyo, leaving Nishikigi as the last active deshi of the previous Isenoumi-oyakata, former Sekiwake Fujinokawa. I only just noticed that he never had more than five wins in any basho.

I like Takakeisho, but for him it’s more of a stare up.

Kaisei had his family danpatsushiki today in the kokugikan (no tickets, no public, no intaizumo) with about 340 cutters, last cut by ex-heya mate Kaio, in whose heya he is coach now oo o oo o Miyagino was there, and Terunofuji o styling o at last a tie fixing pic again by the okamisan - Okinoumi had the pic with wife with already fixed tie oo younger sister, okamisan, Tomozuna, mother, younger brother - the 3 came from Brazil for the event (took 30 hours) ooo

I think you are closer to the the truth. After a tough bout against Daieisho, one I'm sure both of them saw as the yusho decider given they had already both beat Atamafuji, Takakeisho had little left in the tank. He had fought Atamifuji 2 days prior and knew what it would take to push him out again and probably figured he would be hard pressed to do it again. This is Takakeisho. If he doesn't think he has what it takes to do his usual thing what is he left with? A pull. He went for a pull at the tachi-ai. He isn't tall like Abi. He can't pull and jump over them as they go down. He has to move to the side to give them room to go down. Is that a henka? Probably. But certainly not a proper one. I doubt he could do a proper one if he tried. Am I okay with it? No, I hate henkas. But we all know about the HNH. Think of this more as the HAH, the Half Ass Henka. Why did it work? Because Atamifuji had no choice but to go all out. He had already lost to Takakeisho and another of the 3 Sanyaku he faced. Only managing to beat Tobizaru If you throw Asanoyama into that mix, who I'm sure everyone expects to be a Sanyaku mainstay, it's 3 out of 4. There's no way Atamifuji was feeling confident. Which leads us to another reason why Takakeisho, and I'm sure the rest of Sanyaku, had no problem with doing it. He had to be thinking " Why in the heck am I, an Ozeki with more Yusho to his name than anybody showing up in shape to win, facing an M15, who I beat like a gong already and didn't face anyone above M10 until Day 10, a second time for the yusho?" Takakeisho did his Ozeki duty and gave Atamifuji his straight up match already. He beat him soundly. I'm sure he didn't feel he owed him anything more and I doubt anyone in Sanyaku felt different. Especially after what Abi pulled on him to take a Yusho. I'm sure Takakeisho must have felt a bit disrespected, I think comments here reflect that sentiment, Mad at him? Blame the rest of the Sanyaku losing 4 our of their first 10 matches and taking themselves out of Yusho contention. Where the heck was everyone's precious Kirishima, Hoshuryu and Deiaisho? Where was 9-1 former Ozeki Takayasu against an M15? Ending up on his ass and costing himself a shot at the yusho in the end. Which gets us to will Takakeisho be promoted to Yokozuna with ANY Yusho in November? You bet he will. Nevermind it's 2 in row. That would be 3 of the Yusho THIS YEAR. Half of them. How many would any other rikishi have won? 1 at most. Takakeisho has been carrying the Yokozuna weight the entire year. Winning except when in injured. A win in November would mean he did it at 3 times the rate of Terunofuji, the Yokozuna. They would promote him because for all intents and purposes, and say what you want about the quality of sumo this year which he doesn't control, he is the Yokozuna. So, congrats to Takakeisho on the yusho. He earned it. He deserves it. If he does it again in November he deserves to be a yokozuna. Hakuho level isn't the bar to meet for Yokozuna.

Day 10: https://rumble.com/v3iyrog-aki-basho-2023-day-10.html

Oh...Apologies, this whole discussion is moot, then. I have received a one month ban on posting (except GTB related stuff) and a salary cut of 33%. Additionally, i have been demoted from iin to oout. I am bowing as low as I can.

Daijo retires after an ever-present 99-basho career. After his final bout he was greeted with flowers by Takadagawa-beya gyoji Kimura Mitsunosuke and Shikimori Tatsunosuke, with his danpatsu-shiki held on Senshuraku. Kototakuya's danpatsu-shiki took place at the heya. Three shots of the final cut by Sadogatake-oyakata (former Sekiwake Kotonowaka), and one from afterwards. Apparently he set himself a five-year limit and hasn't progressed as he wanted, so he's retired. As mentioned, Rao didn't make the official list but his danpatsu-shiki has taken place. Only two pictures so far though. Veteran Shinzan is also reportedly retiring after almost 27 years on the dohyo, he was greeted with flowers after his final bout by Takasago-beya gyoji Kimura Satoshi and Kimura Asanosuke. A date for his danpatsu-shiki is not yet set. He is the last deshi of former Komusubi Fujinishiki, his shisho until the merger with Wakamatsu-beya. He is known for his expertise in tying the Unryu-style tsuna, first for Asashoryu but later being summoned by other ichimon for Kakuryu and Kisenosato.

Not even a tsuna fish sandwich.

This result pleases me greatly

Day 12: https://rumble.com/v3jiqty-aki-basho-2023-day-12.html

Part 3:The future Regarding the future, he emphasized that he has no idea. "I'm thinking about a lot of things, but nothing has been decided. I'll focus on the hair cutting ceremony first, and then I'll move on. Actor? Not really. I'll be going back and forth between Japan and Mongolia, but most of the time I'll be in Japan. I think that since I live in Japan, it will be easier to do many things if I have my Japanese nationality. For now, I am not thinking about changing back to a Mongolian nationality. I will definitely not be able to live without doing anything. It costs a lot of money (utilities, etc.). After the haircut ceremony, I want to focus on the next thing. I want to work mainly in Japan." Any plans to get married in the future?. "No, no, I don't have any (laughs). If I had a wife , she would probably be helping me prepare for the hair cutting ceremony, which would have been been great.. That's why I have to prepare everything by myself. A fiancée? I don't have one..." He did show a bitter smile here and there, but he seemed to be looking forward to his second life. After his retirement, he hardly watched any sumo matches on TV, ``Just checking the results,'' he said, perhaps trying to show that he has moved on.. At the end of the interview, he explained ``Please write positively - this is what I want to convey right now and how I feel right now.'' Then he thought for a moment and added, ``Thank you for everything.'' It's been half a year since his shocking retirement Looking back on his active career, it seems that his strongest feeling is his gratitude towards his fans.

Day 11: https://rumble.com/v3j907e-day-11-aki-basho-2023.html