apraxin

Yep, I was reading that as his application being submitted, on a re-read it was obviously that it was accepted and he has obtained citizenship. D'oh .

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20190903/k10012061001000.html Just breaking on NHK now, so pretty much just what the title says - it's understood that on September 3rd, Hakuho formally applied for Japanese citizenship, which is a requirement if he wants to be an oyakata. No word yet if this presages his imminent retirement from active sumo.

...and confirmed: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20190520/k10011922041000.html. Takakeisho re-kyujo from Day 9. Doesn't specify that this the first time an Ozeki's gone kyujo twice in one basho, but says it's 'an extremely irregular occurrence'.

Oh man, that pic:

It's being reported by NHK too now: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20190119/k10011783581000.html Cites 'pain in the left knee' as the reason, but no diagnosis beyond that.

NHK reporting Kakuryu will be kyujo for day 6: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20190118/k10011782121000.html?utm_int=all_side_ranking-social_003

Misread that as Takakeisho and mind-boggled for a moment!

I just see it as being particularly worrisome for Kise. My understanding is that if the YDC is going on record with an official Encouragement, it's them gently clearing their collective throat and indicating to the Encouraged that there could be more to come if they don't see improvement. Which isn't a huge deal if it's one basho of un yokozuna-like sumo to cover an injury, or a lack of hinkaku etc., but given the length of Kise's ongoing injury, the way his basho went so horribly, and how pressure and expectation have more often seemed to be a demotivator than a motivator for him, it seems somewhat ominous for his future.

Oof - the post-basho YDC meeting today handed down a formal resolution of 'Encouragement' for Kisenosato, chairman Kitamura citing his performance and saying that he should be showing physical strength and ability comensurate with his position and 'the disappointment of the fans who had earnestly hoped for his recovery at the Kyushu basho was great': https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20181126/k10011723551000.html Sounds like they may be running out of patience.

Not sure if this is best posted here, but probably doesn't warrant it's own thread - an Ootake-beya makushita rikishi has apparently prepared for the tournament by driving drunk and getting into a car accident, per NHK: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20181110/k10011705681000.html. He is not named in the article, and is apparently being 'questioned about the circumstances' by police and not arrested, but Ootake's response 'Even though I told them not to do anything that would disappoint Sumo fans... I feel this is inexcusable.' makes it seem probable that the reports are accurate. PR chief Shibatayama says they Kyokai will respond promptly once the police report findings.

Not much more detail on this as yet. NHK reports his passing at 70. No details, and the article gives an account of his sumo career but has nothing beyond his retirement except that he worked as 'a pro-wrestler and TV personality' and no details of his later life. People in his hometown of Nanao react: 'He was a superstar who I've admired since childhood, I can't help being saddened by news of his death' - a man in his 50s. 'As a local hero, I always cheered for him, I was very sad to hear of his passing' - a man in his 80s.

Squinting at the picture, I'm 95% sure the visible part of the caption is 'Showa 37, May', so I think your instinct is right on this one.

'(A person affiliated with the Kyokai says "This basho) he has been so strong that it was hard to even imagine him losing." '

NHK latest: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20180122/k10011296761000.html. - Oosunarashi's lawyer accompanied him and Ootake to the meeting. - Lawyer says Oosunarashi's pregnant wife was driving, but Oosunarashi moved into the driver's seat 'to protect her' after the accident. He admits not telling either the Kyokai or his Oyakata about the accident. - Kyujo from tomorrow, Ootake says 'there's no way he can do sumo with things as they are'. - Ootake apologizes to the Kyokai for adding to their troubles at a difficult time and to all sumo fans for disappointing them - 'after the troubles last year I told my guys so many times the only way to end these problems is to live honestly, I'm in shock, I can't think what to say,'

Oh, and the 'young person' in question was a junior gyoji. Shikimori has apparently apologized to him and he has accepted the apology, the issue will not be reported to the police. Internal punishment to be decided at an emergency meeting of the rijikai.