Breaking news- Futahaguro back?

[Kintamayama 47,188]

60th Yokozuna Futahaguro (Kitao), who was forced to retire from Sumo while an ACTIVE Yokozuna after a much publicized attack on his Oyakata's wife (other versions are out there as well..), has returned to the Sumo world after a reconciliation with Tatsunami Oyakata. This is the Oyakata who was evicted from his premises by the former Tatsunami,( whose wife was pushed by said Futahaguro, resulting in his banishment from the Sumo world.), which made him find a new place for his heya, which was consecrated two days ago by that all Mongolian dohyo iri. Things move in circles..

Anyhow, if you are still awake and following, they met secretly at a Tokyo hotel today, ending a sixteen year ban. They decided to forget the past, and Kitao will be visiting the newly built heya as early as this Friday. This is a surprise move, but maybe not. With all the bad blood between former Tatsunami and current Tatsunami, this new relationship is sure to drive the old Tatsunami, who was the ex-Yokozuna's Oyakata at that time, up the wall..

Since the newly relocated heya is actually starting from scratch, Tatsunami needs all the help he can get. OTOH,for 16 years, Kitao has wanted to return somehow and be part of the Sumo world, but no one was really waiting for him anywhere, till today.

He turned to Pro-wrestling, and then to PRIDE 1 after leaving Sumo in disgrace. He retired from sports in 1998 and became a businessman. He is also a commentator for a magazine, if I'm translating correctly..

" I'm not sure if this is a good opportunity. I do have my job, but if Tatsunami Oyakata so wishes, I am more than willing to try to help bring back the heya's glory days. This thought overshadows everything else", said Kitao.

He weighs 147 kilos today. "I can still 'lend my chest' to the young guys. I can raise some Yokozunas or Oozekis!!", he said.

"I'm experienced by now. I've decided to do what I think should be done and enforce my will. Having an ex-Yokozuna help me out is more than I could ever hope for", said Tatsunami Oyakata, ex Asahiyutaka the good looking one.

Kyokai: "He is retired,and not expelled so it's not our problem. This is the heya's problem".

If he does find a place within Tatsunami-beya, this may be the first step in restoring his honor in the Sumo world.

Picture of Kitao (right) and Tatsunami Oyakata:

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/hochi/sports/sep/...20030902_10.htm

Futahaguro story published back then:

http://www.juryo.com/newspaper/19871231.htm

And of course Chijanofuji posted links to the whole story on the ML as it was printed in Sumo World back then , but I lost them.. Anyone?

Edited September 2, 2003 by Kintamayama

[Tokimori 0]

Who would have thought this???

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

Who would have thought this???

I agree. Somewhat of a surprise move and DEFINITELY a sign of how bad the feelings are between the current and former Tatsunami...

[Kintamayama 47,188]

Current Tatsunami seems like a cunning guy to me..Very interesting move..smells of revenge, but can really bring some benefits to the newly relocated and somewhat grey heya, which used to be quite famous once..

We shall see..

[Iwagakki 0]

Unbelievable. What could possibly happen next? Bob Sapp for yokozuna? What a strange string of events this year.

[Kashunowaka 300]

Who would have thought this???

I agree. Somewhat of a surprise move and DEFINITELY a sign of how bad the feelings are between the current and former Tatsunami...

Is the former oyakata Tatsunami still in Sumo, or has he retired? What was his shikona when he was active?

[Asashosakari 20,225]

Current Tatsunami seems like a cunning guy to me..Very interesting move..smells of revenge, but can really bring some benefits to the newly relocated and somewhat grey heya, which used to be quite famous once..

We shall see..

Indeed. This could really blow up in Tatsunami's face, but it just might get the heya some interest, particularly as far as new rikishi applicants go. And nobody can deny that Kitao was really quite good in his heyday, and if he can parlay that into being a good 'coach' (or whatever his position will be called), this might turn out to be a smart move by Tatsunami. Who knows...

[Asashosakari 20,225]

Is the former oyakata Tatsunami still in Sumo, or has he retired? What was his shikona when he was active?

banzuke.com's search engine is still down >:-S but I managed to google for this post, which answers those two questions, and also details some of the backstory for those who didn't hear/read about it before (or only partially, like me...I'd only heard about Asahiyutaka's women-chasing habits, but not about most of the other stuff that seems to have caused the dispute).

Edited September 3, 2003 by Asashosakari

[Kintamayama 47,188]

Here is the whole story, taken from Sumo world. Worth the read, if you haven't done so yet.

http://www.chijanofuji.com/swfutahaguro1.jpg

http://www.chijanofuji.com/swfutahaguro2.jpg

http://www.chijanofuji.com/swfutahaguro3.jpg

http://www.chijanofuji.com/swfutahaguro4.jpg

http://www.chijanofuji.com/swfutahaguro5.jpg

http://www.chijanofuji.com/swfutahaguro6.jpg

Former Tatsunami is ex-Sekiwake Haguroyama.

[Kashunowaka 300]

Is the former oyakata Tatsunami still in Sumo, or has he retired? What was his shikona when he was active?

banzuke.com's search engine is still down :-S but I managed to google for this post, which answers those two questions, and also details some of the backstory for those who didn't hear/read about it before (or only partially, like me...I'd only heard about Asahiyutaka's women-chasing habits, but not about most of the other stuff that seems to have caused the dispute).

Interesting... so Kitao (it seems more proper to use his original name now) and Tatsunami Oyakata (moto-komusubi Asahiyutaka) have something in common - they have both been in disputes with the old Tatsunami Oyakata. Perhaps that also says something about the latter, I don't know.

If ex-Oyakata Tatsunami were still a force in Sumo, this would be quite an awkward situation. But since he retired 4 years ago, and the Kyokai says it's not a problem - I think this can actually be something good. It's been over 16 years after all. Kitao is now 40 years old, and hopefully a much wiser man than he used to be.

To err is human, to forgive divine.

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

What a fascinating story... It's like another story line in the sumo soap opera, alongside the disrespectful yokozuna, the almost-there ozeki (times two), the loudmouth rijicho and the over-reaching YDC...

Good luck to the new heya: regardless of who's in it, it's a difficult venture that will require much work, :-S