Senior High School championships

[Kintamayama 47,338]

The Japan Senior high champion is Yoshida from Aikodai Meiden (famous for its baseball team). He is from the same hometown as Kotomitsuki and went to the same elementary and middle school as him. I'm sure Joe will elaborate as I really have no clue whatsoever of what I'm talking about here.

Edited July 31, 2008 by Kintamayama

[Jakusotsu 6,401]

Same ol' Yoshida who dominated the amasumo world together with Shimoda and Ichihara?

[Kintamayama 47,338]

Same ol' Yoshida who dominated the amasumo world together with Shimoda and Ichihara?

I doubt it-this guy should be around 18. The other Yoshida was a college guy no? But as I said, I have no idea.

[Jonosuke 28]

The Yoshida you are thinking of is Katsuo Yoshida, ex of Nihon University Sumo Club, who despite winning All Japan opted not to turn pro and went for a regular salary-man day job at Kyushu Electric Power.

This Yoshida is a brand new aspiring to be Kotomitsuki Keisuke Yoshida, second year student at Aichi Meiden (the same school Ichiro went as well a few other notables like former Asanowaka). He beat Kyohei Takeda of Ishikawa Pref Kanazawa Gaikuin. We probably see Takeda joining Ozumo next spring.

Two others Yoshida beat were also second year students, Murayama of Niigata's Kaiyo High (pretty new name in sumo) and Takida of Mie Pref's Uji Yamada Shogyo High.

It's kind of cool to be the High School Yokozuna in the second year though.

The Inter-High tournament was held in Saitama Pref and it's rather interesting to see Saitama Sakae High not only in the top group category but none of their students made to the individual finals.

[Kintamayama 47,338]

The team championships went to 東洋大牛久高 (Toyodai Ushiku - they should use "Rock and Roll Hoochikoo" as their anthem.. "Toyodai ushiku- The sumo club for you!!") managed by ex-Juryo Mutetsuyama - Kurimoto-san. It's their first yusho since the club was established 9 years ago and everyone was tearful. When they reached the finals against Kumamoto, the manager just said "If we win this it will be a miracle", making them all laugh. It was a 2-2 tie and it all came down to the final match, which was won by the Toyo guy Takahashi. This immediately released a storm of emotions. "I'm the luckiest guy on earth.. I was fortunate to meet up with all these fine guys!!", said the manager. Mutetsuyama himself was a part of the Chuo University team and became college yokozuna in his second year, and was the captain of the team that won the All-Japan championships in his fourth. His height is 1.71, and in 1993 when he attempted to enter Ozumo, he was under the minimum. but was regarded as a special case and was allowed to join Musashigawa beya. He made it to Juryo but managed only one KK there from a total of 7 bashos. He retired in 1998, his career lasting only 5 years. "I want to do things that I know only I can do..", he said upon retiring. After he left sumo he went back to University to study physical education, and got his degree. He teaches history and manages the sumo club at his current high school. 5 years ago, he managed to reach 3rd place with the team. The team is noted for its fair play. Amidst the growing concern over the increasing number of mattas, all members of the team were not involved in any mattas. "No hesitation connects to the sumo spirit", is what he tells them. "Even when you laugh, you have to know when to become serious!", is another of his mottos.

Winning team and Kurimoto san:

Edited July 31, 2008 by Kintamayama

[ilovesumo 12]

Thanks as always. (First prize...)

Yeah, Yoshida Katsuo went to that kaisha.

I still think it was a waste of talent...

I understand, with a university degree, only a very few people enter Ozumo but the working day of a salaryman in Japan is hard as well....

The guys of Nichidai, do they get a scholarship? Do they have to write the entrance exam? Something I really want to know (Applauding...)

[Jonosuke 28]

Mutetsuyama was a Makushita Tsukedashi so he didn't have to go through the new recruit physical so there was no height minimum restriction for him. He was like Takekaze.

Asahio of Oshima Beya is from Toyo University Ushiku High. There are currently a few Toyo University Sumo Club rikishi out of Ushiku High who may join Ozumo in the near future.

Edited July 31, 2008 by Jonosuke

[Kintamayama 47,338]

Mutetsuyama was a Makushita Tsukedashi so he didn't have to go through the new recruit physical so there was no height minimum restriction for him. He was like Takekaze.

身長１７１センチと大相撲の体格基準（１７３センチ）に満たなかったが、特例で９３年、武蔵川部屋入りした。 Maybe back then tsukedashi rikishi did undergo the new recruit physicals, or maybe the reporter has it all wrong. BTW, I didn't know till now that tsukedashi were exempt from these physicals.

Edit: Takekaze joined in 2002 after the new rule which was imposed in March 2001. Maybe before that everyone had to undergo the tests regardless.

Edited July 31, 2008 by Kintamayama

[Orion 431]

身長１７１センチと大相撲の体格基準（１７３センチ）に満たなかったが、特例で９３年、武蔵川部屋入りした。 Maybe back then tsukedashi rikishi did undergo the new recruit physicals, or maybe the reporter has it all wrong. BTW, I didn't know till now that tsukedashi were exempt from these physicals.

Edit: Takekaze joined in 2002 after the new rule which was imposed in March 2001. Maybe before that everyone had to undergo the tests regardless.

Tsukedashi had to go through the physicals, but men who had reached certain specifed standards that allowed them to be admitted as tsukedashi were exempt from the 'minimum' rules. The turning point for height was Mainoumi's painful silicon implant (removed as soon as he passed the physicals); not long after that, a youngster came through the tests with a square lump of silicon implant that made him look like an old horror film; finally the Kyokai decided that things had become ridiculous, banned further implants, and started rethinking the rules.

Edited August 1, 2008 by Manekineko
fixed quote