High school champ and deputy join the pros

[Kintamayama 47,171]

Matsumoto Taichi (1.85 meter-6ft 2', 165 kilos-364 lbs), who won the All Japan High School championships, has decided to enter the professional ranks and will join Dewanoumi-beya. He received many offers from various Universities and Heyas, but opted for Dewanoumi, because of the presence of Futenou, who he admires. He is a third year student at Meitoku, Asashouryuu's alma mater. He also helped Meitoku win the team championships. The Jun-yusho winner, Mongolian Difficulttotranslatethekatakanacorrectly (same class, same school..) will be joining the pros as well, at Takadagawa beya.

11 rikishi who were High-School Yokozunas entered the pros eventually.

Current active ex-High-School champions:

Musouyama (1988), Dejima (1991), Tochisakae (1992), Kotomitsuki (1993), Tochiazuma (1994). Of these, Tochisakae and Tochiazuma joined the pros immediately after high school, the rest went to University first.

Matsumoto, looking happy after the Yusho..

Edited December 15, 2003 by Kintamayama

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

That looks like a real tsuna in the pictures -- is it just like the real one Asashoryu wears?

[Zenjimoto 40]

I have now seen several pix of high school rikishi, and they all seem to have a shaved head... is this coincidence, or is there something about shaved heads in high school sumo?

Cheers

Zenjimoto

[Fujisan 533]

I dont know but that hair looks like hes on the point of retiring,not just starting-Its not a good picture,he looks old.