Kakizoe and Tsurugidake-intai

[Kintamayama 44,354]

Kakizoe and Tsurugidake, both from Fujishima beya, have announced their retirements today. Kakizoe will assume the just vacated Oshiogawa name.

[sashimaru 10]

Bye bye punchy

and goodbye steamengine. :-(

[Kintamayama 44,354]

Both from the same class at Nichidai University. Kakizoe was ranked at Komusubi in the past and was a wily top half Maegashira regular until injuries and age got to him, dropping him all the way down to Makushita 56. Tsurugidake is ranked at Makushita 8, after managing to get promoted to Makuuchi last November at the ripe old age of 32, becoming the slowest college promotee to the top rank, 58 basho.

[Yubinhaad 11,546]

Both from the same class at Nichidai University. Kakizoe was ranked at Komusubi in the past and was a wily top half Maegashira regular until injuries and age got to him, dropping him all the way down to Makushita 56. Tsurugidake is ranked at Makushita 8, after managing to get promoted to Makuuchi last November at the ripe old age of 32, becoming the slowest college promotee to the top rank, 58 basho.

Nihon Taiiku, not Nichidai. And Tsurugidake took 63 basho to reach Makuuchi, 58 basho was to his Juryo debut I think.

[Raishu 207]

Darn, when I had read about Tsurugidake's detached eye retina I immediately remembered Asahimaru and his eye injury.

Asahimaru retired a short time later and now Tsurugidake has walked the same path.

Best of luck for both him and Zoey!

[Kintamayama 44,354]

Both from the same class at Nichidai University. Kakizoe was ranked at Komusubi in the past and was a wily top half Maegashira regular until injuries and age got to him, dropping him all the way down to Makushita 56. Tsurugidake is ranked at Makushita 8, after managing to get promoted to Makuuchi last November at the ripe old age of 32, becoming the slowest college promotee to the top rank, 58 basho.

Nihon Taiiku, not Nichidai. And Tsurugidake took 63 basho to reach Makuuchi, 58 basho was to his Juryo debut I think.

Details.. It's the thought that counts. Of course you are correct on all counts.

[Koorifuu 886]

Tsurugidake :(

His story will always be inspirational, though... Over 30 years old when he reached Juryo, and even managed to make it to Makuuchi a lil later on. He's an epithom of the "never give up" spirit.

[Yubinhaad 11,546]

Tsurugidake will work at the onsen ryokan (hot spring hotel) owned/run by his parents in Chichibu, Saitama prefecture.

Joint press conference by the two retirees:

Kakizoe:

Edited April 28, 2012 by Yubinhaad

[Dr.Radical 16]

Any word on what Kakizoe is doing after retiring?

[Dr.Radical 16]

Ah sorry, must have missed that.

[Kintamayama 44,354]

Tsurugidake had his danpatsushiki today at the KKan. Some 180 people had a go at his hair, with the last one being Fujishima Oyakata as is customary. "I learned never to give up. I'd like to make good use of my 10 years of experience in Ozumo," said the 33 year old veteran who finally made it to Makuuchi after 10 years only to technically drop all the way to Makushita and retirement in 2 basho. He has been working in the family business since May and intends to take over the management from his father in the future.

[Akinomaki 39,790]

Tsurugidake had his danpatsushiki today at the KKan. Some 180 people had a go at his hair, with the last one being Fujishima Oyakata as is customary.

Fujishima-oyakata having the last cut

[Akinomaki 39,790]

Hakuho making a cut

[Akinomaki 39,790]

"Maybe the first time I'm at the danpatsu-shiki of a rikishi who started the same time. Another one to disappear."

Edited August 27, 2012 by Akinomaki