Official now-Kyokutenhou has retired

[Kintamayama 45,553]

Kyokutenhou held a press conference at Tomozuna beya and has officially announced his retirement. He will assume the Ooshima name and remain with the Kyokai.

"My strength has gone and I'm not feeling it any more.." he said.

• 

Edited July 27, 2015 by Kintamayama

[inhashi 2,363]

I want to give him a big hug.

[Swami 245]

Remarkable longevity. And to cap it off in the latter stages of his career with a yusho - excellent.

I suspect Wakanosato may call it quits too after this basho.

Swami

[I am the Yokozuna 194]

Otsukaresama deshita.

[krindel 675]

Farewell, man... You will be sorely missed on that dohyo, and I hope you'll grace your new suit with the same dignity and dedication with which you graced your mawashi.

(Sad goodbyes...)

[Ganzohnesushi 528]

I always felt sympathy for this guy. Getting older and older and still able to compete with much younger guys. Always fair play, can't remember I have ever seen a henka executed by him. I will miss you sadly, Kyokutenho!

Ganzohnesushi

[Kotononami 86]

He was one of the two first Mongolian born rikishi to join Ozumo with Kyokushuzan (who retires more than 8 years ago already!)

First makuuchi appearance in 98 Hatsu Basho.

17,5 years between first & last appearance. A record?

[orandashoho 720]

And if it hadn't been for that car driving punishment that set him back to Juryo for one basho, he would have had a record number of consecutive bashos in Makuuchi. Never missed a single one.

Tears, of course... but also the start of a new chapter in his life, with new challenges that could become just as rewarding. I am sure that when the mourning is done, he will tackle his new job with enthousiasm. It will be interesting to see what happens. I for one will be following the outcome.

Ooshima beya is coming alive again... Will those that moved to Tomozuna return? Perhaps there has always been some kind of provision... or will he start afresh with new recruits, like Kaio did?

[Flohru 176]

He was one of the two first Mongolian born rikishi to join Ozumo with Kyokushuzan (who retires more than 8 years ago already!)

Actually there were three of them back then. But I agree with everything else said here: Goodbye, Kyokutenho. :(

[Frinkanohana 13]

17,5 years between first & last appearance. A record?

No, Kaio has more than 18 years between first (05/1993) and last (07/2011) appearance.

[Asashosakari 19,688]

And if it hadn't been for that car driving punishment that set him back to Juryo for one basho, he would have had a record number of consecutive bashos in Makuuchi. Never missed a single one.

You mean consecutive appearances. Kaio had 106 consecutive makuuchi tournaments.

He was one of the two first Mongolian born rikishi to join Ozumo with Kyokushuzan (who retires more than 8 years ago already!)

Actually there were three of them back then.

Six, actually. Edited July 27, 2015 by Asashosakari

[orandashoho 720]

You mean consecutive appearances

I stand corrected.

[WAKATAKE 2,677]

I was really hoping to see him in the September tournament, but I will definitely go to his danpatsu-shiki. Regardless, Kyokutenho has had a spectacular career and I think there is nothing about it for him to be ashamed of. Everybody, and I mean everybody was cheering for him to the very end. He is a legend, definitely. Here is to him and his new career. Thank you for all the memories!

[Kishinoyama 596]

Rikishi like Kyokutenho are what makes Sumo, Sumo. I will miss seeing him on the Dohyo.

[shumitto 418]

I wish he would have gone all the way down like Wakanosato - as if I could watch Juryo these days - but if he has no power and prefers to bow out before a huge crowd in Makuuchi second half instead of after an exchange bout with Kisenoyama it is also understable.

Why Wakanosato hasn't announced his intai yet ? will he go all the way down to Jonidan ? :-P

Edited July 27, 2015 by shumitto

[Kaiomitsuki 408]

Two Kinboshis...

Aki 2002 Day 2 vs. Takanohana

Haru 2003 Day 3 vs. Asashoryu

[Jakusotsu 6,052]

Not a Kinboshi, but still...

Natsu 2004 Day 11 vs. Asashoryu

(my first day in the Kokugikan - sweet memories)

[Flohru 176]

He was one of the two first Mongolian born rikishi to join Ozumo with Kyokushuzan (who retires more than 8 years ago already!)

Actually there were three of them back then.

Six, actually.

Thanks for pointing out - I guess that shows that you have to stay around for a while to be remembered!

[sashimaru 10]

Not a Kinboshi, but still...

Natsu 2004 Day 11 vs. Asashoryu

...

(my first day in the Kokugikan - sweet memories)

So ein herrlicher 10-ho!

I always liked him. So Long, and Thanks For All the Fish!

[mischashimaru 3]

My Favorite "Tears" from him:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bWYTkgzVDE

Thanks for doing great Sumo for such a long Time!!!

(Danpatsu-shiki...)

[Masumasumasu 902]

http://youtu.be/BNwIxWLoDKY

[ryafuji 815]

Why Wakanosato hasn't announced his intai yet ? will he go all the way down to Jonidan ? :-P

If he announces it now then ex-Kobo will be out of a job. Maybe he's giving the current Nishiiwa Oyakata some time to find another kabu.

[inhashi 2,363]

Kobo now holds Otowayama kabu. See link to previous thread.

[Masumasumasu 902]

[Kyokuhagyo 528]

Kyokutenhou stood out to me when I was still watching sumo on Eurosport, even before I joined this forum. I always got the impression that he was always very friendly and modest, those who met him can probably tell better than me. But that's the impression I had, and why he quickly became my favourite rikishi. I was poised for his retirement in 2011, when he was meant to take over Ooshima beya, and was so happy to hear about the arrangement allowing for him to carry on. When he won the yuushou next, it was so surreal. I remember he didn't think it possible until it actually happened, neither did I. I remember how yet the yuushou chance had sparked something in the last 2 or 3 days, and when he thought he had lost to Goueidou. I was probably more tense than him, and after the ketteisen I was jumping around in my room. Everything has to end at some point. Sad to see him go, he's brought me lots of joy and kept me into sumou. Now he can use his experience as an oyakata, I hope he will managed to raise some rikishi like him, and that he'll have a stable with a good athmosphere. He's already got a few interesting and nice characters, Kyokushuuhou, Asahishou, Kyokutaisei...

I can only bow and say thank you.