New recruits Haru 2022

[Yubinhaad 10,783]

Joining Sakaigawa-beya is Seiichiro Tanimoto (谷本 誠一郎), from Iwakuni, Yamaguchi prefecture and soon to graduate from Shimonoseki Kita High School. He got involved in sumo at the age of 5 and has continued it throughout his schooling, deciding that he wanted to enter ozumo while in the sixth grade.

Tanimoto is currently 170cm and 110kg and does mainly oshizumo; he wants to weigh 140-150kg and, of course, is aiming for sekitori. He reported the news of his introduction to the mayor of Iwakuni, Yoshihiko Fukuda.

[Akinomaki 35,669]

I think I should re-post this here

13 minutes ago, Akinomaki said:

The NSK had announced as of Feb. 3rd the appointment of 2 new 5th class tokoyama https://www.sumo.or.jp/IrohaKyokaiMember/tokoyama/, for Tatsunami-beya Tokokei 床慶, Keiya Ohashi 大橋慶也 and for Hakkaku-beya Tokosho  床尚 Shoji Ohata 小端尚仁, both 18 years old  https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202202030000328.html

The proper readings of the full real names are my guess of course

I wonder why the tokoyama are not listed under the English list of kyokai members, like oyakata, gyoji and yobidashi

Edited February 7, 2022 by Akinomaki

[Akinomaki 35,669]

On 28/01/2022 at 17:57, Akinomaki said:

Genta Sumiki 住木 厳太  (22, 180cm, 150kg) from the sumo club of Chuo university joins the new Oshiogawa-beya of sempai Takekaze, where sempai Yago also switches to.  Sumiki is from Hiroshima city, he reached the best 16 at the All Japan once (not this time).

Sumiki joined the new heya yesterday. His shikona to start with Kaze/Fuu was not yet announced.

Other results: runner up at the kokutai juniors in high school (losing to Oho in the final, see above):

On 28/01/2022 at 20:30, Katooshu said:

He beat Hoshoryu in high school, and later repeated that at least twice in pro-am events.

Here is his in 2017 vs Hosh, and then after in a lively match vs Oho. His style hasn't changed. 

3rd at the East Japan weight division student championships, best 8 at the national student weight division championships.

o o

[Yubinhaad 10,783]

No maezumo will be held this basho, according to this article, and the shindeshi-kensa planned for the 25th will be postponed until afterwards. Similar to last year, due to the COVID-risk of recruits travelling to and from their school graduation ceremonies. They will likely be ranked on the Natsu banzuke in sign-up order. Those granted a tsukedashi rank for this basho will be able to participate as normal, if I understand it correctly.

Recruiting reports are still coming though, and joining Hanaregoma-beya is Shoran Maki? (牧 松蘭), soon to graduate from Kamezaki Junior High School in Handa, Aichi prefecture where he has been active in judo. He visited the city hall to report the news.

[Akinomaki 35,669]

Joining Nishonoseki-beya are the Hayashi twins (15), Rei (172cm, 120kg) and Ryuu (170cm, 127kg), from Okaya, Nagano, 3rd year at the Kiso middle school. They started sumo in primary school and went to the same Kiso youth sumo club as Mitakeumi. Last year in summer they were runner-up with the team at the national middle school championships and in autumn had a keiko experience in then Araiso-beya, where they liked the objective to build a body that won't get injured. Aim since primary school: sekitori.  https://www.shinmai.co.jp/news/article/CNTS2022021600184

you have to login to read the full article, I put it here

Spoiler

　木曽郡木曽町中学校３年の双子の兄弟、林琉(りゅう)さん（１５）と玲(れい)さん（１５）＝ともに岡谷市出身＝が今春、二所ノ関親方（元横綱稀勢の里）が率いる大相撲の二所ノ関部屋（茨城県）に入門することが１５日分かった。ともに小学生時代から目標にしていた関取を目指す。

　ともに大関御嶽海関（木曽郡上松町出身）が所属した木曽少年相撲クラブに岡谷市から通って稽古に励み、同市岡谷田中小学校から木曽町中学校に進んだ。昨夏行われた全国中学校相撲選手権大会の団体戦では準優勝した。

　父健一さん（５３）によると、２人とも横綱になることが小学生時代からの目標だ。現在、琉さんは１７０センチ、１２７キロ、玲さんは１７２センチ、１２０キロ。昨秋、荒磯部屋（現・二所ノ関部屋）の稽古を体験し、けがをしない体作りの方針などにも共感したという。

　健一さんは取材に「夢や目標が目指せるスタートラインに立てた。ここから先は自分たちの努力を積み重ねてほしい」と話した。

On 14/02/2022 at 16:52, Yubinhaad said:

No maezumo will be held this basho, according to this article, and the shindeshi-kensa planned for the 25th will be postponed until afterwards. Similar to last year, due to the COVID-risk of recruits travelling to and from their school graduation ceremonies. They will likely be ranked on the Natsu banzuke in sign-up order

I guess that was the reason that Kato was reported with planned dohyo debut at the Natsu basho, so he should belong to this thread

On 10/02/2022 at 14:41, Akinomaki said:

The press conference was on the 7th at the school, but the plan is to have the dohyo debut at the Natsu basho.

Joining Onomatsu-beya is Riku Kato  加藤陸 (18, 187cm, 160kg)  from the sumo club of Kanagawa Industrial high school: "Gambarizing at keiko each day, I want to be sekitori in 4 years, as fast as possible."

He started sumo in high school and was prefecture representative at the kokutai in the open weight division. He is also skillful in ball games like soccer and basketball. He had thought to go to university after graduation, but Onomatsu persuaded him with enthusiastic invitations  to join ozumo.

https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASQ296R5KQ27UTQP01D.html

o

Edited February 19, 2022 by Akinomaki

[Katooshu 2,476]

They both impressed me in the national middle school championship, although I didn't realize they're that short. They seemed bigger....

One was a bit better than the other but I can't remember who was who. 

Edited February 17, 2022 by Katooshu

[Yubinhaad 10,783]

Joining Nishonoseki-beya is Ryuto? Watanabe (渡邉 龍斗), soon to graduate from Mito Minami High School in Mito, Ibaraki prefecture. He belonged to the wrestling club at the school, recording a top-16 finish at last year's Kanto tournament. 180cm, 125kg at the moment.

As he won't be attending the official graduation ceremonies on March 1st, an early party was held for him to celebrate both his graduation and introduction to Nishonoseki-beya.

[Akinomaki 35,669]

On 16/02/2022 at 10:31, Akinomaki said:

Joining Onomatsu-beya is Riku Kato  加藤陸 (18, 187cm, 160kg)  from the sumo club of Kanagawa Industrial high school: "Gambarizing at keiko each day, I want to be sekitori in 4 years, as fast as possible."

He started sumo in high school and was prefecture representative at the kokutai in the open weight division. He is also skillful in ball games like soccer and basketball. He had thought to go to university after graduation, but Onomatsu persuaded him with enthusiastic invitations  to join ozumo.

The local paper quotes Kato with the aim to reach juryo within 5 years. He is the first from the school's club to go into ozumo, one from the rugby club went to Musashigawa-beya. He was already 185cm, 130kg when he entered high school and was good in all sports he did, basket- and volleyball etc. and the coach and the members of the sumo club continued to persuade him to join the club. In his 3rd year he was at the kokutai, in 2nd year at the interhigh and the national high school sumo newcomer championships.

He will be joining the heya in April, after the result of the shindeshi-kensa.

o

[Akinomaki 35,669]

On 17/02/2022 at 16:57, Yubinhaad said:

Joining Nishonoseki-beya is Ryuto? Watanabe (渡邉 龍斗), soon to graduate from Mito Minami High School in Mito, Ibaraki prefecture. He belonged to the wrestling club at the school, recording a top-16 finish at last year's Kanto tournament. 180cm, 125kg at the moment.

As he won't be attending the official graduation ceremonies on March 1st, an early party was held for him to celebrate both his graduation and introduction to Nishonoseki-beya

Local NHK confirms Ryuto - vid: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/mito/20220217/1070016136.html

Watanabe has no sumo experience, but was attracted by sumo and wanted to give it a try. He send a message to Nishonoseki via SNS and was invited for keiko. The enthusiasm he showed while trying was highly valued and led to his entry into the heya.

Video and article will be gone in a week, I'll put the text here

Spoiler

元横綱・稀勢の里の二所ノ関親方が、この春、部屋に入門する生徒の卒業を祝うために水戸市内の高校を訪れ、「大相撲は厳しい世界だが、やればやるほど強くなる」と生徒を激励しました。

新たに二所ノ関部屋に入門するのは、水戸市出身で県立水戸南高校３年の、渡邉龍斗さんです。
渡邉さんは、新弟子検査といった入門の準備で来月１日の卒業式に参加できないことから、１７日は高校で卒業と入門を祝う会が開かれ、二所ノ関親方も駆けつけました。
このなかで、二所ノ関親方は「筋肉に伸びしろがあり、厳しい稽古にも耐え抜ける可能性を感じた。大相撲は厳しい世界だが、やればやるほど強くなってまわりの人を喜ばせることができる」と渡邉さんを激励しました。
これに対して渡邉さんは「先生方に感謝しています。強い力士を目指して頑張ります」と活躍を誓っていました。
渡邉さんは身長１メートル８０センチ、体重１２５キロで、高校ではレスリング部に所属し、去年の関東大会では１２５キロ級でベスト１６に入りました。
本格的な相撲の経験はありませんが、憧れていた大相撲に挑戦したいとＳＮＳで二所ノ関親方にメッセージを送ったところ稽古に呼ばれ、熱心に稽古に取り組む姿勢などが評価されて入門につながったということです。
渡邉さんは「レスリングで鍛えた筋力やスピードを生かして、憧れの二所ノ関親方のように茨城出身の横綱になりたいです」と話していました。

o o o

Edited February 19, 2022 by Akinomaki

[Akinomaki 35,669]

The NSK today announced the 2 SD tsukedashi applicants for the special shindeshi kensa on the 21st, Kanzaki and Hatsuyama 羽出山. The other applicants as reported will have their shindeshi kensa after the basho, the 2 take part in the basho. https://www.sanspo.com/article/20220218-DZ5JLFJ5SFIQDIT7FMPUVNM2SU/

[Akinomaki 35,669]

On 16/02/2022 at 10:31, Akinomaki said:

Joining Nishonoseki-beya are the Hayashi twins (15), Rei (172cm, 120kg) and Ryuu (170cm, 127kg), from Okaya, Nagano, 3rd year at the Kiso middle school. They started sumo in primary school and went to the same Kiso youth sumo club as Mitakeumi. Last year in summer they were runner-up with the team at the national middle school championships and in autumn had a keiko experience in then Araiso-beya, where they liked the objective to build a body that won't get injured. Aim since primary school: sekitori.

Nishonoseki yesterday was at the school and before that at the home of the twins parents, father Kenichi (53) and mother Maria (38) マリア https://www.shinmai.co.jp/news/article/CNTS2022021900030 - looks much like with Mitakeumi's parents, the 2 half Filipino as well?

Ryu Hayashi 林琉 will be Hayashiryu 林龍, Rei 林玲 gets the shikona Rinko 林虎 (forest dragon and tiger)

https://www.shinmai.co.jp/news/article/CNTS2022021900010

Spoiler

　木曽郡木曽町中学校相撲部３年生で岡谷市出身の双子の兄弟、林琉(りゅう)さん（１５）、玲(れい)さん（１５）が大相撲二所ノ関部屋に今春入門するのを前に、二所ノ関親方（元横綱稀勢の里）が１８日、県内入りし関係者にあいさつした。親方は木曽町中学校で「２人を鍛え上げ、胸を張って帰って来られるようにする」と述べた。

　二所ノ関部屋はこの日、２人のしこ名が「林龍(はやしりゅう)」（琉さん）、「林虎(りんこ)」（玲さん）に決まったと公表した。

　親方は校長室で奥原竜司校長（５６）らと面会。校長は「素晴らしい部屋にごやっかいになれ、ありがたい。２人をよろしくお願いします」と話した。同席した琉さんは「（自分の持ち味の）押し相撲のように真っすぐ夢（の横綱）に向かって頑張る」、玲さんは「親方から指導を受け、夢や目標の横綱を目指して頑張る」と抱負を述べた。

　２人は岡谷市岡谷田中小学校時代から相撲で活躍。初場所で優勝した新大関御嶽海関（２９）の母校で相撲部のある木曽町中学に進学し、昨夏の全国大会で団体準優勝した。親方は「御嶽海のように夢や感動を与えられる力士になってほしい」と求めた。

　これに先立ち、親方は２人の岡谷市の自宅を訪れた。兄弟の父健一さん（５３）、母マリアさん（３８）ら家族、商店主らが出迎えた。

o

http://www.nagano-np.co.jp/articles/89989

Ryu is always on the right

Edited March 30, 2022 by Akinomaki

[Akinomaki 35,669]

9 hours ago, Akinomaki said:

Nishonoseki yesterday was at the school and before that at the home of the twins parents, father Kenichi (53) and mother Maria (38) マリア https://www.shinmai.co.jp/news/article/CNTS2022021900030 - looks much like with Mitakeumi's parents, the 2 half Filipino as well?

Sponichi confirms that mother Maria is from the Philippines https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2022/02/19/kiji/20220219s00005000150000c.html

[Yubinhaad 10,783]

Joining Tatsunami-beya is 18-year-old Ryu Nakazone? (仲宗根 龍) from the Kiyuna area of Ginowan city, Okinawa. He was doing judo in elementary school and the first year of junior high, but at the urging of his grandmother who loves sumo he switched, and has come to specialise in migi-yotsu yori. He will soon graduate from Chubu Agricultural and Forestry High School and is currently 181cm, 140kg. He wants to become the first Yokozuna from Okinawa prefecture.

He and Tatsunami-oyakata (former Komusubi Asahiyutaka) visited Ginowan city hall in late January to report the news to the mayor, Masanori Matsukawa.

Edited February 20, 2022 by Yubinhaad

[Akinomaki 35,669]

On 18/02/2022 at 16:30, Akinomaki said:

The NSK today announced the 2 SD tsukedashi applicants for the special shindeshi kensa on the 21st, Kanzaki and Hatsuyama 羽出山. The other applicants as reported will have their shindeshi kensa after the basho, the 2 take part in the basho.

Kanzaki passed the physicals today with 192cm,148kg https://hochi.news/articles/20220221-OHT1T51097.html

Hatsuyama with 192cm,140kg

Edited February 21, 2022 by Akinomaki

[Hakuryuho 277]

I really hope that guy isn't just trying to read their heights like that, the angle he is looking at (from down below) is certainly distorting.
That's a parallax error if I've ever seen one.

[Katooshu 2,476]

Looks to be measuring Kanzaki rather generously too, hair height for the win 

[RabidJohn 1,274]

5 hours ago, Hakuryuho said:

I really hope that guy isn't just trying to read their heights like that, the angle he is looking at (from down below) is certainly distorting.
That's a parallax error if I've ever seen one.

When you've seen these photos over a few years, you realise there's no accuracy in the NSK's measurements.

There have been examples of rikishi who've repeatedly receded and grown in height if the measurements were to be believed

[Inside Sport Japan 691]

On 21/02/2022 at 18:59, Hakuryuho said:

that guy 

Nishikido oyakata (former sekiwake Mitoizumi)

[rhyen 1,622]

I wonder if Katooshu would grade each recruit and heya’s recruitment drive since we don’t have maezumo in Osaka to gauge the potential of the current class?

[Hakuryuho 277]

11 hours ago, Inside Sport Japan said:

Nishikido oyakata (former sekiwake Mitoizumi)

Oh I am well aware of who he is.
 

Doesn't change the fact he's doing shoddy work, now does it

[Katooshu 2,476]

I'm not sure on a letter grade, but I'd rate Kanzaki as #1 of the batch, and as having a very good chance of sustained sekitorihood and reaching the top division. By the end of his collegiate career he was probably top 3 or 4 in college sumo and was attacking more intensely than I'd ever seen him (which is a good thing for his style and strengths). He's got size and power and there are no pronounced weaknesses in his sumo, nor am I aware of a notable injury history (one of the biggest contributors to top ams flopping imo).

Hatsuyama has more holes in his game and isn't as sharp in his movement (a bit of a flailing quality to him), but still has a good chance of sekitorihood and ranks as #2. His length and ability to use it in pushing and pulling should eventually separate him from the upper makushita warriors, but I am not as bullish on him from there. His results were also best in his 2nd year of college, and unlike Kanzaki he didn't seem to improve much in the following years.

I think Sumiki's potential is similar to Hatsuyama's, but rank him a bit lower at #3. He is aggressive, athletic, and fun to watch, and like Hatsuyama good with pushing and pulling, but prone to overcharging and lacking in strength compared to the top college competitors. He regularly beat good opponents but couldn't consistently achieve the results to crack the upper-tiers. With a strong team behind him, some extra weight, and ongoing progression, he would be a solid contender for sekitorihood though.

The Hayashi twins are #4 and #5 (one is better than the other, forget who) and have had sustained success in the amateurs, with both standing out during the national middle school tournament. For their age group, they are powerful and there was already a mature look to their sumo at 15 years old. When dealing with middle schoolers there's a lot more uncertainty (e.g. how much more will they grow?), but I'd say they are ones to keep an eye on long-term.

I can't really add much about the newcomers to sumo or the ones who didn't compete with note on the national scene. These types of guys will usually take a while to start making an impact, even if they have a lot of talent, and the bulk won't make it past makushita.

On another note, Naruto's new recruit has a very nice looking mom! I thought she was a classmate at first.

Edited February 24, 2022 by Katooshu

[Yamanashi 3,055]

3 hours ago, Katooshu said:

On another note, Naruto's new recruit has a very nice looking mom! I thought she was a classmate at first.

Sure, she looks kinda hot and stuff, but her grip strength is substandard .

[Katooshu 2,476]

I should add that the incoming Tanji seems an interesting prospect as well. Solid amateur results, good size for a middle schooler, and his brother is doing well for someone who entered a couple years ago with no experience. I have never seen him compete though so he's hard to rank compared to the others.....

It's nice to see how deep the last two batches of recruits are - no super talents like Tetsuya Ochiai (high school yokozuna) or Daiki Nakamura (amateur yokozuna), but  many good competitors and probably at least a few future sekitori among them.

Edited February 24, 2022 by Katooshu

[Akinomaki 35,669]

I still haven't posted the recent graph of the development of the number of new recruits from 1989 till 2021, the line below.

With the total number of rikishi after the new recruits from Haru entered, as the basho with the most entries, at the following Natsu basho, for 2020 in July

Peak is 1994 with 943 rikishi on the banzuke, last basho we had 665.

Last year's number of 61 new recruits is the 3rd lowest during the present 6 basho era, lower are only the 2 years after the yaocho scandal, 2011 (60) and 2012 (56).

http://www.asahi.com/articles/DA3S15169596.html

[Yamanashi 3,055]

2 hours ago, Akinomaki said:

I still haven't posted the recent graph of the development of the number of new recruits from 1989 till 2021, the line below.

With the total number of rikishi after the new recruits from Haru entered, as the basho with the most entries, at the following Natsu basho, for 2020 in July

Peak is 1994 with 943 rikishi on the banzuke, last basho we had 665.

Last year's number of 61 new recruits is the 3rd lowest during the present 6 basho era, lower are only the 2 years after the yaocho scandal, 2011 (60) and 2012 (56).

http://www.asahi.com/articles/DA3S15169596.html

The sumo numbers are always so much smaller than the population that it's hard to feel confident about statistical comparisons.  You could argue that Sumo is capturing more teenagers than you'd expect from the incoming population:

https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h00529/new-record-low-for-japan’s-elementary-and-junior-high-school-students.html

Also, many of us were sure the years of COVID would shut off the spigot of newcomers permanently, but that doesn't seem to be happening yet.