Asashosakari 16,353 Posted May 25 Sanspo was fastest this time, releasing the list of 16 retiring rikishi including former short-time sekitori Irodori (Shikoroyama) and Gokushindo (Nishikido) whose intai were already announced on senshuraku. The others: Mugendai (Fujishima) Fukamiyama (Onoe) Taichiyama (Tokiwayama) Azumasato (Tamanoi) Hokutokawa (Hakkaku) Akashifuji (Tagonoura) Amatsu (Onomatsu) Oazuma (Tamanoi) Sakurafuji (Isegahama) Hokutohiro (Hakkaku) Ariake (Isenoumi) Hokutoo (Hakkaku) Onofuji (Isegahama) Zendaisho (Takadagawa) 1 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Katooshu 1,903 Posted May 25 Sumo just got a bit shorter with Oazuma and Hokutoo's departures Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kishinoyama 467 Posted May 25 Sad to see this guy retire - Oazuma He was an adoptee of mine. I am guessing his knee was the reason for the decision to retire. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yamanashi 2,457 Posted May 25 Notes from the db and elsewhere: Mugendai – 18 years in Sumo, made Ms5 in 2017. Fukamiyama – climbed all the way to Ms20 last year, but went through COVID kyujo twice with Onoe stable and his scores collapsed. Taichiyama – often injured; Makushita was like Kryptonite to him Azumasato – 12-year veteran, a Sandanme stalwart. Hokutokawa – probably an upper Makushita rikishi but for the incessant breaks for injuries. Akashifuji – 37 basho in Sandanme over an eight year career. Amatsu – 32-year old from Osaka; fell off the banzuke 2015-2017. Oazuma – see above for comments Sakurafuji – a slow climb to mid-Sandanme, then injury (it appears) and a quick exit. Leaves with an even record (105-105). Hokutohiro – one of three Hakkaku retirees this basho; spent 80% of his eight-year career in Jonidan Ariake – entered in 2011; much injured during the second half of his career. Hokutoo – see comment above; much-injured but reached Ms41 in 2020. Onofuji – a quick exit by the 23-year old from Oita. Zendaisho – an amazing 96 basho in Jonidan (1 in Sandname in 2014). 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Naganoyama 4,998 Posted May 25 2 hours ago, Yamanashi said: Notes from the db and elsewhere: ... Zendaisho – an amazing 96 basho in Jonidan (1 in Sandname in 2014). His brother Hayabusa, who started later the same year as him (2003) retired in 2013. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chartorenji 54 Posted May 25 Onofuji isn't too surprising. He had injury issues that took him off the banzuke at the start of his career, eventually turning it into success in Jonidan but failing to make an impact. Guessing he saw the writing on the way with his legs and lack of success. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yokozuna Hattorizakura 109 Posted May 25 6 hours ago, Katooshu said: Sumo just got a bit shorter with Oazuma and Hokutoo's departures A lot less balder too. Oazuma probably wanted out before all his hair disappeared lol 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Washuyama 579 Posted May 25 I remember meeting Fukamiyama when he was a shin-deshi. He wasn't too impressive then but that could be due to the fact he was still adjusting to the sumo lifestyle. Actually, I'm suprised he lasted 12 years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Koorifuu 270 Posted May 25 I'm surprised Amakaze isn't in the list. Surprising from Irodori - he's had some injuries lately, but he'd just punched his ticket back to makushita. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yamanashi 2,457 Posted May 25 6 hours ago, Yokozuna Hattorizakura said: A lot less balder too. Oazuma probably wanted out before all his hair disappeared lol I was shocked, after seeing his photo in the db, to watch a video of a match of his ~2018. I thought Oazuma must be the other wrestler! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yubinhaad 10,090 Posted May 25 (edited) The retirement of Hokutokawa and Hokutoo was announced just before the banzuke came out, and they held a joint danpatsu-shiki at the heya then. Hokutokawa suffered a neck injury in May last year, and despite his best efforts the rehabilitation has not succeeded to the point where he can do his best sumo. Meanwhile, Hokutoo had a 14-year career and served as tsukebito to the shisho (former Yokozuna Hokutoumi). He plans to work in a Tokyo restaurant in the future. Spoiler Hokutoo (left) and Hokutokawa with oichomage ahead of the danpatsu-shiki. Heya sekitori Okinoumi, Hokutofuji and Kitanowaka make their cuts. Hakkaku-oyakata (former Yokozuna Hokutoumi) makes the final cut for Hokutoo. And now for Hokutokawa. A couple of commemorative pictures to round off the event. Hokutohiro was one of the survivors of Azumazeki-beya when it closed a year ago, and is the first of them to retire. His danpatsu-shiki took place on senshuraku. Spoiler The rikishi were able to dress smartly for this one, since it didn't take place after a keiko session. Hokutohiro ready for a haircut. Once again the heya sekitori take their turns with the scissors. Hokutohiro's previous shisho Azumazeki-oyakata (former Komusubi Takamisakari) makes his cut. And now Hakkaku-oyakata makes another final cut. A look back at the start of his career, Fudano under the watchful eye of his original shisho, the late ex-Ushiomaru. Amatsu was easily a Makushita-level rikishi, but seven years ago he suffered a dreadful knee injury and nerve damage which saw him spend about half a year in hospital and over two years out of action. His intai was announced between basho and the danpatsu-shiki was held then. Spoiler Among the guests was former Maegashira Amuru. After a tidier haircut and a new suit, Amatsu makes a farewell speech. Joined by Amuru and heyagashira Onosho. Ariake's danpatsu-shiki took place at Isenoumi-beya on senshuraku. He entered the basho on Day 13 so he could rise to the dohyo one last time - in fact his bout was against one of the other retirees, Zendaisho. Spoiler Isenoumi-oyakata (former Maegashira Kitakachidoki) makes the final cut. Ariake after a proper haircut. Mugendai's danpatsu-shiki took place at Fujishima-beya, no actual pictures of that but a few from beforehand. Spoiler Mugendai with his first and last oichomage. Among the guests visiting the heya was Nionoumi. Musashigawa-oyakata (former Yokozuna Musashimaru) attended too. And a commemorative group shot with Fujishima-beya. Zendaisho's danpatsu-shiki took place at Takadagawa-beya, but they've only posted a commemorative group shot and one from afterwards. Spoiler Edited May 28 by Yubinhaad 5 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
themistyseas 135 Posted May 26 11 hours ago, Yamanashi said: 18 hours ago, Yokozuna Hattorizakura said: A lot less balder too. Oazuma probably wanted out before all his hair disappeared lol I was shocked, after seeing his photo in the db, to watch a video of a match of his ~2018. I thought Oazuma must be the other wrestler! Likewise - as a less folically blessed person myself, I would always get asked by people new to sumo if there would ever be a bald rikishi and he (along with Sagatsukasa in later years?) was a good example It took ages when I saw him in person to work out exactly who he was for that very reason! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akinomaki 31,678 Posted May 27 (edited) Irodori and Gokushindo at their best times, Natsu 2019 and Kyushu 2018 oo o o Ariake with Kasugayama (Ikioi) after his last bout o o Edited May 27 by Akinomaki 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yubinhaad 10,090 Posted May 29 (edited) Onomatsu-beya posted some more pictures from Amatsu's danpatsu-shiki. Spoiler Amatsu with his first and last oichomage. I assume this is his family in attendance. Haircutting under way. Onomatsu-oyakata (former Maegashira Daido) makes the final cut. Amatsu emerges after a change of clothes. A commemmorative picture with the rest of the heya. And here are a few shots from Fukamiyama's danpatsu-shiki at Onoe-beya. Spoiler With Chiganoura-oyakata (former Maegashira Satoyama) and former Makushita Hamaeiko. Among the visitors was Takanosho - he and Fukamiyama made their debut together in March 2010. Onoe-oyakata (former Komusubi Hamanoshima) makes the final cut. Edited May 29 by Yubinhaad 1 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MidnightAgent 12 Posted May 29 (edited) I'm really going to miss Oazuma. He was the first lower division rikishi I gravitated toward when I started watching the full days matches. I thought something was up, as he looked like he'd been cutting weight for a while and playing it much safer. He did have a bad knee, as well. Hopefully @Yubinhaad can unearth some photos of a danpatsu-shiki if he had one. I wish him the best of luck! Edited May 29 by MidnightAgent 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Godango 603 Posted May 29 41 minutes ago, sahaven111 said: No Shohozan yet? He had a bout during Toyonoshima's intai, so it would appear not yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shumitto 404 Posted May 30 (edited) Sad to see Zendaisho go. He was the first rikishi I saw in person on the subway, just two stations away from the Kokugikan. He was going nowhere already (2011), but it was nice to watch him. Aged 22, Gokushindo had a rather early debut in the paid ranks, but he came off as a very one dimensional rikishi. I think he's had his share of off dohyo problems too. Add some injuries and there you are. Irodori's first full basho as a rikishi was also my first as a fan. He reached makushita a couple of months shy of his 19th birthday. His size wasn't optimal, but wasn't a big hindrance either so it looked good for him, but... Following his career was rather painful from far away, I wonder how it felt for him. I hope he is more successful in his future endeavors. Edited May 30 by shumitto misclicked "enter". 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
