Asashosakari 20,249 Posted October 1 (edited) https://x.com/sumokyokai/status/1973186156738256971 Former sekiwake Takarafuji (Isegahama-beya), has decided to retire at age 38 due to his impending demotion to makushita. Having turned pro out of Kindai University, he made it to sekitori status exactly 15 years ago in Aki 2010 and was ever-present in the salaried ranks since then, amassing 78 tournaments in makuuchi and 11 in juryo. As had been rumoured for a while, he will continue in the Kyokai as Kiriyama-oyakata; the kabu had been sitting vacant for a little over a year since ex-Asahisho stopped borrowing it and retired. Edited October 1 by Asashosakari 3 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ganzohnesushi 547 Posted October 1 Finally the inevitable has come. Right from the beginning Takarafuji became one of my favourite Rikishi. Sad to see him gone but looking forward to see him as Oyakata. Ganzohnesushi Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yamanashi 4,078 Posted October 1 I will miss him. He reminded me of one of my uncles. The number of Showa-era rikishi has decreased by one, but the total number of necks in Ozumo has not changed. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tigerboy1966 1,634 Posted October 1 Takarafuji was one of the first Japanese wrestlers I got to know when I started watching sumo again in 2014. His physique and physiognomy were distinctive and his bouts lasted long enough to get a good look at the technical side of things. Good luck to him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jakusotsu 6,394 Posted October 1 I wonder if a final win against Wakanosho would have made him wait for getting shimanoumied. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
I am the Yokozuna 222 Posted October 1 Otsukaresama, Takarafuji! A great fighter! Wish him a great deal of success in his coaching career. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Koorifuu 1,120 Posted October 1 Now we can have the duo with Matsuko Deluxe! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yarimotsu 642 Posted October 1 It was two of Takarafuji's bouts on consecutive days in early 2021 that got me into sumo. I was very impressed by how he seemed to manage the bout in such a way that the opponent could never really establish any sort of grip. It took me a year or two to see that this was already a Takarafuji whose body was failing him trying to adapt, and as the injuries piled up his sumo became hard to watch. Wish him all the best for the future, presumably he's a kyokai man and will adapt to that side of the lifestyle quite easily. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigKahunaMan 18 Posted October 1 Asking the inevitable question; will he now get his neck back? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Octofuji 431 Posted October 1 I'm not able to react to this post but I'm not sure how I feel anyway. It's very sad to see Takarafuji go, but then again I've not enjoyed seeing him struggle for the last year or so. I wasn't around to see him at his peak, but it was great to see him go 9-6 at M2 in Hatsu 2021 and almost get another shot in san'yaku. His three uwatenages in a row (including 2 ozekis) were things of beauty. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kaninoyama 1,880 Posted October 1 According to the retirement announcement by Isegahama-beya, he'll remain at Isegahama-beya as a coach to develop the next generation or rikishi. Unclear if that's just for the short term or if he'll eventually branch out on his own. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Katooshu 3,485 Posted October 1 (edited) With Hokutofuji and Takarafuii retiring this year, that's 2 of my top 3 favourites gone in a short period. Glad we will still see them around as oyakata. Takarafuji, despite his hulking muscular build, had a passive, almost gentle style of sumo. Opponents would throw the kitchen sink at him, only for him to withstand the barrage to win with an economical push of their arm or tug of the mawashi. The was a period where he beat Hakuho 2 times in 3 basho, and gave him a scare by getting his back in the other. Hakuho obviously had a lot of respect for him, unlike a lot of opponents. Even in his last basho, he was able to school some youngsters, including handing the juryo yusho winner Asahakuryu one of his two losses. Edited October 1 by Katooshu 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 20,249 Posted October 2 1 hour ago, Katooshu said: Even in his last basho, he was able to school some youngsters, including handing the juryo yusho winner Asahakuryu one of his two losses. Joining a rather short list of rikishi who defeated a 13+ wins rikishi while posting a demotion record themselves. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yamanashi 4,078 Posted October 2 Actually, he would be great on the Oyakata Channel, acting like a Moe to the other guys' Larry and Curly. Of course, he'll be pretty busy coaching at Isegahama Beya, as they provide one coach for each of their five Makuuchi wrestlers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hakutorizakura 688 Posted October 2 Can't react - but otsukaresamadeshita uncle Takara! Dunno why I call him that, he's not actually my uncle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akinomaki 41,815 Posted October 2 (edited) Intai press conference today with Isegahama-oyakata: "My thoughts were, resting is retirement" - the oyakata: "I see him as the heya's treasure (takara)" o o o oo o o o o the family joined o oo o o already scouting the eldest o ooo o o Edited October 2 by Akinomaki Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 47,226 Posted October 2 On the 10th day of Aki 2014 , he defeated former Yokozuna Kisenosato when he was still an Ozeki, and became a topic of conversation, with people saying, "There's a rikishi who looks like (the TV personality) Matsuko Deluxe." In the past, he has appeared together on variety shows with Matsuko, and Matsuko reflected, "I'm really happy that people know about him through that." A sekitori who has left a mark in both memory and record. When asked by reporters at a press conference if Matsuko herself would make a surprise appearance at his danpatsushiki, Takarafuji casually offered, "Well, I'd love for her to come." However, he added with a wry smile, "Well, there's also Matsuko's schedule..." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Katooshu 3,485 Posted October 2 (edited) I would ask if anyone has ever seen Takarafuji and Matsuko Deluxe in the same room together, to prove they are different people, but sounds from above like they have Edited October 2 by Katooshu 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yamanashi 4,078 Posted October 2 16 minutes ago, Katooshu said: I would ask if anyone has ever seen Takarafuji and Matsuko Deluxe in the same room together, to prove they are different people, but sounds from above like they have I don't see the resemblance; Matsuko clearly has a neck, for one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhyen 1,858 Posted October 2 44 minutes ago, Katooshu said: I would ask if anyone has ever seen Takarafuji and Matsuko Deluxe in the same room together, to prove they are different people, but sounds from above like they have Yes, he appeared on her Monday night talk show once. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhyen 1,858 Posted October 2 (edited) I am intrigued if Matsuko Deluxe does appeared at the danpatsushiki and takes a snip. would she be considered a female or male? Can she step on the dohyo if she has not transitioned? Will this open up a can for women to step up to the dohyo? Edited October 2 by rhyen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jakusotsu 6,394 Posted October 2 Nice - never seen his family before. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Koorifuu 1,120 Posted October 2 4 hours ago, rhyen said: I am intrigued if Matsuko Deluxe does appeared at the danpatsushiki and takes a snip. would she be considered a female or male? Can she step on the dohyo if she has not transitioned? Will this open up a can for women to step up to the dohyo? My understanding is that the Matsuko Deluxe character is clearly meant to be female, but the real person beneath that is still - for all intents and purposes - perceived as a man. It's more akin to crossdressing rather than transgender... ... that said, I'd still love to see how the ozumo dignitaries would react to it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akinomaki 41,815 Posted October 2 A few more from the intai press conference oo o o o o o o o o o Aomori sempai Nishiiwa from the PR department was responsible for having the event proceed o 3 min local (ntv Aomori) news clip about the intai http://news.ntv.co.jp/category/sports/rae36acdfaa5974b9a811f1fa1beaab1e0 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
