Baruto Intai

[Raishu]

Has any retired rikishi ever returned to the sport? Or would that not be allowed even one wanted to?

After a 'common' retirement, there is no chance to reenter as a professional Rikishi. Of course, there are a few exceptions like Juryo Sokokurai (who had to be reinstated after court's ruling) or Rikishi who had left the organization during WWII (e.g. : military service) and then returned to the Dohyo when the war was over.

Here is an example, but I don't know about the circumstances involved: http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Rikishi.aspx?r=3844

Sokokurai was forced to retire, but if a rikishi himself decides to retire, he can't pull a "Michael-Jordan"-move and come back, if I am not mistaken

That's why I wrote 'common' retirement. ;)

[Akinomaki]

Baruto danpatsu-shiki videos

cutting:

Kyokutenho, Kotooshu, Onoe-beya: Tenkaiho & Satoyama, Hakuho, Onoe-oyakata. Flowers from wife and mum.

Kameda

Shokkiri

[Naganoyama]

...

Kyokutenho.

...

Kyokutenho: Don't the retirees look young these days. Just boys!

[Akinomaki]

Looks like he wants to become a candidate for the elections to the Estonian parliament next year (Chuspo).

http://www.chunichi.co.jp/chuspo/article/sumo/news/CK2014020902000147.html

NHK news7 (hidden) video:

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20140208/k10015122011000.html

Saying at the end that he'll aim for yokozuna in his 2^nd life is seen in Chuspo as going for president of Estonia.

[dingo]

His wife looks really really cool in a kimono. Not many western ladies can pull it off that well...

[CT3*]

Great photos!

I miss Baruto. So glad that I got to see him fight in person before he retired.

[Yubinhaad]

A few more pictures from the danpatsu-shiki.

Baruto and his wife Elena greeting visitors inside the Kokugikan.

Baruto vs. the kids.

Sadogatake-beya's Kotootori and Kotodaigo perform shokkiri.

Yobidashi Tasuke on the taiko.

Yokozuna Hakuho's dohyo-iri.

Baruto waits for the danpatsu-shiki to begin.

Satoshi Ishii.

Baruto's wife and mother.

Onoe-beya stablemates Tenkaiho and Satoyama.

Estonian ambassador, maybe?

Kotooshu, making his cut and then watching from among the spectators.

Hakuho.

Final cut from Onoe-oyakata.

Baruto gives a speech following the danpatsu-shiki.

Afterwards.

At the party. Unless I'm mistaken, Nichidai boss Tanaka is being made an honorary citizen of Baruto's hometown, Rakevere.

Edited June 17, 2014 by Yubinhaad

[Johnofuji]

Yes that's the infamous Tanaka with the Andres Jaadla the Mayor of Rakevere. He gets around a bit for a mayor from a town of 15000.Next to Baruto is his old judo coach Riho Rannikmaa who also presides over the Sumo and Ssireum (Korean Sumo).

Katrina was telling me that it seemed a bit strange that they were making a fuss over Tanaka several times during the evening when it was meant to be Baruto's night.

Thanks for sharing the pics

I would love to see some footage of Tanaka in action but I don't know if any exists. I reckon he was a bit of a Kitanoumi in his day -albeit amateur.

[Kuroyama]

I'm gonna miss the big lug, but he does look decent in a suit. I hope his future remains bright.