Preparation de Yokozuna et Ozeki alores- Nagoyeaux 2014

[Kintamayama]

Yokozuna Kakuryuu resumed training after a month-went to Kataonami beya for degeiko yesterday and overwhelmed Tamawashi and Tamaasuka, winning 26 of his 27 bouts without going out of breath. "I've been training in the gym and building my body. My stamina is better than I thought.." he said later.

[Kintamayama]

Yokozuna Harumafuji had 26 bouts yesterday, facing Terunofuji, Takarafuji and Homarefuji. He was seen trying out various techniques, at times getting himself into disadvantageous positions and turning the tables. Essentially, he was checking out how his injured ankles and right elbow are doing. "Nagoya has always been a good basho for me. I have a good feeling about it. All I can do is do my best," he said later.

Edited July 3, 2014 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama]

Yokozuna Hakuhou trained at home, doing mostly shiko and teppo exercises. He also faced two Makushita rikishi 25 times, and even lost twice, but nobody took that seriously as he was trying out some new tachiai moves. Later, he led the training. "Guys!! Keiko and the basho are the same-you've got to go at it with the image of the imminent basho in your minds!!" he was heard shouting at them encouragingly in a good way probably.

[Yubinhaad]

A few more pictures.

At Miyagino-beya, Yokozuna Hakuho works out alone.

At Tagonoura-beya, Kisenosato celebrated his 28th birthday today with some vigorous keiko against Takayasu, mostly.

At Isegahama-beya, Yokozuna Harumafuji gave some advice to stablemates Homarefuji and Takarafuji. Keeping an eye on the session in the foreground is the heya's affiliated sewanin, former Juryo Mutsuhokkai. (Not good quality pictures)

The three Yokozuna also met with the Mayor of Nagoya, Takashi Kawamura, who challenged Kakuryu to an impromptu bout.

[Gurowake]

Quoi? Je ne comprehend pas. En Francais s'il vous plait.

[Kintamayama]

Quoi? Je ne comprehend pas. En Francais s'il vous plait.

Gauloises.

Edited July 4, 2014 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama]

Ozeki Kisenosato celebrated his 28th birthday yesterday at home by overwhelming Takayasu 16-0. He was presented with a big cake by the press. "It has become an unforgettable birthday ..," he chortled. Conscious of the fact that 30 is fast approaching, he promised to focus on his sumo and his real life. Asked when he was going to finally settle down with a wife, he answered: "I've got a lot of stuff to do so that thought has never entered my mind.." Asked about his plans to be the first Japanese rikishi in eight and a half years to win the yusho, he answered: "I am gearing myself daily to that end, enduring a lot of hardships etc.. etc.."

[Kintamayama]

Relentless yet to prove himself worthy Yokozuna Kakuryuu went to Shibatayama for keiko yesterday, where he met Tamawashi and Arawashi and had 29 straight bouts, winning 24. Most of his losses came towards the end. "I was thinking of improving my stamina. Patience and continuing to train even after tiring out are very important " he added somewhat later. He was 9-6 in his Yokozuna debut. "I am able to get ready at my pace. I can imagine the basho," he added.

Edited July 4, 2014 by Kintamayama

[torquato]

Quoi? Je ne comprehend pas. En Francais s'il vous plait.

Gauloises.

deux chevaux

[Yubinhaad]

Les trois Yokozuna visited the Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya to perform dohyo-iri. Rijicho Kitanoumi attended along with shimpan directors Isegahama, Izutsu and Asahiyama. Kakuryu and his attendants wore his latest set of kesho-mawashi for the first time. I'll gather some pictures a little bit later, in the meantime here's a video:

[Yubinhaad]

Here are some pictures from the Yokozuna dohyo-iri at the Atsuta shrine today.

Rijicho Kitanoumi arrives and heads to his seat.

Deputy directors of the shimpan group, Asahiyama-oyakata (former Ozeki Daiju) and Izutsu-oyakata (former Sekiwake Sakahoko).

Director of the shimpan group Isegahama-oyakata (former Yokozuna Asahifuji) heads for his seat, followed by Asahiyama.

Ozeki Kisenosato and Kotoshogiku also attended the event.

As always, the heavy lifting of the akeni was done by tsukebito.

Kitanoumi and the shimpan directors waiting for the dohyo-iri to begin.

Tate yobidashi Hideo and tate gyoji Kimura Shonosuke lead out Yokozuna Hakuho and his attendants, tsuyuharai Tokitenku and tachimochi Gagamaru.

Fuku-tate yobidashi Takuro and tate gyoji Shikimori Inosuke lead out Harumafuji and his attendants, tsuyuharai Terunofuji and tachimochi Aminishiki.

Harumafuji and co. head back in as the final group prepares for their turn.

Hideo and Kimura Shonosuke now lead out Yokozuna Kakuryu and his attendants, tsuyuharai Homasho and tachimochi Ikioi.

Additionally, the three Yokozuna paid a visit to Hideaki Omura, Governor of Aichi Prefecture.

Like Mayor Kawamura, he too could not resist a bout with Kakuryu. Despite his American Football-style tachi-ai, Omura soon ended up on the floor just like Kawamura.

[Kintamayama]

Hakuhou went to Tomozuna beya for degeiko today, and had 18 bouts against Kaisei and new Juryo Kyokutaisei. He lost twice but was looking very good. Afterwards he had some photos taken with fans, but did not speak at all to the press for the fifth straight day.

Edited July 6, 2014 by Kintamayama

[Torabayama]

Yubinhaad, where you at Atsuta for the festivities. Was there myself but didn't manage the best pics so thanks for those. Will upload my video of everyone walking out for the initial prayer and blessing soon. Cheers!

[Kintamayama]

Yokozuna Harumafuji went for degeiko to Tagonoura and faced Kisenosato 15 times. Kisenosato apparently owned him, winning 10-5, going 10-1 at the start. He looked very strong in some of the bouts. "The numbers mean nothing.I was just thinking about hitting hard at the tachiai. I will be going at it day by day for the remaining week. Still, I'm not completely ready. I just want to be reasonably fit.." said Kisenosato. Harumafuji won his last four bouts but showed some weak tachiai. They intend to meet tomorrow as well. "My performance was inexcusable towards the Ozeki. I will gambarize tomorrow!!." said Harumafuji.

"Hmmm.. You should definitely see a proctologist for that.."

Edited July 7, 2014 by Kintamayama

[Masumasumasu]

[Kintamayama]

Kakuryuu has made it a habit to visit Shibatayama-beya for trainig lately. Yesterday he faced Wishy and Washy (Tamawashi and Arawashi) for 20 bouts and won, and guessed (correctly) that Brazil was going down ib the World Cup. Today, same venue-trained with Tamawashi and new Juryo Wakanoshima- 22 bouts in all were counted by someone who must have actually counted.. "I must do everything thoroughly, otherwise it's no good," he stated the obvious, again. "I think I'm a bit too chubby right now but my body is moving well. I'll lose about 2 kilos and enter the basho at my best!!" he boasted.

[Yubinhaad]

Yubinhaad, where you at Atsuta for the festivities. Was there myself but didn't manage the best pics so thanks for those. Will upload my video of everyone walking out for the initial prayer and blessing soon. Cheers!

I wish! No, I have the internets to thank for all the pictures I post. Glad you enjoyed them, and I look forward to seeing your video. :-)

[Torabayama]

Here's a short video I took of the entrance before prayer/blessing at the Atsuta Jingu dohyo-iri.

http://youtu.be/S8ZMdcD6ucg

Enjoy!

Edited July 10, 2014 by Torabayama

[Masumasumasu]

[yorikiried by fate]

They are so low on money? That's just not right...