Preparations of the Y/O - January 2016

[Kintamayama]

After missing the closed YDC soken session due to fever, Kisenosato was very active at his own heya during the keiko session today, having 18 bouts against Takayasu and looking good. It was his first training session since the end of the Winter jungyo two weeks ago. "I've been preparing my body all this time. No slipping and sliding, I am totally stable!!" he totally said at his stable later.

"Lean, mean, leaning machine"

Edited December 26, 2015 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama]

Isegahama beya started full training yesterday ahead of the January basho. Yokozuna Harumafuji, injured left knee and all, faced Takarafuji and Homarefuji for 11 bouts, winning 9. He reflected on last year, where he suffered through many injuries but ended it with the yusho. "The last part totally made me forget all my hardships.." he stated.

Ozeki Terunofuji who is injured in both knees faced Makushita and under opponents. "I have only one goal. If I can overcome my injuries, the sky's the limit!!" he exclaimed, vowing to become Yokozuna in the coming year.

Edited January 1, 2016 by Kintamayama

[Katooshu]

Let's hope that Teru's knees get better quickly!

[Akinomaki]

Hakuho is back from Ishigaki island without having turned into a Kokuho (black instead of white phoenix, not the national treasure thing), which he had announced before the trip - bad weather, no suntan - and started keiko today. http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/1587337.html

Kisenosato had started keiko for the new year already yesterday. http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2016/01/03/kiji/K20160103011797090.html

Goeido still complained of pain in the injured right wrist at the Dewanoumi-ichimon rengo-geiko and can't do sumo yet http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/1587296.html

Harumafuji is in hospital with the wasp thing phlegmon inflammation (cellulites), infected on the 31st. No hindrance for entering the basho, but no date for re-start of keiko. http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/1587348.html

Edited January 3, 2016 by Akinomaki

[rhyen]

Is Kakuryu laying low?

[Kintamayama]

Hakuhou is worried about his injured left elbow. He started keiko yesterday ahead of the January basho, doing serious shiko and suriashi for an hour. He did not do any sumo but he was moving his left elbow around vigorously to see how it's doing. "I have no idea.. It's been pretty bad for a while.." he said. He plans to go for degeiko and intends to participate in the Isegahama Ichimon rengo keiko tomorrow. Asked what he is aiming for this coming year, he said: "The year has barely started. I haven't given it any thought.."

Edited January 4, 2016 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama]

Kisenosato did some serious keiko at the Nishonoseki rengo keiko today, facing Kotoshougiku and new Sekiwake Yoshikaze, going 16-4. He was seen retreating at times but his lower body seems to be stable. He had the largest number of bouts among the sekitori. "I think I'm getting better and better. I'll do my best to achieve a record that may bring me results (my first yusho)."

Kotoshougiku, who injured his shin on day 14 last basho was 2-7 against Kisenosato. There was no sign of the injury. "I've still got the power. The rest is concentrating on the mental side and hitting hard," he said jovially.

Yoshikaze was showing speed and looking healthy. "I don't care when the basho is starting-I'm ready to go at any time. I'm not scared of anything!!" he declared.

Nishonoseki Oyakata: "I just wish someone from the Ichimon gets a yusho as soon as possible.."

Edited January 4, 2016 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama]

Terunofuji has finally started training against Makuuchi opponents, after a month and a half. He faced Takarafuji and Homarefuji and won 8 of 13. He was receiving Homarefuji's pushes, checking out how the knee was holding out under pressure. "I thought I was 40% ready, but I think I'm 60% ready.. I'm happy with the way I moved, so maybe I can do better than I expected at this stage.." he said.

[hamcornheinz]

Is Kakuryu laying low?

just naturally shorter than everybody else.

[inhashi]

Condensed photos from online news sources of the above posts:

Harumafuji

Yoshikaze, Kisenosato

With Kotoshogiku

Hang in there big guy...

Goeido at Dewanoumi beya

Hakuho elbow check

Ichinojo not ozeki, but says he is aiming for the rank.

Terunofuji

Yoshikaze with Kakuryu

Takayasu and Hakuho at soken

[Tenshinhan]

The body of Takayasu became way too hairy recently.

[Kintamayama]

Hakuhou went to the Isegahama rengo keiko which was held at Tomozuna beya today, faced Kaisei and others for 13 bouts and won them all. "I sweated well," he said. His problematic left elbow was bandaged but he even managed to get a good left overarm grip against the large Kaisei and win by yorikiri. He also lent his chest to new Juryo Tsurugishou (ex- Abiko). "That's a present for becoming sekitori, " explained Hakuhou.

[Kintamayama]

Harumafuji was discharged from the hospital after being treated there and immediately headed over to the Isegahama rengo keiko session. He had a bandage on his left knee but it didn't seem to hamper his movement. He faced the likes of Juryo rikishi Daieishou and Tsurugishou for 21 bouts and won 20. He didn't state the exact reason for his hospitalization but he had an IV drip and received a shot. "It's not an injury so nothing has changed with my physical shape," he said.

Terunofuji faced Kaisei and Tsurugishou (the new guy was really busy today..) for 18 bouts and won 16. "I am able to move more than I thought I could.. I will be upping my pace from here on," he said.

[Kintamayama]

Ozekis Kisenosato and Kotoshougiku trained at Oguruma beya today as part of the Nishonoseki Ichimon rengo keiko.Kisenosato beat Yoshikaze 9-1, and dominated Kotoshougiku as well 9-2. He was looking strong when getting his right over-arm grip and winning by yorikiri. "I didn't want to lose to him. I was facing my elder but I ran out of breath first and that was really embarrassing.." said Kisenosato. Kotoshougiku was concentrating mainly on his tachiai, and was awestruck by Kisenosato. "He has been training harder than anyone. When he's in the zone, he can beat anyone. That was awesome.." said Kotoshougiku of Kisenosato.

[ronnie]

The body of Takayasu became way too hairy recently.

Well, someone has to sweep the dohyo!

[inhashi]

Several more photos from yesterday

Harumafuji arriving to practice immediately after his hospital visit

Hakuho giving Abiko, now newly shikona-d as Tsurugisho a 'reward' for his juryo division debut

Terunofuji

Edited January 6, 2016 by inhashi

[rhyen]

The body of Takayasu became way too hairy recently.

Water is cheap in Japan.

[inhashi]

A couple days ago, Kisenosato swept the dohyo at home with Takayasu too.

Yes, quality Takayasu bristles. He probably knows all too well.

Ozeki's maniacal smile

Then an autograph for a fan

[Naganoyama]

Wow. Ichinojo is looking really huge. Perhaps each of his legs individually can compete for the rank of ozeki...

[Kintaro]

Perhaps Takayasu is trying to get a gig as a spokesman for Yeti Coolers.