"Olympic Ojisan" Passed Away

[Kaninoyama]

Televised sumo will never be the same.

"Olympic Ojisan" Naotoshi Yamada (he of the top hat, white & red jacket, and fan), a fixture for many years in the center of the TV screen during NHK broadcasts of sumo events at the Kokugikan, has passed away. He was 92. 

Article in Japanese

Edited March 18, 2019 by Kaninoyama

[specialweek 2]

Died of heart failure day before Haru basho. R.I.P. old fella.

[Kintamayama]

Mr. Gould tells the story;

 

[Churaumi]

I hope the Japanese Olympians carry out a gold top hat. Just seems fitting. My wife and I always had fun spotting him at sumo and it’s the end of more than one era this tournament. RIP ojisan.

[Otokonoyama]

A memorial service was held at a hotel in Koto Ward, Tokyo.

https://www.sankei.com/photo/daily/news/190416/dly1904160019-n1.html

Edited April 17, 2019 by Otokonoyama