Retirements after Natsu 2022

[Asashosakari]

Sanspo was fastest this time, releasing the list of 16 retiring rikishi including former short-time sekitori Irodori (Shikoroyama) and Gokushindo (Nishikido) whose intai were already announced on senshuraku. The others:

Mugendai (Fujishima)
Fukamiyama (Onoe)
Taichiyama (Tokiwayama)
Azumasato (Tamanoi)
Hokutokawa (Hakkaku)
Akashifuji (Tagonoura)
Amatsu (Onomatsu)
Oazuma (Tamanoi)
Sakurafuji (Isegahama)
Hokutohiro (Hakkaku)
Ariake (Isenoumi)
Hokutoo (Hakkaku)
Onofuji (Isegahama)
Zendaisho (Takadagawa)

[Katooshu]

Sumo just got a bit shorter with Oazuma and Hokutoo's departures 

[Kishinoyama]

Sad to see this guy retire - Oazuma

He was an adoptee of mine. I am guessing his knee was the reason for the decision to retire. 

[Yamanashi]

Notes from the db and elsewhere:

Mugendai – 18 years in Sumo, made Ms5 in 2017.

Fukamiyama – climbed all the way to Ms20 last year, but went through COVID kyujo twice with Onoe stable and his scores collapsed.

Taichiyama – often injured; Makushita was like Kryptonite to him

Azumasato – 12-year veteran, a Sandanme stalwart.

Hokutokawa – probably an upper Makushita rikishi but for the incessant breaks for injuries.

Akashifuji – 37 basho in Sandanme over an eight year career.

Amatsu – 32-year old from Osaka; fell off the banzuke 2015-2017.

Oazuma – see above for comments

Sakurafuji – a slow climb to mid-Sandanme, then injury (it appears) and a quick exit.  Leaves with an even record (105-105).

Hokutohiro – one of three Hakkaku retirees this basho; spent 80% of his eight-year career in Jonidan

Ariake – entered in 2011; much injured during the second half of his career.

Hokutoo – see comment above; much-injured but reached Ms41 in 2020.

Onofuji – a quick exit by the 23-year old from Oita.

Zendaisho – an amazing 96 basho in Jonidan (1 in Sandname in 2014).

[Naganoyama]

2 hours ago, Yamanashi said:

Notes from the db and elsewhere:

...

Zendaisho – an amazing 96 basho in Jonidan (1 in Sandname in 2014).

His brother Hayabusa, who started later the same year as him (2003) retired in 2013.

[Chartorenji]

Onofuji isn't too surprising. He had injury issues that took him off the banzuke at the start of his career, eventually turning it into success in Jonidan but failing to make an impact. Guessing he saw the writing on the way with his legs and lack of success. 

[Yokozuna Hattorizakura]

6 hours ago, Katooshu said:

Sumo just got a bit shorter with Oazuma and Hokutoo's departures 

A lot less balder too. Oazuma probably wanted out before all his hair disappeared lol

[Washuyama]

I remember meeting Fukamiyama when he was a shin-deshi.  He wasn't too impressive then but that could be due to the fact he was still adjusting to the sumo lifestyle.  Actually, I'm suprised he lasted 12 years.

[Koorifuu]

I'm surprised Amakaze isn't in the list.

Surprising from Irodori - he's had some injuries lately, but he'd just punched his ticket back to makushita.

[Yamanashi]

6 hours ago, Yokozuna Hattorizakura said:

A lot less balder too. Oazuma probably wanted out before all his hair disappeared lol

I was shocked, after seeing his photo in the db, to watch a video of a match of his ~2018.  I thought Oazuma must be the other wrestler!

[Yubinhaad]

The retirement of Hokutokawa and Hokutoo was announced just before the banzuke came out, and they held a joint danpatsu-shiki at the heya then. Hokutokawa suffered a neck injury in May last year, and despite his best efforts the rehabilitation has not succeeded to the point where he can do his best sumo. Meanwhile, Hokutoo had a 14-year career and served as tsukebito to the shisho (former Yokozuna Hokutoumi). He plans to work in a Tokyo restaurant in the future.
 

Spoiler

Hokutoo (left) and Hokutokawa with oichomage ahead of the danpatsu-shiki.

Heya sekitori Okinoumi, Hokutofuji and Kitanowaka make their cuts.

Hakkaku-oyakata (former Yokozuna Hokutoumi) makes the final cut for Hokutoo.

And now for Hokutokawa.

A couple of commemorative pictures to round off the event.

 

Hokutohiro was one of the survivors of Azumazeki-beya when it closed a year ago, and is the first of them to retire. His danpatsu-shiki took place on senshuraku.
 

Spoiler

The rikishi were able to dress smartly for this one, since it didn't take place after a keiko session.

Hokutohiro ready for a haircut.

Once again the heya sekitori take their turns with the scissors.

Hokutohiro's previous shisho Azumazeki-oyakata (former Komusubi Takamisakari) makes his cut.

And now Hakkaku-oyakata makes another final cut.

A look back at the start of his career, Fudano under the watchful eye of his original shisho, the late ex-Ushiomaru.

 

Amatsu was easily a Makushita-level rikishi, but seven years ago he suffered a dreadful knee injury and nerve damage which saw him spend about half a year in hospital and over two years out of action. His intai was announced between basho and the danpatsu-shiki was held then.
 

Spoiler

Among the guests was former Maegashira Amuru.

After a tidier haircut and a new suit, Amatsu makes a farewell speech.

Joined by Amuru and heyagashira Onosho.

 

Ariake's danpatsu-shiki took place at Isenoumi-beya on senshuraku. He entered the basho on Day 13 so he could rise to the dohyo one last time - in fact his bout was against one of the other retirees, Zendaisho.
 

Spoiler

Isenoumi-oyakata (former Maegashira Kitakachidoki) makes the final cut.

Ariake after a proper haircut.

 

Mugendai's danpatsu-shiki took place at Fujishima-beya, no actual pictures of that but a few from beforehand.
 

Spoiler

Mugendai with his first and last oichomage.

Among the guests visiting the heya was Nionoumi.

Musashigawa-oyakata (former Yokozuna Musashimaru) attended too.

And a commemorative group shot with Fujishima-beya.

 

Zendaisho's danpatsu-shiki took place at Takadagawa-beya, but they've only posted a commemorative group shot and one from afterwards.
 

Spoiler

 

Edited May 28, 2022 by Yubinhaad

[themistyseas]

11 hours ago, Yamanashi said:

18 hours ago, Yokozuna Hattorizakura said:

A lot less balder too. Oazuma probably wanted out before all his hair disappeared lol

I was shocked, after seeing his photo in the db, to watch a video of a match of his ~2018.  I thought Oazuma must be the other wrestler!

Likewise - as a less folically blessed person myself, I would always get asked by people new to sumo if there would ever be a bald rikishi and he (along with Sagatsukasa in later years?) was a good example

It took ages when I saw him in person to work out exactly who he was for that very reason!

[Akinomaki]

Irodori and Gokushindo at their best times, Natsu 2019 and Kyushu 2018

oo

o o

Ariake with Kasugayama (Ikioi) after his last bout

o o

Edited May 27, 2022 by Akinomaki

[Yubinhaad]

Onomatsu-beya posted some more pictures from Amatsu's danpatsu-shiki.
 

Spoiler

Amatsu with his first and last oichomage.

I assume this is his family in attendance.

Haircutting under way.

Onomatsu-oyakata (former Maegashira Daido) makes the final cut.

Amatsu emerges after a change of clothes.

A commemmorative picture with the rest of the heya.

 

And here are a few shots from Fukamiyama's danpatsu-shiki at Onoe-beya.
 

Spoiler

With Chiganoura-oyakata (former Maegashira Satoyama) and former Makushita Hamaeiko.

Among the visitors was Takanosho - he and Fukamiyama made their debut together in March 2010.

Onoe-oyakata (former Komusubi Hamanoshima) makes the final cut.

 

Edited May 29, 2022 by Yubinhaad

[MidnightAgent]

I'm really going to miss Oazuma. He was the first lower division rikishi I gravitated toward when I started watching the full days matches. I thought something was up, as he looked like he'd been cutting weight for a while and playing it much safer. He did have a bad knee, as well. Hopefully @Yubinhaad can unearth some photos of a danpatsu-shiki if he had one. I wish him the best of luck!

Edited May 29, 2022 by MidnightAgent

[sahaven111]

No Shohozan yet?

[Godango]

41 minutes ago, sahaven111 said:

No Shohozan yet?

He had a bout during Toyonoshima's intai, so it would appear not yet.

[shumitto]

Sad to see Zendaisho go. He was the first rikishi I saw in person on the subway, just two stations away from the Kokugikan. He was going nowhere already (2011), but it was nice to watch him. Aged 22, Gokushindo had a rather early debut in the paid ranks, but he came off as a very one dimensional rikishi. I think he's had his share of off dohyo problems too. Add some injuries and there you are.

Irodori's first full basho as a rikishi was also my first as a fan. He reached makushita a couple of months shy of his 19th birthday. His size wasn't optimal, but wasn't a big hindrance either so it looked good for him, but... Following his career was rather painful from far away, I wonder how it felt for him. I hope he is more successful in his future endeavors.

Edited May 30, 2022 by shumitto
misclicked "enter".

[Yubinhaad]

Better late than never, Taichiyama's danpatsu-shiki took place back on June 4th, so here are some pictures from that. Like many former rikishi he will be going into the restaurant business - Chanko Izakaya Taichiyama opens in Kita-ku, Osaka on August 1st.

 

Spoiler

Taichiyama with his first and last oichomage.

With Tokiwayama-oyakata (former Komusubi Takamisugi).

Recent recruits Raikisho and Wakanosho make their cuts.

Hoshoryu.

Abi.

Otowayama-oyakata (former Maegashira Tenkaiho).

Tokokatsu, who made the oichomage, makes a cut.

Kimura Hideaki takes a break from holding the tray to make a cut.

Sewanin Tochinoyama.

The okamisan takes her turn.

Finally, the shisho brings the ceremony to an end with the final cut.

Farewell speeches afterwards.

The severed mage was tidied up and put in a display case.

 

[Yokozuna Hattorizakura]

do you have any pictures of Oazuma's danpatsu shiki? I kind of want to see what they did with his tiny mage lol.

 

[Yubinhaad]

I had one more look around and found some - Oazuma and Azumasato had a joint danpatsu-shiki at Tamanoi-beya following the basho.
 

Spoiler

Azumasato's 30th birthday happened to fall on senshuraku, so he was taken out for a celebration meal and received a Ferragamo silk tie which he wore after the danpatsu-shiki.

The retirees with their first and last oichomage.

Among the guests making a cut was Takanosho.

Collages from the heya.

Lastly, Azumasato with Tamanoi-oyakata (former Ozeki Tochiazuma), some supporters and Fujiazuma.

 

[Yubinhaad]

Gokushindo's danpatsu-shiki took place on August 21st at the Awina Hotel in Osaka, with around 80 people participating in the hair-cutting.

 

Spoiler

Gokushindo with his final oichomage.

His kesho-mawashi, akeni and shimekomi were all on display.

Before the danpatsu-shiki, Tokonaka and Mitoryu demonstrated the creation of an oichomage.

Among the guests were former rikishi Toshonishiki and Kaminoyama.

The Kyokai-issued scissors.

Mitoryu pays his respects after making his cut.

Nishikido-oyakata (former Sekiwake Mitoizumi) makes the final cut.

Gokushindo's mother presents him with a bouquet of flowers.

After a tidy-up haircut and a new suit, Gokushindo has a picture taken with the okamisan.

 

[Jakusotsu]

Gokushindo's only Yusho at Makushita 5 might appear like a fluke, but his opponents were no pushovers.