Kotooshu Resumes Training

[Jonosuke]

Brand new Ozeki Kotooshu resumed his training on December 6 under the watchful eyes of the new shisho and a throng of reporters gathered to witness his first workout since returning from Kyushu Basho at the Heya's home base in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture.

"I still feel strange being called 'Ozeki'. The banzuke has not even out yet, you know," Kotooshu said while looking up his nameplate moved next to Ozeki plate from Sekiwake plate on the training room wall.

On this day Kotooshu only did warm-ups and basic sumo exercises like shiko and suri-ashi.

"I have been so busy. I got so many mails. I haven't even started my computer. There must be hundreds of email in there now."

"Next year I want to win a Yusho. I can't become a yokozuna unless I win Yushos," Kotooshu said.

Meanwhile Yokozuna Asashoryu left for Mongolia on December 5 to tape New Year special TV programs. "There was a lot of pressure to set the new records. I want to forget about sumo for a while. Hopefully I can relax and rest a little bit," Asashoryu said.

Edited December 6, 2005 by Jonosuke

[Guest benkei]

Sleep little dragon sleep. And may you be spitting fire when you wake up in January (can't wait)

[Kintamayama]

Osh today:

He did 100 shikos. Then some suriashi wth Kotoshoogiku. "I finally got some sleep during these last few days, and some time off for myself", he said. Then he had no less than 5 interviews with various reporters. "No time for play since I became Ozeki", he said, smiling all through the interviews. He has been receiving a flood of offers to appear on TV. "That's all very good, but if it interferes with his Sumo, then what's the point?", said/asked the new Sadogatake Oyakata.

Edited December 6, 2005 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama]

Osh interview:

"I'd like to complete my studies and graduate at some point", said Kotooushuu. He left the Sports College he was in during 2002 to go to Japan. He has 10 years to re-enroll and graduate, but if his sumo career continues on track, there is no chance for that. There have been exceptions (former soccer star Stoichkov) who did graduate without all the merits, so maybe if he makes Yokozuna.. "I left in the middle, and now all my friends have graduated..", he said.

So his dream is threefold- Yusho, Yokozuna, Ygraduation.

Edited December 6, 2005 by Kintamayama

[Fujisan]

Osh interview:

So his dream is threefold- Yusho, Yokozuna, Ygraduation.

I see Kotooshu is a graduate of the English school philosophy-

The 3 Rs-Reading,riting and rithmatics (Whistling...)

Good luck in the coming year to our new Ozeki Kotooshu.

[Petr]

Then some suriashi wth Kotoshoogiku.

Some kind of suriashi for couples?

[Petr]

"I'd like to complete my studies and graduate at some point", said Kotooushuu.

I hope he choses Todai. The club is waiting.

[Kintamayama]

Then some suriashi wth Kotoshoogiku.

Some kind of suriashi for couples?

Yes. It's a new training method introduced by the new Sadogatake Oyakata apparently, where two rikishi do suriashi standing opposite each other, meaning one of them is walking backwards, in order to strengthen the "anpontan" bone, I believe. Then, they switch sides. I think they even go sideways.

Edited December 7, 2005 by Kintamayama

[Burainoan]

This is just slightly (Whistling...) , but i was wondering if anyone's spoken to any of the other ozeki to get comments, congratulatory messages, etc....

[Kintamayama]

Putting on a kimono and answering the press after yesterday's keiko:

[Fay]

This is just slightly (Whistling...) , but i was wondering if anyone's spoken to any of the other ozeki to get comments, congratulatory messages, etc....

Well at least Chiyotaikai and Kaio would deserve some congratulations, well if I had their email at least me would congratulate (Nodding yes...)

I think there is a little too much hype with Oshu and perhaps too high expectations, I'm really very anxious how he will do in the next basho.

[Petr]

I hope he choses Todai. The club is waiting.

can todai handle two kotooshus?

"this uni aint big enough for the both of us matous"

(Whistling...)

Btw. I changed my surname to Matooushu. (Nodding yes...)

(Don't tell my father.)

[Kintamayama]

The "Shiko Shisho"? New Sadogatake took extra time to teach Kotooushuu the art of shiko. "He isn't doing it right. It's all in the technique of lifting the leg, and widening the stance of the other leg. If he does it right, his legs and bottom half of the body will become strong. He'll be doing more shiko from now on.", he explained. "Wow, it's a bit difficult.. I could hardly do it in the beginning", commented Osh.

Edited December 8, 2005 by Kintamayama

[Fujisan]

I see the new oyakata is taking a more relaxed attitude to training and has turned up in in his Pyjama bottoms. :-P ;-)

[Fay]

I see the new oyakata is taking a more relaxed attitude to training and has turned up in in his Pyjama bottoms. ;-) ;-)

oh yes, that suit is very flattering :-P (In love...)

[Jakusotsu]

"Wrong leg, Osh! The bucket is over there!"

[Jonosuke]

"Wrong leg, Osh! The bucket is over there!"

;-)

The best laugh I had all day. Thanks.

[Otokonoyama]

"Wrong leg, Osh! The bucket is over there!"

I certainly hope Osh has learned the difference between shiko and shikko by now ;-)

[Kintamayama]

Osh participated in a quiz show yesterday. "Naruhodo! The world end-of the year Festival- Special!!" is the name. There was a "Bulgarian corner" in the quiz. This is where Osh came in. This is also where suddenly, his parents came in in the middle. It took Osh a good minute to actually believe what he was seeing, as he of course was not told in advance.. 8 months since he last saw them. "Hey! How come no one told me anything?? Have mercy on me!!", he cried. "I'm cancelling all my appointments..", he added. "I'd like to see him in keiko", said his father.The show will air on December 28th, 18:30 -Fuji Terebi.

Osh, parents, and two TV types:

Edited December 13, 2005 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama]

Today, Osh's parents came to watch him in keiko. He had some fierce bouts with Kotomitsuki. "Wow, this is serious business.. The atmosphere was really special", said his father. "I'm worried about him getting injured..", added his mum. After keiko, he took them to the Kkan for a tour. As he looked around him, his father said, "Wow, it's so big.. Great!". He then followed Osh into the east shitakubeya and then walked out to the hanamichi and said, "This is how you do it right?", and took a deep .

Take me out to the ball game:

Edited December 13, 2005 by Kintamayama

[Jonosuke]

Osh participated in a quiz show yesterday. "Naruhodo! The world end-of the year Festival- Special!!" is the name.

Osh, parents, and two TV types:

The two TV types is a comedy team called "Bakusho Mondai" (roughly translated as Roaring Laughter Problem).

They are playing as hosts to many TV shows from newsjournal types to variety talk.

For those with a keen eye may have noticed that one of the kensho banners that Kotooshu had back in Kyushu was from this quiz show "Naruhodo, the World" (this quiz show was a regular weekly show a dozen years ago - basically the producers go all over the world and find some interesting tidbits and make them as their quizes which the guests (read: talento) will try to correctly answer them while making their answer entertaining and fun).

Incidentally according to the Kyokai, this was the first time a Kensho banner was put on to advertize a TV show for a commercial network.

Edited December 13, 2005 by Jonosuke

[Kaikitsune Makoto]

He had some fierce bouts with Kotomitsuki. "Wow, this is serious business.. The atmosphere was really special", said his father.

I wonder if this means Kotomitsuki is quite healthy nowadays starting hard keiko so long before the basho or maybe they just had unusually hard keiko sessions to show off sumo keiko at its best to Kotooshu's parents.

[Xris]

He had some fierce bouts with Kotomitsuki. "Wow, this is serious business.. The atmosphere was really special", said his father.

I wonder if this means Kotomitsuki is quite healthy nowadays starting hard keiko so long before the basho or maybe they just had unusually hard keiko sessions to show off sumo keiko at its best to Kotooshu's parents.

Another possibility is that all what happened recently is a real moral boost to Komomitski. New oyakata, new ozeki, good feelings in the heya. And if Kotooshu is really in form and performing well, it will help Kotomitsuki chances to become an ozeki because he won't have to face Kotooshu, of course, whereas the others will have lesser records.

[Kintamayama]

Another pic from Keiko:

[Kintamayama]

The KKan with no dohyo-