[sumo] Fwd: [Sumo news] - Enhou-why he didn't change his shikona

[Jeff A]

Moti

Best regards,
Jeffrey Anderson
Gaijingai
For of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these:
It might have been.
- John Greenleaf Whittier


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Moti Dichne <niramiai at gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Dec 27, 2025 at 4:15 AM
Subject: [Sumo news] - Enhou-why he didn't change his shikona
To: Sumo Newsletter2 <sumo-newsletter2 at googlegroups.com>


And Enhou, the only one who didn't abandon his Hakuhou-given shikona from
Isegahama beya? On the 27th, he spoke to the press after a public keiko
session at his stable in Tokyo.  A few days ago it was announced that all
nine wrestlers from Isegahama beya had changed their shikonae, but Enhou's
remained unchanged. Speaking for the first time since the banzuke
announcement, Enhou said, "Since I joined sumo, I have existed under this
shikona. I believe it was my Oyakata's  consideration that led me to not
change my shikona." He said his Oyakata had never approached him about
changing his name, and reiterated, "I think that was truly a consideration
from my Oyakata" He took it as a parental wish to cherish the shikona of a
veteran, skilled wrestler, beloved by many fans. For that reason alone,
Enhou said, "I want to cherish my name with pride, so as not to bring shame
to my shikona." He was the only one who kept the "Hou" surname derived
from  Hakuhou but he didn't say much about it, saying, "I want to keep that
to myself and carry on."

Enhou missed seven consecutive tournaments due to a serious neck injury and
dropped from Makuuchi to Jonokuchi, but he has slowly worked his way back
up and is now in a position where he can see himself returning to sekitori
status in 2026.  By eating a lot of rice daily, he is on the verge of
reaching 110kg for the first time in his life. When asked about the reason
for his weight gain, he proudly replied, "The reason is... effort (laughs).
I've also been working on eating well. Around last summer, I was in the
90kg range. When I looked in the mirror, I think I gained a little
confidence." "Being ranked Makushita 11 means I can see myself becoming a
sekitori. I definitely want to use my own strength to break through that
barrier (promotion to sekitori) and grab it." With his unchanged shikona
and unchanging passion for sumo, he will pursue the day when he can once
again become a sekitori.

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