[sumo] Fwd: [Sumo news] - YDC Soken- thorough so long..

[Jeff A]

Moti


Best regards,
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: Fri, Sep 4, 2026 at 7:38 AM
Subject: [Sumo news] - YDC Soken- thorough so long..
To: Sumo Newsletter2 <sumo-newsletter2 at googlegroups.com>


The YDC soken (private training session before the watchful eyes of members
of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council) was held today, closed to the public.
 *Chairman Hakkaku* predicted that Yokozuna Oonosato would have a tough
time at the Aki Basho .  Oonosato had a total of 15 bouts against Ozeki
Kirishima, Kotozakura, and Sekiwake Atamifuji, winning 10 and losing 5.
Chairman Hakkaku, who watched the training, commented on Oonosato, saying,
"His stance still seems a bit too high. He didn't have the power to send
his opponents flying in one blow." He added, "He will probably have a tough
time this tournament as well." Oonosato had a 9-6 record at the Nagoya
tournament in July. He is still suffering from a left shoulder injury
sustained at the Kyushu tournament in November of last year, and he
temporarily withdrew from the summer jungyo for treatment. Chairman Hakkaku
had long recommended that rikishi check their strength through butsugari,
and expressed his hope for a comeback, saying, "You have to do as much as
Atamifuji did (on that day). You have to do that much and come back. Once
you become a Yokozuna, they won't do it for you, so you have to do it
yourself."

Yokozuna *Oonosato* worked up a serious sweat. He had particularly intense
keiko sessions with Kirishima, winning 6 out of 11 bouts against him. His
initial attacks were mainly from the right. There were also moments when he
cried out in frustration after a loss. At the keiko session in May, he
watched from dohyo-side due to a left shoulder injury. On this day, he
stepped onto the dohyo as a Yokozuna and explained, "My condition is
improving." Looking ahead to Aki Bashot, he said, "I just need to do my
best for the first day." He had a 9-6 record at the Nagoya tournament in
July. "I want to cherish each day because the last tournament ended the way
it did." Regarding the challenges, he stated, "There are still many
challenges, so I will go back to my heya and reflect on them again."

In principle, only rikishi ranked 8th or higher in Makuuchi
participated. *Takayasu,
Fujiryouga, Oushouma, and Fujiseiun* were absent. Among those ranked 9th
and below, Ouhou participated. Yokozuna Houshouryuu, who underwent surgery
on his right knee, did not wrestle but offered his chest to Atamifuji in
butsugari. Ozeki Aonishiki also did not wrestle. Yokozuna Deliberation
Council Chairman Oshima Tadamori said of Oonosato, "The Yokozuna is clearly
able to fight. I have high hopes for him," and commented on Houshouryuu,
"He showed himself and offered his chest in butsugari. I told him, 'Please
make sure you are completely healed.' He said, 'I'm feeling a little
better.'" Regarding Ozeki Kirishima, who will be competing in Aki for
promotion to Yokozuna, he said, "He has been actively training with
Oonosato, so I think we can expect great things from him."

Sekiwake *Atamifuj*i, who will be challenging for the rank of Ozeki at the
coming basho, received high praise from Chairman Hakkaku at the soken.
Atamifuji showed his power, making the most of his 198kg weight, and
participated in practice bouts against Ozeki and above. Chairman Hakkaku
commented, "There is talk that he'll be promoted (to Ozeki) very soon. He
has the power to carry opponents even when they are half-turned. Atamifuji
was the best." As it was only a training session, Chairman Hakkaku
emphasized the content rather than the win or loss. "He has the power to
move forward, yet  he was losing while moving forward too, as he was being
outmaneuvered at times. Kirishima doesn't do that. He needs to do strong
sumo, not just skillful sumo." He cited Ozeki Kirishima, who is aiming for
the rank of Yokozuna, as a point of comparison to acknowledge Atamifuji's
power. Atamifuji got covered in mud during a butsugari session with
Yokozuna Houshouryuu. Chairman Hakkaku pointed out that "he still is a
child at heart," but added, "He gives a strong impression. He gives the
impression that he can do it (as an Ozeki). Those kinds of things are
important," taking a positive view of his potential promotion.

Yokozuna *Houshouryuu* who underwent surgery on his right knee,
participated in the soken as well. He appeared with his right knee braced.
Although he did not do any sumo, he worked up a sweat with shiko, suriashi,
and upper body training using dumbbells. At one point, he was seen giving
advice to Komusubi Hakunofuji. After the keiko of the joi, he did butsugari
with Sekiwake Atamifuji, moving his body as much as he could. Regarding his
participation that day, he explained, "I talked to my Oyakata and since I'm
a Yokozuna, I decided to show my face." He also revealed his true feelings,
saying, "I did what I could. I really wanted to participate in sumo." It
was the first time he had not participated in sumo at a YDC soken.. He was
being cautious, saying, "If I get injured here, it's all over." Chairman
Hakkaku expressed a pessimistic view on Houshouryuu's participation in the
Aki Basho saying, "He's not ready yet. If he can't do it at this stage, it
will be difficult."

Ozeki *Kirishima*, who is on a tsunatori run, had 10 wins and 6 losses in
16 bouts at the soken today. He faced Yokozuna Oonosato in 11 bouts. They
clashed fiercely from the start, and he revealed his intention, saying, "I
made sure not to lose the tachiai against the Yokozuna." This was his first
time wrestling with joi opponents since the summer jungyo, and he said,
"It's been a while, so I made sure to focus on my own style of sumo" as he
moved his body. The Aki Basho results will determine whether he can become
a Yokozuna, but he doesn't consider it a special tournament. "I take each
and every match seriously in every tournament," he said naturally. There is
a little over a week until the first day of the tournament. "My tachiai is
still weak," he said, pointing out an area for improvement. He will
continue his training mainly through degeiko.

Ozeki* Aonishiki* did not do any sumo at the soken today, instead focusing
on basic exercises. He wore a tabi (split-toed socks) on his left foot and
performed shiko on the dohyo. He also did some suriashi and demonstrated
movements such as lifting dumbbells above his shoulders. Regarding the
condition of his left foot, he explained, "It's getting a little better,
but I think it will take some time. I'll see how it goes." He also
explained that the reason he didn't participate in sumo., "If I were in
perfect condition, I would be fighting." When asked if he would resume sumo
training next week, he replied, "That's my intention." He also expressed
his intention to participate in the coming Aki Basho, saying, "That's my
intention." He added, "If I do participate, I'll aim for the yusho. I want
to do my best as I always have."

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