Akebono back in the heya

[Akinomaki 40,161]

Azumazeki-oyakata plans to invite former yokozuna and now pro-wrestler Akebono to be assistant instructor in his heya. On the 19th they merge with Nakamura-beya. He also wants the former oyakata, former Takamiyama (68) and Nakamura-oyakata (retires in February) to help.
Assistant instructors have no post in the sumo kyokai and are installed by the master of the heya. There have been heya who had some, but 3 at once is without precedence.
The present oyakata had been tsukebito to Akebono and was trained by him.
Assistant instructors are generally former rikishi who are now externals, e.g. Mainoumi for Sakaigawa-beya and former Kotogaume for Shikoroyama-beya.

[Kintamayama 44,743]

And at some point, the shamed ex-Futahaguro (Kitao-san) was brought back by Tatsunami (ex-Asahiyutaka who loved to poke the Kyokai whenever he could..) amid objecting voices. What ever happened with that?

[Swami 245]

I thought only Kyokai members (with the exception of oyakata's wives) could work in the heya?

Swami

[Kintamayama 44,743]

I thought only Kyokai members (with the exception of oyakata's wives) could work in the heya?

You can bring in "outside trainers".

[Akinomaki 40,161]

Akebono is delighted, Hochi reports: "If approved as an assistant instructor, I accept with pleasure."
"It's an honour that Azumazeki-beya which raised me grows bigger."
"If requested, I think I can put on a training mawashi as well. I'm trained as a wrestler, my physical condition is good."
He also plans to regenerate Takamisakari.

[Kuroyama 715]

He also plans to regenerate Takamisakari.

That might be hard to do. Can you even get the parts for him anymore?

[ilovesumo 12]

Now that stuff (and staff) is cool! Sayounara to Nakamura would be a shame. That man is a treasure.

(yes, am still alive)

[Igordemorais 75]

A bit odd. Hadn't he been disgraced because of his stint in MMA and whatnot? I saw him on a Sumo show last week and I thought " why are they interviewing him?" .

I am glad to see this though. A good trainer is a good trainer. And he was Yokozuna.

[Benevolance 2,484]

Wasn't Akebono the one who gave Takamisakari the Robocop nickname originally?

[Swami 245]

Haven't heard much of ex-Takamiyama lately - hopefully he's enjoying his retirement.

Swami

[ryafuji 811]

I believe Akebono was also quite involved in mentoring and training Asashoryu.

[kawika 123]

I bet he's there cause no one in the sumo association can no longer dish out any "whacks" upside any wrestler's head anymore

[Benevolance 2,484]

In training, or in the ring? :)

[kawika 123]

Training the boys at asageiko. Give them the lickings he got, which made him tough on the dohyo.

[athelitextreme 6]

Training the boys at asageiko. Give them the lickings he got, which made him tough on the dohyo.

I absolutely agree... I'm very pleased that Akebono will return to Sumo where he belongs. I was always disappointed by his entering pro-wrestling.

[kawika 123]

Pro wrestling was a let down for me too but he gets paid, so he has been successful on the income side of things.

[Orion 431]

Training the boys at asageiko. Give them the lickings he got, which made him tough on the dohyo.

I absolutely agree... I'm very pleased that Akebono will return to Sumo where he belongs. I was always disappointed by his entering pro-wrestling.

He was a family man and had responsibilities. He did what he had to do to meet those responsibilities. You may think pro-wrestling was a let down, but it was still honest work. Personally I still have great liking and respect for Akebono; he has always played the cards he was dealt.

Orion

[Swami 245]

He should have stayed on as an oyakata - he could have made a very good shisho.

Swami

[Jakusotsu 5,887]

So, was this all just a big PR bubble or has Akebono really been at the heya recently? If he's serious about "regenerating" Takamisakari he'd better hurry.

[Akinomaki 40,161]

Azumazeki-oyakata plans to invite former yokozuna and now pro-wrestler Akebono to be assistant instructor in his heya. On the 19th they merge with Nakamura-beya. He also wants the former oyakata, former Takamiyama (68) and Nakamura-oyakata (retires in February) to help.

Akebono until the Natsu basho is to be offcially invited as assistant instructor by the heya. He is listed at the wall of the keiko-ba in the heya since after the Haru basho, added to Takamiyama and Fujizakura - both retired oyakata called by their shikona.

[kawika 123]

He is not in the NSK, so perhaps he can go "old school" where others no longer can.

[athelitextreme 6]

He is not in the NSK, so perhaps he can go "old school" where others no longer can.

Awesome!!! (Beaten...)

[Asashosakari 19,038]

He is not in the NSK, so perhaps he can go "old school" where others no longer can.

Yeah, right.

[tarako 3]

You mean kawaigari?

[Asameshimae 220]

I have seen other non kyokai members. I have met a few guys who call themselves counselors. The guy I talked to said he started doing work there after the hazing legal trouble. These aren't former rikishi though.