Soukokurai to be re-instated!

[Naganoyama 5,948]

he put on quite a few kilos .... and not in the right way.

My impression, too. Some recent articles had him at 135 kg, so at least 10 more than two years ago.

He looks pretty unfit. I thought he was working out at the heya, but maybe that didn't last very long. Arashio was employing him as a trainer, but maybe the money ran out.

[Asashosakari 19,665]

He looks pretty unfit. I thought he was working out at the heya, but maybe that didn't last very long.

He's been working out with a rugby club for the last while, not sure how long.

Arashio was employing him as a trainer, but maybe the money ran out.

I think that was just a matter of affording him with some type of "heya-connected" status, not an actual employment. As far as I can tell he hadn't actually been in the stable for quite a while, probably at least a year. His name plate had been at "assistant coach" all this time until the above-pictured return to the makuuchi position. Edited April 6, 2013 by Asashosakari

[shumitto 418]

I also got the impression he looks heavier but I don't think that must be a bad thing at all. He has a great deal of calories "available" to burn while getting back into shape, and the fact that he could withstand a 3 hour-long keiko on his first day should be some evidence of his at least decent physical condition for now. Anyway, best of luck to him.

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Soukokurai will apply for permanent residence in Japan as he is nearing 10 years of stay in Japan. "I will definitely go for it," he said definitely. This means that if successful, he need not apply for a work visa in the future with all that that entails and will be able to concentrate on his sumo. His training is going well and he was sweating bullets doing butsugari and shiko. "My training is going well. My body is gradually getting used to it.." he observed helpfully.

[Orion 431]

Shortly after the Aki Basho in 1987, three tsukebito who were normally assigned to Futahaguro absconded after Futahaguro assaulted one of them, resulting in a perforated eardrum. But the real antics kicked off after Kyushu Basho when Futahaguro finished jun-yusho with 13-2 when Tatsunami Oyakata called him into his quarters at the stable to request him to treat his tsukebito better. Futahaguro lost his temper, in the row that followed Tatsunami was struck on the wrist as was the elderly head of Tatsunami Beya's koenkai*. Futahaguro then left the heya, was eventually reported missing to the Kyokai - and the rest is history.

Swami

* and, IIRC, he hit Tatsunami's wife as she tried to stop him from rushing out the door.

Orions

[Kintamayama 45,530]

First moshiai-keiko today at the heya, facing three sandanme rikishi for 11 bouts, winning them all. "I wasn't scared or anything, I was just happy to do actual sumo..I haven't donned a mawashi for two years so just standing in the ring was awesome," he said, his chest all red from the hits he got. "He hasn't lost his power as much as I had thought he did. That was really moving-watching him, he reminded me vividly of how he was two years ago.." said an emotional Arashio Oyakata.

[Swami 245]

Shortly after the Aki Basho in 1987, three tsukebito who were normally assigned to Futahaguro absconded after Futahaguro assaulted one of them, resulting in a perforated eardrum. But the real antics kicked off after Kyushu Basho when Futahaguro finished jun-yusho with 13-2 when Tatsunami Oyakata called him into his quarters at the stable to request him to treat his tsukebito better. Futahaguro lost his temper, in the row that followed Tatsunami was struck on the wrist as was the elderly head of Tatsunami Beya's koenkai*. Futahaguro then left the heya, was eventually reported missing to the Kyokai - and the rest is history.

Swami

* and, IIRC, he hit Tatsunami's wife as she tried to stop him from rushing out the door.

Orions

Thanks for the correction, I did mean Tatsunami's wife.

Swami

[ronnie 221]

Shortly after the Aki Basho in 1987, three tsukebito who were normally assigned to Futahaguro absconded after Futahaguro assaulted one of them, resulting in a perforated eardrum. But the real antics kicked off after Kyushu Basho when Futahaguro finished jun-yusho with 13-2 when Tatsunami Oyakata called him into his quarters at the stable to request him to treat his tsukebito better. Futahaguro lost his temper, in the row that followed Tatsunami was struck on the wrist as was the elderly head of Tatsunami Beya's koenkai*. Futahaguro then left the heya, was eventually reported missing to the Kyokai - and the rest is history.

Swami

* and, IIRC, he hit Tatsunami's wife as she tried to stop him from rushing out the door.

Orions

Thanks for the correction, I did mean Tatsunami's wife.

Swami

Thanks for the comments.

I had heard about the confrontation with Tatsunami and at the time, it was a bit vague whether he had struck the okamisan or the koenkai member. Turns out it was both.

It was mostly the situation with the tsukebito that I couldn't find any info about. I'm glad to have the gaps filled in and an extra thanks for the mail from Peeter. Most appreciated all, folks.

ronnie

[Kintamayama 45,530]

First official public function-he attended the rikishi-kai today. "I told them that I'm back and looking forward to working with them (worst "yoroshiku" translation ever..) and was happy to receive applause. I looked around and everyone looked so large.." is what he said. He received some encouraging words from both Yokozunae. " He is of Chinese nationality but he's from inner Mongolia so deep down he has a Mongolian heart.. In Mongolia, we say your real strength appears when you're thirty," said Hakuhou.

Rikishi-kai:

[Kintamayama 45,530]

With Hakuhou: "Are you sure about this??"

With Harumafuji:"Look at you-how you've grown!!"

"What have I done.."

Edited April 26, 2013 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,530]

"Here, take these few yen for your efforts.."

Harumafuji and a mildly amused Baruto:

"Kind of flabby there, huh?", as Kotooushuu politely looks away..

Edited April 26, 2013 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Soukokurai participated in the YDC soken today. He did some butsugari with Juryo Soutairyuu. He also beat Makuuchi newcomers Azumaryuu and Homarefuji, which is encouraging.. "I thought he would be out of shape but that was not the case. He has the strength of a sekitori," said Homarefuji. Then, he was called up by Hakuhou and was beaten 4 times. By the time he did some butsugari with Hakuhou at the end of the session, he was totally out of breath. "Wow, to be called out by the Yokozuna..I am really thankful. I was thrilled, but suddenly facing the Yokozuna made me realize how totally unprepared I am.. Other than that, I wasn't nervous at all-just a realization of how much I have missed all of this.." said Soukokurai somewhat later.

With Hakuhou, and sporting a 60's Liverpool haircut

Edited April 27, 2013 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,530]

[alaninjapan 18]

so hows the banzuke fudge fixed?

[shumitto 418]

Well, Kyokai's official Twitter feed (and now, the papers..) says the concrete decision is this- back on the July Banzuke as Maegashira west 15, where he left off. ....

[Tikozan 4]

He will be back in July says the NSK Page.

[Akinomaki 40,791]

Sokokurai at his comeback party on the 27th, with Olympic javelin thrower Genki Dean.

Edited May 3, 2013 by Akinomaki

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Soukokurai went to Tokitsukaze for degeiko today and struggled, 8-8 against newcomers Homarefuji and Daikihou. "It's still a long time coming," he said.

[Akinomaki 40,791]

Soukokurai went to Tokitsukaze for degeiko today and struggled, 8-8 against newcomers Homarefuji and Daikihou. "It's still a long time coming," he said.

Sokokurai was there also on the 4th and 5th for degeiko.

[Asashosakari 19,665]

A team of six Kyokai lawyers with Munakata at the helm will start going through the investigation files thoroughly from next Monday. Then-rijicho Hanaregoma, vice chief Murayama and other members of the panel are likely to be asked for explanatory statements. Asked by the press, ex-Hanaregoma issued a "no comment", being no longer part of the Kyokai. Murayama offered his puzzlement at the court's decision and insisted that everything was above-board two years ago, but otherwise also didn't comment, deferring to the current Kyokai leadership.

This has apparently gone exactly where one would expect, namely not much of anywhere, as ex-Hanaregoma and the other decision makers from back in the day have roundly refused to appear for any hearings.

[Akinomaki 40,791]

Sokokurai will have his records shown as continued from the basho he was last on the banzuke, meaning this is his 4th makuuchi basho in a row, other records accordingly.

[Asashosakari 19,665]

Now that the GTB deadline has gone...

Sokokurai will have his records shown as continued from the basho he was last on the banzuke, meaning this is his 4th makuuchi basho in a row, other records accordingly.

The Daily Sports report this is taken from also made the interesting claim that he's being reinstated as Maegashira 15 East - typo or accidentally spilled insider knowledge?

[Kishinoyama 596]

I'm sorry to bring up an old topic but I was wondering about the 13 tournaments that Sokokurai missed. I have no idea if he plans on staying in sumo when he retires but would those 13 missed tournaments count as sekitori basho? 

[Nantonoyama 252]

I am pretty sure they would not be counted. However, at this point of his career, it is almost irrelevant, as he is likely to meet the basho requirements: 20 as makuuchi (he has 17) or 30 as sekitori (he has 26).

However if he wants to become oyakata, he will have to buy a kabu and (before everything) become a japanese national

[Akinomaki 40,791]

5 hours ago, Nantonoyama said:

However if he wants to become oyakata, he will have to buy a kabu and (before everything) become a japanese national

It is really the less important part, but while having to pay for a kabu is still the norm, buying and selling them is forbidden now. He would have to get a kabu - that may for some become much more difficult in the future than just to buy one. Sokokurai however would likely just have to keep on for another 3.5 years till Arashio-oyakata retires: he has never had another sekitori.