Preparations of the masses-March 2015

[Kintamayama 45,117]

Endou has started training today. He won only six matches last basho but was not dejected. "I think I had a few good bouts. I will be training hard in February while trying not to tire myself out," he said.

[Kintamayama 45,117]

Ichinojou has resumed training. Shiko, suriashi, push-ups."I'm starting from scratch- I will gambarize!!" he declared.

[Gurowake 4,052]

Endou has started training today. He won only six matches last basho but was not dejected. "I think I had a few good bouts. I will be training hard in February while trying not to tire myself out," he said.

Only? That's twice as many (3 times as many really, considering one was a fusen) as last time he was in the joi. Certainly he's done just as well in the past (6 wins from M1 his first trip up) and would prefer to KK rather than not, but he performed pretty much as expected last basho.

[Kintamayama 45,117]

Endou has started training today. He won only six matches last basho but was not dejected. "I think I had a few good bouts. I will be training hard in February while trying not to tire myself out," he said.

Only? That's twice as many (3 times as many really, considering one was a fusen) as last time he was in the joi. Certainly he's done just as well in the past (6 wins from M1 his first trip up) and would prefer to KK rather than not, but he performed pretty much as expected last basho.

Reminder- I translate.. It was actually- "His wins stopped at six".. I personally think 6 wins at that rank is very good for Endou..

[botev1921 33]

I can't agree that Endo did well with six wins. For someone getting all that prize money and so much attention, six wins will never be enough and he has done that twice now in a matter of one year, meaning he is not progressing enough. His losses to fellow maegashira just show he is nothing but hype at this point. If six wins back in March 2014 were acceptable, a year later they surely aren't!

[Shikona 148]

I wouldn't judge him so harshly at this point. The two maegashira he lost to, Aminishiki and Ikioi, are regulars in the top maegashira ranks. And he has to lift so many girls...

[shumitto 418]

Endo is a improved rikishi now comparing with when he first arrived in Makuuchi. However, for his improved pushing, thrusting skills and strength to make any difference at this level they must reach a higher standard. When he first won 6 as a Maegashira #1 he had the surprise factor going for him, fighting as a rikishi the sumo elite didn't know yet. Back in the upper ranks two basho later he struggled to win 3. His last performance should be compared with that result.

[Pandaazuma 1,310]

I saw real improvement from Endo last basho and I hope/think this will continue. What he needs most is power - he's already got healthy doses of technique, balance and fighting spirit.

[Hakuhonofan 334]

Last week, from February 6 to 8, 2015, JFA Academy Fukushima's graduating students received training from Takanohana oyakata.

Hiromi Hara, JFA (Japan Football Academy)'s Technical Director, personally visited Takanohana-beya on the 7th, when public practice was held.

Academy students learned how to do shiko and squatting, while also learning from Takanohana oyakata's direct coaching instructions. In addition, students also learned about the morning preparations and cleaning, even the chanko experience.

This cross-training for JFA's students has been an ongoing recurrence since 2008, as a part of an elite education program designed to expand students' future skills.

Mr. Hara who watched the practice since early morning commented that the practice together was a valuable experience to learn the level of tensions in competition, basic knowledge that was a common point in sumo and football that was using all the things that your body have (to win).

Takanohana oyakata said, similar to sumo wrestlers who usually start from young age, playing football at younger age is also important.

This year's cross-training involved participants from Takanohana-beya, Chiganoura-beya, Takasago-beya, Nishikido-beya, and Dewanoumi-beya.

Some of the students were overwhelmed by the wrestlers' strength. They commended how each and every breath, and through their facial expressions, showed how serious and committed each wrestler was. One admired how these friendly wrestlers were actually actually having a life time hard practice.

Some pictures from the event :

Edited February 10, 2015 by Hakuhonofan

[Kintamayama 45,117]

Ichinojou injured his right knee during the one day tournament a few days ago and is not training. "I injured my right knee and I'm not training," he must have said to someone at some point. He injured it during his semifinal match against Kisenosato, and forwarded a letter to the Kyokai today from the doctor saying he needs a week's rest.

Today, he missed today's NHK tournament that was held today.

[orandashoho 720]

Today, he missed today's NHK tournament that was held today.

That's a loty of "today's" that will lose their actuality in a few hours... :-)

Shame Ichinojo is forced to rest. Surely all matches with top rikishi he can get will help him gain the experience he needs to consolidate his position in the next basho and move beyond.

[kuroimori 1,634]

Ichinojou injured his right knee during the one day tournament a few days ago and is not training. "I injured my right knee and I'm not training," he must have said to someone at some point. He injured it during his semifinal match against Kisenosato, and forwarded a letter to the Kyokai today from the doctor saying he needs a week's rest.

Today, he missed today's NHK tournament that was held today.

First thought when reading this:

BARUTO

(I hope I'm wrong on this)

[Asashosakari 19,320]

That's a loty of "today's" that will lose their actuality in a few hours... :-)

Shame Ichinojo is forced to rest. Surely all matches with top rikishi he can get will help him gain the experience he needs to consolidate his position in the next basho and move beyond.

On the other hand, the NHK charity event is even lower on the competitive totem pole than the Fuji TV tournament. I don't think he missed much by not being there.

[Yubinhaad 11,683]

As reported here by Akinomaki, Dewanoumi-beya's newest recruit Omichi took part in his first keiko session at the heya today, joined by degeiko visitors from Kasugano-beya.

Heya signboard at the entrance.

Keiko underway inside.

Omichi gets ready to take part.

Starting off with the basics - teppo, suriashi and suriashi with a sandbag. [3]

In the ring, visitor Tochigidake takes on Dewanojo for a practice bout.

Fujinohana (this side) and Hisanotora prepare for a practice bout. Hisanotora is the only active rikishi whose shikona contains the same 'no' element (之) found in some gyoji and yobidashi names.

Former Juryo Dewaotori working out with the rubber tubing during the session. Kihonoumi is the man next to the wall, while Bungonishiki is on the tawara watching the keiko.

Kihonoumi also did his own variation of the rubber tube workout.

Visitor Tochinoshin lends his partially-strapped chest to Dewanojo for some butsugari-keiko.

Omichi then entered the ring for the same exercise with Tochinoshin. [6]

Omichi outside the heya following the end of keiko.

Giving interviews to the press.

[Kintamayama 45,117]

Certain new sanyaku Terunofuji will be taking his preparations slowly. "I'm aiming to win in double digits," he declared. He trained with heyamate Takarafuji yesterday and was 11-2. Asked if he was upping his pace: "Till the day before yesterday I was doing 40-50 bouts a day. My injuries I suffered last November (right Achilles heal and elbow) are still bothering me, though.. I can't do full training so I'm going about it slowly but surely."

[Kintamayama 45,117]

Returning to Sanyaku Myougiryuu trained at home on the 19th. He had 21 bouts against fellow rikishi, winning 7 straight somewhere along the way and was looking favorable. Last basho's 9-6 record should put him back in sanyaku for the first timer since September 2014. He suffered a detached retina back then and missed the whole basho. He was also injured last January on day 1 as well and went kyujo. "I was over-enthusiastic. I've got to pace myself.." he said.

He is also a Kansai home-boy. "A lot of people will be coming out to see me , so I will gambarize!!" he said.

Edited February 21, 2015 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,117]

Ichinojou is back in training. He moved his body for about two hours and his injured knee was taped. He did not do any sumo, but was seen lifting dumbbells and hitting the teppole, sweating heavily. "I still can't do real shiko but I will gradually get there," he said. He has been walking around the heya's Osaka lodgings for an hour and a half 90 minutes a day. "There's a river near by so it's quite peaceful here." He received a "Mr. Bean" series DVD box-set (he LOVES it). "I am happy," he said, smiling sweetly.

Edited February 21, 2015 by Kintamayama

[Yubinhaad 11,683]

A few pictures from Nishikido-beya where the JFA Academy students participated in keiko, and a couple of shots of the Canadian newcomer.

Heya entrance and ranking board. [2]

Warming up with shiko outside the ring.

The suriashi tracks criss-cross the dohyo now as keiko heats up. [2]

Also heating up is the shisho, chatting to some of the visiting children next to the fire.

Mitoyutaka pumps some iron. [2]

Fukushima and Saio begin a practice bout.

And Honda and Inanofuji prepare for a bout.

Keiko ends with basic exercises and sonkyo.

The gomenfuda was installed outside the the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium a couple of weeks ago, shown off by Haru basho director Kagamiyama-oyakata (former Sekiwake Tagaryu) and three of his team members.

From left: Fujigane-oyakata (former Komusubi Daizen); Isenoumi-oyakata (former Maegashira Kitakachidoki); director Kagamiyama; and Nakadachi-oyakata (former Komusubi Oginishiki).

Unveiling the gomenfuda is followed by a celebration called gomeniwai, in which the basho organisers invite the relevant local authorities (police, public transport, fire department etc.) and inform them of the schedule for the upcoming basho. This picture shows the quite formal way it was done in January 1916.

Edited February 23, 2015 by Yubinhaad

[Kintamayama 45,117]

Endou trained at home yesterday with Juryo Daieishou and others and was 18-3. In the last year, he managed to reach day 5 with a winning record only once going 10-20 in all. "At this point even if I feel ready I'm still worried.." he said.

Edited March 1, 2015 by Kintamayama

[Akinomaki 40,486]

Osunaarashi is in hospital with erythema infectiosum (slapped cheek syndrome, fifth desease).
If adults catch it, it may take long to be cured. The fever is down, he may even leave hospital today: there is no talk of kyujo, but he hasn't trained at all so far.
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2015/03/02/kiji/K20150302009902350.html

[kuroimori 1,634]

Osunaarashi is in hospital with erythema infectiosum (slapped cheek syndrome, fifth desease).

If adults catch it, it may take long to be cured. The fever is down, he may even leave hospital today: there is no talk of kyujo, but he hasn't trained at all so far.

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2015/03/02/kiji/K20150302009902350.html

Oh my.....

that doesn't sound good at all. Hope he can focus on a full recovery - i.e. taking enough time off from a medical point of view...

[Kintamayama 45,117]

Osunaarashi is in hospital with erythema infectiosum (slapped cheek syndrome, fifth desease).

Am I the only one to see the irony of this? It's like Takamisakari would be diagnosed with tetanus or Kotoyuuki with whooping cough.

[Yubinhaad 11,683]

A set of pictures from the Kyokai of asageiko at Shikoroyama-beya.

Main entrance and nobori outside the heya's Osaka lodgings. [2]

The keikoba appears to be situated in some kind of warehouse.

Shin-Juryo Abi, formerly Horikiri, now in the white keiko mawashi of a sekitori.

The shisho (former Sekiwake Terao) gives some advice as Horikiri warms up doing suriashi and squats with a water can and a weight bag. [3]

Horikiri also did some push-ups while the shisho held his legs, wheelbarrow-style.

Also present was recently-retired Tatsutagawa-oyakata (former Komusubi Homasho), warming up with weights and push-ups. [2]

The heya's other sekitori, Seiro, warms up on the teppo pole.

Ohara pumps some iron while Sasano does suriashi.

Seiro offers some advice to Wakakoki.

Teraoumi and Bariki prepare for a practice bout in the foreground, while Koike does some tachi-ai practice with Tatsutagawa in the background.

Abi doing some shiko.

Abi in the ring now for a practice bout with Ohara. [2]

And now a bout with Seiro.

Seiro stays in for a bout against Matsumoto.

The rikishi come together for some group basic exercises as the keiko session comes to an end. [2]

Now a few pictures from Oguruma-beya. Yokozuna Hakuho and Endo came for degeiko and had five bouts together, which resulted in Hakuho going Hawaii (5-0). Hakuho also got in the ring with shin-Juryo Amakaze.

Looks like Amakaze will wear a purple mawashi as a sekitori, judging by his new sagari drying in the sun outside.

And finally to Shikihide-beya. Banzuke-gai Urutora is now back doing contact sumo, so maybe we'll see him in maezumo this basho? Also, the shisho (former Maegashira Kitazakura) still gets involved, seen here wearing a chest protector for some butsugari-keiko with Baraki.

Edited March 2, 2015 by Yubinhaad

[Mongolith 51]

Awesome pics. Looking at the 3rd pic on the 1st set it almost looks like a sumo exhibit. Unique location to train.

[ALAKTORN 346]

Didn’t know Hōmashō became an oyakata.