Preparations of the Y/O - July 2015

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Terunofuji had 25 bouts today at Tagonoura beya but did not face the Yokozunas who were there. "I really wanted to face them. I should have come earlier.." he said. He did face the likes of Takayasu and Takarafuji. "Takayasu is a most difficult opponent. He's got guts and uses different muscles," he explained, having some honbasho - like fierce bouts with Takayasu.

[Masumasumasu 902]

[Yubinhaad 11,761]

Hakuho and Terunofuji were the rikishi dispatched for pre-basho visits to Mayor (of Nagoya) Takashi Kawamura and Governor (of Aichi Prefecture) Hideaki Omura. [2]

With Mayor Kawamura.

With Governor Omura.

Kisenosato received a promotion-encouraging cake to mark his 29th birthday on July 3rd. The depiction of him as a Yokozuna was created by former rikishi-turned-artist Kototsurugi. Hopefully it will be seen for real someday. [3]

A few days later another cake was presented to a former Yokozuna - Isegahama-oyakata (former Asahifuji), who celebrates his 55th birthday today, July 6th. [2]

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Terunofuji went for degeiko today to Tagonoura beya, home of the Kisenosato, and owned him. He only did 5 bouts against Kisenosato, beating him 4 times , in some instances after Kise got his favorite left hand inside grip. Terunofuji also showed some strong yoris. "It was pretty much the usual keiko.. I can usually adapt to my opponents' sumo pretty well. My body was moving well today.." said Terunofuji. He lent his chest to Takayasu and others as well, He had 26 bouts in all.

Kisenosato, on the genki Terunofuji: "He is very persistent. He has become very strong.."

Kisenosato was 5-6 against Harumafuji. "I am also doing everything that needs to be done.."

Post- surgery Harumafuji himself had 13 bouts in all. "I was checking out how my body is moving." No more degeiko for him this time around.

Terunofuji vs. Takarafuji

Edited July 7, 2015 by Kintamayama

[Kasutera 258]

Terunofuji's promotion seems to be motivating Kisenosato! The shot in the arm for the Ozeki ranks I was hoping it would be, it seems.

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Yokozuna Kakuryuu did some light training at his home of Izutsu beya today. "My injury is behind me. Day 1 is very important. I'd like to dwell on the pleasure I get from doing sumo.." he said. Asked about Terunofuji's promotion, he said: " I won't be thinking about what's happening around me and will only concentrate on doing my own sumo. If I can do that, the results will follow." In May, his first daughter was born. "I am looking at her pictures all the time. I have sworn to do my best for her sake. My body isn't 100% yet, but I have to win for myself, otherwise.." he said, missing his daughter who is in Mongolia.

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Yokozuna Hakuhou trained at home with Kaisei and other visiting sekitori from Tomozuna beya. 15-2. He trains with these guys a lot before bashos and the atmosphere was friendly. He even did a yobimodoshi on Juryo Asahishou

. "Getting the yusho is one of my jobs. I hope to pile them up slowly.." he said.

After keiko he went to the neighborhood primary school in his mawashi and was moved by the response he got. "I'd like them to paint a lot of dreams in their hearts and gambarize," he waxed philosophical.

[Naganoyama 5,948]

Yokozuna Hakuhou

...

. "Getting the yusho is one of my jobs. I hope to pile them up slowly.." he said.

...

Yes its a bummer that there's a whole 2 months between basho.

[Benevolance 2,511]

"Getting the yusho is one of my jobs. I hope to pile them up slowly.." he said.

I'm glad he's pacing himself.

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Ozeki Goueidou seems to be recovering well from the shoulder fracture he suffered last basho. He faced Sadanoumi and Myougiryuu and others at home for 20 bouts and won 18.

Sharp footwork was seen. "At the beginning it was awkward but slowly I got my sumo feel back. I've improved," he said. Last year after Nagoya he was promoted to Ozeki but after that he mostly managed to scrape 8 wins,. "This year is this year..I'd like to concentrate again and fill myself with some fighting spirit!!" he declared.

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Yokozuna Kakuryuu who missed the last two bashos due to injury did some light training at Isuzu beya today. "I'd like to enter without feeling too anxious and nervous.." he said. He intends to take it easy til the start of the basho. "My shoulder can't heal completely overnight but I am able to do sumo.." he summed.

[Masumasumasu 902]

A few recent keiko bouts with Kisenosato at the end of the video:

http://youtu.be/iVypCiR1snQ

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Ozeki Kisenosato found out who his opponent on day 1 will be via his smartphone. He faces Tochinoshin, who has beaten him the last two bashos.. "In order to win the yusho I have to gambarize a day at a time, " he said, trying to not give any importance to who his opponent is. He did some suriashi and shiko during training and faced Takayasu for 9 bouts, beating him 7 times. "I will give it my best effort," he summed.

Edited July 10, 2015 by Kintamayama

[Doitsuyama 1,192]

Ozeki Kisenosato found out who his opponent on day 1 will be via his smartphone. He faces Ichinojou. "In order to win the yusho I have to gambarize a day at a time, " he said, trying to not give any importance to who his opponent is. He did some suriashi and shiko during training and faced Takayasu for 9 bouts, beating him 7 times. "I will give it my best effort," he summed.

Smartphones are overrated... You know that he actually is facing Tochinoshin? Maybe he wasn't too sure himself as his statement can be said against any opponent on any day (ok, maybe he should at least be in the yusho race to say this but still).

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Ozeki Kisenosato found out who his opponent on day 1 will be via his smartphone. He faces Ichinojou. "In order to win the yusho I have to gambarize a day at a time, " he said, trying to not give any importance to who his opponent is. He did some suriashi and shiko during training and faced Takayasu for 9 bouts, beating him 7 times. "I will give it my best effort," he summed.

Smartphones are overrated... You know that he actually is facing Tochinoshin? Maybe he wasn't too sure himself as his statement can be said against any opponent on any day (ok, maybe he should at least be in the yusho race to say this but still).

No, my mistake-I am under stress lately with the sex change and all.. It's Tochinoshin of course.

[Umigame 82]

No, my mistake-I am under stress lately with the sex change and all..

Kintama Yameta?

[Pandaazuma 1,310]

Oh lordy! A female Moti!

(Chased by the fans...)

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Oh lordy! A female Moti!

(Chased by the fans...)

No, I'm going to become a man!

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Ozeki Kotoshougiku is kadoban for the 5th time. "All I can do is do my own brand of sumo, " he said. He did get married though. "It's a new page with 2 people now so I want to start it well and go all out and gambarize. I understand that the scenery is changing with new guys rising in the ranks, so I'm preparing myself mentally and hoping to show good results, " said Kotoshougiku.

[Kintamayama 45,530]

"I feel it is approaching.. I've come this far so I have no choice but to do it. I'd like to enjoy it.." said Yokozuna Kakuryuu who is coming off a two-basho layoff due to a shoulder injury. He will face Ichinojou on day 1. He was supposed to face Ichinojou on day 1 of the Haru basho but went kyujo after the bout was decided , getting a rare Yokozuna fusenpai on day 1. "Well, it's the same opponent again. I have been given a chance to redo it.." he said.

[kuroimori 1,634]

Ozeki Kotoshougiku is kadoban for the 5th time. "All I can do is do my own brand of sumo, " he said. He did get married though. "It's a new page with 2 people now so I want to start it well and go all out and gambarize. I understand that the scenery is changing with new guys rising in the ranks, so I'm preparing myself mentally and hoping to show good results, " said Kotoshougiku.

Kadoban-Kekkon Kotoshogiku

I hope he doesn't go kadoban in his marriage.... ;-)

Good luck to him and his wife, maybe it gives him some extra humpety-bumpety boost.