Kintamayama 45,374 Posted January 13, 2024 (edited) The new yusho parade car will be the new Toyota Century, it was announced today. The unveiling ceremony was held at the KKan today, attended by Shibatayama and Miyagino Oyakatas with the Toyota people. The new Century SUV is likely to attract attention as a custom-built convertible car and it is said to be ``the only one in the world'' (Toyoda, chairman of Toyota. Hehehe..). Originally, preparations were being made for the use of the Toyota Crown, but this change was made possible after Miyagino, who is close friends with Chairman Toyoda, requested Toyota's highest-end car, the Century. In recent years, overseas manufacturers have been responsible for the color, which used to be black, but due to the collaboration between the sumo world and domestic manufacturers, the color has been changed to white, which is symbolizing a shiroboshi. Shibatayama said, ``It's the best. (The parade) is a big event after the 15-day main tournament. It's the highest honor for a sumo wrestler. The Century is Japan's finest car. It has a luxurious feel. It has plenty of width at the rear. There's enough space for two sumo wrestlers to sit in the seats with the sponsor's president sitting in the middle. It makes me wish to don a mawashi, one more time.." he said, smiling throughout. Chairman Toyoda said that this day was the first time he had seen the new Century SUV. ``I would like to thank you for choosing Century as the car that only the winners of the 15-day battle can drive. (The parade) is attracting attention from all over the world. Actually, we were going for the Crown convertible car. Then Miyagino Oyakata said, ``No, it's not the Century.'' When he said that, I hurriedly asked my people to make it happen. If it was going to help liven up sumo, everyone at Toyota Motor Corporation took action. I would like to express my gratitude,'' he said . As he left the ceremony and the new parade car, he said, ``I felt like I was marrying off my daughter,'' and was almost reluctant to say goodbye to the masterpiece he had put so much effort into creating. Miyagino also said, ``The ride comfort is excellent. Shibatayama Oyakata and I easily weigh over 300 kilograms, but it still did not affect the ride .It has a solid and deep feel. It's truly a one-of-a-kind car in the world. I'm really excited to see who will ride it first. I'm sure all the Sekitori will be saying, ``Okay!'', adding that it will add even more excitement to the Hatsu Basho yusho race. Edited January 13, 2024 by Kintamayama 8 2 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WAKATAKE 2,667 Posted January 13, 2024 For whatever reason that first exclamation point looked like an lower case "L" Why in the world would the NSK be getting a new "Carl"? 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akinomaki 40,670 Posted January 13, 2024 (edited) Toyota is as sustainability partner of the NSK, able to sustain the weight of any rikishi Edit: I thought from the title rather that some rikishi smashed a new car Edited January 13, 2024 by Akinomaki 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wurstbroetchen 5 Posted January 13, 2024 Looks like a RR for the poor! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RabidJohn 1,823 Posted January 13, 2024 "Hello John. Gotta new motor?" Is that the 1st time the NSK has rolled out moto-Hakuho for official PR duty? @Kintamayama He's kept his head down and been a pretty good stable master thus far. Now this (including Shibatayama holding his wrist, btw). Is your 5yr countdown still ticking? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,374 Posted January 13, 2024 48 minutes ago, RabidJohn said: "Hello John. Gotta new motor?" Is that the 1st time the NSK has rolled out moto-Hakuho for official PR duty? @Kintamayama He's kept his head down and been a pretty good stable master thus far. Now this (including Shibatayama holding his wrist, btw). Is your 5yr countdown still ticking? Yup.. But I see now it will never happen. Too obligated. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tsuchinoninjin 1,275 Posted January 13, 2024 2 hours ago, Wurstbroetchen said: Looks like a RR for the poor! Yeah, only $200k for base model. Just gotta pick up a few more night shifts at the burger king and its mine... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akinomaki 40,670 Posted January 13, 2024 Another thing good for PR: when you hear the news or read it in Japanese, Century makes you first think of Sanctuary= a synonym for sumo nowadays Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seiyashi 4,105 Posted January 13, 2024 2 hours ago, Kintamayama said: Yup.. But I see now it will never happen. Too obligated. Who's obligated to who? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RabidJohn 1,823 Posted January 13, 2024 (edited) On 13/01/2024 at 16:29, Seiyashi said: Who's obligated to who? It's mutual, IMO. The NSK was too skint due to COVID to pay him off (despite a significant number wanting him out). I suspect he got Miyagino Magaki (a real kabu with resale value) as part of that deal, and he's got to stick around a fair old while to get everything he's owed. I also believe it's absolutely no hardship for him at all. He's become Japanese both legally and privately, and he usually looks very happy doing what he's doing. Edited January 14, 2024 by RabidJohn 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,374 Posted January 13, 2024 3 hours ago, Seiyashi said: Who's obligated to who? Hakuhou to sumo and his string of excellent recruits. Didnt see that coming so quickly and so successfully. He still hasn't been really annoyed with anything, though. We shall see. . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jakusotsu 6,001 Posted January 13, 2024 6 hours ago, RabidJohn said: "Hello John. Gotta new motor?" Makes me wonder if I'm the only one not living on the British Island who remembers Alexei Sayle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Koorifuu 1,003 Posted January 13, 2024 27 minutes ago, Kintamayama said: He still hasn't been really annoyed with anything, though. We shall see. . Neither annoyed nor annoying, I'd say. It's a bit of a double edged sword. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akinomaki 40,670 Posted January 13, 2024 (edited) Presentation more pics for this today than for all other sumo related things combined - Hakuho has of course plenty of experience with this pose o ooo ooo oo o o o will he be the driver at the parade? o PR top Shibatayama is happy o parades of the past - the man himself o o Toyota town Nagoya had always a Toyata for the parade, even when Mercedes had the contract - Konishiki Nag.1992, Asashoryu Nag.2005 oo Kisenosato Haru 2017, Mitakeumi Hatsu 2022 o o Edited January 13, 2024 by Akinomaki 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akinomaki 40,670 Posted January 17, 2024 Longer news video of the presentation 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ack! 471 Posted January 18, 2024 It's funny what runs through your head when you read a conversation title for the first time before reading the thread. My first thought was that Moti got a new car, and why was he posting about it here? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jakusotsu 6,001 Posted January 18, 2024 My fuzzy brain always reads "new brakes"... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akinomaki 40,670 Posted January 28, 2024 The new car in action - flag holder ex-tsukebito co-winner Takerufuji 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Morning 85 Posted January 28, 2024 Who is the guy in the middle? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seiyashi 4,105 Posted January 28, 2024 In a sense, it's kind of fitting that it's a yokozuna who gets to first use the car. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akinomaki 40,670 Posted January 28, 2024 5 hours ago, Morning said: Who is the guy in the middle? A koenkai guy - unnamed so far. Toyota chairman Toyoda proudly emphasized that this car is the only to allow 2 rikishi to sit in the back together with a supporter o Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
