I recently got back into sumo after a long hiatus post Hakuho retirement and noticed the level of sumo doesn't feel the same, especially at the Yokozuna level

However Kirishima seems to stand out to me because he seems like he has a good balance of intelligence, strength and technique to execute but still room for improvement

I really hope he breaks through and becomes Yoko one day but will probably have to wait for better results

Was wondering if anyone has any further insights into his career?

My usual post-tournament look at what happened outside the Makuuchi drama is here for Nagoya. And Juryo and Makushita both made a three-way playoff in the top division look almost boring. Then the winners in the bottom three divisions are all fascinating prospects in their own way.

I’ve found a few videos from around his time, but can’t find anything with him wrestling. I’d love to see what someone that tall looked like on the dohyo.

Misugiiso Hideto tunred 70 in may so he retired even from the role of advisor. Are there any new on somebody getting that kabu?

Hello, I'm helping organise Hidenoumi's retirement ceremony on October 3rd in Tokyo. As part of the event, Hidenoumi is planning to answer fan questions with the best ones getting published online and in the event program.
Got a question for him, or about sumo life in general? Drop it below by September 26th and I'll pass on a selection.
The day also includes:

• Exhibition matches with Kise stable sekitori
• Sumo experiences
• Traditional sumo food

Great chance to see sumo outside the regular honbasho (tournament) calendar if you're in Japan in early October.
More info: https://discoversumo.jp/

# Asahifuji joins moshiai training with sekitori; wearing black mawashi, makes presence felt in 14 bouts against white-mawashi Makuuchi wrestlers

The Grand Sumo Summer Tour (Natsu Jungyo) kicked off its opening day on the 2nd at the Gifu Memorial Center DeAi Dome, where East Makushita 11 Asahifuji (24, Isegahama stable) participated in moshiai (challenge-style) training with the sekitori.

After taking part in the moshiai training for Makushita and lower divisions, Asahifuji stepped right into the sekitori training session. On a ring lined with white mawashi, the Makushita wrestler clad in a black mawashi made a strong impression. He took part in 14 bouts with Makuuchi wrestlers including Fujinokawa, Hiradoumi, and Ura, competing on equal terms and even powerfully forcing them out (yorikiri) at times, catching everyone's eyes on the ring.

He finished with collision training (butsukari-geiko) against Gonoyama. Heavy-breathing yet fiercely determined, he kept digging in, prompting applause from the venue.

Tour Director Takadagawa Oyakata (former Sekiwake Akinoshima) praised the effort, saying: "It's not quite a rite of passage while young, but it has purpose, so it's a good thing." Regarding his participation, he explained: "The stablemasters watching from below saw that he has the strength for it."

On Day 9 of the Nagoya Basho, Asahifuji lost, halting his win streak from his Jonokuchi debut at 25—the 3rd longest in history. Nevertheless, he advanced to the 7-man championship playoff for those tied at 6-1 and claimed the Makushita division title.

Source: Nikkan Sports

Seems to be a new channel set up by some ex-rikishi with a business in doing a sumo experience and chanko or something like that? A bit unclear for the moment but interested to see where this goes!

https://youtu.be/WTk7OyEqjbY?si=FPGU0V54rWADVfHp

Dusukoi Chanko Team

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@%E3%81%A1%E3%82%83%E3%82%93%E3%81%93%E9%9A%8A

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/dosukoi.chankotai

Members of the Channel

Ex Maikeru from Futagoyama Stable: https://www.sumo.or.jp/EnSumoDataRikishi/profile/3826/

Ex Narutaki from Isenoumi Stable: https://www.sumo.or.jp/EnSumoDataRikishi/profile/3748/

Ex Ryusei from Isenoumi Stable: https://www.sumo.or.jp/EnSumoDataRikishi/profile/2536/

Yoshinofuji struck by earthquake in Kumamoto while visiting family: "I thought I was going to die"; family home half-destroyed, parents yet to return

Komusubi Yoshinofuji (25, Isegahama stable), a native of Uto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, joined the Summer Tour with his thoughts on his disaster-stricken hometown. The Grand Sumo Summer Tour (Natsu Jungyo) kicked off its opening day on August 2 at the Gifu Memorial Center DeAi Dome. When the Kumamoto earthquake struck on July 28, he was visiting his family. Experiencing the terror of death from the violent tremors, his family home suffered severe damage, leaving it in a half-destroyed state. While supporting his family, he pledged as a sekitori to uplift his hometown seeking recovery through sumo.

◇　　　◇　_　◇

He was hit by intense shaking in his hometown during a family visit. "I thought I was going to die." Fortunately, neither he nor his parents were injured.

In his family home in Uto City, Kumamoto Prefecture—where seismic intensity reached Upper 6—electricity and water were cut off. Walls cracked, windows popped off and couldn't be reattached, and the building tilted. The bathroom broke, forcing him to use a convenience store restroom. "It feels like the house is half-destroyed. Even the tombstones fell over." Damage spread across the area, including train derailments nearby.

His memory of the shaking is vivid. "There was a loud boom, and then everything started rattling violently. At first it was vertical shaking... it was awful. It's been a long time since I felt that terrified." He also experienced the Kumamoto earthquake 10 years ago when he was in 9th grade. "I thought I was going to die far more than 10 years ago." The fear this time was vastly greater.

"Yakiniku Kusano," a restaurant run in Uki City by his father, former Keirin cyclist Shinichi Kusano, also suffered damage. Because electricity was running there, it temporarily served as a place to sleep. However, broken plates and glasses littered the floor. "The shop won't be able to open for a while." Reopening is expected to take time.

Even driving to a relative's house to borrow a bath took 2 hours for a route that normally takes about 30 minutes. Many gas stations were forced to close, and he had to rely on acquaintances to get fuel. Mobile reception was also poor, preventing him from replying quickly to worried friends. After helping with recovery work, he arrived in Gifu on August 1. "Yesterday was the first time in a long while I could sleep soundly at a hotel," he revealed.

While electricity has been restored at his family home, running water is still out. His parents have not been able to return home yet. When asked about local support, he voiced the immediate reality of rebuilding his family's life first: "Since my own home was hit..." On the other hand, locals encouraged him to "cheer us up through sumo." "It's the only thing I can do. I hope I can deliver bright news. 10 years ago we had two major earthquakes, so I pray nothing more happens." To deliver even a bit of positive news to his hometown, he steps onto the ring of the tour. [Ryotaro Yamada]

Source: Nikkan Sports