COVID-19 is still part of our day to day lives, but at least sumo keeps going, and we have another basho with butts in seats, although with limited attendance. After all this time, semi self-isolating, it is a treat to have sumo to watch for 15 days. We have a couple of newcomers to the sekitori ranks, along with two returnees.
Kitaharima Ms3w (5-2) is coming out from behind the curtain after dropping out of Juryo back in 2017. He made his professional debut in March 2002. To date, his highest rank has been maegashira 15. He wrestles for Yamahibiki stable, which is run by ex-yokozuna Kitanoumi. Interestingly enough, He is a member of the generation born between April 1986 and April 1987 (Showa 61) known as the "Flower of 61" that also includes yokozuna Kisenosato, ōzeki Gōeidō, and sekiwake Myōgiryū.
Chiyonokuni Ms12w (7-0) got the Makushita yusho with his perfect record. As you may know, if you get a perfect record ranked Makushita 15 or above, it is just about guaranteed you get to step out from behind the curtain. He fights for Kokonoe beya, run by ex-yokozuna Chiyonofuji. He has the highest rank of maegashira 1. He got hurt and fell all the way down to Sandanme in 2015. This time around, he is returning to Juryo after stepping behind the curtain last year. Interesting story, when sumo took a black eye from the baseball gambling scandal, that uncovered a match-fixing scandal, Chiyonokuni, along with many other upper makushita wrestlers was promoted to salaried ranks of jūryō for July 2011 though his actual performance so far would have not merited promotion. Chiyonokuni had very mixed feelings about the scandal and admitted it felt surreal to be promoted to jūryō under such strange circumstances. Chiyonokuni did however exceed expectations and about recorded three strong winning tournaments in a row to earn promotion to the top makuuchi division in January 2012.
Ouki Ms2w (5-2) will wear a silk mawashi for the first time! He hails from Shikoroyama beya. This stable is the center of some drama because sekitori Abi stepped out for a night out during the last basho, when there are strict orders not to do so, particularly with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Ouki promotion may be a small consolation for Shikoroyama oyakata, ex-sekiwake Terao, who established this stable in February 2004. I am pretty sure it is kitty-corner from the Denny’s in Morishita.
Nishikifuji Ms3e (5-2) is the first time visiting the paid ranks this basho. His promotion was a big deal back home in Aomori, where many great rikishi have hailed from. Usually, rikishi from the unpaid ranks do not have lots of freedom to travel, yet his oyakata escorted him back home for the big celebration, where Nishikifuji reported his jury promotion in person the mayor of Towada, which is Nishikifuji hometown. Fun fact pointed out by some online sumo pundits, we know have sekitori that shares the exact same kanji characters, only in a different order, called 錦富士 and 富士錦.
