No. 9 maegashira Abi won an unusually close competition at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, the last event of the 2022 season. Tied with ozeki Takakeisho and former ozeki Takayasu, Abi won the first Tomoe three-way battle to be held since 1996.
This is the first time in history that hiramaku rikishi have won three consecutive makuuchi titles, following titles by Ichinojo in the Nagoya tournament and Tamawashi in the fall tournament.
Stablemaster's teachings
Packed to capacity for the first time this tournament, the hall resounded with applause when Abi thanked his stablemaster Shikoroyama, the former sekiwake Terao, who was absent from the tournament due to illness.
"I've caused nothing but trouble. I hope he can be as happy as possible," Abi said after his victory Sunday at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
In a Tomoe battle, the three wrestlers change opponents until one of them secures two consecutive victories. Abi won his first match against Takayasu, fending off his intial charge and slapping him down.
Facing Takakeisho in the second match, someone yelled for Abi to "go head-on" before the bout began. From a low, focused initial charge, he pushed the ozeki all the way out and accepted the win with his chest pushed out proudly.
When he was first starting out, Abi received high praise in the sumo world for his shiko, in which he raises each foot high in the air and stomps it down on the ring. Although he won bouts with his powerful thrusts, he was a wild, unrestrained rikishi.
In July 2020, Abi was suspended for three tournaments for repeatedly going out at night during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.
He was supported by Shikoroyama, who said, "Abi is the most like me." Shikoroyama gave him the fighting name of Abi, which was Shikoroyama's own nickname, out of affection.
When Abi was suspended, Shikoroyama re-taught him from the basics, saying, "You have to repay the people who've taken care of you."
Since his return, Abi's attitude inside and outside the ring has changed completely, and he has been sincere in his approach to sumo.
During Shikoroyama's hospitalization, he received daily advice from his stablemaster via email, and Abi is reportedly proud that he was able to succeed by following his master's advice and exercising properly.
One night later
Abi held a press conference online on Monday. After winning the tournament, he recalled his master's smile and said, "I think this was the best way to give back."
He has received about 200 congratulatory messages. "I think people must be very happy," Abi said.
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