Hideki Asanoyama, 26, the sumo wrestler newly promoted to the second-highest ozeki rank, participated on Monday in his first practice since his promotion at the Takasago Stable in Sumida Ward, Tokyo.
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, after the ascension ceremony, he stayed at the dormitory used during the spring sumo tournament, scarcely leaving the premises. "After a whole week, my body began to become lazy," Asanoyama said.
He refrained from wrestling and instead concentrated mainly on basic movements, such as leg raising and stomping and an exercise called teppo -- where the wrestler pushes against a pillar alternating between his left and right hands.
The tournament where he claimed his victory and ascended to his current rank was held in a stadium devoid of spectators. The summer tournament in Tokyo where he will enter the ring as the new ozeki will be in May, but whether they will allow spectators has yet to be decided. Even so, Asanoyama says: "With the summer tournament in mind, I want to continue to build up my body. I will do nothing but practice."
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