A Japanese yokozuna loved by many fans has stepped away from the dohyo ring without being able to fully show his ability. It is a regrettable retirement.
Yokozuna Kisenosato has ended his career as an active sumo wrestler. He suffered three straight defeats from the opening day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. This extended his losing streak to eight bouts, not including losses by default, for the worst record ever for a yokozuna. This prompted Kisenosato's decision to retire.
After the previous tournament, the Yokozuna Deliberation Council took the unusual step of passing a resolution to "encourage" Kisenosato to recapture his motivation. With his career on the line at the current tournament, posting a good record was Kisenosato's only option for remaining a wrestler in active competition.
Considering the weight resting on a yokozuna's shoulders, Kisenosato had no choice but to retire. At his press conference, Kisenosato reflected on his career and said: "I have nothing to regret about my sumo career. I think I did as much as I could."
The serious injury Kisenosato suffered during the 2017 Spring Grand Sumo Tournament ultimately hastened his retirement. Although Kisenosato claimed a dramatic come-from-behind victory in that tournament, his first as a yokozuna, he had injured his upper-left chest area. This subsequently limited his ability to execute his favored offensive moves from the left side. He was forced to pull out of the next eight consecutive tournaments, including four in which he did not participate at all.
He competed before his injury had fully healed and then repeatedly pulled out of tournaments. The yokozuna's sense of responsibility to keep getting in the ring might, conversely, have shortened his sumo career. Kisenosato might have been able to compete for longer had he taken part in tournaments after making a complete recovery, so many fans probably feel disappointed.
Kisenosato should be applauded for his wonderful achievement of boosting the sumo world as the first Japanese-born yokozuna in 19 years.
Give wholehearted efforts
Kisenosato's ability was unquestioned. After making his debut as a sumo wrestler at 15, he reached the juryo division when he was 17 and moved up to the top makuuchi division at 18. He followed a strenuous training program and the single-minded way he approached sumo earned him many admirers. His technique of charging straight ahead in a bout and not resorting to sneaky tactics also fueled his popularity.
Kisenosato overcame the mental fragility that left him unable to win decisive bouts and was finally promoted to yokozuna at age 30. Although he won only two championships, he was involved in several memorable bouts.
His victory when he was the top-ranking maegashira over yokozuna Hakuho that ended Hakuho's winning streak at 63 bouts will be talked about for years to come.
Kisenosato's retirement means sumo once again will enter an era in which there are no Japanese yokozuna. Yokozuna Hakuho and Kakuryu, who were born in Mongolia, are both 33, and there are some whispers they might be past their prime.
The emergence of Takayasu, Takakeisho and Mitakeumi is a positive note for sumo. The younger generation of wrestlers should lift their performances even higher and inject excitement into sumo tournaments.
Last year, sumo was embroiled by a string of unfortunate incidents, including the resignation of stablemaster and former yokozuna Takanohana and a physical assault by a former makuuchi wrestler. Despite this, sumo remains highly popular.
Sumo wrestlers should give wholehearted efforts on the dohyo ring that do not betray the expectations of fans and faithfully shoulder the responsibility of supporting Japan's "national sport."
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Jan. 18, 2019)
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