Coming off a breakout year that included his first tournament title, newly promoted sekiwake Asanoyama heads into 2020 with high expectations as he aims for a higher rank.
"Next year is an important one," Asanoyama said at the Takasago stable in Tokyo. "I'll train hard to make it a good year."
Asanoyama was speaking Tuesday, when the Japan Sumo Association released the rankings for the New Year Grand Tournament, which will start Jan. 12 at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
The 25-year-old Asanoyama had a productive and memorable 2019, to say the least, rising to sumo's third-highest rank.
His victory at the Summer Grand Tournament included receiving the "U.S. President Cup" from visiting U.S President Donald Trump. At the Autumn Grand Tournament, he defeated yokozuna Kakuryu for his first career "kinboshi," awarded for a victory by a maegashira-ranked wrestler over a yokozuna.
In his debut as a komusubi last month at the Kyushu Grand Tournament, he chalked up 11 wins. That not only earned him promotion to sekiwake, it gave him the most total wins for the year among all wrestlers in the upper-most makuuchi division.
Asked how he accounts for his rapid progression, Asanoyama replied: "I was able to maintain my style of sumo, and effectively use my right underhand grip on the belt. Even if I didn't get it [at the initial charge], I was able to use an left overhand grip to stay on the offensive."
At the last tournament, he was able to fend off opponents like Takakeisho and Hokutofuji, whose pushing style usually gives Asanoyama trouble.
At this time last year, he was still a relative unknown. Now, in the span of year, he has emerged as a top candidate for ozeki, gaining the strength that draws attention. He'll be looking to build up wins at the New Year tournament that solidify his chances for future promotion.
"It doesn't mean anything if I don't win in double-digits," Asanoyama said. "But I can't be looking too far ahead."
Stablemaster Takasago (former ozeki Asashio) said a future promotion to ozeki is certainly possible. "If it wasn't, he wouldn't be able to get 11 wins in a tournament."
Meanwhile, yokozuna Hakuho responded to criticism from the Yokozuna Deliberation Council regarding rough tactics he has used that are considered inappropriate for a holder of the highest rank, including a forearm shiver to the body.
"I just do my style of sumo," he said. "They are not banned techniques."
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