Dolgorsurengiin Dagvadorj, former yokozuna Asashoryu, center, who came to watch the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, is seen at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, on Nov. 25, 2021. (Mainichi/Yoshiyuki Hirakawa)

       Dolgorsurengiin Dagvadorj, the former yokozuna Asashoryu, is interviewed after watching the 12th day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center in Hakata Ward, Fukuoka, on Nov. 25, 2021. (Mainichi/Hironobu Murakoso)

       Former yokozuna Asashoryu visited the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament being held in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on Nov. 25 and commented on his former peers and younger talent including his nephew.

       Asashoryu, whose real name is Dolgorsurengiin Dagvadorj, tweeted a picture of the sumo ring and suspended roof above it with the words, "Long time no see." Right after his nephew, maegashira Hoshoryu, lost to fellow maegashira Daieisho, he tweeted, "Valiant loss."

       After the 12th day bout at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, the former yokozuna told the press he wanted Hoshoryu to win as he had come all that way to watch him. Hoshoryu "should've shown a little more spirit," he said with a wry smile.

       He also praised lone yokozuna Terunofuji after witnessing his closing bout victory, saying, "The yokozuna is secure. I feel he leads the sumo world. Now it's up to his physical state. There is nothing to fear in sumo. He makes his own style, and is secure."

       On which sumo wrestler caught his attention, he said, "Ozeki Takakeisho is doing well. I like him. He's not tall, but he wrestles well."

       At the tournament he met with sumo elder Magaki, former yokozuna Hakuho, who retired after September's autumn tournament. "I congratulated him in Mongolian. He retired having won his very last tournament, so I said congratulations, rather than thanking him for his hard work," Asashoryu revealed.

       (Mainichi)

       Font Size S M L Print Timeline 0