Surrounded by women in kimonos…Former yokozuna Hakuho returns home in a Rolls Royce after his Yokozuna meeting! Newly appointed stablemaster shows his dignity
All-out coverage! New Year's Wide Special: The person in the middle of the story, "The Year of the Leap Forward!
On a night in late December of last year, luxury black cars and cabs lined up in front of a ryotei restaurant in Sumida Ward.
In the midst of the somber atmosphere, a giant of a man quietly emerged from inside the restaurant. It was Yasumi Hakkaku, 59, chairman of the Japan Sumo Association. Also present were Shibatayama Oyakata (60, second photo), a former Onokuni, and Nisshonoseki Oyakata (36, third photo), a former Rikusei no Sato. Last to appear was Hakuho (37), who had just taken over the Miyagino stable in July.
On this day, the Yokozuna Kai, which had been canceled due to the COVID-19 crisis, was held for the first time in three years. It is a social gathering of the stablemasters and current yokozuna, and this year seven people attended. Hakuho, who was attending for the first time as a yokozuna, seemed relaxed and enjoyed himself from start to finish,” said an association official who was present.
After seeing off his seniors, he had a chat with the proprietress. He got into the Rolls Royce that was waiting for him and left the restaurant with the engine roaring.
Hakuho was a dignified man, but behind his confidence lay the confidence of his leadership.
He said, “I have scouted him directly, and he is off to a good start, winning 10 matches in the November tournament. There is a good chance that he will become a great coach,” said sumo journalist Nobuaki Ohmi.
Will he also be successful as a stablemaster?
From the January 20 and 27, 2023 issues of FRIDAY
PHOTO： Ichiro Takatsuka
