Takanohana Reflects on First Photo and Life with New Wife

At the time, they had been dating for two months. Kenko-san (now known as Noriko Fujita), who was the landlady of their shared apartment, commented to this magazine, “I didn’t know at all, but since they’re dating, I hope they have an open and cheerful relationship. However, it does seem a bit early to have a specific girlfriend.”

 

Takanohana’s relationship with A didn’t work out. Later, he announced his engagement to Rie Miyazawa (51), with whom he hit it off after meeting during a sports newspaper interview. However, this engagement was broken off just two months later. In 1995, having risen to the rank of Yokozuna, he had a surprise marriage with Keiko Kono (59), a former announcer at Fuji TV. They ended their 23-year marriage in 2018. 

 

After going through two separations, the former grand sumo champion had resolved to live his life alone. However, his connection with A, whose first romance was reported by “FRIDAY” about 34 years ago, was rekindled in March 2023 through an interview article with Takanohana. Remarkably, A, who had lost her husband about six years prior, ended up remarrying Takanohana.

 

Now, a year has passed since this unexpected reunion of the romance that didn’t come to fruition at age 17. Takanohana reveals:

 

“I am happy now. When I wake up in the morning, my wife makes breakfast for me. For the first time at this age, I’ve discovered that a world like that from TV dramas actually exists.”

 

He reflects on what his strict master, Oyakata Futagoyama, said when he was photographed on a date with A at 17. He also contemplates how he feels about his past separations from Rie Miyazawa and Keiko Kono. Why did Takanohana, who had resolved to live alone, end up remarrying A?

 

In the premium edition of FRIDAY GOLD, his deeper thoughts about his brother,  Wakanohana Masaru, his mother, Noriko Fujita, and the disciples he mentored, as well as his future plans, are detailed.