Former yokozuna Hakuho’s cancellation fiasco..! Terunofuji’s haircut ceremony “attended by many women, including Abe Uta and Ruriko Kojima” closely.

Sho Sho Hakuho-sama!”

When the haircutting ceremony for former yokozuna Terunofuji (34, Isegahama Oyakata), which was held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan on January 31 with nearly 10,000 fans in attendance, was nearing the latter half of the event, the name of former yokozuna Hakuho, or Hakuho-san (40) was called.

Guests who had a connection with Terunofuji stepped into the ring in alphabetical order and had their hair cut in the style of a haircut ceremony. However, Hakuho’s name was called by the host, but he did not appear in the ring at all. What on earth had happened?

The audience was in an uproar.

It was after the autumn tournament of 2009 that Hakuho announced his retirement after winning a record 45 championships. After retiring, he assumed the name of nenyosei Mabaki and took over the Miyagino stable in July 2010.

In the spring tournament of the following year, Ochiai (now Hakunotoshi, 3rd maegashira), who had joined the stable at the 15th makushita rank, was promoted to the new juryo division within one tournament, which was a good start. However, after the incident, Hakuho was severely punished with a demotion of two ranks and the closure of his stable.

The “Naka” that was discussed

Mr. Hakuho and his disciples were transferred to the Isegahama stable of Yokozuna Terunofuji’s clan. Coincidentally, the two who once competed against each other in the ring now belong to the same stable.

Although the disciples of the former Miyagino stable are on “temporary custody” until the stable is reestablished, their daily lives and relationships are strained when wrestlers from different stables join them in the training halls, although the training is more lively.

One year after the closure of his stable, Hakuho has not been able to find a way to rebuild it, and he resigned from the Sumo Association last June. He is now busy promoting sumo in Japan and abroad, but there is no denying that he and Terunofuji are being discussed for a number of reasons.

Is he cancelling the haircut ceremony due to a “grudge” with Terunofuji?

Mr. Hakuho appeared in the hall 60 minutes after his scheduled appearance. The reason was that he had missed the announcement while he was chatting with the stablemasters in the hall.

Mr. Hakuho, dressed in a gold dale (Mongolian traditional costume) that he had not worn since receiving the National Honor Award in Mongolia 10 years earlier, put his hand on Terunofuji’s shoulder and said, “Good day to you. Please do your best.” He thanked Terunofuji for his years of hard work.

It was a sacred place.”

Another feature of the haircutting ceremony was that many of the women who came to the event with their older brother, Kazumi (28), including Tokyo Olympic women’s judo gold medalist Abe Uta (25), golf player Momoko Ueda (39), and TV personality Ruriko Kojima (32), also got the shears. The women, who are not allowed in the ring, insert the shears from a custom-designed platform.

Abe Uta, who has been in contact with Isegahama, a.k.a. Terunofuji, for four or five years, said,

This is the first time I’ve had to put in the scissors. It was really a sacred place.

He looked mystified.

Junko Suginomori, the wife of the former Isegahama no Mikata (former yokozuna Asahifuji and current yokozuna Miyagino no Mikata), who had closely watched his fall from ozeki to nidan and then to yokozuna, also put the scissors in with great emotion.

At the end of the day, the rikishi who had a decisive victory over Yasuoshoryu (26) and Aoshinishiki (21) in the first tournament in January are the rikishi for whom Isegahama has the highest expectations.

He is the rikishi that Isegahama’s stablemaster has the highest expectations for.

His “spartan” coaching seems to be gradually bearing fruit, and his return to the san’yaku rank in the spring tournament in March is certain.

Yoshinofuji (24, formerly known as Kusano, the top maegashira), who won the Distinguished Service Order in the first tournament by defeating two yokozuna, Toyoshoryu and Onosato (25), is a growing rikishi. Yoshinofuji, who had made his mark at Nihon University, had been scouted by Hakuho for some time and was scheduled to join the Miyagino-ya stable after graduating from the university.

However, the Miyagino-ya was closed before his initiation, so he joined the Isegahama stable. At the “Hakuho Cup” hosted by Mr. Hakuho the other day, he appeared with Hakunotoshi, who was called “Hakuho’s treasured son,” to confirm his “bond” with his former master.

Now, Terunofuji, who had dropped his topknot and transformed into a stylish swing-short haircut, made his final speech in the ring wearing a tuxedo.

I would like to thank my master (former Isegahama Oyakata), my friends in the stable, and my family for supporting me in my daily life. From now on, I will do my best to return the favor to the sumo world.

The new Isegahama stablemates lined up under the ring, bowing to their fans and supporters.

Hisanofuji (25, formerly known as Seihakuho), who boasts an outstanding physique of 195 cm and 141 kg, will step into the ring in the spring tournament as a new juryo (10-ryo) rikishi. The Isegahama stable now has six sekitori. Isegahama is enthusiastic, saying, “I want to nurture rikishi who can carry the association’s name on their backs.