May 28thsearch for cupids and Asian girls
Hakuho holds yusho press conference, YDC focuses attention on Kisenosato
Fresh off of his career 25th yusho that puts him in a tie for all time with former Yokozuna Asashoryu, Hakuho held his usual morning after press conference at the Miyagino-beya. "I can now stand alongside Asashoryu, who did so much for me, so this is a way to show my respect for him." When asked about his day 14 bout against Ozeki Kisenosato where both rikishi entered the day undefeated, he replied, "That was a first for us, so it was easy to get up for it." When asked about Kisenosato's prospects of Yokozuna promotion, Hakuho replied, "He displayed some good sumo. Last year, Harumafuji's emergence had a big impact on me, and whenever you get some new power in the sport, it makes me want to change for the better."

Across town, the Yokozuna Deliberation Council held their usual post-basho conference where much of the talk focused on Ozeki Kisenosato's Yokozuna prospects. A member of the council confirmed to reporters that the YDC will likely recommend Kisenosato for promotion if he's able to win 14 bouts at the Nagoya basho. "We'd like him to aim for a perfect record, but if he doesn't yusho and finishes with around 14 wins, and if the judging committee raises the topic, we will seriously consider promotion," stated the Councils chairman, Hitoshi Uchiyama. Regarding Harumafuji who struggled in May with just 11 wins, he said, "Depending on his record next basho, it's possible that we will give him a formal warning." As for Hakuho, who was perfect for the second tournament in a row, the chairman stated, "He's a rock and should continue to pull the weight for the Yokozuna."

May 8thsearch for cupids and Asian girls
Hakuho visits the Kasugano-beya for de-geiko
Yokozuna Hakuho paid a visit to the Kasugano-beya today for a dose of de-geiko with the likes of Komusubi Tochiohzan and Tochinoshin. The Yokozuna fought a total of 21 bouts finishing 19-2. Tochiohzan was able to push the Yokozuna back and across twice using swift de-ashi, but Hakuho dominated the remainder of the session. "My condition right now is good," the Yokozuna commented afterwards. "I'm just extending myself a bit each day." When asked about his two losses to the Komusubi, he brushed it off by explaining how a rikishi must also practice his defense. "Regardless of the situation or position, can you survive? I tried various things out there today, and I'm completely concentrated during my keiko," he said with confidence. Hakuho hinted that he will do de-geiko tomorrow as a wrap-up of his pre-basho keiko.

May 7thsearch for cupids and Asian girls
Harumafuji spars with Kisenosato and Goeido, gives the Sekiwake needed advice
Yokozuna Harumafuji visited the Naruto-beya again today to do battle with Ozeki Kisenosato and a visiting Sekiwake Goeido. Harumafuji fought 28 times finishing a solid 22-6. The Yokozuna alternated between tsuppari attacks and allowing his opponents to get the yotsu position, so he could practice from the belt. He felt good about his performance afterwards commenting, "I thought that was good keiko. I think I'll be able to wrap everything up over the next two or three days." The Yokozuna also went out of his way to give some advice to Goeido. "Regardless of what you do, you have to move forward. Hit straight on and the rest will take care of itself."

Okinoumi his usual nonchalant self
Newly-promoted Komusubi, Okinoumi, visited the Kasugano-beya today to spar with a host of sekitori from that stable including fellow Komusubi, Tochiohzan, a rikishi with whom he entered professional sumo. Okinoumi has a reputation for light keiko workouts, so his 17 bouts fought today was actually good for him. He went 3-3 against Tochiohzan looking good when he attacked forward. Afterwards he said, "I learned a lot out there today. My opponents are quick with their maki-kae, they keeps their arms in tight, and their movements aren't rushed at all." When asked about expectations of him making an impact in the sanyaku capitalizing on his 190 centimeter frame, he was his usual demure self commenting, "I'm not there yet. First, I need to just keep myself in the sanyaku."

May 6thsearch for cupids and Asian girls
Kisenosato looks good against the Ozeki, average against Harumafuji
Ozeki Kisenosato showed his prowess yesterday at the Nishonoseki rengo keiko session held at the Oguruma-beya. The Kid battled fellow Ozeki Kotoshogiku and Kakuryu dominating them 16-3. He spent a total of 25 minutes in the ring highlighted by an 11 bout win streak against his Ozeki opponents. After the session he commented with confidence, "I think I can get even better." Ozeki Kotooshu was also at the session but refrained from any moushi-ai-geiko after tweaking his right knee in practice the day before.

Kisenosato was brought back to earth somewhat this morning, however, after a visiting Yokozuna Harumafuji toppled him 12-4. The head to head competition was 4-3 in favor for the Ozeki after the first seven bouts, but Harumafuji concluded the session winning the final eight focusing on a hidari-yotsu attack. Afterwards, Harumafuji commented, "It's so enjoyable to practice with Kisenosato because he goes all out. Today I practiced by letting him get into his rhythm, so it was a lot of fun. It was good keiko," he concluded.

Hakuho low key prior to hon-basho
Yokozuna Hakuho has stayed out of the spotlight so far prior to the Natsu basho. He usually ventures out for de-geiko starting the Monday before the tournament, but he opted to stay home today and spar with Makuuchi rookie and fellow stable mate, Daikiho. The two fought 20 times with no concrete results given. The Yokozuna has an engagement tomorrow that will keep him out of the keiko ring, so he plans to do his his only de-geiko on Wednesday and Thursday this week. Regarding his relaxed keiko routine this month, Hakuho waxed philosophical after today's session saying, "You can fight 100 times, but if you can't win during the basho then it's all meaningless."

Baruto shines again as Dewanoumi Ichimon wraps up four days of joint keiko
The Dewanoumi Ichimon wrapped up four straight days of godo keiko today at the Chigaura-beya. Since attendance was voluntary, only 11 sekitori were in attendance on the final day including Sekiwake Baruto and rookie Azumaryu. Baruto, who fought roughly 80 bouts over the last three days outshining his fellow Ichimon rikishi, is talking about making a return to the Ozeki ranks. "All I can do about it is to go my hardest," he explained to reporters afterwards. Regarding the four days of godo keiko by the Ichimon stables, Kitanoumi-oyakata explained, "The sekitori just have an energy about them. Being together makes them move more, and I think practicing with other rikishi at their same level like this has given them sufficient practice."

May 4thsearch for cupids and Asian girls
Goeido dominates joint keiko session on paper
The Dewanoumi Ichimon held their second godo keiko session in a row today with 20 sekitori in attendance. Sekiwake Goeido was the stand-out today record-wise going 22-3 against the likes of Tochiohzan and others, but Kitanoumi Rijicho wasn't overly impressed commenting, "If you fight 20 bouts in a row, you need to dominate your opponents. If you're that much stronger than them, it's important not to let the other guys do their brand of sumo." Afterwards, Goeido indicated that parts of his keiko were good and that he's getting more and more fired up for the tournament. Early next week he plans to pay the Naruto-beya a visit for a dose of keiko with Ozeki Kisenosato.

May 3rdsearch for cupids and Asian girls
Harumafuji roughs up Toyonoshima
Yokozuna Harumafuji visited the Tokitsukaze-beya today for de-geiko beating up on Toyonoshima 20-0. The Yokozuna actually tweaked his right elbow yesterday at keiko and began today's session with a heavy support band around it, but midway through the session he removed it and continued to manhandle Toyonoshima using sharp tachi-ai to gain the advantage up front. Harumafuji indicated that he is still battling a nagging right ankle injury, but he commented afterwards to reporters, "There's always going to be injuries, so I have to gain good experience from that and move forward."

Baruto shines at joint keiko session
The Dewanoumi Ichimon held a joint keiko session today at the Kitanoumi-beya that was labeled "Godo keiko," or joint keiko. The difference between "godo keiko" and "rengo keiko" is that rengo is mandatory while godo implies "attend if you want to." A total of 18 sekitori ranked Juryo and above chose to attend including both Sekiwake, Goeido and Baruto, as well as Komusubi Tochiohzan. Baruto apparently stole the show fighting a total of 35 times and finishing 26-9. The former Ozeki focused somewhat against Tochiohzan calling him back into the ring on multiple occasion and dismantling with an impressive tachi-ai, and he also dominated Goeido. "I focused on each and every bout and did some good keiko out there," the Estonian said afterwards causing some news outlets to use the term "Ozeki fukki," or return to Ozeki.

Kisenosato dominates fellow Ozeki Kotoshogiku
The Nishonoseki Ichimon held a joint keiko session today that was attended by Ozeki Kisenosato and Ozeki Kotoshogiku. The keiko was highlighted by 17 bouts between the two Ozeki that saw Kisenosato dominate 15-2 using forward moving sumo. "I went at him hard today and tried never to retreat which resulted in good keiko for me today," Kisenosato commented afterwards. In a rare move, Kisenosato also ventured out for de-geiko yesterday visiting the Sakaigawa-beya, which boasts multiple Makuuchi rikishi. The former Naruto-oyakata largely prohibited de-geiko, and the current stable master has maintained the same policy, so this basho marks the first time in four years that Kisenosato has been allowed to stray outside of the stable confines for practice.

May 2ndsearch for cupids and Asian girls
Kotooshu hampered by left elbow
Ozeki Kotooshu indicated today that his left elbow is still bothering him. The Bulgarian withdrew from the Haru basho after sustaining ligament damage in the joint, and while it has gotten better, the Ozeki can only do keiko with his arm heavily taped and then icing of the elbow afterwards. "when I first suffered the injury, I couldn't even hold a bottle of water," he explained. "I think this is probably the worst I've been injured in my career. It is getting a little bit better, but I still don't have my strength back in that arm." Kotooshu is currently kadoban meaning he must win at least eight bouts or be demoted from the Ozeki ranks. If he is demoted, that would leave only three Ozeki on the banzuke following Harumafuji's promotion to Yokozuna in September and Baruto's demotion after the Kyushu basho.

April 30thsearch for cupids and Asian girls
Musashimaru wears keiko mawashi to conduct butsukari-geiko
Former Yokozuna Musashimaru donned a white mawashi today and actually entered the dohyo during the morning keiko routine at the stable. With a host of young rikishi, Musashigawa-oyakata wanted to see if any of them could push him around during butsukari-geiko. "If they can push me back then they're worthy," he joked after the session. Musashimaru's nephew, Fiamalu Penitani, who will officially join the stable if he passes his physical tomorrow, stepped into the ring to try and push around his uncle but enjoyed little success buckling at the knees time after time. Musashimaru chided the kid saying, "If you can't push me you'll stop at Jonidan," but the session was in good fun. Penitani stands 190 centimeters tall and already weighs 138 kilograms.

Ikioi outperforms Okinoumi in keiko ring
M9 Ikioi visited the Hakkaku-beya today where he did battle with newly-promoted Komusubi Okinoumi. The two fought 32 bouts in a row with Ikioi dominating 22-10. Afterwards Ikioi revealed that he'll be performing at an upcoming music festival in June to be held at the Tokyo University of the Arts. Ikioi is famous for his voice and often performs songs (called sumo jinku) at exhibitions, and at the event in June he will be backed by a 100 piece orchestra. Regarding the upcoming Natsu basho, he simply stated, "This tournament I have to go all out." Ikioi finished just 4-11 at the Haru basho.

Rookie Chiyootori keiko report
Makuuchi rookie Chiyootori began his pre-basho keiko yesterday working out with stable mate Chiyonokuni. The two battled 29 times with no concrete results, but reports noted Chiyootori's strong thrusting attack. When asked about his sumo after the session, he downplayed his performance saying, "Chiyotairyu's attack is stronger than mine. I still have a long way to go." When asked about his yori-kiri victory over Ozeki Baruto at the general keiko session on Sunday, he modestly replied, "I think that was only because his knee popped on him during the bout. I can tell that the Makuuchi division is different, so all I can do is polish my own sumo."

April 28thsearch for cupids and Asian girls
Sokokurai makes his return at the general keiko session
Sumo's general keiko session, which is conducted prior to each Tokyo basho, was held yesterday at the Ryogoku Kokugikan drawing approximately 5,100 fans. For the first time in over two years, 29 year-old Sokokurai stepped atop the dohyo after being reinstated when a judge ruled the Mongolian was dismissed without merit two years ago during the bout-fixing scandal. Sokokurai did well in his return to the dohyo to finish 2-1 against three of the Makuuchi rookies, but then Yokozuna Hakuho called him into the ring for a few more bouts. The Yokozuna had promised to conduct Sokokurai's butsukari-geiko session, but he surprised his countryman when he called him to the dohyo for an actual dose of keiko. Hakuho threw Sokokurai around like a rag doll, but afterwards Sokokurai indicated that he was just happy to be back. "I've never practiced with him before, so I was shocked," he said afterwards of his keiko against the Yokozuna. "I was plenty nervous and knew I had no chance, but I was happy he did that."

As for Hakuho, he clarified his actions afterwards saying, "He's overcome a tough road, but now he's back in the bigtime, so I wanted to gauge his power and see where his sumo is at. I thought the fought hard out there." As for Kitanoumi Rijicho, he commented on Sokokurai's return saying, "He had no momentum from the tachi-ai, and he also looked out of shape." Sokokurai's stablemaster, Arashio-oyakata added, "He's probably at Makushita strength right now, and then he'll be around Juryo for Nagoya." In other news from the session, Yokozuna Harumafuji dominated Ozeki Kakuryu while Sekiwake Baruto was reportedly in fine form.

April 27thsearch for cupids and Asian girls
Musashigawa-beya reopens with former Musashimaru at the helm
The Musashigawa-beya re-opened its doors last week led by former Yokozuna Musashimaru, who becomes the second foreign-born rikishi to become a stable master (former Sekiwake Takamiyama and Azumazeki-oyakata was the first). Musashimaru assumed the Musashigawa name after Musoyama officially took over the stable and renamed it the Fujishima-beya. Musashimaru remained affiliated with the stable; however, his 18 year-old nephew visited the stable last year from Hawaii to give professional sumo a try and decided to enter the sport. Because a stable is allowed only one foreign rikishi, the only way for Musashimaru to coach his nephew was to re-establish the Musashigawa-beya. The former Yokozuna officially cut ties with the Fujishima-beya on April first and then opened the doors to his new stable on April 24th.

As he gazed up at the new wooden sign hanging over the stable entrance, Musashimaru commented, "It really changes the atmosphere. Now it really looks like a sumo stable. My heart is so full right now I'm close to tears." When asked about creating is own stable just so he could coach his nephew he said, "I just wanted to coach him myself. He has the same demeanor as me, so I hope to be a good communicator and create an upbeat stable. My hope is to teach him the basics through diligent keiko."

When asked about the make-up of his stable which includes nothing but inexperienced rikishi in one Jonokuchi member, a rikishi who fought mae-zumo in Osaka, his nephew, and one other newcomer who will go through the initial examination process May 1st, Musashigawa-oyakata commented, "I was the same way, but I prefer them to be amateurs. I'm going to do my best to help them learn, and I hope to raise a sekitori within five year's time."

April 25thsearch for cupids and Asian girls
Sumo Association releases Natsu basho banzuke four days early
The Sumo Association released the Natsu basho banzuke a few days early in order to gain sufficient press before Japan's Golden Week holiday, which starts next Monday and runs through the entire week. Yokozuna Hakuho slides back into the prestigious East Yokozuna slot coming off of his 9th career zensho yusho. The Yokozuna can tie Asashoryu for 25 career yusho if he takes the Emperor's Cup in May. He is joined by Harumafuji who slides one notch over to the West. With little change among the Ozeki, Sekiwake, and Komusubi ranks, the highlight of the banzuke is newly-promoted Komusubi, Okinoumi, who becomes the first sanyaku rikishi in 121 years to hail from Shimane Prefecture. Okinoumi makes the giant leap after posting 11 wins at the Haru basho.

Four rikishi will make their debut in the Makuuchi division beginning with 20 year-old Chiyootori, Homarefuji who fights from the Isegahama-beya alongside Yokozuna Harumafuji, Daikiho who fights from the Miyagino-beya alongside Yokozuna Hakuho, and Azumaryu, the lone Mongolian of the bunch. Kyokushuho also makes his return to the division after a stint in the Juryo ranks. The complete Makuuchi ranks are as follows:

March 25thsearch for cupids and Asian girls
Hakuho's yusho press conference
Yokozuna Hakuho held his usual morning-after press conference today at a hotel in Sakai City in order to discuss his career 24th yusho and record-breaking 9th zensho yusho. When asked about his first zensho yusho performance in more than two years, he answered, "I kind of felt like I had forgotten how to win all of my bouts, but I was able to focus on each bout at a time. The wild and crazy Haru basho was just that for everyone except me," he joked. Hakuho also explained that Taiho's wife presented him with a koshi-himo (rope used to keep the flaps of a kimono jacket together) that was a favorite of the late Yokozuna. "This is a treasure that I must never lose, and I will wear it when I need some momentum." Hakuho tied Kitanoumi in the career yusho mark, and up next is Asashoryu's 25 career yusho, which Hakuho could tie in May at the Natsu basho. When asked about those prospects, he stated, "It's right in front of me now, so I'm going to try my best." When asked about Taiho's 32 yusho, Hakuho replied, "I can see it on the horizon, but it's still a long ways away." The Video Research group that tracks television ratings announced today that the senshuraku broadcast received a 13.5% rating.

Sokokurai wins lawsuit against Sumo Association, opens up path to reinstatement
A major ruling was handed down in a Tokyo court today that declared the Sumo Association did not have enough information to prove that former Makuuchi rikishi, Sokokurai, was involved in yaocho, or bout fixing. Sokokurai was expelled from the Association along with 16 other rikishi; however, the judge overseeing the case ruled that the punishment was not warranted due to a lack of evidence. Reports indicate that the Sumo Associaiton will not appeal the ruling, and so Sokokurai could be reinstated as early as the Natsu basho. Sumo's board of directors will met at the end of April to discuss the conditions of Sokokurai's reinstatement as well as the reinstatement of other rikishi. As for Sokokurai, he held a press conference flanked by his lawyer, and with his hair tied up in the traiditional mage worn by the rikishi, he simply stated, "All I want is to return to the dohyo. I wasn't involved in yaocho, and I'm thankful to everyone who has supported me."