Asakayama: Hoshoryu Has No Excuses; Onosato Can Top Aki
At the Day 1–2 torikumi meeting on the 6th at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, judging department head Asakayama Oyakata (former ozeki Kaio) put clear markers on both yokozuna. On Hoshoryu, back after right-leg surgery and three straight absences, he repeated that stacking wins would be "medicine" but stressed there are no excuses once he competes — he wants forward-moving, yokozuna-like sumo from a man still without a yusho in 10 tournaments at the rank.
On Aki champion Onosato, Asakayama said the left-shoulder recovery had him "gradually coming back" last basho, capped by a good yusho playoff win over ozeki Aonishiki: "Kyushu can be even better than last basho." With both yokozuna on the card for the year-end meet, he wants the joi to bring their A-game and close the year strongly.