Yatsushiro Native Matsunosato Wins Honbasho Debut in Home-Region Basho: 'I Want to Aim for the Title'
Sponichi Annex reports that jonokuchi #18 east Matsunosato, 19 (Nishonoseki), from Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, won his first honbasho bout on Day 2 against jonokuchi #17 west Anzakura (Ajigawa), 21, with a strong charge followed by a shoulder-slap pull-down (katasukashi). He said he was tense and stiff, and was congratulated by his stablemate and sumo-club senior Tanaka.
He developed plantar fasciitis in both feet after the last basho but says it is 'much better.' His oyakata, Nishonoseki (ex-yokozuna Kisenosato), told him to move forward. At 188 cm and 164 kg, he helped Tottori Johoku win the high school nationals team title as captain last year and debuted in the Nagoya basho. His family is expected to attend on Day 8, and he says he wants to show them a good performance.