Fujinokawa Wins at the Edge Against Yoshinofuji for His First Win: 'I Hate Losing Streaks'
Sekiwake Fujinokawa, 21 (Isenoumi), beat komusubi Yoshinofuji, 25 (Isegahama), by tsukiotoshi on Day 4 to stop a three-bout losing streak; he is 1-3 and Yoshinofuji 2-2, Nikkan Sports and Jiji Press report. Yoshinofuji got his right arm inside and charged, but Fujinokawa held on at the straw and timed a left-hand thrust-down to reverse it. 'The content was bad, but I'm glad the losing streak stopped. I hate losing streaks,' he said. He had been 1-5 against Yoshinofuji: 'I'm glad I beat an opponent I struggle with.' During the slump, 'I wasn't hitting at the tachi-ai.'
He went back on Day 3 to the bright blue shime-komi he used through September, saying the new one is 'stiff, I broke it in on the tour but it still didn't feel right.' Asked whether it was to change his luck: 'That has nothing to do with it.' His father, Kabutoyama oyakata (ex-maegashira Oikari), told him, 'Rather than being overly conscious of winning, just do it the way you always have' (Jiji). Fujinokawa, who won 11 as a new sekiwake in September, on whether the win changes things: 'I hope it does.'
Sources: Yahoo! Japan Sports (Nikkan Sports) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Jiji Press) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Jiji Press photo)