Wakatakakage Returns in a Jet-Black Kesho-Mawashi With a Deep Purple Dragon He Designed Himself
Wakatakakage, back at Kyushu after sitting out two basho, is wearing a new kesho-mawashi that looks all black at first glance; up close, a deep purple dragon appears. Nikkan Sports says fans on social media called it 'stylish and cool' and 'so understated it stands out even more.' It was a gift from the Tokyo Higashi Edogawa Rotary Club, one of whose members is close to him. The club let him design it: 'Rather than us making something on our own, it's better that it's a design the sekitori likes,' a club representative said. 'The colors are all his choice. I thought the dragon should be gold, but this was better.' Had his recovery dragged on and his absence continued, he could have dropped to makushita; the gift was presented as he came back. 'I'm worried, but as long as he's competing, we'll cheer for him.'