Sumo Broadcaster Kunihiro Sugiyama, 96, Watches Day 4 From Beside the Hanamichi
Former NHK announcer and sumo journalist Kunihiro Sugiyama, 96, was seen by the east hanamichi on Day 4, ABEMA TIMES reports. The camera caught him during Juryo 13 Tokifudo's (Tokitsukaze) win over Makushita 1 Tenshozan (Tamanoi): Tokifudo, giving up 18 cm in height, hit low, got both arms inside and pushed Tenshozan out from behind (okuridashi) to go 3-1, while Tenshozan fell to 1-2. Some viewers worried when they noticed a cane beside him, something rarely seen before, but others wrote 'Glad to see he's well' and 'His gaze is as sharp as ever.' One post on X noted him celebrating behind Tamawashi after his third straight win.
THE ANSWER also noted his Day 4 appearance, recalling that he joined NHK in 1953 and became famous for his sumo play-by-play before turning to sumo journalism. Posts on X included 'Relieved to see Sugiyama looking well' and 'Watching in person every basho is a great feat.'
Sources: Yahoo! Japan Sports (ABEMA TIMES) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (THE ANSWER)