Hitoshi Returns With a Fractured Eye Socket but Is Forced Out by Ryuden: 'It Was Scary, but I Have to Do It'
West Juryo 7 Hitoshi, 29 (Oitekaze), came back on Day 5 after three days out with a fractured left eye socket and was forced out by East Juryo 5 Ryuden, 36 (Takadagawa). At the tachi-ai Ryuden held a hand up in front of Hitoshi's left eye and moved to his right. 'It was scary, but I have to do it,' he said. Hurt against Tanji on Day 1, he was diagnosed with a left orbital floor fracture and a subconjunctival hemorrhage. His left eye was still bloodshot: 'I'm not wearing my contact lens, so I can't see. Whatever the diagnosis, I meant to compete.' The decision to return was his own.
At last year's May basho he wrestled on with a suspected fracture of the right eye socket and four stitches between his eye and eyebrow, barely able to see out of his swollen right eye. 'This time is harder,' he admits, but he won't sit out any more. Now 1-2-2, he said, 'I want to win two more no matter what so I can stay in juryo' (Nikkan Sports).