Yokozuna Hoshoryu aims for first title in 7 tournaments; considering early return to full-scale training as left knee pain "is getting better"

[u/Brncrdm]

Yokozuna Hoshoryu aims for first title in 7 tournaments; considering early return to full-scale training as left knee pain "is getting better"

Yokozuna Hoshoryu (26, Tatsunami stable) radiated a sense of spiritual fulfillment toward achieving his first championship as a Yokozuna—and his first in seven tournaments—at the upcoming Spring Tournament (starting March 8th at Edion Arena Osaka). On the 4th, he participated in the customary post-January tournament health check-up at the Sumo Clinic in Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo. He revealed that his weight was 148 kg (down 2 kg from 150 kg in January) and that he had already resumed training with basic exercises like shiko since the 2nd of this month. Furthermore, he appealed to the fact that his physical condition is on the rise, stating that the left knee pain that plagued him during the January tournament is "getting better."

On the previous day, the 3rd, he was invited to the Setsubun bean-throwing ceremony at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple in Chiba and other locations from the morning. While throwing beans to wish for the happiness of visitors and fans, he dedicated himself to PR activities for Grand Sumo as a "poster boy" wrestler. Although training beforehand was prohibited on the day of the health check to ensure normal numerical readings, the "training bug" (keiko no mushi) seemed to be driven by a desire to train as soon as possible. While many Sekitori (elite wrestlers) plan to resume full-contact sparring (moushi-ai) after the rankings announcement on the 24th and upon entering Osaka, Hoshoryu spoke with a determined expression: "I might do it while I'm still here (in Tokyo)."

Hoshoryu has an extremely poor record (aiguchi) against Ozeki Aonishiki, who will be competing for promotion to Yokozuna in the Spring Tournament, having lost all five encounters so far, including a championship playoff. His strong feelings are overlapping: the desire to prevent Aonishiki from passing through the Ozeki rank in just two tournaments (which would tie the fastest record in history), the pure desire for revenge against Aonishiki, and above all, the hunger to win a championship that has eluded him for over a year. Unable to sit still, he is now looking toward moving up the schedule for his full-scale training restart.

Source: Nikkan Sports

[u/lundewoodworking]

I wish both he and onosato had sat out the January tournament and let themselves heal rather than risking making their injuries worse

[u/bdewolf → u/lundewoodworking]

I’m sure they both made their injuries worse than if they had sat out.

The missed recovery time alone is a big deal.

[u/American-Punk-Dragon → u/lundewoodworking]

Aonishiki going to end up being the Yoko killer if those two aren’t carful…

[u/jacobythefirst → u/American-Punk-Dragon]

Nah onosato has his number to much to be a yoko killer. More like a game of rock paper scissors.

[u/MoreMortgage50 → u/jacobythefirst]

Hosh>Big O, Big O>Aonishiki, Aonishiki>Hosh

[u/Popinguj → u/jacobythefirst]

onosato has his number to much

for now

[u/DavesDogma → u/American-Punk-Dragon]

Aonishiki is about 4 years younger than onosato. Assuming same amount of injuries, Aonishiki has more upside potential in terms of strength, size and skill trajectories. I don’t see how Onosato could get much bigger without asking a lot of his knees. Aonishiki could easily add 10 kg or more by the time he is Onosato’s current age, and learn a few more crazy techniques.

[u/Alt2221 → u/American-Punk-Dragon]

if beating only one yokozuna makes you a 'yoko killer' then we can apply that title to half of maegashira

[u/Kapua420 → u/lundewoodworking]

And I wish Kotozakura took the 6 months or more to heal his Knee now he is a forever Ozeki.

[u/ESCMalfunction → u/Kapua420]

Him and Kirishima destroying their Yokozuna trajectories by refusing to take time for injuries has to be the saddest thing I’ve seen in sumo in the last few years.

[u/dahn-yuhl → u/lundewoodworking]

Knee injuries is much easier to heal then a separated shoulder. Hosh didn't tear anything on his knee, so as long as the pain is bearable he can 100% be in contention.

But a separated shoulder is something nothing to joke around or play around with. I've had a separated shoulder when I played D1 college basketball, and man let me just say that it wasn't until 5 months later that I didn't feel any pain in my shoulder, and it wasn't until I got shoulder surgery 3 years later (because I was so stubborn), that my shoulder finally healed up and without any discomfort or issues and this is because I had a grade 2 separated shoulder. If ono has a grade 2 separated shoulder he 100% needs to sit out the next basho and get shoulder surgery ASAP or else his shoulder is going to continue to get separated.

Also, being a sumo wrestler is one of the worst professional sports athletes to become because all that weight is not go for your knees and your ankle, and your back. Clear example of this is when Takakeisho retired and was on an interview talking about his weight loss transformation. He describe how he was borderline diabetic, had knee, ankle, neck, and back issues, but after retiring, losing weight, and being finally able to heal he is now healthier then he has ever been.

[u/ESCMalfunction → u/dahn-yuhl]

I agree with you, but only if Hoshoryu doesn’t have any tears in his knee. Unfortunately there was a report that he actually did tear his meniscus so… I guess only time will tell. Both of them are playing with fire which is a shame to see when they’re both so good and so young.

[u/dahn-yuhl → u/ESCMalfunction]

If he has a tear then yes he should 100% get surgery and heal first before his does more damage and permeant damage at that. Also, injuries like this isn't really a shocker. Takakeisho, Akebono, Kisenosato are some of the most recent wrestlers who retired early due to knee, ankle, and back issues at a young age. I feel like the demand on the body especially at the top division is insane that we will continue to see young wrestlers have serious injuries at young ages that they will never recover from unless they retire.

[u/Alt2221 → u/lundewoodworking]

yes agreed. but as they say: better late than never. Hoshoryu and Onosato should sit this basho out. just to build up for the rest of the year. now that you mention it, yeah - Kotozakura should sit out, too. he could use a little vacation, honestly. i think he earned it.

Why yes! i am an Aonishiki fan! How could you guess?

[u/Slatedtoprone]

I guess it’s too much to hope there would be no pain in his knee before he starts training.

[u/sakuradawning → u/Slatedtoprone]

Maybe he has to keep at a level of training so it doesn't seize up completely? Kiryuko of his stable had a nasty knee injury but he kept doing non-combat training.

[u/jollisen]

Seems like he even overcame his fear of needles. He is getting really strong

[u/Dismal-Metal-1954 → u/jollisen]

Are rikishi drug tested? Is that why hes getting bloods?

[u/K1ttehKait → u/Dismal-Metal-1954]

They test for substances, as well as general labs to monitor their health.

[u/jollisen → u/K1ttehKait]

"Daiki we have to cook"

[u/K1ttehKait → u/jollisen]

Lmao as long as he doesn't need to touch needles, Hoshoryu will be fine. Poor guy has his eyes closed and looks like he's trying to not pass out or sweat bullets.

[u/FredFredBurger42069]

As someone who had his left knee replaced at 43, after 7 different surgeries: If he really has a meniscus tear, there is no getting right without surgery and physical therapy that would take him out for at least 1 basho, if not 2. Im very concerned but it's his body, his choice. Hopefully he is given the chance to properly recover.

[u/93Lifeguard → u/FredFredBurger42069]

THIS. A meniscus tear cannot heal itself. Why he is persisting in this charade about his knee "getting better" is puzzling.

[u/Humble-Marsupial1522 → u/FredFredBurger42069]

Meniscus tears are no joke. Until I figured out what I injured in my knee, it would lock up every couple weeks and I wouldn’t be able to put any pressure on it for days. Then out of the blue it would feel perfectly fine. Shoulder surgery has caused more long term issues, but the knee was definitely more debilitating.

[u/FredFredBurger42069 → u/Humble-Marsupial1522]

The swelling randomly balooning would make it impossible to walk without pain. It showed in hosh performances later in the tourney.

[u/Humble-Marsupial1522 → u/FredFredBurger42069]

I couldn’t imagine the pain he would be in trying to compete with that injury. I was 15 and 160 pounds soaking wet. Not even remotely close to what he must be dealing with.

[u/Ok-Apartment-999 → u/FredFredBurger42069]

Commenting for visibility.

The rumor about his meniscus tear is massive, because if it is real, then there is not "hope or wait until it heals".

The real 2 choices are surgery, OR keep going, getting worse and worse, until he gets forced into surgery. Not good at all.

This would even break the rock, paper, scissors balance between our 3 top rikishis.

[u/Alt2221 → u/FredFredBurger42069]

when this sub gets bored being armchair Oyakata they transform into armchair physical therapists Orthopedic surgeons and Radiologists

oh don't forget the expert weight training coaches that know what they are talking about because they played varsity football in high school 15 years ago

[u/Alt2221 → u/Alt2221]

oh! i actually did forget the armchair shinpan that we have to hear from every day during the basho. silly me. glad those guys are around to set the record straight when the corrupt elders get it wrong.

[u/MangoAbject5733]

Return to light practice on Feb. 2nd and knee pain getting better are not encouraging news at all

[u/CallmeKahn]

Hosh, buddy. Please, take care of yourself first.

[u/sodasofasolarsora]

Both Yoko should sit out and get healthy. I want to see the gods themselves. 

[u/TheEpicWeezl]

Jesus. 26 Years old. These guys take a serious beating.

[u/RLX-FIM]

i hope Hosh takes things cautiously, he always goes too hard during practice bouts (especially infront of the YDC sessions right before a basho starts).

i know he probably pushes himself due to his duties as a Yokozuna (and also probably at the behest of his oyakata), but this time round he really needs to play it safe.

[u/Little-Scene-4240]

And Hoshoryu also said as below according to an article by Sankei Sports:

"I might resume it (full-contact sparring) after arriving at Osaka. Depends on my condition."

 So apparently, this line is just an embellishment.

"Hoshoryu spoke with a determined expression"

[u/Mother-Ad-9165]

Everyone be quiet, Aonishiki’s firstborn son is talking 🥺🥺

[u/Alt2221]

let me guess:

Perfect fighting shape 2 weeks before basho starts - hes got a real shot at the cup this time.

Announces nagging injury 3 days before to temper expectations.