Mitoizumi Danpatsu Ceremony

[Joe Kuroda <joe_kuroda@yahoo.com>]

Former komusubi Mitoizumi, 38, had his final
salt-throwing, facing his stable-brother rikishi,
Toki, 
at his Danpatsu Ceremony held at the Kokugikan on June
9.

Setting the record for most in the cutting ceremony, 
453 people (beating the previous record of 470 held by
Onokuni), including his former stable mate and
"talento" KONISHIKI participated in the cutting
ceremony, taking over two hours.  As the former 
komusubi Fujinishiki, Takasago oyakata, made the final
cut, Mitokizumi quietly wiped away his tears 
and put a period to his 23 year rikishi life.

"My mind went totally blank.  It was like a dream. 
But tomorrow morning when I wake up and touch my head,
I know I won't be feeling my 'mage' anymore," said the
new Nishikido oyakata realizing his active sumo life
was finally over.   

Nishikido oyakata invited two hundred single mother
families to his "Danpatsu Ceremony" as
he lost his father when he was little and was raised
by his mother alone and knows the hardships 
experienced by many single parent families.  
       
Mitoizumi made his dohyo debut at the Haru Basho in
1978, had his first Makuuchi basho in the Aki 
Basho, 1984. Making the best use of his 194 cm and 192
kg physique, he won the yusho in the Nagoya Basho,
1992 with 13 wins and 2 losses record. His 807 career
wins is the seventh most in sumo history.   

"Now I'd like to concentrate on training and
supporting young rikishis.  I will be studying 
harder as I know how difficult it is to teach to others."

=====
.....Jonosuke 
  <  Heart  Technique  Physique     ^ÐS   ^ËZ   ^ÑÌ  >

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