Sumo News: new Takasago-beya

[Masumi Abe <abe@accesscom.com>]

As of February 5, 2002, previous Wakamatsu-beya becomes the new 
Takasago-beya with merging with previous Takasago-beya. The new 
Takasago-beya becomes the largest sumo-beya with 31 rikishi, surpassing the 
previously largest Musashigawa-beya which has 30 rikishi.

Previous 11th Wakamatsu Oyakata or former Ozeki Asashio becomes the 7th 
Takasago Oyakata.

Originally, previous Takasago Oyakata was planning to pass the Takasago 
name to former Sekiwake Mitoizumi or Nishikido Oyakata. But a scandal 
related to the Nishikido Oyakata's previous fiance caused his resignation 
from being the Takasago Oyakata-to-be.

The merger means the end of Wakamatsu-beya which has been continuously 
active since 1929. I hope a sekitori from Wakamatsu-beya, such as Sekiwake 
Asashoryu, will revive the Wakamatsu-beya in the future.

-Toshiyori Masumiriki