[Rikishi News] Chiyotaikai

[Joe Kuroda <joe_kuroda@yahoo.com>]

Mainichi Shimbun - Feb12, 1999
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The Hatsu basho champion and new ozeki 22 year old Chiyotaikai has
returned to Ohita City, Ohita Prefecture in Kyushu today for the Yusho
Victory parade. Estimated crowd of 150,000 lined up along 1 km parade
route through downtown Chuo-Dori (Center Avenue).

Chiyotaikai riding a convertible with Kokonoe oyakata kept smiling and
waving to his cheering and bell ringing fans through the 30 minute
parade.  Chiyotaikai is the second ozeki from Ohita Prefecture after
the legendary yokozuna Futabayama.  A fan who has seen the famed
yokozuna as a child said, "If he keeps working hard, there is no doubt
he is going to be Ohita's second yokozuna after Futabayama".  The
people here are already hoping for the next plateau.

As sekiwake, Futabayama won his first yusho and was promoted to ozeki.
 Then he was promoted to yokozuna after only two bashos as he repeated
the yushos. It looked as if many fans were dreaming of another
Futabayama.      

After the parade, at a city hotel, Chiyotaikai received the Honorary
Ohita Prefecture Citizen award from Hiramatsu Governor and the
Honorary Ohita City Citizen award from Kinoshita Mayor.      

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