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Terunofuji Retires!

 On Day 2 of this tournament, Terunofuji expressed, "I gave it everything I had, thinking, 'If this doesn’t work out...'" This statement revealed that he had stepped onto the dohyo with his future in sumo hanging in the balance. After suffering his second loss on Day 4, bringing his record to 2-2, he decided to withdraw from the tournament due to severe pain in his right knee and back(waist). This marked his third consecutive tournament withdrawal. And today, his retirement was officially announced.

Terunofuji faced extraordinary challenges, including severe knee injuries and diabetes, which made competing in sumo nearly impossible. Despite falling from the rank of Ozeki all the way down to Jonidan, he persevered through grueling rehabilitation and staged a remarkable comeback, ultimately reaching the pinnacle of the sport as a Yokozuna. Terunofuji's career on the dohyo was truly one of a kind, inspiring and encouraging countless fans.


I became a fan of Terunofuji during his Juryo days when he faced Osunaarashi. 

I was watching casually at first, but when Osunaarashi got a moro-zashi grip and firmly secured both mawashi grips, I thought, "Well, this one's in the bag for Osunaarashi." The next moment, Terunofuji executed a makiotoshi (twist down), slamming Osunaarashi onto the dohyo. Few rikishi could have overturned such a position against Osunaarashi. Watching that match, I was convinced Terunofuji would rise to the rank of Ozeki and began following his career closely. That said, I also thought, "He might follow in Baruto's (former ozeki) footsteps," as his sumo style was  rough and lacked finesse, which increased his risk of injury. Unfortunately, that prediction came true, but his subsequent comeback was beyond anything I could have imagined.

After his return to the upper ranks, Terunofuji's statements and demeanor showed clear signs of personal growth. His journey wasn't just that of a rikishi but also a young man's journey of growth as a human being.

【Memorable Quotes from Terunofuji】
"Being Yokozuna isn’t just about achieving results; it’s about being recognized by everyone as Yokozuna."
"When I was in a wheelchair due to injury, I learned the value of each day as I struggled to keep living. With the support of those around me, I think I’ve come this far."
"Even when I was at my lowest, those who kept supporting me gave me the determination to say, ‘I’ll do it again, no matter what.’ I wanted to make them feel it was worth cheering for Terunofuji."


Moving forward, he plans to dedicate himself to nurturing the next generation as an oyakata. Without a doubt, he will significantly contribute to the continued growth of the sumo world.

Thank you so much for all the unforgettable moments. Terunofuji, you have our deepest gratitude and admiration!




　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Written by 小柳公寿

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