Hakuho, a 45-time sumo champion, held his retirement ceremony on Saturday when his topknot was cut one at a time by about 280 acquaintances, including former sumo wrestlers and Japanese celebrities.
Mongolian-born Hakuho retired in September 2021, joining fellow former yokozuna Kisenosato, former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and Toyota Motor Corporation president Akio Toyoda at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.
On January 28, 2023, at his retirement ceremony at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, former yokozuna Hakuho and current stablemaster Miyagino had his topknot removed by former stablemaster Magaki. (Pool photo) (Kyodo)
Hakuho wipes away tears when former yokozuna Harumafuji, also from Mongolia, cuts the base of the knot and Magaki, former stablemaster and sumo elder, finally removes the dumpling worn by the active sumo wrestler. rice field.
Hakuho, known as the head of the Miyagino stable, said, “I feel lonely as if I lost a part of my body.” “It was difficult because I couldn’t organize my feelings and had ups and downs (during the ceremony)”
Hakuho also performed his final ring-entry ceremony, with New Year tournament winner Takakage Ozeki as his sword holder and Toyohashi Sekiwake as his guide, the nephew of former Mongolian-born yokozuna Asashoryu.
“He’s also from Mongolia, and his uncle and I share a bond,” said Hakuho of Asashoryu, a then-powerful yokozuna when Hakuho reached the sport’s highest rank in 2007.
Hakuho, the 69th yokozuna, set numerous records, including a total of 1,187 wins. He took over the Miyagino stable last July.
“I promised to pull out the yokozuna and ozeki as soon as possible and return to the raised ring (as the master next time).” After the ceremony, Hakuho rubbed his head against the surface of the ring.
“It was to express my gratitude for the ring I gave.”
At the retirement ceremony held at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on January 28, 2023, former yokozuna Harumafuji (second from right) cuts off part of his topknot, then former yokozuna Hakuho, the current stablemaster. Miyagino is wiping his tears. (Pool photo) (Kyodo)
