“When I rest, it's time to retire.” Former Sekiwake Takarafuji announces retirement and succession of the elder name “ Kiriyama” at press conference

 

Former Sekiwake Takarafuji (38, Isegahama stable), who announced his retirement from active duty and the succession of the elder name “Kiriyama,” held a press conference at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on the 2nd. His record of 1,398 consecutive tournament appearances since his debut in the January 2009 tournament ranks sixth all-time, while his 990 consecutive appearances in the top division rank seventh. He bid farewell to his active career, spanning 99 tournaments with 678 wins and 720 losses, stating he had “done everything he could,” and will now focus on coaching the next generation.

 

The deciding factor for retirement was “my body just wouldn't move anymore, and injuries kept piling up.” An injury to his thigh before the Autumn Tournament also played a role.

 

He enjoyed a long career with his powerful left-handed grip. He was promoted to new komusubi at the 2015 Nagoya Tournament and to new sekiwake at the 2016 Autumn Tournament. Throughout his roughly 16 and a half years as a wrestler, he never missed a tournament, steadily extending his consecutive appearance streak.

 

“I won't take a break until I retire. For me, the time to rest is when I retire.” That was his resolve.

 

However, since the Hatsu Basho this year, where he was ranked West Maegashira 8, he suffered five consecutive tournaments with more losses than wins. At the Autumn Tournament, ranked East Juryo 12, he recorded 5 wins and 10 losses. This made it highly likely he would fall from the sekitori ranks, a position he had held for 15 years since the Autumn Tournament of 2010, to Makushita in the next tournament.

 

His stablemaster, Isegahama (33, former Yokozuna Terunofuji), who is five years younger and has long watched over his senior stablemate's career, expressed his admiration: “He's a senior who nurtured me when I was an active wrestler. The fact he's continued wrestling to this age is truly remarkable. He truly is the ‘treasure of the stable’.”

 

Additionally, Takarafuji hails from Nakadomari Town, Kitatsugaru District, Aomori Prefecture. During the Autumn Tournament, his younger stablemate, Takarafuji (26), ranked East Maegashira 12, missed all bouts, putting the 142-year tradition of Aomori-born Makuuchi wrestlers at risk of ending.

 

Even so, as Nishikifuji (29), who secured promotion to Makuuchi and carried on the history, stated, “It's because Takarafuji kept it going,” this legacy could not have been sustained without his senior stablemate, who long protected their hometown's history.

 

Moving forward, he will become a stablemaster at the Isegahama stable as the retired name “Kiriyama.” He already envisions the future: “I always thought it would be absolutely unacceptable if we ended the history of Aomori wrestlers in the top division during our time. Now, with juniors like Nishikifuji and Takarafuji emerging, I can entrust it to them with peace of mind. But the next generation hasn’t been cultivated yet.”

 

As a mentor, he will continue pouring his passion into sumo while backing the preservation of tradition.

 Source: https://www.nikkansports.com/m/battle/sumo/photonews/photonews_nsInc_202510020000744-0.html

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

“When I rest, it's time to retire.” Former Sekiwake Takarafuji announces retirement and succession of the elder name “Kiriyama” at press conference