A children's sumo tournament hosted by Hakuho's master Miyagino, former yokozuna of sumo, was held, and Ukrainian children showed their enthusiasm among about 900 participants.
This tournament, named "Hakuho Cup", was started by former yokozuna Hakuho's master Miyagino to spread and develop sumo, and this is the 13th time.
About 900 students participated in the tournament held at the Kokugikan in Ryogoku, Tokyo.
Children from overseas also participated in the competition for the first time in three years due to the impact of the new coronavirus, and among them, five children participated from Ukraine, where Russia's military invasion continues.
The Ukrainian children who arrived in Japan on the 10th are not usually able to get together and practice due to the prolonged military invasion, but they still showed a strong sumo wrestling when they got up to the ring.
In addition, there was also a project where master Miyagino, who was wearing a mawashi, and children played sumo, and applause was sent from the venue to the children who tried hard to push out the master.
Mr. Makarov Semyon, who participated from Ukraine, said, "At first, I couldn't believe that I would be able to come to Japan. It was fun all day long."
Miyagino Oyakata said, “We were able to safely hold the tournament with children from overseas participating, and I think things are starting to get back to normal. I want you to come back to me," he said.
Participants from disaster areas in Iwate Prefecture
In this year's "Hakuho Cup", Masashi Sato, a 6th grade elementary school student from Yamada Town, Iwate Prefecture, who was in the disaster area of the Great East Japan Earthquake due to his connection with Miyagino master, participated in the tournament for the first time.
Sato-kun was born on March 2, 2011, nine days before the earthquake.
Mr. Sato's house was on a hill and was safe, but the town suffered great damage from the tsunami.
About three months after the earthquake, Master Miyagino, who was then chairman of the sumo wrestlers' association, paid a visit to Yamada Town.
At this time, there is a photo of Sato-kun being hugged by Miyagino master.
His father, Tetsuya Sato, recalled, "Hakuho said, 'I'll give you a hug.'
Sumo wrestling was originally popular in Yamada Town, and there was a sumo wrestling hall that could accommodate about 800 people, and prefectural and Tohoku tournaments were held there.
The sumo stadium was completely destroyed by the tsunami, but the sumo ring was rebuilt on a hill in the town with donations from the sumo wrestlers association the year after the earthquake.
Sato-kun began training with his father, Tetsuya, who was a sumo wrestling instructor, in the second grade of elementary school.
Currently, he has practiced with about 10 other players, and has improved his skills, such as placing third in the individual competition for each grade at this year's prefectural tournament.
The day before the Hakuho Cup, Sato-kun was invited to the Miyagino stable where he practiced with overseas players before the actual performance.
In the actual event, he participated in the 6th grade division, and although he showed offense that made use of his speed in front of Master Miyagino, he was unfortunately defeated in the first match.
After finishing the bout, Mr. Miyagino said to Mr. Sato, "You did a good sumo wrestling."
“I thought there were a lot of strong people.
Her father, Tetsuya, said cheerfully, "I think I was able to repay even a little for the donation of the ring. I wish I could have won, but I think I gave it my all. As a parent, I want to praise him." .
Miyagino Oyakata said, "It was a strange feeling for a child who grew up in a ring donated by the sumo wrestlers' association to participate in this tournament. It's deeply moving."