Following the death of former sumo wrestler Sekiwaki Terao master Nishikiyama on the night of the 17th at the age of 60, his disciple Koyu Ani mourned the death of his respected master, saying, "He protected me with an open heart like a father, and to be honest, I wish I had seen him a little more."

【Click here for details】Former Sekiwaki Terao's Nishikiyama Oyakata dies

Former Sekiwaki Terao no Nishikiyama Oyakata was hospitalized with a chronic heart disease, but his condition suddenly changed in the early morning of the 17th, and according to the Japan Sumo Association, he died of congestive heart failure on the night of the 17th. He was 60 years old.

On the morning of the 18th, the same members of the same family came to pay their condolences to the Nishikiyama room in Tokyo's Koto Ward, including the former yokozuna Shibatayama Oyakata of Onokuni and the former Sekiwaki Kotonowaka no Sadogatake Oyakata.

And Ashiri, a disciple of the master of Nishikiyama, and the former master of the master, Toyomasa Koyui, Tachitagawa Oyakata, saw off the people at the doorstep after the condolences.

In an interview with the media, Ani said that he rushed from Osaka, where he was on tour, on the 17th to see his final moments, and said, "I hoped that the iron master would come back, but it didn't come true. I really want you to have a good rest."

He added, "He treated me like a parent and gave me a lot of love, and even though he caused me a lot of trouble, he still protected me with an open heart like a father. To be honest, I would have liked to have seen it a little more," he said, mourning the death of his respected mentor.

The name "Ani" is derived from the nickname that the master of Nishikiyama used to call him when he was a child, and he says, "He says that he wants to surpass his master, but he still can't even see his back, and he needs to get bigger and bigger. I would like to do my best so that the name Ani can be reached."

Chairman Hachikaku: "He was instrumental in the inheritance and development of sumo wrestling"

The chairman of the Japan Sumo Association, Hachikaku, made the comments in response to the death of Oyakata Nishikiyama, who was also born in Showa 38 and was active as the "Hana no Sanpachi Gumi".

In it, President Hachikaku said, "I am simply surprised to receive the sudden news of his passing. It was a head-to-head match from a well-rotated thrust, and I even licked the bitter cup a few times."

He added, "He has been active for a long time, and as a mentor, he has trained many wrestlers such as Sekiwaki Ani and Koyui Toyomasa, and has been instrumental in the inheritance and development of sumo wrestling. We would like to express our deepest condolences to his family."

Former yokozuna Shibatayama Oyakata of Ono Province "Sorry for his untimely death"

Former yokozuna Onokuni Shibatayama, who was in the same grade as Nishikiyama Oyakata and competed with him during his active career, said, "I had heard that he was not feeling well, and I had just received a letter from his wife saying, 'I'm sorry for the inconvenience caused by taking a leave of absence,' and I also sent a letter saying, 'I pray for your speedy recovery.' It is unfortunate that he died untimely."

He added: "He was slender and mobile, and his sharp thrusts were his hallmarks. Only at the same age can I see nostalgic images of the past."

Former Ozeki Kirishima's Mutsu Oyakata "I Still Can't Believe It"

When he was active, he belonged to the same Izutsu room as the Nishikiyama master, and the former Ozeki Kirishima's Mutsu master, who was a sibling, said, "I heard the story yesterday, and I still can't believe it. We've been working hard together."

Former Koyui Toyomasa's Tatsutagawa Oyakata "He was the best teacher"

Tachitagawa Oyakata, the former Koyui Toyomasa, who was the first sekitori raised by Nishikiyama Oyakata, said, "He was the best master, and looking at his face yesterday reminded me of the old days. At the time of the new apprentice examination, there were about 80 classmates in my class, and I was worried, but my teacher told me, 'You may be the weakest of them, but the two of you will do your best, and you will overtake them all to stand at the top.'"

On top of that, he said, "My master taught me grit and passion for sumo wrestling, and I want to pass on what I have learned to my disciples."