A hair cutting ceremony was held for Tochinoshin, a former sumo ozeki, as fans and officials mourned his retirement.
Tochinoshin, a former ozeki, is a 36-year-old native of Georgia. He is known for his powerful four-way sumo wrestling that takes advantage of his blessed physique, and became the first Georgian sumo wrestler to win at the inaugural tournament in 2018. He was later promoted to ozeki.
However, due to repeated injuries, he dropped from ozeki five years ago and retired last summer.
After his retirement, he did not remain with the Japan Sumo Association, but instead started a trading company and taught younger wrestlers at his Kasugano stable.
On the 4th, a hair cutting ceremony was held at the Kokugikan in Ryogoku, Tokyo, and about 300 people, including Yokozuna Terunofuji and his father Zaza Golgadze, cut their hair.
Tears welled up in his eyes when Nishikiki and Ryuden, his classmates in his first ring, and Tamawashi, who he had fought against many times during his active career, put in scissors.
Finally, his master, Master Kasugano, cut off his large tabus and bid farewell to his 17-year career as a sumo wrestler.
Tochinoshin, who responded to the interview while getting his hair done, said, ``When I came to Japan at the age of 17, I didn't know anyone, but now I'm happy that so many people have come together, and thanks to everyone. I've done my best so far," he said with a smile.
Looking back on his life as a sumo wrestler, he said, ``Being able to become a sekitori was the best part, but I also won the championship, and there were many good and regrettable memories in the sumo ring.Sumo is a tough world, but there is a lot of respect for people, and I am very grateful for it.'' I'm grateful," he said.