Sumo: Aonishiki trains around pain ahead of ozeki return
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Ukrainian star Aonishiki said Wednesday he is managing injuries to his left ankle and big toe as he prepares for his ozeki return at
Ukrainian sumo wrestler Aonishiki is managing injuries to his left ankle and big toe as he prepares to return to ozeki rank at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, which begins on September 13 at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. The 22-year-old, who recently won a third top-division title and was promoted to his current rank at the Nagoya meet, has been working with fellow wrestlers during a regional summer tour stop in Kawasaki, near Tokyo.
Aonishiki said he expects to get himself fit to participate in more training activities as the tournament approaches. His stablemaster, Ajigawa, has accompanied Aonishiki on the tour, serving as a ringside judge. Aonishiki also visited the former sekiwake's family home and sumo dojo in Aomori Prefecture during a rest day, expressing his interest in his stablemaster's hometown and enjoying the pickled eggplant served there in Aomori.
As the tour progresses towards its final stage, Aonishiki emphasizes that he will carefully consider the timing for resuming full sparring, with his return to ozeki rank to be officially announced alongside the tournament rankings on Monday.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
