On May 7, Nishinomiya Gakuin Elementary School apparently presented sumo wrestler Takakeisho with a ceremonial apron.
Takakeisho (22), the new ozeki in professional sumo from Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture (real name: Takanobu Sato, Chiganoura stable), visited his alma mater, Nishinomiya Gakuin Elementary School in Nishinomiya, on the 7th and received a ceremonial apron from the “Nigawa Takakeisho Supporters’ Association,” made up of alumni and others.
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Questions from Students for Takakeisho
It seems current students asked Takakeisho a few questions.
Who do you respect?
Apparently, he named his homeroom teacher from elementary school. The venue reportedly got very excited.
You can just imagine the scene.
What was the most fun thing in elementary school?
He answered, “The school trip was fun too, but I liked the sports day,” and then said:
He especially liked the cavalry battle events in 5th and 6th grade, saying, “I gave it everything I had.”
That answer really makes you feel that Takakeisho’s fighting spirit has been there since he was little.
What do you want most right now?
Apparently, he answered, “A Shiba Inu, because I live alone and my room is so quiet.”
Shiba Inu are great, aren’t they? Personally, they’re the kind of dog I find absolutely irresistible too.
His Comment When Receiving the Ceremonial Apron
The ceremonial apron is said to feature Nishinomiya Gakuin Elementary School’s school color, a deep purple, along with the school emblem and name.
After receiving the apron, Takakeisho reportedly commented as follows:
“Now that I’ve received such a wonderful ceremonial apron, and since I’m already an ozeki, I can’t leave behind disappointing results. I want to tighten my resolve and work hard.”
Click here for the meaning of “tighten one’s resolve”
How He Handled the Students Swarming Around Him After the Ceremony
I found an interesting article from Nikkan Sports.
After the presentation ceremony ended and he finished the press interviews, he still didn’t leave. When he sat down in a chair, he smiled and interacted with the students who gathered around him. “You’re funny. You move like a comedian.” “You’re tall.” “Your mom is scary.” While signing autographs and taking commemorative photos, he tossed out little comments to each student one by one. He made them laugh with memories such as, “Back when we were kids, flattening your randoseru backpack was the trend,” and “I had only the shoulder straps custom-made, so my randoseru looked really tiny.” At the end, he delighted four or five students by calling them by name and saying, “All right, I’ve remembered your names!”
Isn’t he just an incredibly fun person? It must be amazing to be able to joke around with someone this impressive.
Finally
I tend to have the impression that sumo wrestlers don’t talk much, but Takakeisho seems very friendly and easygoing, chatting about all kinds of things. I’m sure many people feel genuinely happy just watching him.
We hope Takakeisho can stay injury-free in the summer tournament, steadily rack up wins, and keep pushing toward yokozuna. Good luck!
