Today, it looks like Takakeisho-zeki is coming to Nishinomiya Hankyu Gardens for a ceremonial kesho-mawashi presentation.
【Takakeisho-zeki Kesho-mawashi Presentation Ceremony】
On March 3, Takakeisho-zeki’s “Kesho-mawashi Presentation Ceremony” will be held at Hankyu Nishinomiya Gardens.
It starts at 3:30 p.m. The venue is the Sky Garden on the 4th floor of the main building, or the Welcome Garden on the 1st floor of the main building in case of rain. Admission is free✨
Why not come cheer on Takakeisho-zeki together ahead of the Osaka Tournament?😁 #貴景勝 pic.twitter.com/g9P1pfecJW— 赤穂の天塩 (@ako_amashio) 2019年2月26日
According to the linked post, Takakeisho-zeki’s kesho-mawashi presentation ceremony will be held at the Sky Garden on the 4th floor of the main building at Hankyu Nishinomiya Gardens.
If it rains, it seems the venue will move to the Welcome Garden on the 1st floor of the main building. Today’s weather is a bit uncertain, with the Japan Weather Association forecasting cloudy skies and Weathernews forecasting rain, so there may be a chance it will be held on the 1st floor.
The kesho-mawashi presentation ceremony will last 30 minutes.
Scenes from the Kesho-mawashi Presentation Ceremony
It seems about 1,000 spectators gathered.
After lunch, I walked over to Nishinomiya Gardens and watched Takakeisho-zeki’s kesho-mawashi presentation ceremony. pic.twitter.com/YQWKAo0exq
— Shizao1104 (@Shizao1104) 2019年3月3日
Takakeisho-zeki attended a kesho-mawashi presentation ceremony and talk event at his local Hankyu Nishinomiya Gardens.https://t.co/6T7KJIryoB pic.twitter.com/1vmc2syQ6W
— 佐々木一郎 (@Ichiro_SUMO) 2019年3月3日
At the talk event, he apparently said he had watched “永遠の0” at the TOHO Cinemas in Gardens.
When two boys from his alma mater, Nigawa Elementary School, asked, “Who is your toughest opponent in the sumo world?” he replied, “At this rank, everyone is strong. My biggest rival is myself.” It sounds like he was already speaking with the dignity of a yokozuna.
Thank you to everyone who came to yesterday’s kesho-mawashi presentation ceremony for Takakeisho-zeki at Nishinomiya Gardens😊
That “I want to be your bride…” moment that even made it onto TV stole the show😆
It was a great event‼️ pic.twitter.com/cPj2vJ1S2K— 赤穂の天塩 (@ako_amashio) 2019年3月4日
At the talk event, a young girl asked, “I want to become Takakeisho-zeki’s bride when I grow up. Will you make me your bride?” Takakeisho-zeki reportedly gave a wry smile and answered, “Let’s meet once in 10 years.”
I brought my child to Nishinomiya Gardens today and ended up running into a Twitter friend and Takakeisho. Apparently there’s going to be a kesho-mawashi presentation ceremony.#貴景勝 pic.twitter.com/h4dhUPCuPR
— ウルソ提督 (@UDCAdmiral) 2019年3月3日
There was also a video. It shows Takakeisho-zeki walking through Gardens. Apparently, he often came to Hankyu Nishinomiya Gardens to hang out when he was in elementary and junior high school. I’m sure some fun memories must have come back to him.
Takakeisho’s Connection to Nishinomiya
We looked into Takakeisho-zeki’s connections to Nishinomiya. He is from neighboring Ashiya.
He Spent His Elementary School Years at Nigawa Gakuin Elementary School in Kotoen
Takakeisho-zeki attended the private Nigawa Gakuin Elementary School in Kotoen for six years. After winning his first championship at last year’s Kyushu Tournament (2018), he apparently visited Nigawa Gakuin Elementary School for a victory report event.
Before His Championship, He Had Already Spoken About His Dreams at Nigawa Gakuin Elementary School
In March of last year (2018), before his championship win, it seems a “Takakeisho-zeki Encouragement Rally” was also held at Nigawa Gakuin Elementary School. The banner reading “If you work hard, your dreams will come true!” really stands out.
https://www.nigawa.ac.jp/nigawa-info/elementary/2133
He also appears to have visited in June 2017 for a special alumni class at Nigawa Gakuin Elementary School called “Future Blueprint.”
https://www.nigawa.ac.jp/nigawa-info/elementary/2184
What Got Him Into Sumo Was Koshikiiwa Shrine
Believe it or not, Takakeisho-zeki apparently began sumo because he entered a sumo tournament at Koshikiiwa Shrine when he was in the third grade of elementary school.
According to Kobe Shimbun,“Takakeisho-zeki, who is from Ashiya and attended Nigawa Gakuin Elementary School, began sumo in third grade after taking part in a sumo tournament at Koshikiiwa Shrine (Nishinomiya City). Teacher Kazuhiro Maekawa (41) says they often practiced sumo in the schoolyard sandpit. ‘He was mischievous but kind-hearted. He grew stronger day by day, and by the upper grades he had a presence so powerful it was overwhelming,’ he recalls.”! ^ – ^Takakeisho Wins His First Championship! | Koshikiiwa Shrine Blog
The Koshikiiwa Shrine blog has photos of Takakeisho-zeki helping out at an event called Koshikiiwa Crying Sumo when he was in junior high or high school.
https://ameblo.jp/koshikiiwa-negi/entry-12421699789.html
He Attended Hotoku Gakuen Junior High School
According to Wikioedia, Takakeisho-zeki went on to Hotoku Gakuen Junior High School, known as a strong sumo school.
In August 2011, when he was in his third year of junior high, he won the National Junior High School Sumo Championship and earned the title of junior high school yokozuna. At the time, he tearfully said, “I’m happy because I could never become number one before.”
Takakeisho-zeki has strong ties to Nishinomiya. It certainly seems like there’s no doubt he’ll become a yokozuna. Nishinomiya Tsushin is cheering for Takakeisho-zeki!!
