Sumo roadshows were held on Matsumoto and Nagano on October 14th and 16th 2015.
Eight years have passed since the last sumo roadshow in Matsumoto (and 3 years since the last one in Nagano), but super strong Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion), Hakuho, still reigns since the last event. He is injured this time so two other yokozunas and major wrestlers will appear in his place.
A new hero from Kiso in Nagano Prefecture stepped into the sumo ring (dohyo) in his home prefecture. He is Mitake-umi, named after the volcano Ontake, which erupted last year and saw many victims and considerable damage to the Kiso area, a popular hiking spot for the Nakasendo samurai trail) At that time he was a college student and the strongest amateur wrestler. He chose to become a professional sumo wrestler and encouraged the people of Kiso.
He has scored very well in the lower divisions and will make his debut in the makuuchi (top) division this November. So, he has returned in triumph in this sumo performance in Matsumoto and received a great applause.
For those visiting the area, Chanko (a special stew that sumo wrestlers eat) Dining Sumotei was opened by an ex-sumo wrestler near Matsumoto Castle last year.
