[sumo] Oldest Yumitori Rikishi Now

[Jonosuke Gomen]

As some of you may have noticed, we got a "renewed" yumitori since the Day
2 of Aki Basho.

East Jonidan 45, 44 year old Satonofuji of Iseghama Beya was asked to take
over the yumitori duty from a Tokitsukaze Beya's Makushita rikishi who
was injured and went on kyujo.

Traditionally yumitori rikishi is a Makushita rikishi selected from the
heya or Ichimon in which the yokozuna hailed from.

Satonofuji actually was picked to be a yumitori back at the 2013 Hatsu
Basho for Yokozuna Harumafuji who was from the same heya (Harumafuji made
his dohyo debut later than Satonofuji though). Satonofuji continued on with
the duty until  2018 Hatsu Basho so it's been three years and 8 months, he
is back on to perform the ceremony.

"I just made sure the order and flow then went out without much
preparation," Satonofuji admitted later.  "Once I started, my body
naturally moved."  "You know, now considering my age, I am here to  show
off my physique,"  Satonofuji says modestly.   But even after a few years
break, his skill and techniques are still sharp as ever.  It's been a while
since he put on his Oicho-mage with a Kesho-mawashi, but seeing him
performing again one can sense the elegance  and dignity of the whole
ceremony.

Asked to be back on the duty, Satonofuji felt the significance of this
timing witnessing up close the first yokozuna basho of Terunofuji of the
same Isegahama Beya.

"I never expected I would be able to perform the ceremony again.  While I
may be only a substitute, I feel an honor to be asked and I will do all my.
best to complete the task till the end," Satnofuji said.

 Oh by the way if someone asks who is the oldest active rikishi now, it is
West Jonidan 101 Hanagaze of Tatusanami Beya.  He is 51 years old.
 Somehow now I don't feel so old myself.

Gomen Komuru,
Jonosuke
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