Former Makuuchi Wrestlers Clash in Earnest: 'Yame Rikishi Cho Sumo' Press Conference Held
E-VENT announced a one-day sumo tournament featuring retired wrestlers, 'Yame Rikishi Cho Sumo', scheduled for June 6, 2026. A press conference with Toyonoshima and others revealed their motivations and competitive spirit.
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- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 19:10
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 16:47
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E-VENT Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo) held a press conference on Monday, March 30, 2026, in Kasumigaoka-cho, Tokyo, ahead of the one-day sumo tournament event 'Yame Rikishi Cho Sumo' (Super Sumo of Former Wrestlers), featuring former sumo wrestlers, scheduled to be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
The press conference was attended by former Sekiwake Toyonoshima, as well as Gagamaru, Shohozan, and Hidenoumi. The wrestlers shared their real struggles after retirement and their reasons for stepping into the ring once more. Each provided comments blending humor and fighting spirit, resulting in a heated atmosphere filled with back-to-back 'declarations of victory.'
[Comments from Participating Wrestlers]
Toyonoshima: 'I want to shine one more time'
Toyonoshima, who personally reached out to the participating wrestlers, spoke about his state of mind after retirement and his reasons for participating:
'Even after retiring, I had opportunities to visit the Kokugikan, and seeing the active wrestlers, I thought they were truly shining. My desire to shine like that again grew stronger, which is why I decided to participate this time.
Right now, I am also coaching women's sumo in Tachikawa, so I am moving my body properly. I am truly grateful to be able to step into the ring again in a setting like this, and my only goal is to win the championship. Thank you very much.'
Gagamaru: 'My body isn't perfect. But I won't lose'
Gagamaru spoke candidly about the changes and struggles he faced after retiring.
'When I was active, I weighed about 220 kg, but now I've dropped to about 145 kg. Honestly, regarding my knees...'
The press conference was attended by former Sekiwake Toyonoshima, as well as Gagamaru, Shohozan, and Hidenoumi. The wrestlers shared their real struggles after retirement and their reasons for stepping into the ring once more. Each provided comments blending humor and fighting spirit, resulting in a heated atmosphere filled with back-to-back 'declarations of victory.'
[Comments from Participating Wrestlers]
Toyonoshima: 'I want to shine one more time'
Toyonoshima, who personally reached out to the participating wrestlers, spoke about his state of mind after retirement and his reasons for participating:
'Even after retiring, I had opportunities to visit the Kokugikan, and seeing the active wrestlers, I thought they were truly shining. My desire to shine like that again grew stronger, which is why I decided to participate this time.
Right now, I am also coaching women's sumo in Tachikawa, so I am moving my body properly. I am truly grateful to be able to step into the ring again in a setting like this, and my only goal is to win the championship. Thank you very much.'
Gagamaru: 'My body isn't perfect. But I won't lose'
Gagamaru spoke candidly about the changes and struggles he faced after retiring.
'When I was active, I weighed about 220 kg, but now I've dropped to about 145 kg. Honestly, regarding my knees...'