InsideJapan News Network
Wednesday,
29th
September
2010
In Sports,
In Sports,
Sumo star quits sport
Iwakiyama has confirmed that he will not be returning to the sumo arena after suffering from a minor stroke.
The former komusubi announced his retirement on the last day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan, reports the Japan Times.
"My wife told me that it will be useless if I push myself into an early grave. This was the best choice," explained Iwakiyama.
The 34-year-old fighter had resumed training following the stroke in April but has struggled to regain his fitness.
He is now expected to become a coach at the Sakaigawa stable under the sumo elder name Sekinoto.
The recent Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament saw Yokozuna Hakuho take his 16th Makuuchi division title following a15-0 record in the event. He is now the only sumo to have gone four straight meets undefeated since the creation of the six-season tournament in 1958.
Written by Mark Smith.
Related news stories:
Sumo star warned over drug injections (9th November 2011)
Pilot shows there's life after sumo (16th October 2008)
Top Japan sumo wrestler retires (6th October 2008)
Yokozuna Asashoryu suffers first-day sumo defeat (12th May 2008)
Former sumo star sports police badge (13th September 2011)
The former komusubi announced his retirement on the last day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan, reports the Japan Times.
"My wife told me that it will be useless if I push myself into an early grave. This was the best choice," explained Iwakiyama.
The 34-year-old fighter had resumed training following the stroke in April but has struggled to regain his fitness.
He is now expected to become a coach at the Sakaigawa stable under the sumo elder name Sekinoto.
The recent Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament saw Yokozuna Hakuho take his 16th Makuuchi division title following a15-0 record in the event. He is now the only sumo to have gone four straight meets undefeated since the creation of the six-season tournament in 1958.
Written by Mark Smith.
Related news stories:
Sumo star warned over drug injections (9th November 2011)
Pilot shows there's life after sumo (16th October 2008)
Top Japan sumo wrestler retires (6th October 2008)
Yokozuna Asashoryu suffers first-day sumo defeat (12th May 2008)
Former sumo star sports police badge (13th September 2011)
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