At the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament’s third day on May 12 at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan, elder son Kakizoe (18, from the Rai stable) earned a win in his preliminary sumo bout. His stablemaster, Rai oyakata (former komusubi Kakizoe), observed from below the ring as a judge.
“It’s easier if I take the match myself. I was nervous. I thought he might get pushed out, but it was okay. I want him to wrestle with spirit,” Rai oyakata reflected. Kakizoe felt his master seemed angry after the bout, but Rai oyakata explained, “It’s just nervousness. I get nervous with any disciple.”
This marked Kakizoe’s first time stepping onto the Kokugikan ring since Rai oyakata’s retirement bout in June 2013, where the father and son had their final match together. “I’ve taught him that making a living in the sumo world is tough. I want him to stay true to his convictions, become strong and admirable, and also become a fine human being. Beyond that, I hope he grows to love sumo. I want him to walk a sumo life without regrets. That’s all,” Rai oyakata said, expressing his hopes.
