🌐 Location: Kagoshima, Kagoshima

Today’s location was Kagoshima, where 4500 fans came to cheer for the rikishi, particularly the Kagoshima-born Chiyomaru and Daiamami. Daiamami, as a freshman, drew most of the attention. Accordingly, Kakuryu invited him to san-ban and butsukari.

The san-ban part consisted of 9 bouts, and as would be expected, Kakuryu won them all. This was followed by butsukari, but at this point Daiamami somehow came to admit that he “wasn’t doing enough keiko”.

The butsukari that followed turned out to be rather punishing for the local. Despite much support from the spectators, he hardly had any pushing power, and found himself rolling frequently:

大奄美、意識朦朧としてるのに(´・ω・｀)よく頑張った。　#鹿児島場所 pic.twitter.com/LqmlumeksG

— わ～ちゃん (@wakya33) December 10, 2017

Kakuryu was relentless, and after about 10 minutes, the session ended like this:

ちょっと、待って😫大丈夫なの？と思った瞬間です。➡なんとか動きだしてましたから大奄美😫でも子供稽古も土俵下になんとかって感じで。　#鹿児島場所 pic.twitter.com/zauPVZB1iz

— わ～ちゃん (@wakya33) December 10, 2017

Daiamami did come to, and went through the thank-you ceremony at the end, albeit in a bit of a hazy state:

大奄美、本当に意識朦朧😱してたと思うのに😫しっかり鶴竜にお礼しに挨拶に行ってる。お疲れ様です。　#鹿児島場所 pic.twitter.com/nj2mfTFcZC

— わ～ちゃん (@wakya33) December 10, 2017

“This is all because you don’t do keiko”, scolded the Yokozuna after the keiko session was over. “I didn’t work you out that hard. You shouldn’t be exhausted by that much. You should do keiko every day.” Kasugano oyakata, who sat on the sidelines during the session, added his own voice to the scolding. “Both veterans and youngsters should go up the dohyo with vigor. It’s your job. There are fans watching.”

Kakuryu added: “The butsukari is not over. When we get to a warmer place, I’ll continue it”, hinting that when the Jungyo gets to its Okinawa leg he is going to be grilling Daiamami again.

By the way, did you notice Nishikigi hovering worried over Daiamami in the video above? This is typical of Nishikigi, who has earned the nickname “Mommy Nishikigi” for caring for rikishi during keiko, wiping sweat, etc.

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OK, switching to the light side of the day’s event. First, Halt! Yokozuna aboard!

関取衆が鶴竜に挨拶にきた動画　#鹿児島場所 pic.twitter.com/zUTmiYEnq5

— わ～ちゃん (@wakya33) December 10, 2017

Enho works out in what seems to be a rather painful way:

炎鵬トレーニング😆⬅これ見本、覚えてて下さい。　#鹿児島場所 pic.twitter.com/VKPjHG57bT

— わ～ちゃん (@wakya33) December 10, 2017

Tobizaru, the Flying Monkey, tries to imitate him…

翔猿トレーニングロングバージョン🤓　※正しい方法は炎鵬トレーニングで🔍　#鹿児島場所 pic.twitter.com/YW0Vy9RgZg

— わ～ちゃん (@wakya33) December 10, 2017

Er, no banana for you…

Isegahama beya took up the kiddie sumo as a team today:

Where’s Homarefuji? Well, funny that you should ask!

誉富士の子供稽古😝ローリング😵　#鹿児島場所 pic.twitter.com/SpGanRZQue

— わ～ちゃん (@wakya33) December 10, 2017

Sumo with the older, more serious young sumo hopefuls was taken up by Kokonoe. Specifically, Chiyomaru, the other local.

千代丸の子供稽古ｲﾃﾃ(>ωω<)ｲﾃﾃ　ｶﾜ(・∀・)ｲｲ!!　#鹿児島場所 pic.twitter.com/Lhh2fcw7m5

— わ～ちゃん (@wakya33) December 10, 2017

Yep, that’s a big kid. But Chiyomaru is not Hikarugenji, either, if you catch my drift.

Here is the NHK coverage for the day, in which you’ll see Daiamami having recovered from the morning’s troubles, and beating Okinoumi in their torikumi.

You’ll also see Hakuho doing a baby dohyo-iri. This time we get to see the excited parents at the end. “He passed near us, and I asked if he’ll give the child a ‘dakko’. And he said a good-natured ‘yes’, so I quickly undressed her and handed her over” said mom.

More torikumi:

Takayasu vs. Goiedo

Takayasu complains about his lack of practice, but somehow ends up with the kensho-kin. Goeido having trouble with his ankle again?

Note Mitakeumi rising at the end to give the chikara-mizu on the opposite side. This means he has won his own torikumi (vs. Yoshikaze).

Musubi-no-ichiban:

Hakuho 4 – Kakuryu 3. Close call, there?

Again, note the applause Satonofuji gets when he arrives at the side of the dohyo. Very popular, that man.