This is the second instalment of the raw interview footage. More background, and all of the raw interview videos and Narō masters will be found here. I’ve obviously only have a few up there at the moment with a plan to get a good chunk up in time for Haru Basho.

In this video, the production team starts with Konishiki’s first action on the dohyo. We learn about his early training, rise, and a bit of the life at the Top. We also learn, quite candidly, about his motivation. What it takes to be a champion. The killer instinct. Where others gave up, quit, dropped out — Konishiki pushed himself harder to go further. But did he have a choice?

This is one of the key differences that I find between “The Sumo World” and these exhibitions, like Sumo+Sushi, even jungyo and amateur sumo at-large. If you expect a prize bout — UFC blood and guts or WWE drama — when you go to any of these, you will not find it. You’re not going to get the brutal kotenage, “kachin” tachiai, decapitating kachiage. But that was exactly what Konishiki had bought into. It’s what separates “the sport” with Olympic aspirations from “the life,” unique to Japan.