In non drama/non worker profile news, we have a short post here talking about one of the bigger pieces of news post basho. Yokozuna Kisenosato’s new heya has opened up on August 1 2021 and has begun with 4 Rikishi under the tutelage of Kisenosato. Let’s go over everything we know about this new Heya.
First up, Yokozuna Kisenosato himself will be known as Master Araiso for now on. The heya is also known as Araiso Beya as well.
The building for training has not been built yet. The current beta building is shown below.
Both this version and the soon to be created completed version are in the Ibaraki Prefecture. The main big news with the Araiso beya is that it could be start of new wave of improved heya’s around the country, with some of the plans shown below.
As you can tell, Kisenosoto has a very ambitious plan for the heya. The building and interior look more like a University or a Temple rather then a heya. This stems from Kisenosoto taking a year off of training at Tagonoura stable to study a “Sports Science Research Master” course at Waseda University. It seems he has used that training to good use, as his former stable, Tagonoura beya, has an entrance that looks like this
This will be an experiment on the Heya format, going for more of a university vibe vs the current buildings that without the big header on it, you would assume it is an apartment complex of sorts. This is in no way a bad thing, Heya’s in general are basically college dorm rooms but with more workouts and more food. It has shown to be a great system, but a change is always nice too see in the sumo world.
Now let’s move on to the wrestlers. There are 4 wrestlers (3 prospects and 1 veteran) coming with Kisenosato from Tagonoura beya to Araiso beya. They are the following
Kato Jk13e:
The least impressive out of the gang, the 15 year old has a career record of 3-11. Just by looking at him you can tell the fella is small and does not have a lot of fat with his muscle. Though at 15, that will come in age. The main benefit for him is that he will get more 1 on 1 teaching from a master, compared to the more crowded Tagonoura beya. It will take time, but if Kato keeps working, he might be able to get his career going under Master Asaino.
Adachi Jd72e:
If you can’t tell, this is the veteran Master Araiso brought over. Adachi is a big dude. A near 20 year sumo veteran, he is a Jonidan mainstay who has only been in Sandanme a total of 4 bashos. He is not someone you should watch out for in the sport tbh. The only reason I know him is because of this change but he gets a chance to help train up some younglings with a former Yokozuna, which is a nice career path choice.
Taniguchi Jk6w:
The better of the Jonokuchi prospects, the 15 year old Taniguchi also had an iffy start going 3-4 in his first basho, but he has turned it around in his second, getting a 5-2 which means a nice jump up into Jonidan. Most of his wins the second basho were against guys with winning records too, which shows he is ready for the step up. Like Kato, more 1 on 1 time will help the kid out a lot, but we at The Apex Of Sports will watch his career with great interest
Nishihara Jd85:
The Rikishi who will have the highest rank come Aki 2021, Nishihara is a 18 year old with a career 9-5 record. Having a 5-2 during the Nagoya basho, Nishihara will jump up to the higher ranks in Jonidan. Similar to Taniguchi, Nishihara had 4/5 wins in that 5-2 Basho be against people with winning records. Obviously this high rank increase makes me even more curious about him in the future, and you might be seeing him in some prospect lists in the coming future.
In this upcoming tournament I can see this new training go in a couple of ways. Either everyone takes a step back due to the training change, Asaiso turns out to be a super trainer and they hit new heights, or a mix match of both for all 4 of the rikishi. It is an exciting development in Sumo and I wish all fans of the heya and everyone working in it the best.
The Apex Of Sports 