In a recent interview with TE’s guest interviewer, Enatsu Watanabe(EW), Wakanoho as he is commonly known let us in on his first impressions of Japanese food, his sumo ‘team’ and how he would deal with TE Editor, Mark Buckton were they to meet on the dohyo.

EW: Wakanoho-zeki, how do you feel about you rapid rise to the upper echelons of sumo despite being so young?

WT: I’m very relieved that I’ve been able to get to this level while being so young. Being young it is easy to remember the things I have learnt so far, but if I had started sumo when I was a child, I’d have risen faster.

EW: Did you ever think you’d have reached the makunouchi (top) division so quickly?

WT: No, but I really wanted to fight the best rikishi (wrestlers) in sumo so I am glad to be able to do so now.

EW: What has been your best memory since coming to Japan and starting in sumo?

WT: (laughs) Everything was, is a first for me – meeting the best rikishi in the sport, the grand champions etc. Even losing (bouts) is enjoyable

EW: Any bad memories of life in sumo or Japan so far?

WT: Nothing really bad, but I do have a bit of a bad back recently.

EW: Yourself, Roho and Hakurozan (Russian brothers also competing in sumo) have all successfully reached the top division in professional sumo, but do you think your success is leading to an increase in interest in the sport back in Russia?

WT: No, no-one really knows sumo in Russia yet. There are many fans, but not many people actually doing sumo as a sport. So far, a Russian (Roho) has made the rank of komusubi so it isn’t so high. If we can take sumo on tour to Russia, that will really help, and it will definitely become more popular.

EW: Speaking of Russia, do you often have the chance to visit?

WT: I have been recently, but my family laughs at my hair now and says I look like a girl. Fortunately I have a few Russian friends here so I feel good (in Japan).

EW: Have your family had the chance to come here, to visit you in Tokyo?

WT: My father has been before and my mother will come this month – after the tournament.

EW: Where will you take her?

WT: I think we’ll go to Disneyland and to Tokyo Dome’s Korakuen entertainment area.

EW: Will you take her to a baseball game at Tokyo Dome?

WT: (laughs) No, I think baseball is boring.

EW: Back to sumo. How do you feel just before a fight, especially a big fight with someone like the yokozuna?

WT: I feel good, but I am always thinking of how to win. With the yokozuna it is different; Compared to fights against other rikishi, there is a different sense before going against the yokozuna.
photo: Mark A Buckton

EW: Can you hear your own fans cheering for you?

WT: Yes, I can hear them but sometimes I hear nothing as I am so focused. At other times I can hear people shouting Wakaaaaaaannooooooooohooooooo. At first I used to look around but when I did my sumo was affected and wasn’t so good so now I try not to look around.

EW: Do you have any contact with the fans?

WT: I know a Japanese lady who often attends. She has many pictures of the Russian rikishi and comes to see (us) as lot.

EW: What do you like to do in your free time?

WT: I am now learning piano again – I used to play when a boy - but it is hard with such big fingers. It’s hard to push one key at a time.

EW: When you first came to Japan, how did you feel about Japanese food?

WT: Disgusting! At first I ate only yakiniku with the other Russian rikishi but later when I tried other (types of) Japanese food I didn’t like it – yakiniku was / is best.

EW: How about now?

WT: Nowadays I like yakiniku, sushi and Chanko (an all in one pot dish often eaten by rikishi)

EW: Not limited to Japanese food, but what is your favorite food and drink?

WT: I love my grandmother’s food in Russia – lots of meat. Also, I love Coca Cola. I remember the first time I went to a foreign country and took a can back to my home. The next day I went to school and opened it in front of my friends. They were all so surprised at such a delicious drink.

EW: Who are your closest friends in sumo?

WT: Roho, Hakurozan, Kokkai (from Georgia). They are like my team. We always practice and eat together. Of the newer guys, I am also close to Aran (Russia), Tochinoshin (Georgia) and Baruto (Estonia).

EW: What language do you all use?

WT: Russian mainly with a little Japanese mixed in as sometimes Japanese terms and phrases are easier and better match a situation than Russian. I did study English at school in Russia, but have forgotten it all.

EW: Does friendship go out of the window when on the dohyo?

WT: Well, sumo is fun so winning and losing is not a big issue – with regards to going against my friends.

EW: Do you like watching other sports in Japan?

WT: I like judo and wrestling, and supporting a Russian wrestling friend in his Olympic bid.

EW: What is your favorite part of Tokyo?

WT: (opens arms) Here. Ryogoku. I love my local area. When I come back from other tournaments I always like coming back here. This is my home. Korakuen too, near Tokyo Dome. I like the roller coasters there.

EW: Are you ‘small’ enough to fit in the roller coaster seat? (Wakanoho is 195cm and 165 kg)

WT: (laughs) Nah, I have to squeeze myself into the chair.

EW: Are you recognized when you go out?

WT: Not as Wakanoho. As a rikishi I am recognized and people point and stare. I’m not so famous yet. Not like (grand champions) Asashoryu and Hakuho or (Mongolian rikishi) Ama.

EW: On the subject of popularity – and your own with the ladies - any girlfriend out there?

WT: (grinning) Not yet, but I am searching. I am always searching – everywhere!

EW: Do you see sumo as a job or a lifestyle?

WT: It’s not really a job. It is something I like doing. At first it was a job but now I love it.

EW: Last one then, imagine you, at 195cm and 165kg were to be on the dohyo and about to go against Mark (Buckton) – the 168cm / 75kg Editor of Tokyo Explorer, what technique would you try and use?

WT: (laughs). I’d keep my eye on him. It is difficult to fight smaller rikishi and I often lose as they move about so quickly. (laughs again) Yeah, I’d keep my eye on him and move forward slowly!