TOKYO - Ukrainian star Aonishiki said Wednesday he is managing injuries to his left ankle and big toe as he prepares for his ozeki return at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament starting Sept. 13 at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan arena.
The 22-year-old, who won his third top-division title and clinched promotion back to the second-highest rank at last month's Nagoya meet, worked up a sweat helping other wrestlers practice their charges at the regional summer tour stop in Kawasaki near Tokyo.
"I have expectations for myself. I'll aim to get myself able to do more things in training (as the tournament approaches)," he said.
His stablemaster, Ajigawa, has traveled on the tour as a ringside judge, and Aonishiki said he visited the former sekiwake's family home and sumo dojo in Aomori Prefecture on a rest day last week.
"I was interested in my stablemaster's hometown. It was a fun time and I'm glad to have been there," Aonishiki said, adding that he especially enjoyed eating the pickled eggplant he was served in the northernmost prefecture on Japan's main isle.
With the tour entering its final stretch, the talented grappler said he will decide carefully when to resume full sparring.
"I won't rush," said Aonishiki, whose move back to ozeki will be officially announced with the rest of the tournament rankings on Monday.
