KUMAMOTO, Japan - Yokozuna Onosato, who is aiming for back-to-back championships at the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, performed a ring-entering ritual in Kumamoto Prefecture on Tuesday to show support for local people affected by a powerful earthquake that struck the area earlier this year.
The ceremony took place at the Rengein-Tanjyoji temple in the city of Tamana in the southwestern Japan prefecture, which was hit by the magnitude 7.1 quake on July 28.
Following his performance featuring ritualized "shiko" leg stomps said to ward off evil spirits, Onosato said he was pleased to visit the area with fellow wrestlers Takayasu and Ichiyamamoto.
"It was nice for us to be here," the yokozuna said.
The 26-year-old star also took part in practice bouts with local children and signed autographs, telling them, "I hope you'll cheer for me at the Kyushu tournament" and "I look forward to seeing you in the sumo world one day."
Onosato, who claimed his first Emperor's Cup in a year at September's Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, has expressed confidence ahead of the next meet starting Sunday, saying recently, "I've regained the feeling of how to win."
But the grand champion also struck a cautious note.
"I can't afford to let my guard down," he said. "It's at times like these that I've often learned hard lessons."
Onosato struggled after suffering a left shoulder injury at last year's Kyushu tournament in Fukuoka but said he is not dwelling on the setback.
"The memory of it still lingers, but I'll do my best to erase it," he said. "I want to finish the final tournament of the year in good shape."
