Sumo Star Visits Quake-Hit Hometown to Encourage Evacuees

The Yomiuri Shimbun

13:51 JST, February 7, 2024

ANAMIZU, Ishikawa — Sumo wrestler and Ishikawa Prefecture native Endo returned to his earthquake-devastated hometown of Anamizu on Tuesday, where he and three others from the sumo world encouraged evacuees staying in a local shelter.

“I believe things will surely return to normal,” Endo told the 120 people staying in the municipal community center serving as a shelter. “I’ll keep fighting in the ring, so I want everyone to keep fighting, too.”

Endo is currently ranked as No. 13 maegashira in the uppermost makuuchi division. He was accompanied by No. 15 maegashira Onosato, who comes from the town of Tsubata in the prefecture; second-tier juryo wrestler Kagayaki, from the city of Nanao; and sumo elder Takenawa, also from Nanao.

“He swept my fatigue away and boosted my spirits,” said a 75-year-old man from Anamizu, after having a commemorative photo taken with Endo.

The four also visited shelters in Nanao and the town of Uchinada on Tuesday.