Konishiki the Dump Truck: Grand Sumo’s First Foreign-Born Ozeki (Part 2)
Just after he became eligible for promotion to the second-highest rank “Ozeki,” tragedy struck. During a bout against Ozeki Kitao (who went on to become the 60th Yokozuna Futahaguro), Konishiki attempted to lift him, was counterattacked, and their combined weight (881 pounds) fell squarely on his right knee – damaging the ligaments and breaking bones. Watch the bout between Konishiki and Kitao by clicking here. Following his injury, Konishiki had to sit out the next two tournaments and was demoted to the lowest rank, Hiramaku. Unfortunately, this resulted in a vicious cycle: less training resulted in weight gain and prolonged his recovery. Because his right knee never fully healed, his performances were highly inconsistent. Whenever he could use his...
