Wakatakage secured his second victory in the May tournament on May 24 [1].
The win marks a significant step forward for the 31-year-old [1] komusubi, signaling his return to peak form and positioning him for a potential promotion within the sumo hierarchy.
Speaking at a press conference on May 25 [2], Wakatakage reflected on his motivation and the support system that aided his return to the top. He said, "I had a feeling that I wanted to deliver the image of myself active and succeeding once again" [1].
Wakatakage also shared an anecdote regarding his preparation for the win. He said that around the fifth day of the tournament, his wife bought a sea bream — a fish traditionally associated with celebration in Japan — to serve as a "rehearsal" [2]. He said that his wife had him take photos while holding the fish as a way of practicing for the eventual victory [2].
Despite the celebration, the wrestler remains focused on his professional trajectory. Wakatakage said he intends to devote himself to the goal of reaching the rank of ozeki [2].
The victory is the second time the wrestler has won the May tournament [1]. He said he is grateful for his family's support during the competition, which culminated in the title win on Sunday [1].
“"I had a feeling that I wanted to deliver the image of myself active and succeeding once again."”
Wakatakage's second May tournament win demonstrates a level of consistency and mental resilience necessary for the upper echelons of professional sumo. By publicly targeting the ozeki rank, he is signaling his intent to maintain a high win-loss ratio over the coming tournaments, which is the primary requirement for promotion to the second-highest rank in the sport.
