Hensley Meulens of the Ex-Yakult Baseball Team Visits Takasago-beya (stable) Meulens visits Konishiki at his practice!

Morning Practice, a Shock to Hensley On September 21st, the 14th day of the Autumn Sumo Tournament, at 9 a.m. Hensley Meulens who contributed to Yakult Swallows' victory last year visited Konishiki at Takasagobeya. The third baseman, a friend of Konishiki, visited the stable with his family, father, and younger brother to cheer the sumo wrestler. Contrary to the rain outside due to the approaching typhoon, the temperature inside was hot due to the heated practice. When the party arrived, the popular Mitoizumi was in the midst of training the young sumo wrestlers in front of Oyakata (boss) Takasago (the former Fujinishiki) and Konishiki. The young wrestlers were not able to stand after the hard practice and Meulens, used to the normally harsh baseball practice, was surprised at the harshness of the sumo practice. There is a saying in sumo "When you practice, imagine yourself three years from now." Konishiki must have practiced real hard to reach his rank of Ohzeki (Champion).�@�@�@

Handprint Making at Lightning Speed After the practice Konishiki started making handprints by dipping his left hand in a red ink pad and stamping it on a hard paper. He made more than a thousand of these handouts to his fans at a very fast pace, when we met him. Hensley's father and brother who were watching this process with surprise soon began to take pictures.

Eating the Delicious Chankonabe You won't be treated to a sumo wrestler's chankonabe (goulash) so many times in your life. The Meulens made a challenge to eat this delicious dish prepared by young wrestlers. The sumo wrestlers eat this dish everyday. Cut pieces of meat, fish, and vegetables are cooked in a big pot in very thick and delicious broth. Meulens's father and brother had extra servings. After lunch the Meulens's chatted with Konishiki and the other sumo wrestlers in the tatami (straw mat) room, and departed around noon wishing the wrestlers good luck.

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