Hoshoryu and Hello Kitty on September 2 at Ryogoku Kokugikan. (©Sankei by Ryosuke Kawaguchi)
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Ahead of the Grand Sumo Tournament in London, scheduled for September 15–19, Yokozuna Hoshoryu attended a send-off ceremony with Hello Kitty at Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena on September 2.
Hello Kitty, Sanrio's popular character and the tournament's official ambassador, offered her support. Hoshoryu responded with determination: "I'll do my best to win."
First Tournament Abroad
This will be the first Grand Sumo Tournament in London in 34 years, and Hoshoryu's first appearance overseas. Smiling at Hello Kitty, who appeared in a kimono, he said she looked "very kawaii [cute]." He added, "I want to share the greatness of sumo with local children and audiences."
Hello Kitty's Itinerary
One of the reasons Hello Kitty was chosen as ambassador was because she was "born in the suburbs of London," according to her profile. During the tour, she will take part in a children's sumo event with about 2,000 participants and visit pediatric hospitals.
As in the 1991 London tournament, the matches will be held at the Royal Albert Hall, where top-division (makuuchi) wrestlers will face off in the ring.
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Author: The Sankei Shimbun
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