Photo/Illutration Yuni Hanada and junior high school members of the Tsugaru Asahifuji Junior Club pose on April 12 in Tsugaru, Aomori Prefecture. (Kohei Watanabe)

TSUGARU, Aomori Prefecture--A young sumo wrestler here is following in the footsteps of Takerufuji, who recently became the first wrestler since 1914 to win a pro tournament on his debut in the top makuuchi division.

The novice is training at the same sumo dojo that Takerufuji did during his elementary and junior high school days.

However, Yuni Hanada, 9, is charting her own path as the only female competitor in the dojo.  

Boasting a small frame, the 133-centimeter-tall fourth-grader moves speedily and aggressively on the dohyo ring like Takerufuji, 25, who seized the title in the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament.

Though Yuni weighs a paltry 24 kilograms, one-sixth that of her hero wrestler, she is working hard to emulate Takerufuji's success.

The Tsugaru Asahifuji Junior Club in Tsugaru currently comprises six wrestlers of elementary and junior high school age.

Along with being the only female member, Yuni is the youngest in the club. She is, naturally, the smallest among all the children.

She is, however, endowed with two strengths that remind sumo watchers of Takerufuji's exceptional skills.

Yuni's first strength is her speedy moves based on her leg agility. She is also quick to thrust her head forward at the beginning of her matches.

“Clashing with opponents causes pain but I put up with it to do my best,” she said.

Given the difference in physical strength between men and women, Yuni is not allowed to contest bouts with male wrestlers.

But she charges forward promptly when engaging in the “butsukari geiko” battering practice with club members.

Her fighting spirit is so overwhelming that even junior high school children admire Yuni.

“Yuni throws herself at her opponents with all her might, and this is astonishing,” said Shoki Nakano, captain of the club team, who is a third-year student at the local Kizukuri Junior High School. “I was afraid of the initial charge in my own primary school years.”

Yuni's other strength derives from the strong competitive spirit. She usually has a soft gentle look on her face but her expression dramatically changes upon entering the dohyo for matches.

Kiyohiko Echigoya, 61, the club’s general coach, praised the girl.

“Her demeanor shows us how determined she is not to lose or give up,” Echigoya said. “She is full of the desire to win in sumo.”

Taking full advantage of her aggressiveness and quickness, Yuni has won the individual division of a girls’ sumo competition held by age group in Aomori Prefecture.

“I will eat a little more rice and side dishes to grow much bigger,” she said with a shy smile. “I will be happy if I can win a contest again.”

Referring to a local public viewing event of the televised broadcast where she witnessed the moment Takerufuji won the tournament, Yuni explained how “impressed” she was by her senior wrestler, who triumphed despite suffering a serious leg injury the day before. 

“He showed me how important it is to keep going even after getting injured,” she said.

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