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8K fans gather for Soken general keiko session

April 29th - The Sumo Association held its general keiko session today in front of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council and other sumo officials. For the first time in seven years, 8,000 fans piled into the venue to observe the free practice session. Most of the attention was on M4 Endoh who battled Yokozuna Hakuho four times losing each bout. Still, Endoh seemed encouraged afterwards commenting, "I thought I was able to strike him harder than I did during the exhibitions." Besides Hakuho, Endoh battled other Maegashira rikishi including Takekaze finishing a respectable 4-3. "My goal right now is to show during the basho that I've improved even if just a little. I suffered make-koshi last basho, so I hope to win eight bouts this time at all costs."

Focus was also on newly-promoted Yokozuna, Kakuryu, who fought a total of 14 bouts against the likes of Harumafuji and Kisenosato finishing 9-5. Afterwards the Yokozuna commented, "I was a little bit nervous, but I thought I did okay. My tachi-ai was good. There were times when I went forward hard, but I also let up in places." As for Kitanoumi Rijicho, he commented, "I thought there were a lot of guys out there working hard to win." As for the head of the YDC, Chairman Uchiyama, he spoke of Kakuryu, "I think he'll be around a long time as a Yokozuna."

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