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Sumo wrestler Shonanzakura will finally be retiring from the sport, after enduring 104 straight losses, a record in sumo wrestling history, The Sankei News reported.
The 23-year-old ends his career with 3 wins, 1 tie and 238 losses.
Coaches & fans commend his fighting spirit
The head of his sumo training school, Kitazakura, expressed his sadness for Shonanzakura's departure from the sport.
“No matter how many times he lost, he was always willing to take on the challenge,” Sora News reported Kitazakura as saying.
“He had an amazing spirit […] In the morning, he was always the first one out of bed and ready to go in the practice ring.”
Fans also commended his professionalism and persistence in the sport:
https://twitter.com/agunn/status/1430751694074171392
Some also wished him luck on his life beyond sumo wrestling:
🎉🙌🏼Aguante Shonanzakura! 🙌🏼🎉
— El Buen Rikishi (@ElbuenRikishi) August 26, 2021
第二の人生で頑張ってください!#勝南桜 pic.twitter.com/z6mEUn8Gnu
Oh shoot!
— Hakkeyoi! Sumo News and Stats (@Hakkeyoi_Sumo) August 26, 2021
We lost him.
Shonanzakura handed in his intai papers.
He said he cannot continue like that.
Too bad, I kinda liked him.
Enjoy your life, boy. https://t.co/AjIL2yOfY8
Last win in 2019
Shonanzakura last won a match in Jan. 21, 2019, Sora News reported.
Unfortunately, that would be the last match he would ever win.
Shonanzakura had already completed his hair-cutting ceremony, which symbolises a sumo wrestler's retirement from the sport.
He has since returned to his parents' home in Kanagawa and is preparing for his life after sumo wrestling, reported Nikkan Sports.
Here is a compilation of his matches:
This is Hattorizakura, the worst rikishi in sumo history. His career record after last month's basho is 3-172-1. https://t.co/FWZ6bAuk2M pic.twitter.com/VjUL5c3LZK
— Bryan Armen Graham (@BryanAGraham) December 11, 2019
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