Midori Fuji (Photo by Tomoaki Kurokawa)
West Juryo No. 10 Midori Fuji (29, Ise-ga-hama stable), who sat out the entire spring tournament due to heart failure, notched his first victory since returning to the dohyo. He defeated East Juryo No. 9 Kayo (26, Nakamura stable) by yoritaoshi. “I couldn’t push forward. I felt like I was being left behind and my legs weren’t moving properly,” he admitted, but still expressed joy over the win.
Midori Fuji traveled to Osaka for the spring tournament in line with the rankings announcement, but when he struggled to breathe and underwent tests, he was diagnosed with heart failure. “I was shocked. That day, I thought I was going to die,” he recalled. He now continues to compete while taking about six different medications. Doctors recommended he return around the Nagoya tournament in July, but he replied, “I’d lose my salary,” and gradually began to move his body again. Still, his blood pressure remains high at 220, and he is not fully recovered.
On the other hand, the 10 kilograms he had lost have slowly started to come back. During a media interview, he remained reserved in his expression despite the win, but lightened the mood by saying, “Of course I’m happy. I’m just not the type to shout ‘Yes!’ and celebrate loudly.”