Ukrainian sumo wrestler Serhiy Shishi Sokolovsky has been appointed for one day as the head of the tax inspection of the city of Izumisano in Osaka Prefecture. This was reported by Hochi.news.
The initiative was aimed at popularizing the submission of tax returns via smartphones and the use of cashless payments among Japanese residents.
The event itself took place in the city of Sennan, 4 km from Izumisano. Sokolovsky was present together with his mentor Raijin, a former komusubi of Kakizoe. In sumo, athletes perform under one shikona throughout their career, and after switching to coaching, they take a different name.
“I don’t read Japanese well, so it’s difficult for me. But the process of submitting the declaration itself is simple,” said the Ukrainian.
Sergiy has been competing in makuuchi, the highest division of sumo, for over a year. He noted that recently he has been recognized more often on the streets. At the January Hatsu Basho, Shishi finished his performances with a score of 9-6. He promised that during the tournament in Osaka he will strive to delight the audience with bright fights.
The 29-year-old athlete is originally from Melitopol. While competing at the amateur level for Ukraine, he won gold at the European Championship in the under 100 kg category, as well as silver and bronze in the over 115 kg weight category. In addition, he became a bronze medalist at the World Championship. Since 2020, he has been living in Japan and has gradually advanced to the highest level of professional sumo.
There are six grand sumo tournaments held throughout the year: Hatsu Basho (January, Tokyo), Haru Basho (March, Osaka), Natsu Basho (May, Tokyo), Nagoya Basho (July, Nagoya), Aki Basho (September, Tokyo) and Kyushu Basho (November, Fukuoka).
Sumo ranks:
Maegashira – receive an average of about $12,500.
Komusubi – have special privileges, approximately $16 000, retention of the title after the end of his career.
Sekivake – considered a step to ozeki; to advance you need to consistently win 10 or more victories.
Ozeki – about $22,000, membership in the Association after the end of his career, significant payments and ceremonial duties. Usually, 33 victories in three tournaments are required for promotion. In the case of a negative balance of 7-8 or worse, he has a chance to be rehabilitated at the next tournament.
Yokozuna – the highest rank, which only 75 wrestlers have achieved in history. It is usually awarded after two consecutive yusho at ozeki level or equivalent dominance. A yokozuna is not demoted – if there is a prolonged period of poor performance, he ends his career. The current yokozuna are Hoshoryu from Mongolia and Onosato from Japan.
