Takeshi Kizu ¡ª whose bloodstained visage and passionate encouragement of his teammates in the final moments of Japan¡¯s massive upset of South Africa at the 2015 Rugby World Cup was one of that game¡¯s defining images ¡ª announced his retirement on social media last week.
The Sunwolves hooker may have been one of the more recognizable players of the Brave Blossoms¡¯ golden generation, but not many are aware that his formative sporting years were actually spent in sumo.
As a child, Kizu was coached by Kimiyasu Chiba ¡ª a former makushita-ranked rikishi ¡ª in an environment which replicated the legendary intensity and harshness found at the latter man¡¯s Futagoyama stable.
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