Happy Birthday 豊ノ島!!!

(Toyonoshima)

Today is Toyonoshima's 25th birthday!!
Born on June 26th, 1983

This is the only decent photo I can find of Toyonoshima in action, taken at the Yokozuna Soken on April 29th, 2008!

Toyonoshima is originally from Kochi prefecture. He's 169cm and 142kg but could have gained a few kilos after eating many American cookies we brought him! He said "I love cookies!" When he said it he had a huge smile as well!!!!

He debuted in Sumo in the Hatsu basho in 2002! His Juryo debut was May 2004 and he quickly reached Makuuchi in September 2004!
You can see a list of his many prizes and his banzuke history here!
A great photo of him with his cute Kesho Mawashi is here!

Chris with Toyonoshima at Tokitsukaze Beya after Yokozuna Soken 4-29-2008
*notice Toyonoshima has his power cookies in his hand*

Toyonoshima with Hiromi & I and Chris in front at Tokitsukaze Stable on April 29th after the Yokozuna Soken!

We stopped by to see Toyonoshima shortly after the Soken had ended. We were not only able to talk to him for some time but we all met the Okami-san for the first time! She is so nice and so cute (and young!)!! Her husband Oyakata Tokitsukaze has just recently taken over the stable and so both of them are quite young! In fact his retirement ceremony from active Sumo is not until this October! After everyone comes back from Nagoya and the Summer Jungyo tour Chris and I are hoping to get over to Tokitsukaze and see Toyonoshima and Tokitenku in action at asageiko (morning practice!)
GOOD LUCK Toyonoshima in the Nagoya basho!!!!