This should be a fun bout!
Sumo Sweetie
HINAKO SHIJO
CV : Akane Tamura
This well-to-do daughter of the Shijo Zaibatsu is calm and easygoing by nature, though her occasional airheaded ways can leave people positively reeling. Don’t let her prestigious educational background fool you—hidden beneath that prim, petite, and proper student exterior is a powerhouse of a sumo wrestler, ready for action. She even has her personal cook make sumo hot pot (chankonabe) for her.
- Fighting style /
- Sumo
- Birthdate /
- March 3rd
- Birthplace /
- Japan
- Blood type /
- Type B
- Favorite food /
- Chanko nabe by her private cook, tea, petit fours
Congrats on joining the tournament!
Thank you kindly! I’m delighted to be here once again!
It seems you were trying to start a school sumo club around the time of your first KOF. How did that go?
Ah, yes. The school board gave its blessing in the end, and our member count slowly grew from there. I’m quite happy with how things turned out. We’re always looking for new recruits, though, so if anybody is interested, please don’t hesitate to join!
Congratulations on that. You’re club president, then, I presume?
That’s right. I may be a little wet behind the ears, but I’m doing my best.
What has your training regimen been like since your last KOF outing?
Oh, nothing special in particular. Just focusing on improving what I do in my day-to-day—to make things even more impactful!
I see. And how do you manage to balance that training with regular student life?
It’s all a matter of properly separating academic study time from sumo time. No seesawing in between. Can’t very well be exerting myself physically if I’ve already taken a bath and am ready to hit the books, now, can I?
Speaking of physicality... Why do you tape up your fingers like that?
To prevent wrist injuries, and to also make sure I don’t inadvertently scratch my opponents. Take care not to injure yourself out there, everyone. Safety first!
What made you want to become a sumo wrestler in the first place?
Hmm, sometimes I even wonder myself... Perhaps because it felt like sumo was my life. It was my everything; it consumed me.
Have you ever had a chance to wrestle any of your fellow KOF competitors?
I did have a few sparring sessions with Daimon and Chang Koehan after the last tournament. Wonder if there’s anyone here who’d be willing to lock up?
Which fighters this year, if any, would you like to see step into a sumo ring?
All of them, if possible... But if I had to choose one, then Shingo Yabuki. He’s still a student like myself, but I think he would be a natural. I sense a real spark in him.
Do you still keep in touch with any of your past team members?
Oh yes. We sometimes have tea together. I also invite them to sumo practice, but unfortunately their schedules never seem to work well with mine. Pity...
What do you think about the other female competitors here?
No doubt they’re “tough as nails,” as they say, if they’re competing in KOF. I would love to go toe to toe with them!
Imagine teaming with any of the fighters in this tournament. Who makes the cut?
Well, Ryo Sakazaki for one. We could have our very own Team Sumo! Chang Koehan would be another good pick... Oh, is he not participating?
What about the other end of the spectrum? Who are you most looking forward to facing here?
Goodness, that’s a tough one. Each fighter certainly has their own unique appeal, after all... Elisabeth Blanctorche does come to mind, though. I hear she’s a proficient horseback rider, so her upper body strength must be leagues above...
Athena Asamiya, Mai Shiranui, and Yuri Sakazaki are competing together as Team Super Heroine this time, but obviously they’re also former teammates of yours. Any messages for them?
Please do your best, everyone—I know I certainly will. Here’s hoping we can fight side by side next time!
Switching things up a bit with this next one. What sort of foods do you like?
Chankonabe ranks right up there, of course. I often put in requests to the kitchen for it personally. Oh, and I have a sweet tooth as well—whenever there’s cake around I can hardly resist.
While we’re on the topic of favorites... Word is you enjoy making herbal products by hand. Can you tell us a little more about that?
I often find myself making lavender potpourri in particular. Not only does it have a wonderful fragrance, but it’s also a fantastic insect repellent!
Your profile says that you’re not too fond of piano practice. Why is that?
Ah. It’s just that I would prefer to spend that time on sumo instead.
We’ve already talked a little about the past. What about the opposite, Hinako? What are your dreams for the future?
To establish sumo clubs all over the world—so that everyone can get a feel for how wonderful the sport is. Wouldn't that be grand?
Just on that subject of community, one of your fans has this message for you: “Gottsuan-desu!”
Goodness! Interest in sumo certainly does reach far and wide—even overseas! I’m touched!
We received a ton of questions for you this time around. Is there anything you want to say to your fans, who’ve been waiting for your return for so long?
Thank you, everyone. I’ll keep pushing forward in an effort to make the wonderful sport of sumo as interesting—and exciting—as I can for you all!
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