[OT-Sumo] Hatsu Basho 2003

[Black Omega]

If you like Toki, keep an eye out for a up and comer named Takanotsuru. Red mawashi but similar size and also sporting the Elvis Lives muttonchops. He just pulled of an upset of Dejima a few minutes ago.

 

[Gizzard]

All the Japanese people were shouting for the no-name Japanese wrestler to beat Akebono, so I just shouted at the top of my lungs "Kick his ass, Chad!"

When I went, the older Japanese man who sat next to us chatted about having lived in America for several years while he drank one of those huge bottles of Japanese beer. When Mushashimaru came out for his match (it was the day that Mushashimaru could clinch the victory), he leaned over to us and said, "There is your American champion. You must cheer for him." When none of us did, he said, "You will not cheer? Well, then I must cheer for you." And he tilted back his head and yelled at the top of his lungs, "MUSASHIMAROOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Then he leaned over again and said, "It is OK for me to do this, as I lived in America for those years." Lol. Talking to him made a fun Sumo day twice as fun. ;-)

 

[Ranger REG]

He is actually a very cool guy, or was 10 years ago when I met him. Chad Rowan 'Akebono' was already to good to mix with rabble such as myself,

I heard he can sing the Abarenbo Shogun theme by heart on karaoke. He seems to be more of an outgoing type.

but Musashimaru talked with a friend and I for quite a while.

Fiamalu seems like a shy guy. But good at heart.

I liked Wakanohana, but never liked Takanohana, not just because he was the rival of the Hawaiians but because of his poor attitude. His smugness always irritated me to no end in interviews. I'm glad to see him go.

I though the majority of Japan like Taka, especially when he goes head to head with Akebono, Musashimaru, and Konishiki (Saleva'a Atisanoe, now a recording artist).

 

[Black Omega]

There are always exceptions. Takanohana is pretty popular, his absense the last couple years had a role in the decline in sumo popularity.

Hard to tell right now who the next Japanese star to step up might be, though. Musoyama has proved this basho he's barely good enough for Ozeki, if that. Kaio and Chiyotaikai better step it up this next basho.

 

[Liminal Syzygy]

I though the majority of Japan like Taka, especially when he goes head to head with Akebono, Musashimaru, and Konishiki (Saleva'a Atisanoe, now a recording artist).

Yeah the majority does like Taka, just not me. I hate the Yomiuri Giants too so there you go.

 

[Black Omega]

And for the finish, Asashoryu finished with a record of 14-1, easily winning his second consecutive basho. He now joins Hawaiian born Musashimaru at the elite rank of Yokozuna.

Highlight of the final day was Asashoryu finishing off Musoyama, but the Takanowaka vs Kotomitsuki was also very interesting. Kotomitsuki opens with a swinging palm strike and scores the knockout on Takanowaka, the first time I've seen anyone win in such a fashion.

Hopefully Asashoryu isn't being pushed to Yokozuna too fast. His results have deserved the promotion, but the two basho he won were bpoth very weak due to injuries to other competitors.

 

[Ranger REG]

I thought an ozeki need at least THREE consecutive tournament wins to be considered a candidate for the top rank of "grand champion."

 

[Black Omega]

I thought an ozeki need at least THREE consecutive tournament wins to be considered a candidate for the top rank of "grand champion."

Nope, not for a while now. Takanohana 'only' won two in a row, though it was back to back 15-0, which is pretty impressive.

 

[Gizzard]

Hopefully Asashoryu isn't being pushed to Yokozuna too fast.

Yes, I feel the same way. My friends reminded me that they were cheering for Asashoryu in Osaka, but I seem to remember him getting man-handled by some of the larger wrestlers in the critical matches.

Consequently we were discussing how you get demoted from Yokozuna. We havent followed the sport attentively enough to know for sure, but we could only think of Yokozuna who retired, none that had been demoted. What level of performance do you have to maintain to remain Yokozuna, and if you are pushed too quickly into it, do you accept demotion or do you retire early?

 

[Black Omega]

To coin a phrase, the only way out of Yokozuna is feet first. You cannot be demoted, only retired if you do not wrestle well enough to justify the rank. Basically you have to keep winning. I don't think there is a set number of wins you need per basho beyond you better never have a losing record. At times the council has said 'Get 12 wins or be ready to retire' but that 'sexceptional circumstances.