[OT-Sumo] Hatsu Basho 2003

[Rackhir]

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

I went to an exibition day, in which they do a whole tournament in a day, but it doesn't really count about 7 years ago, and Akebono's power was awesome. 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!"

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.

This reminds me a bit of the controversy when Konishiki ( the first foriegner to reach Ozeki, iirc) was possibly up for promotion to Yokozuna. This was before the old men of sumo had made things clearer as to what it would take to make Yokozuna, which previously had been something like "Embodying the spirit of Sumo", which of course would neatly exclude foriegners who could never embody so Japanese a thing.

There was a controversy about a supposed comment that Konishiki had made to the New York Times or some such news paper, that he had been denied promotion to Yokozuna, because of Racisim (In Japan? Unthinkable!!!). He denied it of course and said it was one of the other wrestlers playing a prank on him, but he was never the same after that controversy. The fighting spirit seemed to have gone out of him.

My pet theory though as to why Konishiki got denied promotion, was that he was too lively and articulate to make Yokozuna. I've seen some interviews with the sumotori and they were all very monosylabic and uninteresting, where as Konishiki was so lively and entertaining, that he went on to a second career as a Media figure in Japan. Akebono I suspect made it because he was as inarticulate and uninteresting a speaker as the rest of them. Who knows, perhaps that was considered necessary to "Embody the spirit of Sumo".

 

[Yellow Sign]

YEAH!!! Sumo talk!

I am a big fan of all things Japanese and I chanced upon "Sumo Digest" on ESPN 2. I was hooked. I am a fan of Akebono and some short japanese sumo that would really out wrestle his larger opponents though I don't remember his name. I saw Akebono on a Iron Cheif Special one time. He really seemed to be a nice guy. I am going to have to do some digging to find out when "Sumo Digest" is on again.

 

[Black Omega]

Konishiki is brought up often as an example of the trouble foreign wrestlers have. He did come very close to Yokozuna but looking back at his career, not making him Yokozuna was probably the correct decision. He would have ended up on the Worst Yokozuna lists.

It's much better now that the process is more open. Asashoryu knew going in that he'd need to win the basho and get at least 13 wins. That removes alot of the secrecy and rikishi a better idea of what is expected.

As things stand now we have Musashimaru and Asashoryu as Yokozuna. Chiyotaikai and Kaio at Ozeki and possibly having what it takes to make Yokozuna. Possibly. Chiyotaikai typically beats Asashoryu and he's proven he can win bashos. But we'll have to see if he can make this last step.

 

[Rackhir]

Konishiki is brought up often as an example of the trouble foreign wrestlers have. He did come very close to Yokozuna but looking back at his career, not making him Yokozuna was probably the correct decision. He would have ended up on the Worst Yokozuna lists.

I wouldn't necessarily disagree. His performance after the whole controversy was terrible, though I think that was also about the time he injured his knee and really started putting on weight. But there was something missing in his performance after that whole controversy. He just didn't seem to be trying anymore and I can't shake the feeling that all the flack he got over it really hurt him.

 

[zero skill LPB]

Yes! Asashoryu! Let's hear it for the little fella!

Little? Well, about as little as they come in the Sumo world and he's still a good 100 pounds more massive than me (and I'm no small fry!).

I've really liked Asashoryu ever since he first showed up on Sumo Digest. He has totally earned each and every 'fighting spirit' mention awarded to him; he absolutely EXPLODES with energy in every match I've watched.

I think he'll make a good Yokozuna. Watching him dump his much larger opponents (even before their respective injuries) with agility and skill makes me think that he can continue on for some time as a Yokozuna. I certainly hope so because I enjoy watching the underdog pluck his way to victory.