[OT-Sumo] Hatsu Basho 2003

[Black Omega]

For you gentlepersons who enjoyed all the Quntessential Monks information on Sumo, the current Basho has started interestingly.

Asashoryu is in line to become the first Mongolian Yokozuna, if he wins the basho with a minimum of 13 wins out of 15.

Yokozuna Takanohana is right on the edge. He missed over a year due to a knee injury and had to return or retire back in September. He managed 12-3, just what he needed to not to be forced to retire, but injuries took him out of the next Basho. Now in Jan he's back, still injured, but still hanging on. If he's forced to retire, that will mean for the first time ever none of the reigning Yokozuna would be Japanese.

Both Asashoryu and Takanohana are off to 2-0 starts, with Asashoryu looking very strong and Takanohana winning by the skin of his teeth.

For those nightowls interested. There is a live webcast at Nihon Sumo Kyokai . It starts at 2:00 AM Eastern and is worth a look if you are in a OA or Rokugangame, if only for the ceremony involved.

 

[Ranger REG]

What happened to Musashimaru (aka American-born Fiamalu Penitani)? Is he competing in the Winter Tournament?

 

[Liminal Syzygy]

No, Yokozuna Musashinomaru is sitting this one out.

 

[Ranger REG]

"Musashinomaru"??? Did he change his name or did we (American/local TV news program in Hawaii) use the wrong spelling?

What's the reason for sitting out? Still nursing his knees? Hope he returns for the Spring Tournament. We've already lost Yokozuna Akebono (aka American-born Chad Rowen) to retirement due to injury. Sumo needs more foreign presence, especially coming from Hawaii.

Also hoping that they consider making another Tour to Hawaii.

 

[eXodus]

i know i am pulling for takanohana. i always liked him. i recall watching him in all the tourneys of 1994-5 while taking japanese in high school...

 

[Black Omega]

The Moose is out with a wrist injury suffered in the last basho. He should be back for the next one. Just in time, since Asashoryu is looking more and more likely to run away with this Basho and become Yokozuna.

Takanohana pulled out of the match today. It's said he might sit out a couple of days and try to return, but that seems unlikely. In addition to lack of training time and knee problems, his left shoulder is in pretty bad shape as well.

 

[ninthcouncil]

I used to watch Sumo highlights on Channel 4 in the UK some years ago (when C4 was decent channel, not the damn freakshow it's become now, and the incomparable Chiyonofuji was still active), and was lucky to be able to attend a day of the November basho in uoka just over a year ago, and catch most of the rest on TV. I'd lost touch of who was who amongst the rikishi (sumo wandered off onto the satellite channels ages ago), but the whole thing was fascinating, especially seeing the ritual in full - and also, as we arrived quite early, the younger guys before they become completely huge. Unfortunately my old favourite Terao was injured - I see he's retiring this year. Didn't warm to Musashimura, he seemed wholly negative in approach.

Edit - did you see what the censor did to uoka?!?!?!

 

[Rackhir]

There is a "Sumo Digest" Program that runs on ESPN 2 at odd times. Great thing to have a TiVo for. Though I'm not sure they always are showing the most recent basho.

I still miss Mainoumi (I think that's how it was spelled). He was this short guy back in the early 90's who only met the height requirements for sumo by having a silicon injection on the top of his head and hitting the top of his head to raise lumps. However, he had mastered something like two to three times the number of sumo techniques that most other wrestlers do and could pull off some amazing moves. I remember one time that he must have jumped something like 3-4 feet in the air at the start of a match and slammed his opponent down. He was really something to watch.

I also wish I had some tapes of the first couple of basho's after Akebono made Yokozuna. His power was simply amazing. He would come out of the crouch and simply blow his opponents out of the ring in one shot. I remember the some of the sumo elders complaining that he was too strong a Yokozuna.

 

[Super_Troll]

I love watching these. They are on ESPN (Sumo Digest) on occation but they don't advertise them. Its really hit or miss. Does anyone know of a web site which has the TV schedule?

 

[Black Omega]

i've seen some matches of Akebono from 1990, he really is amazing. I was more a Chiyonofuji fan though.

Musashimaru is more interesting because he's so...defensive, really. He doesn't explode off the taichai, but he uses his bulk very well to neutralize the other guy and them overwhelm him.

Sumo Digest is pretty decent. You could almost turn it into a drinking game (take three drinks when the announcer says 'The Moose is on the loose!' after a Musashimaru win.) As far as I can tell, they are only current through the Sept. Basho.