yoda

No need for very enlightening count of Asa's keiko Kintamayama. As I stated in the earlier post of mine, the 2 basho ban has effectively sealed Asa's retirement. He will be ashamed if he slips even one bout, will be hated for faking his numerous injuries if he goes zensho. The trap is there in any case. On top of this, he will be watched for his every single move, including his basic reflections such as eyelid movements, and facial muscle twitching. He can't win convincingly, that would amount to a barbaric non-sumoish, un-civilized behavour. He can't win easy, because that would be ignoring of Japanese fans' high expectations, and will amount to a yacho.

I see career for Baruto quite similar with that of Kotooshu. Great body, great talent. I would be contemplating about Yokozuna Baruto, If he didn't have that injury. Unfortunately, that injury will come back from time to time, making his career like Kaio's at best and Kotooshu's at least.

I agree with Coo-Cook. Asashoryu is such a bright and unique Yokozuna and will be remembered, rather than hated, for a long time. I think, those who beleive that a hungry bully from Ulaanbaatar streets come to Ozumo to earn some bucks are showing their disrespect to different cultures and people. I have an impression from my Mongolian friends that ordinary people, especially those who are hungry, never become wrestlers in Mongolia. Wrestlers in Mongolia are like living gods and they never have to worry about money, not alone go hungry. But they are thirsty for power and domination. Asashoryu was neither accident nor luck. He wasn't accidentally picked by some scout from Japan. He was groomed and prepared to be a wrestler, be it mongolian, Judo, or free style. He was up to something when he came to Japan. People may hate him for his misconduct, but they can't hide from his majestic sumo. I hope, Asashoryu will at least get few more Yousho before he goes on to his next adventure.

It is very difficult to give an educated guess to a single super-ketteisen event. It will be decided by stars' alignment that day. The statistics, and strength data you have will make sense If the super-ketteisen happens repeatedly, basho after basho in a year. I reckon, The top five, Taiho, Chyonofuji, Kitanoumi, Asashoryu and Takanohana, each taking the yusho once, and the remaining one goes to the one who's starts are aligned just right that day.

He will definitely make Ozeki. I don't know when. Maybe the next year, or like Kotomitsuki, when he is 31 years old. Today, no one casts such fear among top rikishi as Ama. The two Yokozuna are, of course, the obvious favorites in any bout. The point is that they fear the most from none other than Ama. Being a Mongol, he probably understands and reacts to the two Yokozuna's combat tactics better than the rest, and he has no lack of tricks. He now looks to weigh around 130kg. I see him employing a straight head on tachia tactics. I think he does it on purpose. In the long run, when he catches up with the pounds, this approach will be a terrorizing weapon. And he does it because he is confident in his future. He really has something.

Yes, he really looks have lost few kilos, which might prove advantageous for him to regain his speedy sumo. I was expecting him to have difficulty in adjusting back to the public scrutiny. But he seems to have no problem at all, smiling, acting like nothing happened. What a transition from his mentally disordered state.

Watch tv coverage of the jungyo here: http://www.info-sumo.net/info/modules.php?...opic&t=4143

While Asa is doing the right thing by apologizing, he never looks really accepting the guilt. I am on his side, to be honest. Do you think he genuinely thinks that he committed a crime that really hurt someone, for which he needs to apologize? No way. He was in defensive position because of his inproper handling of the incident just after. Now, he seems to have overcome the mistake and ready to teach a lesson or two to everyone, including Kitanoumi. He seems to have figured it out how. Very easy. Come back to Japan and apologize no matter what. Then take few yushos, breaking few records along the way. When he is recognized as true Dai Yokozuna, he will retire and leave Japan behind, and play soccer with kids in Mongolia. I've red that Mongolians have notorious record in outsmarting their opponent.

Watch clip of the tv coverage at info-sumo: http://www.info-sumo.net/info/modules.php?...opic&t=4112 He looks very cool headed and focused. I think he is back in the business.

YDC and likes of Uchidate, and Japanese public at large are not witch hunting, in my opinion. They have legit concern, and responsibility to act tough. That is their job and they have to do it, not because they want it so badly. I don't like their decision and proceedings from the begining. But what can I do? I will have to live with it. Imagine, if someone of foreign origin comes to Mongolia and acts deplorably against their traditions, the same thing will happen. I also understand why Asashoryu acted the way he acted. He never faced a real defeat in his life, so he never developed a sense of guilt. He just couldn't take this punishment, and rebels in a way he could only do it. He is smart enough not to say fuck you guys and leave the arena, or oops I did it because I didn't know the rules. I've been told that his brother is actually very critical of him, not the NSK decisions, comparing the incident with breaching his company contract. I think Asa is coming back with clear plan in mind, not just to show up and see what happens. In the end, no one is deliberately playing evil here. It is just such an unfortunate incident, and everybody will have to get over it one or the other way.

Thanks for all your insightful comments. I clearly stand minority here. I still hope (wish, to be honest) that sumotori of Ama's caliber would present top notch opponent. Never know unless I actually see it. Maybe, Asa retires and gives us opportunity to witness this dream fight.

- Fedor tries to finish off Ama, for 1 full minute with submission technique and fails. Never seen such a vicious opponent, Fedor frustrates and starts to trow punches, and side kicks. For a seasoned rikishi, the side kick are felt like that bamboo stick during a keiko. - Years of sumo training helps Ama withstand the punches. Ama pushes Fedor to a corner and starts to grapple. Confident with his super judo technique, Fedor tries to ippon Ama, and again fails. - Ama counters Fedors move with his recently learned technique from Asa's brother Blue Wolf, A Mongol Hammer full body slam, three times in row. - Shocked, Fedor tries to use submission hold of Ama's leg. Ama lifts Fedor up in the air 6 feet and slams Fedor to the ground once more. - Fedor endures the punishment physically. Mentally, he has never seen such a challenge. Irritated by daring Ama, Fedor charges head on, Ama uses Fedor's momentum to perform a half pull down along with kneeing and delivers one final knee blow to Fedors face. - Fedor receives his first and last ever KO.

Well, likes of Ms. Uchidate are playing their part very well. That is their job. This is really a challenge for the 26 year old boy. Interesting to watch this battle between the purist old farts and the spoiled young lion. I doubt Asa would go to martial arts. That will amount to a gross disgresion of his reputation, which was at Dai standard. Instead, he will just return home and become a Yokozuna in Mongolian wrestling. I've been told that his earnings from his business back home tops his Sumo earnings.

I presume, Ama gets some coaching on defense and boxing before he goes on fighting.

This incident effectively sealed his retirement, I reckon. So much pressure, and so long being out of shape. Well, great athletes do great things. Takanohana came back to yousho after a year. Who knows if Asa can do the come back. Ironically, he created yet another chance for himself to be great. Let us wait and see.