Kathy

Does that include the current Miyagino Oyakata? What does this person look like...anyone have a picture or a link to a picture? Kathy

1. Where do you live? Brighton, IL USA 2. How are you watching it? (banzuke.com, satellite, cable, etc.) TV Japan through DISH 3. Cost of watching it? essentially $30 ($25 for the month and $5 to turn it off after Basho) 4. Do you stay up to watch it live, or record/watch the next day? Occasionally stay up to watch it, but usually watch the recording the nest day. It doesn't start until 2AM. Kathy DeShong Brighton, IL USA

I read a post by Joe Kuroda, Rikish Talk day 7, that Chiyotaikai said that his right shoulder hurt so much, he can't do any Tsupparis.

I just read on the Grand Sumo Website that Takanowaka has withdrawn. Does anyone know why? Injury? Poor performance? Kathy

We wrote to TV Japan and this is the response we received: Dear Mr.& Mrs. DeShong, Thank you for your e-mail. We contacted NHK in Japan regarding bilingual broadcast for Grand Sumo tournaments after receiving your inquiry, and they told us that there was no such decision made by NHK and they would continue to add English audio to the Sumo tournaments. We also forwarded your comments to NHK in Japan to let them know how important the English audio is to non-Japanese speakers who enjoy watching Sumo every other month. If you have any further questions, please contact us again. Thank you for your subscription, TV JAPAN Customer Service 1-877-885-2726 M-F 9am-5pm (EST) 1-877-885-9378 7days 10am-6pm (PST) ----- Original Message ----- From: Doug <mailto:rawhide@ezL.com> To: TV JAPAN <mailto:tvjapan@tvjapan.net> ; TVJWEST@tvjapan.net <mailto:TVJWEST@tvjapan.net> Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 12:32 AM Subject: English Audio For Sumo Broadcasts Ladies/Gentlemen: I read a posting by Mr. Murray Johnson, who I believe is one of the English broadcasters for NHK, that the Sumo English Audio Broadcasts for may be discontinued? My wife and I spoke to TVJapan representatives while recently attending the Sumo Matches in Las Vegas ,NV. We were under the impression TVJapan was considering extending the broadcasts to include more matches and the traditional ceremonies. While I observed the TVJapan people surveying individuals from the crowd entering the arena, I felt this was an almost unanimous request of those individuals being questioned. Also, there was much support for "The Pancake Man", your own Mr. Dave Wiggins. Needless to say, the only way anyone knows about Mr. Wiggins is from listening to the English audio version of the Sumo broadcasts. Not only is he well known among Sumo watchers in the United States, I was surprised to talk to a gentleman from Hong Kong who was in Las Vegas for the Sumo who asked "if the Pancake Man was doing the announcements" for the Las Vegas matches. With all due respect, I must be honest with you. The sole reason I subscribe to TVJapan is for the English audio broadcasts of the Sumo Basho's held throughout Japan every other month. It would be most questionable for our household to pay the TVJapan subscription fee were the English audio discontinued. Sumo is just now beginning to catch on and is gaining in popularity in the United States. THe discontinuation of the English broadcasts would would deal a severe blow to popularity of Sumo & make further expansion of viewers in the United States literally impossible. I cannot urge you strongly enough to please continue the English broadcasts. We also enjoy Mr. Dave Wiggins the most of any announcer. Best Regards, Douglas DeShong Kathleen DeShong Brighton, Illinois. USA

tvjapan@tvjapan.net (New York) 1-877-885-2726 tvjwest@tvjapan.net (Los Angeles) 1-877-885-9378 What a loss if they actually do discontinue the English translation of the Basho. Kathy

Has anyone heard how Tochiazuma scalded his abdomen? I noticed the mark even before the announcer commented that he scalded it. Kathy

I agree. Konishiki did an excellent color commentary. The only thing I didn't like was "Are you for the East or the West?" Oh, I didn't like the singer that mutilated the National Anthem. The people that applauded for her were either glad she was almost finished singing or they didn't recognize the song! Kathy DeShong Brighton, IL

Don't know about the Bud, but it sure looks like Robo is getting his fill of the "humongous American steak." (Eating...)(Blushing...)(A sekitori...) :-S (Applauding...) A typical(?) "humongous American steak" He had the Budweiser, too. I think all of the rikishi seemed to enjoy the Las Vegas experience. I know I enjoyed the Sumo! Kathy

Kintamayama and Jonasu, Are you both here in Las Vegas? My husband Doug and I are in Section 5 and are staying at the Mandalay Bay. I thought it was exciting to watch and makes me want to come to Japan even more for the Basho. Kathy

I don't know if they're going to Las Vegas or not, but Shiroikuma has a picture of Dave Wiggins (along with himself, Katrina, Riyo and the producer) on his website- http://shiroikuma.com/peiji/tourneys/2001/hatsubasho.htm And here's an article with a couple of pictures of Lynn Matsuoka- http://starbulletin.com/98/09/08/news/story5.html Dale <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks, Dale

Hey what have you in mind (Eating...) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Something that would look good on a T-shirt. He's my husband's favorite rikishi. Kathy

We have Clyde "The Prince of Darkness" Newton with Wiggins tonight. Too bad they cut away to a news story for most of the first half. I want the first half-hour of the sumo show back, damnit!!! Dale <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I agree! I want every minute of the 15 days of SUMO! I am looking forward to Las Vegas. Does anyone know if Lynn Matsuoso or Dave Wiggins will be in Las Vegas? It would be nice to put a face with the voice. Kathy

Does anyone have a good picture of Takamisakari? Thanks, Kathy

I got a grade 2 hamstring tear 8/21/2005...for the first week, it was difficult to walk. I have been getting physical therapy 3 times a week and am doing much better. I have been off work since the accident and can't imagine if I had to participate in sports! Kathy

Doug and I were going to go to Japan for the Basho, but weren't sure how to order advance tickets, since the website says in "Japanese only." If they had a translator for ticket sales, it might bring in more tourists. We love to watch it on TV. When we saw that they were coming to Las Vegas, we were thrilled. We have tickets for all 3 days. I'd still like to visit Japan. Kathy

Just an idea, but they might be able to draw in the foreign trade if they were able to make ticket sales multilingual. (Clapping wildly...) Kathy

Watching Takamisakari is always funny <{POST_SNAPBACK}> well that i CAN agree with. (Clapping wildly...) :-D (Clapping wildly...) but still, i think an even better show would have been for Asa to brind on a show of obscure kimarite. in these mini tournaments he has nothing to lose, so why not try some technical uber move that you can't try easily in a normal basho... ah well. what's done is done. I can tell you now that in the Las Vegas tournament, the Americans are going to LOVE Takamisakari. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> We are really excited to attend the Las Vegas Tournament and see all of the rikishi, but ESPECIALLY the "Peoples' Yokozuna!" (Clapping wildly...) Kathy

I am not sure about Sleep Apnea but that's not exactly an injury but he did have some sleep related problems before so it's possible. As far as his official reason for his withdrawal it was his left ankle ligament damage requiring a week's rest so at the time on Day 8, there was a possibility he may return but since we have not heard from him by now, it's unlikely he will come back this basho. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> With ligament damage, he really needs to rest it for as long as it needs...strained ligaments can be worse than a sprain, and take longer to heal. I agree that Sleep Apnea is a problem. My husband has sleep apnea and sleeps with a C-PAP machine. If he doesn't, his snoring could rip plaster off the walls, and the next day, he is mentally dull and reactions are slower than normal. I certainly hope Hakaho will be well by the September Basho and be able to come to Las Vagas in October. I can hardly wait...It will be SO exciting! :-P Kathy

Did anyone ever hear exactly what Hakuho's injury is? Thanks, Kathy

sprain & Sleep Apnea Syndrome sorry for my poor english (Clapping wildly...) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks for the info! :-P I think your English is fine! I can't speak ANY Japanese. Someday, maybe. :-D Kathy

I have been lurking on this list for a couple of months and enjoy your posts. I started watching Sumo about 6 years ago. We usually spent our anniversary week in Cancun and Sumo would be on the hotel TV in the afternoon when the sun was too high for me to be out in it. Since then, I have studied the sport and appreciate it's artform. Doug (husband) and I have our reservations for the Sumo Exhibition in Las Vegas. We will be staying at the Mandalay Bay. Maybe we'll meet other list members while there. I am and have been an Oncology Nurse in St. Louis, MO for 30 years. Doug and I enjoy most sports and travelling. Any questions? I'd be happy to address them! Kathy Brighton, IL MO