Zenjimoto

A bit off-topic, but to me, the two GLARING absences this sad basho are Kitazakura and Asashoryu. They were both my great favorites when I started watching Sumo in 2001, and to have them both retire at the same time is a double blow... (In a state of confusion...) However, I shall battle on! (Beaten...) (Lifting weights...)

Sorry, but is hard to relate how being an "older" fan has something to do with being a truer one in this case. What I meant by that is, back in those days, while some people may have already been fans during his up-and-coming, it's really once he started winning Yusho that suddenly all kinds of people came out of the woodwork, confessing to being Asashoryu fans, or him being their "favorite rikishi". Duh... it's always fun to love a winner. (Yusho winner...) Almost the same thing happened to me with 2 other favorites, Takamisakari and Ama - I was a big fan before they started to become hugely popular. Call me a trendsetter (Neener, neener...) STILL my favorite despite his relative lack of success... my beloved Kitazakura! (In love...)

I'm gonna miss him tremendously. Together with Kitazakura's salt-throwing antics, Asashoryu was the FIRST to catch my attention the first time I watched sumo... Aki 2001, when he was Maegashira 1W, and I loved the way that "feisty little Mongolian" kept fighting against the bigger guys. As such I take credit for being a true Asashoryu fan long before everyone else jumped on the bandwagon. When he became better and better, I was elated. He was THE major superstar of sumo for a long time. When they came to Las Vegas, all the other rikishi were moving about freely and approachable, but far from being crowded by fans, only Asashoryu had a real "air" around him, the sense there was a VIP in the house, followed by fans, photographers, and his entourage. And I am not a purist... I felt that injecting a little spice into the mix was a good thing, and that the NSK has too many burrs up their ass, considering these guys are major superstars who really don't need to be treated like little kids sometimes... but that's another discussion altogether, and of course he did go too far in certain cases, but also got some major raw deals. :-P He will forever be a legend. Farewell, old friend and fighter. (I am going off-topic...)

I think you should stay, if nothing else so we can hear you use the word "besmirch" again! (Sign of approval...)

Really? Wow... how nice! I humbly accept (On the banzuke...) At least SOME good news... and at least I am Ozeki in one of the Sekitori-Games again! (Holiday feeling...)

Oh brother....

I declare my INTAI from Waves 1-6. I am tired of consistently and pathetically performing at Jonidan levels in this game. (I am not worthy...)

I'd have to say Tamawashi! Nothing in his lower division career seemed too impressive, and when he won the Makushita Yusho, I thought he would come crashing back down, but instead he became Sekitori next basho, and now he might be the next Sekiwake West! (well, getting ahead of myself here, but he's great in the running) (Sign of approval...)

Osh: "Hmm, no,... your prostate feels fine!" Miya: "That's not my prostate, that's my spleen!"

Don't worry about work, just call in sick! (Holiday feeling...)

Onami/Enshunada

Kotokuzan

Yamashita

Kamiyutaka

Sakaguchi

Asai

I've been predicting his retirement for like 6 years now, so I'm trying something else this time! (Sign of approval...)

Fabulous... As always, it's great to see my baby live on :-) Also great to be back in Sanyaku!!! (Sign of approval...)

Congratulations to the Jenson Button of Sumo Gaming (Clapping wildly...)

;-) WOW... Rikishi of the Year in one of my favorite games! :-) I'm loving it! (Dancing of joy...)

:-) WOW! What a surprise! ;-)

Shoma

Azumaryu

Nogami

Azumaryu