Musa, Shoes-on, Shouryuu

[Kintamayama 42,781]

Musashimaru has resumed full keiko in Nagoya- 11 bouts against the heya Sekitori, who are hairier than average..Score? 10-1, with a hand tied behind his back, as we say in France. Hardly using his left to thrust, not using his left to grasp opponents' mawashi at all. So, he's thrusting with his right, not getting close to his rivals, and praying, I guess."I will be using it more from now on", he said.

"I don't know pain", he said, puzzling even the veteran journalists. Musashigawa Oyakata: "Of course we want to participate in Nagoya, but beyond our wishes, lies the need to be able to do reasonable Sumo. Without that, we have a problem." With two weeks to go, the pain in Muashimaru's left wrist is obviously still very much there. There still is a real chance he may go kyujo yet again. (Nikkan Sports ,Yomiuri, Hochi)

Kyokushuuzan resumed keiko as well, and had 40 (!!) matches against Makushita rikishi. "First time I've done this many. Kyokutenhou is now Sekiwake, and that has kindled my fighting spirit", he said. But, it seems, that is not his only motivation: After defeating Asashouryuu last Basho and the ensuing saga, Shoes-on wants more. "I know how strong he is. I've beaten him once, no way it won't happen again." His pride as the "elder" of Mongolian Sumo was hurt, and even though there was a reconciliation, Shoes-on is not hiding his fervent wish to kick Shouryuu's butt again, now even more than before.

A week ago, he had some sort of fat, or a mole , or whatever , removed from his chest by light surgery. "I'm fine now. My weight has risen to 146 kilos, and I'm feeling great!!", he said. (Sponichi)

Asashouryuu has resumed keiko as well at Takasago. 17 bouts against Touki , Senshuuyama and others- won them all. "Trying to get back into rhythm. From tomorrow, I'll get really serious", he said.

On Friday, he will be throwing out the first pitch for the first time, at the Giants-Chunichi baseball game at the Nagoya Dome. "I'm practicing so I can deliver a 110 kph (70 mph) fastball..", he joked. More like a slow ball.. (Hochi)

At a press conference, Takasago Oyakata has promised that Asashouryuu will not repeat his shameful behavior ever again."As a Yokozuna, he represents all of Sumo. As such, he is a role model, and will be very careful not to repeat his mistake." Asashouryy himself seemed to have matured a bit, according to reporters. He answered all questions politely and with a lot of confidence (" I am not worried about any specific opponent") and with "humility", meaning he was trying to make a good impression on his teachers, I mean the reporters, and Sumo fans ( a lot who have taken a dislike to him in the wake of day 9 last Basho..) in general. "I am aiming for a consecutive Yusho. I will be going all out in keiko", said the "Mongolian Blue Wolf. (Chunichi)

Edited June 25, 2003 by Kintamayama

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

All interesting news. Musashimaru with one hand is still better than most rikishi I think.

Thanks Kintamayama-zeki (Applauding...)

[Gaijinohana 0]

Could someone elaborate on the 'saga' of Asashoryu's day 9 from the last tournament? I was out of the country and out of sumo contact during the second half of the last tournament and it seems I missed out.

[QttP 0]

Could someone elaborate on the 'saga' of Asashoryu's day 9 from the last tournament? I was out of the country and out of sumo contact during the second half of the last tournament and it seems I missed out.

To tell you the truth - it's really not worth mentioning and was basically blown out of proportion. So Asashoryu doesn't always know to show respect to those beating him. It's not like he had done anything violent.

[Zenjimoto 39]

In short, Asa, shortly after hitting the dirt, quickly looked at the head shimpan and pointed to a spot outside the tawara where he thought 'Shuzan might have stepped out (when in reality the mark was made by himself as he fell down).

As Asa then got up to walk back to the east side, (to me it looked like) Shuzan bumped into his shoulder as he passed by him going the opposite direction. Upon that bump, Asa turned around and gave Shuzan a really dirty look.

IMHO, Asa's only offense was that he complained to the shimpan. The whole bump issue I tend to blame Shuzan for. After all, it is not appropritate to bump into a Yokozuna at any time. Asa's reaction to that was only fair and natural.

That's my take on it, and I watched it many times on my PVR (Eating...) (Applauding...)

Cheers

Zenjimoto

[Kintamayama 42,781]

And, after getting bumped, Asashouryuu pulled out his sagari very violently and menacingly. I agree with QTTP that it was totally blown out of proportion.

You can see it here if you have Realaudio:

http://banzuke.com/sumomovies/natsu2003/da...hor_kyokushu.rm (long version)

http://banzuke.com/sumomovies/natsu2003/da...or_kyokushu2.rm (short virgin)

Edited June 26, 2003 by Kintamayama

[Gaijinohana 0]

Thanks for the info. I watched the replay and it reminds me of one thing. I love listening to Akebono do the play by play. I agree that it was probably blown out of proportion, but I don't agree that Shuzan was at fault. He is clearly not looking in Asa's direction when they pass each other, but Asa is looking Shuzan's way. I think if there was a bump is was either unintentional or more of Asa's doing. But still not at all a big deal. Thanks again for the info and links.

[Kintamayama 42,781]

On Friday, he will be throwing out the first pitch for the first time, at the Giants-Chunichi baseball game at the Nagoya Dome. "I'm practicing so I can deliver a 110 kph (70 mph) fastball..", he joked. More like a slow ball.. (Hochi)

Turned out he threw a feeble 56 mph (90 kph) one bounder to the left of the catcher.