Kintamayama 47,140 Posted March 31, 2003 Look what I just found!! Mainichi Shimpo-April 1, 2003 Kitanoumi Rijicho( Head of Japan Sumo Association) has called for an emergency session of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council slated to convene this afternoon (Tuesday), after being notified that Takanohana Oyakata's (former Yokuzuna Takanohana) retirement request was not handed in in the proper manner. This was brought to his attention by Taihou Oyakata, who claims the form is missing the signature of Futagoyama Oyakata. If this is the case, this may mean that Takanohana is still active, and may return as early as this Natsu basho. "I am as surprised by this as you are. If this is true, we have no way of forcing him to retire as it is out of our hands now, unless Futagoyama Oyakata will sign the letter immediately.", he told reporters outside the Futagoyama "stable" in the Sumida ward in Tokyo. Other Oyakata declined to comment on this, although off the record, at least two voiced their opinions that this was a "cheap" way of helping the now-completely healed ex-Yokozuna back into Sumo in order to bolster its rapidly declining popularity. If this does happen, it will be the first time in the history of sumo that a wrestler who has tendered his retirement will actually be returning to the "dohyo" (Sumo circle). Takanohana Oyakata has not been seen at the stable for the last two days, and telephone queries were not being answered at the stable itself. (Jun Miyamoto) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Naifuzan 1 Posted March 31, 2003 Well... News like that usually pop up on April 1st Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zentoryu 154 Posted March 31, 2003 Yes, just like the "Wakanohana returns from Retirement" thing on April 1st a couple of years ago. :-D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 47,140 Posted March 31, 2003 There was a Waka returning from retirement thing? Then I really should be ashamed of myself.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kotoseiya Yuichi 3 Posted March 31, 2003 I admit! I believed it at first! Never drink wheat beer. Hic... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zentoryu 154 Posted April 1, 2003 There was a Waka returning from retirement thing?Then I really should be ashamed of myself.. Yes. It was posted on the SML a couple of years ago. I don't remember the whole story, or even who posted it, but it went something like this: Waka announced he was returning to active wrestling, but not as a Yokozuna. He was going to come back the hard way, at the bottom of the banzuke as a Jonokuchi. I can't remember if the story said this is something Waka wanted to do (returning through Jonokuchi), or if the Kyokai said that he couldn't return as a Yokozuna and had to start his career over at the bottom of the banzuke. Anyway it did trick a few people at the time. :-D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doitsuyama 1,259 Posted April 1, 2003 Yes, it was from Joe Petrow, and he did wait some hours longer. :-D Here is his masterpiece: --------------------------------------- I imagine that Joe Kuroda will have one of his usual (and much better) translations very soon, but this is such a big story that I wanted to make sure it gets out as soon as possible. Unbelievable! NOTE: I made some comments in parenthesis to clarify the change of kanji in his shikona. ---------- April 1st, 2002 Asahi Afternoon Journal Wakanohana Returns to Sumo In one of the most shocking developments in sumo since the fall of Futahaguro, Masaru Hanada, former yokozuna Wakanohana, has announced his intention to return to the world of sumo. "I made many efforts to adjust to life outside of sumo. But I realize that no matter what I do, as Masaru Hanada I am a "fish out of water". So, with the permission of my oyakata and the Japan Sumo Kyokai, I am announcing today my intention to return to sumo as Wakanohana." Hanada acknowledged that, having resigned from the Sumo Kyokai, he must start over again in the lower ranks of sumo. But he says that even the prospects of being ordered around by the lowest ranking 15 year olds in Futagoyama-beya will not deter him from his return to sumo. "Obviously, I cannot return as yokozuna, and I would not even if I could because I am in no shape to uphold the honor of the rank. But after being away from the sport I love for so long, my desire has never been higher. I will endure all the criticism, all the sacrifices necessary for the chance to compete on the dohyo once again." Kitanoumi-rijicho and Futagoyama-oyakata confirmed the decision and approval from the Japan Sumo Kyokai. "Obviously I was against the idea when I first heard of it. But his newfound dedication to sumo, along with the spectacular failures of his other endeavors, convinced me of his sincerity." said his father, the Futagoyama-oyakata. "I can only say to people to consider this an entirely new Wakanohana, and not to hold of him the expectations of yokozuna." "Although there is no precedent for such a return to sumo, I believe this will be good for both Wakanohana and sumo in general. Wakanohana's return will generate a tremendous interest in the lower levels of sumo, from his entry in mae-zumo this May, to Jonokuchi in July, and hopefully back up the ladder to the Makunouchi" commented Kitanoumi-rijicho. "Due to his extraordinary history, we were going to place him on the Makushita tsukedashi position, but Wakanohana insisted he start at the bottom with everybody else. We hope this will generate more interest in sumo, from both a fan and participant perspective, to help fill the stands as well as the sumo beyas." Hanada, who will change his shikona to "Wakanohana" (note: though the pronunication is the same, he is using the older version of the "Waka" character, currently used in Kotonowaka's kanji shikona), said the change is to represent the "second coming" of Wakanohana (the cross with two lines in the "waka" is replaced with two crosses). "Honestly, I do not know how far I can rise on the banzuke. I feel that I can rise to Makushita within two years, and with hard work and determination, make a strong showing all the way up in Juryo. I look forward to another encounter with Terao someday. *laugh*" Wakanohana refused to answer questions during his press conference, leaving the reporters with this final comment: "To all my fans, I hope you will continue to support me in this new and exciting stage of my career. And to all my critics, I hope you will have a very happy April Fools Day." - Joe Petrow ----------------------------------------------------- Well, it got even better with a fitting reply from Joe Kuroda: ----------------------------------------------------- --- Joe Petrow wrote: > April 1st, 2002 > Asahi Afternoon Journal > > Wakanohana Returns to Sumo As reported by JoePet so lucidly, Masaru Hananda (former Fujishima oyakata\Wakanohana III from Tokyo) announced he would re-join the Kyokai to stem the tide of Sumo's declining popularity. "Yeah, baby, I am coming back," chortled the former yokozuna. Masaru says he has been granted a special allowance from Chairman Kitanoumi to fast track his comeback by starting from Jonokuchi Tsukedashi Rank 15. "It was real cool of the Kita Boss to get me the special priviledge never given to anyone before. I should be in Jonidan in no time at all," added Masaru. Masaru has been in Arizona participating in Arena Football training camps to fulfill his dream of playing for a National Football League team one day but he admits he has been handicapped due to the fact the players and coaches do not speak Japanese there. "Right, that was one of the main problems as I couldn't figure out when a QB guy stops counting before the play begins. But the techniques I learned in sumo such as 'katasukashi' and henka like 'hikiotoshi' helped me to avoid getting tackled by those meathead defensive backs though sometimes I got caught for holding," Masaru said. When asked why he was coming back to sumo rather than trying out another sport, he said, "Well, like Ichiro, I was thinking of Major League Baseball and they said they could perhaps place me with Montreal Expos as only half a dozen people watch their games but I couldn't find where the stadium was as all the signs were in French." Apprently he will be no longer using his old shikona of "Wakanohana" as some may now confuse it with "BAKAnohana". "Actually I am joining Nishikido Beya as my old bud, Kotoizumi, doesn't has any recruit yet and he has given me a new shikona of 'OSARU' after my given name." As to why he is coming back now Masaru mentioned he's seen an old footage of an American man competing on dohyo in Hawaii over half a dozen years ago and was motivated again. According to a reliable source, that dude was none other than our Joe Petrow... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doitsuyama 1,259 Posted April 1, 2003 There was another joke in 1999, from Peroginishiki. I digged it out: --------------------------------------------------------- [sumo News] New Rules Announced Controversial New Sumo Rule [Translated from Thursday Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 47,140 Posted April 1, 2003 This last one I remember, but the Wakanohana thingy and the reply which are very good, I don't.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yoavoshimaru 0 Posted April 1, 2003 the spectacular failures of his other endeavors So funny, this whole thread :-) :-D I love April Fools Day. Although this morning when I was at the car dealership and the mechanic came out to ask where the dent on my car came from, I wasn't laughing (Going nuts...) (Dozing off...) (Hehe...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
