More on kosho and new foreigner in Azumazeki

[Kintamayama 47,140]

The rikishi are divided on their view on the kosho abolishment thingy. One Ozeki said "When thinking about my juniors, this seems to close the lid on their efforts for promotion to Ozeki or Yokozuna. If they go all out and get injured, they had the system to protect them. Now, it's going to be very difficult for them".

OTOH, others think it's not that bad. A Sanyaku rikishi " If an injury stops you from advancing, you fall down the banzuke. If you're good enough and strong enough, there's no reason you can't make it right up again".

During the discussions on the abolishment, there were voices suggesting a change in the 6 Basho a year system , instead of the abolishment. In any case, physical condition control and a deeper consciousness towards injuries will be essential in the near future.

Another concern is that rikishi will not be going all-out for fear of injury. "I believe that will not happen", said Rijicho.

Will this decision, which was made without consulting the rikishi, really renew the waning interest in Sumo?

Azumazeki has a new foreigner. He will enter Sumo in Kyushu. He is Kousekyou, just turned 18, 1.93 centimeters (6 ft 3'), 127 kilos (280 lbs). He will be the 7th Chinese (Taiwan excluded) entering Sumo, but the first one entering Azumazeki, who hasn't had a foreigner since Akebono retired. (Takamisakari counts as an alien, not a foreigner). He will be undergoing the shin-deshi kensa (new recruit inspection) in Kyushu. Apparently, he looks exactly like Takamisakari. He is already being called "The Chinese Takamisakari". He has experience in Judo (8 years) and shot-put, and was introduced to Azumazeki Oyakata by a friend. As a beginner in Sumo, his body is still rigid, and he can't do matawari ( often painful stretching exercise where rikishi sits on the ground legs as wide apart as possible and then tries to lower his torso to touch the ground between his legs). He still can't speak any Japanese yet, but when losing to other deshi, he responds with a loud "HAI" (yes). His straightforwardness resembles Sakari's. "He is obedient and serious. If he will go all out in keiko he'll be strong", said Azumazeki Oyakata. "It's a complete change of environment for him, and there's that language problem, so from now on it's going to be a rough ride ", added a somewhat worried Takamisakari, who is showing him how to do shiko. Kousekyou is aiming to be the first Chinese (Taiwan excluded) Sekitori since the promotion of Kiyonohana (Hanakago-beya) to Juryo in 1974 . One wonders where he will be ranked when the June 2004 China Jungyo will take place.

Sakari on the left, Kousekyou on the right.

Edited September 26, 2003 by Kintamayama