Musashimaru's retirement

[Mark Buckton 1]

The Moose Quits.

Not a headline yet in sumo circles but how long is it going to be before the big man calls it a day and the above is a real time headline? You all know as well, probably moreso, than I do of his wrist problems. His age doesn't help anymore and neither does the (is this a rumor or fact anyone?) limit on tournaments a Yokozuna can miss before 'retiring'. I heard 2 straight which is probably due in part to Takanohana's running off so many times to, amongst other places, Paris, each time he faced a losing record and the subsequent dwindling attendances at the tournaments thereafter.

So, whilst you all discuss Asashoryu, Kotomitsuki and the rest reaching the top of the ladder (I still say Iwakiyama for reasons I can't fully explain to myself yet)aren't you missing the possibility that we won't be looking at who is the 3rd champ but will be looking at a replacement for the Moose when his time comes to step aside and will therefore be looking for another person to act as a restrainer on the 'running away with it all' Asashoryu because if he is left alone any claims he may have on greatness will be diminished in Japan at least as being a result of inferior competition - as sad or untrue as that may be.

Just a thought

Late night Tokyo - oyasumi

ANR

[Takanobaka 0]

For the most part, I think we were operating under an assumption that Moose would reture soon when we were talking about Asashoryu's future and potential Yokozuna. No doubt in my mind that it happens within the next 3 basho. Sad to see him go, but then again, it's really been a while since he was here...

[tominishiki 0]

Musa will play in Kyushu basho after that we can talk about quiting I think that Musa will quite after Hatsu or something like that hope not

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

There's no official limit on the number of tournaments a yokozuna can miss due to injury before retiring. As the number grows, the yokozuna faces more direct and indirect pressure from himself, his oyakata, the NSK, to consider intai. Takanohana's long absence no doubt contributed to this situation.

But I'm not giving up on Musashimaru yet. I doubt he'll ever be 100%, but he'll be good enough to fight, and perhaps good enough to win a couple more yusho.

[Yoma 0]

My humble opinion briefly: If Musa goes kujo in Kyushu because of his wrist, I think he'll retire in 2004.

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

My humble opinion briefly: If Musa goes kujo in Kyushu because of his wrist, I think he'll retire in 2004.

I don't think so. If he goes kyujo during Kyushu, because of his wrist, it would surprise me very much if he didn't retire immediately, or at the very least bef

Edited October 16, 2003 by Yubiquitoyama

[Asashosakari 20,211]

His age doesn't help anymore and neither does the (is this a rumor or fact anyone?) limit on tournaments a Yokozuna can miss before 'retiring'. I heard 2 straight which is probably due in part to Takanohana's running off so many times to, amongst other places, Paris, each time he faced a losing record and the subsequent dwindling attendances at the tournaments thereafter.

Yeah, Takanohana actually missed 7 straight basho, but rather than result in harsher rules for the next few Yokozuna, I think it rather opened a Pandora's box, in that it'll be more difficult to deny the same recovery time for others now. The dwindling attendance you're talking about likely wasn't just because of Taka's absence per se, but also due to Futagoyama-beya's habit of not announcing Taka's absence until the last minute, so people just were burned once too many times and quit buying tickets in advance in hope of seeing him.

As Yoavo-zeki has already said, there isn't really any fixed number of missed tournaments, just gradually mounting pressure with each one. The stature of the Yokozuna in question likely plays a role too, e.g. I doubt that only-one-yusho-as-Yokozuna Onokuni would have been treated with as much leniency as Takanohana was, even if both had been (hypothetically) active during the same period.

[Jesinofuji 11]

I think Musashimaru really really wants to and intends to come back. I think he will at least make one more run before calling it quits. The question is: will he be able to perform when he does? He has gained weight during his absense. Though I'm not holding my breath, I really hope he does well then, and in the end we see a long hard fought battle betweek 2 Yokozuna, young and old, on the senshuraku (and Asa winning!!).

[Zuikakuyama 1]

I for one already consider him retired.

Even if he comes back, he wont be performing at Yokozuna levels.

[Yoma 0]

I for one already consider him retired.

Even if he comes back, he wont be performing at Yokozuna levels.

Don't be so sure! Takanohana came back for a 12-3 basho after more rhn a year of injury! (Ok, he retired soon, but I think Musa can make 10 wins if the wrist is all right)

[Zenjimoto 40]

By the way, I am no big fan of the "intentional misleading shocker" title of this thread. :-/

[Yoma 0]

By the way, I am no big fan of the "intentional misleading shocker" title of this thread. :-/

Neither am I. That was kinda mean ;)

[Onnagumo 4]

By the way, I am no big fan of the "intentional misleading shocker" title of this thread.  :-/

Neither am I. That was kinda mean ;)

I can second that. I felt like this :-/ when I read that title. Phew, was I glad when I read the message behind it. I am afraid that it won't be long before Maru will announce his intai ;-), but this was a bit too sudden, I don't think I'm ready for that yet :-D

[tominishiki 0]

By the way, I am no big fan of the "intentional misleading shocker" title of this thread.

[Onnagumo 4]

I think that you are Kotonowaka's fan not Musa

Yes, I am a Kotonowaka fan, but he's not the only rikishi I like. I sure will miss Musashimaru too :-/

[Mark Buckton 1]

By the way, I am no big fan of the "intentional misleading shocker" title of this thread. :-/

Zenjimoto-san, Yoma-san and Onnagumo-san,

sorry you thought the title misleading but grammatically the title with its follow-up is 100? correct. How we read or misread is the thing you should have addressed.

As with any post on Sumo Forum or anywhere else the purpose is to be read is it not? It was / continues to be / is and, as is, remains true.

As an ex-British military man I always remember a lesson I was given following a training gaff - 'never assume' said my boss. Assuming makes as ASS out of U and ME. This is in no way a referral to anyone in particular but is something I learnt years ago when the waistline numbered less than it does now.

Zenjimoto-san, you are from the US where advertising methods and 'read me' attempts are somewhat more dubious are they not? Therefore, being realistic, IF the Moose had retired do you think you'd hear it from me first with all the fantastically well informed contributors to this forum having their ears so close to the ground.

I am still the beginner and learn more each day but can assure you no intentional misleading was intended as the only intention was to make the piece look more readable than others posted at a similar time.

Competition to have our opinions read runs deep in the veins of Sumo Forum just as it runs deep in the veins of any of the world's printed media or website forums.

What the readers understand, or misunderstand, reflects on them far more than on the writer.

Smile

ANR

[Fujisan 533]

I dont think there is that much competition for getting your messages read Adachi-

I think most people try at least to read all the new threads and subsequent new posts-I do anyway but maybe this is another subject for a poll.

[Zenjimoto 40]

I dont think there is that much competition for getting your messages read Adachi-

I think most people try at least to read all the new threads and subsequent new posts-I do anyway but maybe this is another subject for a poll.

Yepper, this ain't CNN vs. Fox News :-/ Open an interesting topic in a thread with a moderate title, and it WILL be read! :-D I get dozens of overblown sales pitches every day, starting when my radio alarm goes off and there happens to be one of these stupid car dealer commercials on... the Sumo Forum should have been relatively safe from those, I would have hoped ;-)

Cheers

Z.

Edited October 18, 2003 by Zenjimoto

[Asashosakari 20,211]

I get dozens of overblown sales pitches every day, starting when my radio alarm goes off and there happens to be one of these stupid car dealer commercials on...

C'mon, who can resist a $2000 cashback from your friendly local snake oil...err, car dealer (No, no, no...) (Or whatever the current form of their sales pitches is...been a couple years since I've been to the U.S.)

Yeah, yeah, I'm going wildly (In a state of confusion...) - sorry. (Blinking...)

[Onnagumo 4]

  Therefore, being realistic, IF the Moose had retired do you think you'd hear it from me first with all the fantastically well informed contributors to this forum having their ears so close to the ground.

Well, sometimes that does happen. News like this is sometimes put on this forum by the first person who reads it on the Sumo ML, and why couldn't that be you? That didn't seem strange to me.

Hey, but no hard feelings. Let's not make such a big deal out of this. Just don't say things like this about Kotonowaka, okay? (In a state of confusion...)