Asashouryuu preparations- Hatsu 2009

[Fay 1,677]

When I was in Fukuoka I had the impression they don't take the tachiai rule so strictly anymore. Even Hanakago Oyakata who complained every second bout at Aki in the lower divisions remained mostly silent.

And it's right, Takanohana oyakata didn't care at all (Whatever above, it is funny...) .

[James H 0]

When I was in Fukuoka I had the impression they don't take the tachiai rule so strictly anymore

it seemed that way to me too... which is why if they resurrect it for Asa tomorrow / Monday, it will look pretty bad.

[Kintamayama 44,646]

"He won't make it past day three. He'll go 1-2 and retire. It's not his physical situation- he seems to not have any connection to sumo anymore.. In any case, the difference between him and Hakuhou is big and no amount of keiko will change that..Whatever he does, he will never be number one again, and that knowledge makes him lose interest. He's 'soiled ' his career enough already lately. He doesn't have to make his life miserable anymore..", said Yaku Mitsuru the cartoon.

"He's entering because he is confident he will be able to survive the first days, but looking at his body and shape, it will be difficult. He could somehow make it through the first days and if he gets double digit wins it may be a starting point for next basho. He'll then have to rethink things and get serious with the keiko. But knowing him and his pride, that may be a difficult task..", added NHK man Kitanofuji, ex-Kitanofuji.

[Datchayama 0]

A bit of a late followup as this was from a blog post back on the 10th...

But taken from a Japan blog site:

http://hatimaki.blog110.fc2.com/blog-entry-848.html

was this pic of 'shoryu snoozing.

The gaming site was making comments on having an XBOX..

but a side thing was it showed the way he is using an electrical stimulus thing on his arm while sleeping.

(2 terminals taped to elbow, wires going to another box above the towel he had his arm on).

Just thought I'd post it in here....

-D

[Takamizakura 1]

but a side thing was it showed the way he is using an electrical stimulus thing on his arm while sleeping.

NHK News showed this last Friday. He was being treated by an a acupuncturist for his elbow, and sleeping with the needles stuck in him.

[James H 0]

Loathe to post it because it is such non-news, but...

Hochi Shimbun reports that someone on Ni-Chaneru (2 Channel to the non-Katanana speaking public) has made a death threat about/to/regarding Asashoryu. The JSA isn't taking it seriously, but police have reportedly stepped up their security around Takasago stable.

For those who don't know, Ni-chaneru is the repository of many of Japan's internet chat rooms - on hundreds if not thousands of topics. The guy who went on a knife rampage in Akihabara last year had posted there before the attacks, which might explain why this is a story.

[Johnofuji 232]

I just can't imagine Asashoryu having to crawl through a little underground tunnel leading up to the dohyo. Probably just another journo wanting to throw his shoes at him or a deranged lady wanting to get onto the dohyo.I'm sure Asashoryu can defend himself if the attacker gets past Takamisakari.

Japan Times Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009

Asashoryu got death threat on Net

Compiled from AP, Kyodo

Yokozuna Asashoryu of Mongolia received a death threat on the opening day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, the Japan Sumo Association said Tuesday.

The threat, "Coming to Ryogoku to kill Asashoryu," appeared Sunday on the notorious but nevertheless popular 2channel Internet forum shortly before Asashoryu stepped into the ring to face Kisenosato in his first bout of the tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.

Police said they tightened security around his Takasago sumo stable in Sumida Ward.

However, the Japan Sumo Association's head of security, Tomozuna, said no extra measures to protect Asashoryu had been implemented at Ryogoku.

"Security will be as normal and there will be no special measures put in place to tighten it up," Tomozuna said. "The yokozuna comes in through an underground entrance during the tournament so I don't think there is a problem. We haven't been contacted by (his stablemaster) Takasago."

Asashoryu, unaware of the threat at the time, defeated Kisenosato on the tournament's opening day. He appeared to be unfazed by the threat and won his second bout Monday and third Tuesday.

Asashoryu sat out part or all of the last three tournaments due to injuries, leading to speculation he would be pressured to retire if he got off to a slow start.

Asashoryu's antics in and out of the ring have irked traditionalists, who feel the cocky champ doesn't show enough respect for the ancient sport.

[Asashosakari 18,968]

I just can't imagine Asashoryu having to crawl through a little underground tunnel leading up to the dohyo.

Well, apparently you can, because the "underground entrance" mentioned in the article is actually just the well-known underground parking garage for ozeki and yokozuna...

[madorosumaru 7]

Loathe to post it because it is such non-news, but...

Hochi Shimbun reports that someone on Ni-Chaneru (2 Channel to the non-Katanana speaking public) has made a death threat about/to/regarding Asashoryu. The JSA isn't taking it seriously, but police have reportedly stepped up their security around Takasago stable.

A 29-year-old unemployed Hokkaido man was arrested for threatening Yokozuna Asashoryu on the internet. Apparently, he had used his own computer at home to post a "I am on my way to the Kokugikan to kill Asashoryu" message on a popular internet forum. "I just don't like his attitude as a yokozuna," said the suspect. "I wanted him to get all shook up after reading the message and lose as a result."

When the threat became widespread news, the suspect decided to turn himself in to the police.

[Bataarkhu 0]

And unfortunately it seems that the newspapers have grounds in their expectations for Asashoryu to fall. And, again unfortunately, he will crumble without any dignity left.

He should have retired after his psychic crisis after the football incident.

Oh Asa, how could you crumble like that without any dignity left???? (Sigh...)

Little advice to Sashohitowa: Don`t believe everyhing that is written in the newspapers. (Shaking head...)

Edited January 25, 2009 by Otokonoyama
repaired quote tag

[Bataarkhu 0]

And unfortunately it seems that the newspapers have grounds in their expectations for Asashoryu to fall. And, again unfortunately, he will crumble without any dignity left.

He should have retired after his psychic crisis after the football incident.

Asashoryu is a fighter, dignity is not his main goal, winning is it. ...

Exactly.

When he lost the last seeds of dignity when he ran and hid crying like a small baby, the only thing he has to compensate with, is winning. And when he doesn't do even that now - he just looks like a fool...

Who looks like a fool now???

l (Shaking head...)

[Sashohitowa 6]

I guess that in your eyes it is me.

But I stand behind my words that he was looking pathetic in his behavior after the football incident. And he should have retired.

[paolo 0]

Just to add a word (more than one, actually..), may I summarize like this:

Not later than twenty days ago, everybody and his dog (including myself ...) read, said and wrote about this man:

physically: elbow not healed after eight months of stupid cures (waters and muds); fat; leg muscles too slim

athletically: not able to use his left elbow; slow; out of breath; weak; not enough training

technically: his legendary speed disappeared; not able to push even from advantageous position

psychologically: no visible will, no visible determination

prebasho results: medium to pityful

general opinion: he should not/will not enter the basho, if he does he will not get to the last day, he will go kyuio,

he should/he will be asked/he has already decided to retire.

Twenty days later the man WINS the basho, displaying power, speed and technique; moreover, he comes out with speed and technique from a lost position versus Kisenosato, he wins from a bad position with Kotoshogiku and Yoshikaze, he shows one of his best dancing pirouettes on the tawara to avoid a loss with Miyabiyama...

I find his win of this basho the most surprising miracle that happened after Lazarus' resurrection.

I stand up, my mouth wide open in amazement , take off my hat and respectfully bow to his fierce pride and determination.

P.S. You will have easily realized that I am an Asasoryu's fan ....

[Bilu 0]

Twenty days later the man WINS the basho, displaying power, speed and technique; moreover, he comes out with speed and technique from a lost position versus Kisenosato, he wins from a bad position with Kotoshogiku and Yoshikaze, he shows one of his best dancing pirouettes on the tawara to avoid a loss with Miyabiyama...

Actually, I think the first half of the basho was kind of befitting the pre-basho predictions.

The 2nd half though... i-m-p-r-e-s-s-i-v-e!

Harumafuji, Mickey, Osh, Baruto, Taikai, Kaio and Hakuho* (playoff) - all one-sided matches.

* Only blemish - 1st bout with Hakuho - a mental mistake on Asa's part.

[paolo 0]

Twenty days later the man WINS the basho, displaying power, speed and technique; moreover, he comes out with speed and technique from a lost position versus Kisenosato, he wins from a bad position with Kotoshogiku and Yoshikaze, he shows one of his best dancing pirouettes on the tawara to avoid a loss with Miyabiyama...

Actually, I think the first half of the basho was kind of befitting the pre-basho predictions.

The 2nd half though... i-m-p-r-e-s-s-i-v-e!

Harumafuji, Mickey, Osh, Baruto, Taikai, Kaio and Hakuho* (playoff) - all one-sided matches.

Personally I always think that it is easy for a good player of any sport (I apologize..) to win when he is strong and in good form: the player is really strong when he wins those where he has got problems or falls into a bad position !

* Only blemish - 1st bout with Hakuho - a mental mistake on Asa's part.

By the way: I thought that Asashoryu made a matta and stopped for an instant thinking that a matta would be called. Am I so wrong ?

[Bilu 0]

Personally I always think that it is easy for a good player of any sport (I apologize..) to win when he is strong and in good form: the player is really strong when he wins those where he has got problems or falls into a bad position !

Well, we agree he wasn't in top shape in the first half.

By the way: I thought that Asashoryu made a matta and stopped for an instant thinking that a matta would be called. Am I so wrong ?

Sure, I agree - he thought it's a matta. That's why I wrote 'mental mistake'.

[Kimyouzan 2]

Thanks a million for that asa geiko video! I saw it at a friends house, but I am having trouble viewing it on my comp at home, so is there any way someone could put it up on youtube? That would be excellent.

[Takamizakura 1]

Thanks a million for that asa geiko video! I saw it at a friends house, but I am having trouble viewing it on my comp at home, so is there any way someone could put it up on youtube? That would be excellent.

I won't be putting on YouTube as they yanked my account, sorry. Vimeo clips are embedded in Flash like YouTube clips, so make sure you have the latest version of Flash player installed.