Kaikitsune Makoto 210 Posted November 2, 2003 Musoyama has suffered a bad case of recurring back pain. For 2 days now he hasn't been able to do any keiko and prospects for Kyushu look gloomy and desperate. Musashigawa-oyakata took a harsh expression and said "No idea when keiko is possible again". His left elbow is also troubling him quite a lot. "When the movement is optimal in direction I am ok, when the moves are unexpected pain comes". Kyushu participation is uncertain and even if he takes place, bombs are located in his back and elbow. Sad news for Musoyama. obstacles big. Life is life, ozekihood is at stake more than ever before. http://www.sponichi.co.jp/others/kiji/2003/11/03/05.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenjimoto 40 Posted November 4, 2003 Is it just me, or will this be a MOST interesting basho? So many storylines seem to be unfolding this time... Musoyama's struggle is just one of them. I wonder, if he is really in such bad shape, whether he shouldn't just sit it out, and then go for the 10-win repromotion next year? Risky, but it may be the ticket... Cheers Zenjimoto Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kotoseiya Yuichi 3 Posted November 4, 2003 Musashigawa situation: 1. Yokozuna possibly about to retire 2. Ozeki possibly about to get demoted 3. Ex-ozeki possibly about to be forced to retire 4. Ex-ozeki languishing among the hiramaku 5. Ex-komusubi down to juryo 6. Two guys, one possibly quite promising, at M8 7. Relatively aged shin-sekitori at J12 This is beginning to look like Futagoyama few years ago... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Manekineko 200 Posted November 4, 2003 But Sadogatake is not much worse or better than ever (in my memory): 3 makuuchi rikishi, all quite capable of staying there... :-P And no ex-ozekis, only ex ozeki hopefuls... :-) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jesinofuji 11 Posted November 4, 2003 If Musoyama were healthy I'd still think it would be a challenge for him to retain his rank. With injurys of that magnitude, it might be almost impossible. Nitpick time: As I understand it Dejima would not be forced to retire should he fall to Juryo, its just that former Ozeki choose to. I hope that Dejima stays in even if he is injured and falls to Juryo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yoavoshimaru 0 Posted November 4, 2003 It's part of the natural cycle of the sport. I'd be interested to know the percentage of retirements in sumo that are due to injury, as opposed to age or simple desire to quit, compared to other sports. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kotoseiya Yuichi 3 Posted November 4, 2003 As I understand it Dejima would not be forced to retire should he fall to Juryo, its just that former Ozeki choose to. Well, my impression is exactly the opposite. We shall see. (Sooner or later, not necessarily on Dejima's case.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yubiquitoyama 4 Posted November 4, 2003 As I understand it Dejima would not be forced to retire should he fall to Juryo, its just that former Ozeki choose to. Well, my impression is exactly the opposite. We shall see. (Sooner or later, not necessarily on Dejima's case.) I'd really say it's a matter of interpretation. Not even Yokozunas have ever been forced to retire, by the Kyokai. However, a lot of people will make it perfectly clear to Dejima that the right thing to do is to retire, so he might well feel forced to do it. Daiju didn't retire when he dropped to Juryo, and there are STILL people saying how wrong it was of him not to retire, despite being younger than Dejima is now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenjimoto 40 Posted November 4, 2003 It sure would be a very very sad end to his career, considering his age. Damn those injuries! Thank goodness, the Kyokai has abolished the KOSHO rule, so we won't have to worry about injuries any more in the future! :-P Cheers Z. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Manekineko 200 Posted November 4, 2003 Thank goodness, the Kyokai has abolished the KOSHO rule, so we won't have to worry about injuries any more in the future! :-P :-P Kyokai does it to me sometimes... :-) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Takanobaka 0 Posted November 4, 2003 It's part of the natural cycle of the sport. I'd be interested to know the percentage of retirements in sumo that are due to injury, as opposed to age or simple desire to quit, compared to other sports. Much higher than other sports I'm sure, but not for the reason you think. In most sports, the reason for 'retirement' is lack of ability. Sure, they usually end up playing in some inferior or minor league somewhere, but in other sports, if a guy doesn't produce to the level of his contract, the team just doesn't resign him. Most players in several sports finish their careers for this reason. On the other hand (and correct me if I'm wrong), but Oyakata generally do not kick a guy out of the heya just because his sumo stinks, or because he thinks they'll never reach Sekitori. With that factor taken out, I'd guess that the retirement rate due to injury is probably somewhere on par with American football, maybe a little higher... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
