Rikishi Talk - Day 5 2009 Hatsu Basho

[Jonosuke 28]

Tochiozan (5-0) over Tosanoumi by hatakikomi, 3.0 seconds

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(Still remaining as the only Hiramaku with five straight win.)

"I don't particularly think about it one way or another. But I do feel I am moving rather well myself."

Goeido (4-1) over Miyabiyama by yorikiri, 3.4 seconds

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(Now with four win and 1 loss)

"I feel I keep moving forward naturally. I think things are going all OK right now. I will do my very best from now on."

Toyonoshima (2-3) losing to Baruto by yorikiri, 23.8 seconds

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(Decisively grabbed by superior power)

"I tried my best to endure the first Tsuri but the second time around, I felt my lower body floated and I started feeling there was no point. It was something like making you convince resistance was totally futile. He has such a power that you feel you have never experienced before. Personally I think they should ban him from using such force."

Baruto (5-0) over Toyonoshima

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(Another calm and convincing win)

"Well I went after him deliberately. I am sure he is thinking of ways to beat me but somehow I can beat him. But then I always have a feeling I don't want to lose. Somehow I am hanging in so far"

"I am so confident that once I grab the mawashi, I won't get beaten by anyone. But please don't write I am some kind of monster. I am a human being too."

"You know I have a feeling I will be facing a yokozuna soon If I can maintain my self-confidence, then you'll never know."

Onoe oyakata (fromer Komusubi Hamanoshima), Baruto's shisho

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(On Baruto)

"Even when he is grabbing an uwate over his opponent's shoulder, as long as he doesn't get shaken around then he should have no trouble."

Kaio (4-1) over Kyokutenho by yorikiri, 17.5 seconds

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(Displaying Kaio-like sumo and winning but showing a grimace massaging his injured left arm after the bout.)

"After a bout my arm really hurts as the muscles get stiffen."

"I have really nothing left at all after each bout. I feel I am getting exhausted. So what I can do from now on is ultimately what matters the most."

(Despite his exhaustion, saying his appetite has returned)

"You know you really have to eat meat. Unless you eat a lot of them, you can't generate enough power. You exert yourself so much every single day."

Tomozuna oyakata, Kaio's shisho

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(On Kaio deciding to come back this basho.)

"It's something he wanted to do it himself. He was so determined that he himself was wholly responsible of his own destiny. All I hope for him is he can go out satisfied with his preparation, be satisfied with his sumo and leaving the basho totally satisfied with the result."

Aminishiki (2-3) over Kotooshu by okuridashi, 6.1 seconds

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(Now having 11 win 6 loss record against Kotooshu)

"You think it's easy beating him? You gotta be kidding if you think I can take care of him that easily. Just think how big he is."

Kotooshu (4-1) losing to Aminishiki

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(Appearing to show no fighting spirit as easily pushed out by Aminishiki who has now won 9 out of the last 10 encounters.)

"I will try to forget about this one and I will do my best from tomorrow."

Musashigawa oyakata, chairman of the Kyokai

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(Showing a displeasure almost anger at Kotooshu of his continuing futile attempts against Aminishiki.)

"An ozeki should not be losing to the same opponent time and time again. I must say this is very very serious. What I'd like to ask is if Kotooshu is doing any kind of training sessions at all with Aminishiki?"

Kisenosato (2-3) over Chiyotaikai by yorikiri, 4.5 seconds

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(Asked if he was able to do what he wanted)

"I guess so. I just want to keep hitting hard every single day from tomorrow on too."

Chiyotaikai (4-1) losing to Kisenosato

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(Suffering his first loss this basho)

"You know you feel more regret when you are in a good winning streak. If I had lost the first day for instance, I may have not felt this bad."

Kotomitsuki (1-4) losing to Wakanosato by hatakikomi, 6.2 seconds

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(Still suffering from lack of training due to gout attack prior to the basho and recording his fourth loss in the first five days for the first time since 2004 Haru Basho when he was still a sekiwake.)

"I had such good tachiai too. I totally wasted it. I needed to take him all out right away. It's so frustrating. All I can say is to try to get good sumo in for the rest of basho."

Sadogatake oyakata (former Sekiwake Kotonowaka), Kotomitsuki's shisho

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(On a possibility of Kotomitsuki going on kyujo)

"Right now I am not really thinking about it. I just have to get him to do his best at this point."

Kotoshogiku (0-5) losing to Harumafuji by yorikiri, 5.9 seconds

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(Losing the battle of four bout losing streak rikishi)

"I heard so much cheers for the other guy. I am in the same boat too but no one is showing any sympathy for me. I just only hope I won't fall into a deeper rut."

Harumafuji (1-4) over Kotoshogiku

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(All smiles after his win, receiving tremendous cheers from the spectators)

"I just tried to go with nothing but my own sumo. I wanted to respond to everyone who was cheering for me. I was so grateful for their support."

(Finally hearing his new shikona announced as the winner)

"Well, finally. To be honest I am really relieved. It did take quite a bit of time, didn't it? Last night I actually wanted to run away to somewhere far far away."

(Admitting he had a temperature of 38 C this morning and came to the Kokugikan after receiving an IV. Realizing he could not take nothing for granted.)

"Sumo is so hard, you know, when I stray off even a tiny bit...I am still smaller than other guys so I need to focus constantly on offense rather trying to take my opponent in. I hope I can now return to my old self and get back on the wave from tomorrow by doing my best."

Musashigawa oyakata, chairman of the Kyokai

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(On Harumafuji today)

"When you receive such cheers and support from fans, you have to be motivated enough to respond in kind."

Isegahama oyakata (former Yokozuna Asahifuji), Harumafuji's shisho

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(He himself suffering from a flu and on kyujo but still showing a concern for his dear recruit)

"After Day 3 and 4 he was really getting down on himself saying he could not win at all..."

Yoshikaze (1-4) losing to Hakuho by uwatenage, 10.6 seconds

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(Getting on his first Musubi-no-Ichiban bout)

"The tension I felt was like nothing I have ever experienced before. I don't know what it is but Musubi has an appeal all of its own. It was like I was dreaming."

Hakuho (5-0) over Yoshikaze

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"I had a good flow from tachiai on and I was able to get my right in. I feel I was able to go with my own sumo all the way."

(Being told not only he was winning but also by displaying far more impressive sumo form than usual.)

"Well isn't it kind of offensive question? Anyway thank you very much. But it is just the way it should be, isn't it? I myself feel I am showing all my good strength right now."

(Told January 15 70 years ago today was the date his hero, Futabayama's 69 winning streak was stopped by Akinoumi.)

"I am watching him on DVD and everything about him is amazing. To get closer to the level, I need to further cultivate my inner side."

Asashoryu (5-0) over Takekaze by uwatenage, 24.5 seconds

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(Overcoming the first important obstacle by winning all his five bouts from Day 1)

(Kept his upper body lower not to give any advantage to short Takekaze)

"I did not want to force myself needlessly. I was thinking I needed to get his upper body raised first. I can always initiate my move once I feel all safe."

(On his first five straight win from Day 1 since the Haru Basho last year when he won the yusho.)

"I am not thinking anything like that at all right now."

(On hearing after the bout, they have arrested a person who made a threatening remark on a Bulletin Board site."

"What did the actual post say? 'Kill me'? OK, I say I want to go over and kill him myself."

(Then hearing the suspect turned himself to the police)

"Well in that case, tell everyone that I said the kid could not have been all that bad. Yeah write them he was a good boy (with an ironic smile)"

(Asked if he was no longer anxious)

"You, are you seriously stupid or something? Tell me what I am scared of."

Musashigawa oyakata, chairman of the Kyokai

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(On Asashoryu)

"I think he went out watching his opponent carefully today. I think he is handling himself pretty good so far."

(On Asashoryu receiving a death threat)

"Definitely we need to strengthen our security measure. Seriously if you are the target, you can't be in a positive frame of mind at all."

Takasago oyakata (former Ozeki Asashio), Asashoryu's shisho

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(On told the man who posted a death threat to Asashoryu was arrested.)

"Other than acknowledging the man was arrested, I have no comment to make."

(Japan's National Police Agency's Honjo Division arrested 29 year old Chiharu Takahashi, unemployed man from Hokuto City Hokkaido on January 15 for posting a death threat to an Internet bulletin board site, "2 Channel".

"I didn't like Asashoryu's attitude as yokozuna. I was hoping he would get scared by reading the post. I had no serious intent, more or less intended as a mischief," said Takahashi.

He used his home computer to post a threatening remark, "I am going to the Kokugikan right now to kill Asashoryu" on the bulletin board on January 11 It was immediately reported to the police by other participants.

Takahashi realized that it became such a big news that he took himself to the central Hakodate police division in Hokkaido on January 14.)

[Hakuyobaku 33]

It increasingly looks like for the first time, Baruto is a real contender for the Yusho. I mean, with the form he is in, I don't see him losing to anyone who's not named Hakuho or Asashoryu. But the latter, on the other hand, has to prove he's real as well. Of his 5 wins, none were that dominant. So Baruto has a good shot at him. With Hakuho, he's the underdog, but still has his chances.

So I think garnering at least 12 wins this basho for Baruto is very likely. no?

[HenryK 38]

It increasingly looks like for the first time, Baruto is a real contender for the Yusho. I mean, with the form he is in, I don't see him losing to anyone who's not named Hakuho or Asashoryu.

I for my part can see him lose to Harumafuji and Kotomitsuki like at the last basho. If these guys find their form, that is. Speed is the department were Baruto is still lacks compared to the top notch, and the speediest four are the Yokozuna and these two. Actually, Yoshikaze was close to beating Bart on speed.

Edited January 15, 2009 by HenryK

[Washuyama 634]

Toyonoshima (2-3) losing to Baruto by yorikiri, 23.8 seconds

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(Decisively grabbed by superior power)

"I tried my best to endure the first Tsuri but the second time around, I felt my lower body floated and I started feeling there was no point. It was something like making you convince resistance was totally futile. He has such a power that you feel you have never experienced before. Personally I think they should ban him from using such force."

OK... New rule! Being really, really, really strong is not allowed in sumo... (Clapping wildly...)

[Barang 0]

Baruto (5-0) over Toyonoshima

But please don't write I am some kind of monster. I am a human being too."

I guess that Baruto practise yorikiri with Yamamotoyama in heya. (Clapping wildly...) I

[Bix Poku 1]

I guess that Baruto practise yorikiri with Yamamotoyama in heya. (Neener, neener...) I

Edited January 16, 2009 by Bix Poku

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

OK... New rule! Being really, really, really strong is not allowed in sumo... (Neener, neener...)

Such a rule has been enforced (a long time ago). (In love...)

[Washuyama 634]

OK... New rule! Being really, really, really strong is not allowed in sumo... (In love...)

Such a rule has been enforced (a long time ago). ;-)

Oh yeah... I forgot about YOKOZUNA Konishiki.. (Neener, neener...)

[Sashohitowa 6]

OK... New rule! Being really, really, really strong is not allowed in sumo... (In love...)

Such a rule has been enforced (a long time ago). ;-)

Oh yeah... I forgot about YOKOZUNA Konishiki.. (Neener, neener...)

Maybe a little off the topic, but.... The above about the Yokozuna Konishiki I was never able to understand. When exactly he was supposed to be promoted?

[Washuyama 634]

OK... New rule! Being really, really, really strong is not allowed in sumo... (In love...)

Such a rule has been enforced (a long time ago). ;-)

Oh yeah... I forgot about YOKOZUNA Konishiki.. (Neener, neener...)

Maybe a little off the topic, but.... The above about the Yokozuna Konishiki I was never able to understand. When exactly he was supposed to be promoted?

I haven't checked the DB, but I wanna say it was 91-92 timeframe..

[Asashosakari 18,657]

Oh yeah... I forgot about YOKOZUNA Konishiki.. (Neener, neener...)

No, Kotoseiya was thinking about Baruto Tameemon, I bet. (In love...)

[Sashohitowa 6]

OK... New rule! Being really, really, really strong is not allowed in sumo... (Eh?)

Such a rule has been enforced (a long time ago). ;-)

Oh yeah... I forgot about YOKOZUNA Konishiki.. (Whistling...)

Maybe a little off the topic, but.... The above about the Yokozuna Konishiki I was never able to understand. When exactly he was supposed to be promoted?

I haven't checked the DB, but I wanna say it was 91-92 timeframe..

Well, he has there

14-1D

12-3J

11-4

13-2Y

12-3

13-2Y

9-6

I don't know if the requirements of promotion then were the same like now (I would assume so), but he has neither 2 yushos in a row, nor yusho + yusho equivalent.

Of course, it is arguable, since doten + jun-yusho can be considered for the latter one (also, someone might consider 13-2Y + 12-3 for the same...), but I personally think that even nowadays, when we have non-Japanese yokozunae, a rikishi wouldn't get promoted with such results.

Also, even if he had made it, the results after that (not a single yusho or jun-yusho) show that it was a correct decision.

[Peeter 15]

Sashohitowa sayd: "Also, even if he had made it, the results after that (not a single yusho or jun-yusho) show that it was a correct decision."

Maybe because of that? We all know, what Asa was going through after disaster with soccer... (Whistling...)

Edited January 16, 2009 by Peeter

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

No, Kotoseiya was thinking about Baruto Tameemon, I bet. (Shaking head...)

Him, and wasn't there someone else as well? Yokozuna Konishiki apparently has nothing to do with this.