KaioU at the Japan Foreign Correspondents Association

[Kintamayama 40,632]

KaioU met with the Japan Foreign Correspondents Association today answering questions.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/163811/Kaio-sa...-a-part-of-sumo

From the Japanese side: "My dream is to own a heya and bring up strong rikishi", he said. It's the first time a Japanese rikishi speaks to these people since ex-Wakanohana and Takanohana were there when they were Ozeki. When asked why he thinks there has not been a Japanese Yokozuna for a long time, he answered: "It's our fault.. But we have young guys like Kisenosato coming up the ranks and I believe one of these days we'll be seeing a really strong Japanese osumosan!" Asked when the time will come for him to retire, he said: "Whenever that time comes, it won't be a fun time..", but then added seriously: "I'll be active as long as I can do even a bit of my own spirited sumo".

Edited June 2, 2009 by Kintamayama

[Barang 0]

KaioU "Whenever that time comes, it won't be a fun time..", but then added seriously: "I'll be active as long as I can do even a bit of my own spirited sumo".

Does this mean that he will not retire before he will be 65 year old Ozeki?

[Sasanishiki 57]

Did anyone have the balls to ask about unspirited sumo? James?

[Jejima 971]

From today's South China Morning Post (the main English language newspaper for Hong Kong) in the 'Sports Digest' section:-

Kaio says harsh treatment necessary

Veteran Kaio said harsh treatment of wrestlers in training is an integral part of the sport and is partially responsible for his own success. Japan's ancient sport has been rocked by recent scandals including one in which a trainer was sentenced to six years in prison for his role in the fatal beating of a young wrestler in training. "Practice is always tough," Kaio told the Japan Foreign Correspondents' Club in Tokyo yesterday. "I was slapped around as well, partly because the stable master wanted to make me stronger and because of training like that I became stronger."

Associated Press

[ilovesumo 12]

Well, what else could he have said.

[James H 0]

Did anyone have the balls to ask about unspirited sumo? James?

Funnily enough, I did.

I asked him, in reference to the warning handed to Chiyotaikai and Baruto, what he felt about the kadoban system and how it was implemented.

He answered that he could make no comment on the system in place, but when two injured wrestlers went head-to-head, the one with more willpower would win.

Re the South China Morning Post piece, which is actually AP, his comments on hazing were the most interesting thing he did say, other than a mild swipe at the promoters of the Kyushu basho. He just wasn't going to step out of line for a bunch of gaijin hacks, and he maintained decorum and politeness at all times.

I have to say, I thought he did a pretty good job. He said at the end that he wasn't good at speaking in front of reporters and stuff, but he came across just as you would expect him too...

The one other thing people here may like - he said that if and when he becomes a stablemaster, he wants to help those wrestlers who couldn't stay in the kyokai afterward... not sure how, but I have never heard anyone in sumo speak about this unprompted.

Edited June 3, 2009 by James H

[Asashosakari 16,827]

I asked him, in reference to the warning handed to Chiyotaikai and Baruto, what he felt about the kadoban system and how it was implemented.

He answered that he could make no comment on the system in place, but when two injured wrestlers went head-to-head, the one with more willpower would win.

Pretty sure that quote made it into one of the articles, too. (Edit: Nikkan Sports.)

The one other thing people here may like - he said that if and when he becomes a stablemaster, he wants to help those wrestlers who couldn't stay in the kyokai afterward... not sure how, but I have never heard anyone in sumo speak about this unprompted.

Depends on what he means...there are a few stables who have talked about offering their lower-ranked wrestlers the opportunity to take correspondence courses and the like to prepare them for post-sumo jobs. Oshima and Tamanoi are names that come to mind right now, but I'm not 100% sure without checking further.

Edited June 3, 2009 by Asashosakari

[Orion 431]

KaioU met with the Japan Foreign Correspondents Association today answering questions.

Just for the record, it's "FCCJ" -- Foreign Correspondents' CLUB of Japan. The word is clipped from the right of the photo.

Orion

[kame 0]

I asked him, in reference to the warning handed to Chiyotaikai and Baruto, what he felt about the kadoban system and how it was implemented.

He answered that he could make no comment on the system in place, but when two injured wrestlers went head-to-head, the one with more willpower would win.

Deftly asked, considering the circumstances. Kaio's reply could have been like a torero pulling a smooth pass on a 600 kg. bull, except he henka'd half of it...

[James H 0]

Depends on what he means...there are a few stables who have talked about offering their lower-ranked wrestlers the opportunity to take correspondence courses and the like to prepare them for post-sumo jobs. Oshima and Tamanoi are names that come to mind right now, but I'm not 100% sure without checking further.

That's pretty cool - if it is true, its the kind of good news story the JSA should be pushing to make itself look responsible... now if only someone would write it.

[Orion 431]

Depends on what he means...there are a few stables who have talked about offering their lower-ranked wrestlers the opportunity to take correspondence courses and the like to prepare them for post-sumo jobs. Oshima and Tamanoi are names that come to mind right now, but I'm not 100% sure without checking further.

That's pretty cool - if it is true, its the kind of good news story the JSA should be pushing to make itself look responsible... now if only someone would write it.

I'm pretty sure Nakamura was mentioned; and Isegahama should be gungho too, as the master, uni dropout, finished his own degree by correspondence.

Orion

[Asashosakari 16,827]

Going by the introductory page of the freshly-established Azumazeki-beya homepage, the stable appears to be offering its junior high-graduated deshi the opportunity to earn their high school diploma through correspondence courses of NHK School High School (or some name like that). Maybe others can elaborate...

[Fay 1,676]

(In a state of confusion...) A fresh breeze blowing in Azumazeki Beya, a really nice homepage.

I know that also Tomozuna offers an opportunity like this. Kaishoryu is studying for his diploma for some time now.

Edited June 19, 2009 by Fay

[Treblemaker 254]

(In a state of confusion...) A fresh breeze blowing in Azumazeki Beya, a really nice homepage.

I know that also Tomozuna offers an opportunity like this. Kaishoryu is studying for his diploma for some time now.

That site is a real pleasure to see. None of the usual stuffiness commonly seen in usual heya sites, if they ever get updated, if they exist at all. Nice pics (wish there were more) led, of course, by the forever-near-sighted Takamisakari.