Nankairyu?

[Fujisan 533]

I was well chuffed earlier when after a years searching to find the original Channel 4 book of sumo to go with my 1989 revised edition-Although there is little difference between them,the original does feature different pictures in the sumo whos who plus 5 rikishi not in the revised edition.

One of them was the samoan Nankairyu and after a bit of research I was wondering if someone could tell me why he had such a short career in sumo? It seemed to end rather abruptly and had me wondering.

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

Sorry, I don't have right now time to investigate the details but I do recall he had severe problems with alcohol. I remember reading somewhere how Konishiki with his tsukebito sometimes had to physically stop him going out to get drunk.

[Fujisan 533]

Thanks Koto,that leads me to another question from the book-

This time about future Yokozuna Asahifuji,it says he suffered from Pancreatitus-Having nearly died due to the illness 5 yrs ago,Isnt it generally the result of some form of substance abuse(alcohol in my case),whats the story?

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

I checked a bit more about Nankairyu and it seems like his problems did aggravate to the point that Takasago Oyakata had to force him to make a conscious decision between ozumo and alcohol. He chose the latter.

I've seen Asahifuji's pancreatitis mentioned elsewhere as well but never knew it was so serious. Perhaps Dr. Kaikitsune has heard more?

[Fujisan 533]

I think my post was slightly misleading,it was me who nearly died 5yrs ago not Asahifuji.

[Kaikitsune Makoto 210]

Pancreatitis is often alcohol-induced illness but it can be also of viral basis or due to gallstone. Ductus pancreaticus usually shares a small part of duct with the duct that comes from liver (and gallbladder) and opens to papilla vater in small intestens. Therefor if gallstone obstructs it conveniently it can cause the proteolytic enzymes that pancreas secrete, get activated too early and "attack" against the pancreas itself. This then causes pancreatitis which can be very nasty as Fujisan mentioned from personal experience.

I don't know much about the percentages that how big proportion is alcohol-induced of all pancreatitis but it is common disease amongst alcoholics.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the worst cancer there is and it took Daishoho's life I think.

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

I think my post was slightly misleading,it was me who nearly died 5yrs ago not Asahifuji.

Oh, sorry! Sloppy reading from my part.

[Fujisan 533]

Thanks Kaikitsune,to be honest I didnt understand much of that but its the first time anyones even tried explaining it.

And dont worry about it Koto it was more my bad punctuation than anything.