Asashoryu's future? Speculations

[Jonosuke 28]

During his final news conference at the Kokugikan with Takasago, Asashoryu said he was only 29 years old and he wondered how far he could go on his life (if he set his mind to do something else).

Already all kinds of martial arts groups and professional wrestling leagues have expressed their interest. There is no doubt he is much in demand. As he acquired a permanent residency status in Japan, he has no concerns about visa issues.

Some of Japanese TV networks have shown their interest in acquiring him in a regular or semi-regular role in leading programs. He has been identified by movie studios to appear in TV dramas or films as well as sports papers as analyst. Some are saying even NHK is considering a spot for him in a semi-permanent basis after a cooling off period.

He is already a well established businessman in fields of real estate and tourism. His reputation as a philanthropist is well established. He has been rumored to be even running for presidency in Mongolia.

While he is pondering his future basking under the Honolulu sun, his future is far brighter than the Hawaiian sunshine. He can expand his chain of restaurant as he can devote full time on it if he so wishes. He has an incredible number of supporters in corporate and sports worlds. Many of his friends are not only wealthy but also have well established political clout and social status in Japan.

With his superhuman ability to focus and tenacity, he can be as successful in other fields he decides to go in as just remember what he accomplished in a short dozen years in Ozumo. When he arrived in Japan, he was nothing more than a comparably poor exchange student from Mongolia. Who would have imagined not only he would be occupying the highest rank in Ozumo but surpassing the yusho record set by the great Kitanoumi?

Leaving the Kyokai was the best thing that could happened to him since he joined Ozumo. Now he is free to try out anything he wishes, free of bondage and restrictions enforced by the archaic world most Japanese no longer unable to relate.

If he can stay humble and observes Japanese mores, I have no doubt he will be the most successful former 'sport' figure in Japan, Japanese or non-Japanese. Former Wakanohana III will be a far cry to what Asashoryu can accomplish in business or any other fields. But then he may the president of Mongolia by then.

[Coo-cook 0]

During his final news conference at the Kokugikan with Takasago, Asashoryu said he was only 29 years old and he wondered how far he could go on his life (if he set his mind to do something else).

Already all kinds of martial arts groups and professional wrestling leagues have expressed their interest. There is no doubt he is much in demand. As he acquired a permanent residency status in Japan, he has no concerns about visa issues.

Some of Japanese TV networks have shown their interest in acquiring him in a regular or semi-regular role in leading programs. He has been identified by movie studios to appear in TV dramas or films as well as sports papers as analyst. Some are saying even NHK is considering a spot for him in a semi-permanent basis after a cooling off period.

He is already a well established businessman in fields of real estate and tourism. His reputation as a philanthropist is well established. He has been rumored to be even running for presidency in Mongolia.

While he is pondering his future basking under the Honolulu sun, his future is far brighter than the Hawaiian sunshine. He can expand his chain of restaurant as he can devote full time on it if he so wishes. He has an incredible number of supporters in corporate and sports worlds. Many of his friends are not only wealthy but also have well established political clout and social status in Japan.

With his superhuman ability to focus and tenacity, he can be as successful in other fields he decides to go in as just remember what he accomplished in a short dozen years in Ozumo. When he arrived in Japan, he was nothing more than a comparably poor exchange student from Mongolia. Who would have imagined not only he would be occupying the highest rank in Ozumo but surpassing the yusho record set by the great Kitanoumi?

Leaving the Kyokai was the best thing that could happened to him since he joined Ozumo. Now he is free to try out anything he wishes, free of bondage and restrictions enforced by the archaic world most Japanese no longer unable to relate.

If he can stay humble and observes Japanese mores, I have no doubt he will be the most successful former 'sport' figure in Japan, Japanese or non-Japanese. Former Wakanohana III will be a far cry to what Asashoryu can accomplish in business or any other fields. But then he may the president of Mongolia by then.

Yeah, yeah Asa as president ........after he finishes his Harvard School of Sumo (like kyokushuzan with his Waseda Sumo diploma)...........nice, Jonosuke-san.

A herdsmen in the steppe and a guy in deep Canadian woods would think (and vote) same way, I guess.

Edited February 6, 2010 by Coo-cook

[ilovesumo 12]

But about all that business...

he is not allowed to use his Shikona anymore, or am I wrong? Thought that kind of trademark belongs to the Kyoukai.

Anybody knows about his office(s)?

I'd like to learn 'bout that.

[Kuroyama 715]

But about all that business...

he is not allowed to use his Shikona anymore, or am I wrong? Thought that kind of trademark belongs to the Kyoukai.

If it's his legal Japanese name I don't see how they can stop him, just as with Akebono, although they might make him use different kanji.

There must be cases where it's routinely allowed and others where it isn't. Konishiki had his kid's show. In that case I know they made him write it in romaji, but where I read that (which might or might not have been accurate) it was at least in part because it's a historic shikona.

[Chiyozakura 128]

I assume that Konishiki was a special case as he took over a traditional Shikona of a former Yokozuna. Isn't there still "Chanko Kirishima"? Mainoumi and Kitanofuji also still use their shikona after their NSK career.

[Harry 67]

If show biz is where he wants to go I know he has expressed an interest in further learning English and perhaps wants to branch out beyond Asia.

[ilovesumo 12]

If show biz is where he wants to go I know he has expressed an interest in further learning English and perhaps wants to branch out beyond Asia.

I know some good translator........ :-P

[Orion 431]

I assume that Konishiki was a special case as he took over a traditional Shikona of a former Yokozuna. Isn't there still "Chanko Kirishima"? Mainoumi and Kitanofuji also still use their shikona after their NSK career.

Right. If it's a new name, the man can keep on using it, as is. The problem with the Konishiki name was that it belonged to the stable (not the Kyokai) and had been held by several famous men before him, and therefore the stablemaster retained the right to bestow it on later promising rikishi. So it had to be differentiated.

In the case of, e.g. Tochiazuma, it was a new name, so when the original Tochiazuma hived off from Kasugano-beya to set up Tamanoi-beya, he was within his rights to give his own former shikona to any of his own deshi -- in this case, his second son, who after a successful career as Tochiazuma has now succeeded his father as stablemaster. And if he wants, eventually, to give his own shikona to a later upcomer, it is his to give. Nobody else has any rights over 'Tochiazuma'.

Incidentally, this was, at the time, given as one of the reasons why Chiyonofuji refused the 'ichidai toshiyori' status; he was keeping open the option to later bestow his own famous name on somebody else of stature, which would revive all his own history.

FWIW, Orion

[Kozaru 0]

If show biz is where he wants to go I know he has expressed an interest in further learning English and perhaps wants to branch out beyond Asia.

What are the odds on Vince McMahon calling him?

[Orion 431]

Incidentally, this was, at the time, given as one of the reasons why Chiyonofuji refused the 'ichidai toshiyori' status;

I wasn't in Japan at the time and I've never really heard much about this story. You said one of the reasons. What were the others? What was the one given to the press?

Huh? No story at all. Al that was "given to the press" was that the Kyokai had offered him ichidai toshiyori status and he had chosen to refuse. He was in line to take over the prestigious Kokonoe myoseki, and could well afford to turn down what is, in some ways, an empty honor; just continuing as an oyakata with having to buy a myoseki; no stock that can be sold to a successor, and the famous name ends with the man's retirement and can never be used again.

There was a certain amount of chat about why he refused the honor, but that's all.

Orion

[OneManGang 14]

I wonder how long it will take before we see Asashoryu in K-1 or MMA (unless he has entered some non-competition agreement)?

I would think he fights in one of the big new year MMA events in Japan this year. He is both more marketable and talented in making the transition than Akebono ever was..

It will be sad if it happens though...

[Andreas 0]

I doubt he will enter any MMA anytime soon.

1. It would be improper to enter such an event before the danpatsu shiki

2. Asashoryu is proud... he wouldnt want to lose the way Akebono did, and he doesnt need money as despearately.

3. I think (just speculation) that Asashoryu is aware of the special and different training needed for MMA (boxing, kickboxing, brasilian jiu-jitsu etc.) that he didnt have. He wouldnt want to enter a sport where he knows he couldnt be the best.

I might see him entering some mongolian wrestling or judo competitions, though, although not as main profession. Its more likely to see him in business, politics and/or entertainment.

[Manekineko 200]

Some speculations about Asa's future from the other Asa thread, for your reference and easier quoting:

I was still hoping for an Asashoryu Oyakata. But that's probably crazy thinking. Funny to think that Taiho (32), Chiyo (31), Kita (24), and Taka (22) were all offered the one generation share for their achievements but Asa will go without. I know its his own doing for not pursuing Japanese citizenship but I felt he deserved the honor none the less. I hope he remains active in the sumo world somehow (and doesn't take the K-1 route a la Akebono), even if it is helping train and prepare Mongolian kids for a future in the sport.

I think this forced retirement doesn't leave a spot open for him as a part of the Sumo world - and why would he want that?

Kiss my....good bye kakkai, I do believe he is out and gone.

I doubt Asa would enter any competition where he didn't feel he had a reasonable chance of doing very well, and with the precarious state of his elbow I don't know that K-1 is that.

He'd make a magnificent puroresu heel though, wouldn't he?

Considering the press has openly used the "heel" word in reference to Asashoryu for years now, almost certainly. And he could even play the Muhammad Hassan card and adopt the "poor oppressed Mongolian up against nationwide xenophobia" character that many of his fans already seem to assume he is... No, just kidding. Actually I assume he'd be hugely over as a gutsy, take-no-prisoners babyface, because for all his faults outside the dohyo his charisma always really seemed to play well to the fans, rather than against them. Few people seemed to be inspired to actively root against him in the arenas, most non-fans were probably more in the "ignore him and it'll be over sometime" camp, simply because there was no denying his on-dohyo greatness even for his biggest detractors. And he's effectively gone through his heel phase in ozumo already now, anyway...might be time to try something different if he decides to go that way.

Besides, considering all the glimpses into Asashoryu's psyche that we've got over the last few years, I think he'd quite enjoy playing a universally-loved character.

When you put it like that, I could see him going either way. I entirely agree with you about fan reactions.

Maybe he could even pull off that most difficult of gimmicks: the universally loved heel, a la The Rock.

Maybe the Mongolian Amasumo team gets some help... That might spark some more interest in amateur sumo!

Continuing on that note, I really like the work he's been doing for children's sumo, as seen in "Unknown Asashoryu".

Edited February 10, 2010 by Manekineko

[Peterao 3]

Hey, Big Show needs an opponent for Wrestlemania, and I don't think Akebono can make it this time!

[ryafuji 806]

Incidentally, this was, at the time, given as one of the reasons why Chiyonofuji refused the 'ichidai toshiyori' status;

I wasn't in Japan at the time and I've never really heard much about this story. You said one of the reasons. What were the others? What was the one given to the press?

Huh? No story at all. Al that was "given to the press" was that the Kyokai had offered him ichidai toshiyori status and he had chosen to refuse. He was in line to take over the prestigious Kokonoe myoseki, and could well afford to turn down what is, in some ways, an empty honor; just continuing as an oyakata with having to buy a myoseki; no stock that can be sold to a successor, and the famous name ends with the man's retirement and can never be used again.

There was a certain amount of chat about why he refused the honor, but that's all.

Orion

This is from the book "Law in everyday Japan:sex, sumo, suicide and statutes", by Mark D. West, which goes into more detail:

Chiyonofuji turned down the honor on the grounds that he wanted to be Kokonoe stablemaster. In that role, he would be entitled to larger income from support groups, and, with inter-stable support, would have a better chance of rising in the association's political hierarchy. But because elders may not receive annuities on more than one share, to realize gain he would have been forced to loan one share to a shareless elder. Because the Chiyonofuji lifetime share would have been nontransferable, the only share he could have loaned out was the Kokonoe share. But under this arrangement Chiyonofuji could not become the Kokonoe stablemaster. If he nevertheless wanted to be a stablemaster using the Chiyonofuji name, he would have been forced to establish a new Chiyonofuji stable, which would entail significant start-up costs, and the stable would not have been transferable. The cheapest alternative was simply to decline the lifetime share. By contrast, Takanohana, the only wrestler after Chiyonofuji to be offered such a share, accepted, because his family-held stable was quite strong and needed all the shares it could get to support its many qualified wrestlers.

[Chiyozakura 128]

Chiyonofuji turned down the honor on the grounds that he wanted to be Kokonoe stablemaster. In that role, he would be entitled to larger income from support groups, and, with inter-stable support, would have a better chance of rising in the association's political hierarchy. But because elders may not receive annuities on more than one share, to realize gain he would have been forced to loan one share to a shareless elder. Because the Chiyonofuji lifetime share would have been nontransferable, the only share he could have loaned out was the Kokonoe share. But under this arrangement Chiyonofuji could not become the Kokonoe stablemaster. If he nevertheless wanted to be a stablemaster using the Chiyonofuji name, he would have been forced to establish a new Chiyonofuji stable, which would entail significant start-up costs, and the stable would not have been transferable. The cheapest alternative was simply to decline the lifetime share. By contrast, Takanohana, the only wrestler after Chiyonofuji to be offered such a share, accepted, because his family-held stable was quite strong and needed all the shares it could get to support its many qualified wrestlers.

That does not make sense. If Takanohana could continue Futagoyama Beya by renaming it to Takanohana Beya Chiyonofuji could have done the same thing with Kokonoe Beya. I assume he wanted to keep the tradition started by Chiyonoyama.

[Gusoyama 93]

I say there's slim to no chance that he will be remaining in Japan. Too much bad blood.

[Tamaikazuchi 4]

I say there's slim to no chance that he will be remaining in Japan. Too much bad blood.

I'm thinking along these lines too. Whether it's bad blood or he's just sick of it. I have to admit, a part of me wants to see what he could do in puroresu. He has all he needs other than training to be successful there.

[Pippooshu 1]

He will be a new mongolian president. A new Gengis Khan...

[madorosumaru 7]

Let's not forget that Asashoryu has been in Japan since he was a high school student. He is fluent in the language, has many of his connections here and is a star in this country. Outside of Japan and Mongolia he is a virtual unknown, despite the occasional newspaper story. He doesn't speak English and is probably too old to reach the top in another sport.

I'd say his future is most definitely in Japan in terms of where he can make money. Probably he'll be in Mongolia much more than before and travelling the world, but this is the only place he can expect to make serious money.

I was composing a reply when I noticed it was almost identical to Nish's post. I had even used the exact words "high school," "fluent" and "connections." Ryu is a superstar in Japan and Mongolia but if you ask a random 100 people on the streets of Los Angeles, I would venture to say 100 of them would have no idea who he is. In fact, if you say "Asashoryu" too loudly to some of the guys, they'd probably respond with a hand gesture and yell back, "Same to you, %$^#."

The Japanese people won't have anything against Ryu if he is no longer an active yokozuna with no hinkaku. In fact, if he decides to join proresu, Uchidate, who is a notorious rassling fanatic, would be his #1 fan. She'll mean it when she says, "I love this guy 150% as an athlete." If Ryu sends her flowers, those two would probably have to get a room.

[Jonosuke 28]

Unless he needs money, he won't join pro-resu. It's pretty much dead now, sure they still have nostalgia fans but most moved to K-1. As a former sumo rikishi, he is not really suited for K-1 style. K-1 guys need good boxing and kicking skills. Somehow I get a feeling he won't enjoy it much. If he joins, it must be pretty big as he will ask at least a million to join and likely half a million annually. I don't see any martial arts groups coming up with that kind of dough as well as a starring role.

Better alternative is that he starts up a new business something like a joint (not talking about the stuff the Kyokai is testing) venture while cultivating his other business while checking for some political opportunities in Mongolia.

[OneManGang 14]

Unless he needs money, he won't join pro-resu. It's pretty much dead now, sure they still have nostalgia fans but most moved to K-1. As a former sumo rikishi, he is not really suited for K-1 style. K-1 guys need good boxing and kicking skills. Somehow I get a feeling he won't enjoy it much. If he joins, it must be pretty big as he will ask at least a million to join and likely half a million annually. I don't see any martial arts groups coming up with that kind of dough as well as a starring role.

Better alternative is that he starts up a new business something like a joint (not talking about the stuff the Kyokai is testing) venture while cultivating his other business while checking for some political opportunities in Mongolia.

He may not be suited to K-1 kickboxing, but MMA (mixed martial arts) he could do well. Don't forget that unlike Akebono, he is an awsome wrestler and wrestling is a fundamental skill in MMA. Not saying he could be a champ right away, but he could probably beat some mid-level opponents in the beginning IF he prepares well. With his name and the ratings battle on NYE...$1,000,000 is no problem.

And..he knows how to deliver a punch. Just ask Kotooshu or that guy in the bar/restaurant >:-(

[Asafan 0]

And..he knows how to deliver a punch. Just ask Kotooshu or that guy in the bar/restaurant >:-(

Can you remind us the Kotooshu episode? I don't know about this one

[Washuyama 634]

I don't think he would do well at all in MMA. Rikishi as a whole have almost zero stamina! Sure, he's strong as hell and should have decent grappling techniques, but would run outta gas WAY too quickly...

As for puroresu, just pit him against Akebono in a charity match.

[Torabayama 51]

As for puroresu, just pit him against Akebono in a charity match.

Maybe 'Senior' Sumo a la the Seniors Tennis Tour. All your old favorites together for charity sumo bouts.