wanderer 159 Posted March 28, 2010 14-1 Jun yusho. This is fantastic. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Otokonoyama 2,735 Posted March 28, 2010 Sumo-Estonian hulk Baruto bounces to 'ozeki' rank A hulking former Estonian nightclub bouncer has gone some way to restoring harmony to the world of sumo after a troubled period for Japan's ancient sport.The 1.98-metre tall, 190-kilogram Baruto is to be promoted to sumo's second-highest rank of "ozeki" after coming close to winning his first Emperor's Cup on Sunday. Baruto, whose real name is the less intimidating Kaido Hoovelson, demonstrated security guard firmness by barging out rival Kotomitsuki to finish with a 14-1 record. "I want to be a powerful ozeki and please the fans," the Baltic giant told reporters. "I got nervous towards the end but I'm surprised at how well I performed." Baruto's promotion is expected to be made formal by sumo officials on Wednesday. The 25-year-old will become the second European to reach the rank after Bulgarian Kotooshu in 2005. Mongolian "yokozuna" (grand champion) Hakuho paid tribute to Baruto after claiming his 13th major title with a 15-0 record by winning his bout to dash the Estonian's playoff hopes. "Baruto's sumo was amazing," said Hakuho, the sport's sole yokozuna after countryman Asashoryu quit in disgrace last month amid a "booze-rage" probe. "I wasn't allowed to say this until the tournament was finished but I was relieved to have won my bout today (to avoid a playoff)." DIPLOMACY SKILLS After the trouble-prone Asashoryu's abrupt retirement following reports of a drunken scuffle outside a Tokyo nightclub, Hakuho displayed diplomacy his fellow Mongolian often lacked. "We have a big hole to fill with Asashoryu gone but sumo has a new ozeki and I expect him to be a major rival." Baruto, whose name is a reference to the Japanese name for the Baltic Sea, joins a growing list of overseas wrestlers at the top of sumo... http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/news/article/-/...nces-ozeki-rank Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kuroyama 715 Posted March 28, 2010 I wonder how things would have gone had Baruto not injured his thumb? If he'd taken matters as seriously as he did, but was still doing essentially the same old sumo we'd been seeing from him before? That thumb injury might have been the best thing that ever happened to him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
