Rikishi Talk - Day 1 2010 Nagoya Basho

[Jonosuke 28]

Fukushima (Jonokuchi of Dewanoumi Beya from Niigata)

----------------------------------------------------

(18 year old, the first rikishi to step on the dohyo at the Nagoya and pushing out Tatenishiki of Tatsunami Beya)

"I could not even win one bout at the Natsu Basho so I am happy today."

(Received calls and email from his family)

"I realized that when we have such conduct by a few, all of us become responsible by association."

Migikataagari (Sandanme East 3 from Otake Beya)

------------------------------------------------

(When stepped on the dohyo, a fan yelled and told him to shut the heya down.)

"I really didn't take that much attention to it. I lost the bout today but I was able to focus well."

Otake oyakata (former Juryo Dairyu)

-----------------------------------

"We should all feel gratified that we were given an opportunity to get up on the dohyo and keep competing. I told each rikishi to live each and every single day to the fullest."

Masuraumi (Juryo from Onomatsu Beya)

------------------------------------

(All seven rikishi from Onomatsu Beya lost today)

"Before we were heading out, the shisho told us to go out as hard as we could. We were able to do minimum amount of training sessions. We are hoping all of us can get a kachikoshi. But we are all thankful that we are able to participate in the basho."

Homasho (1-0) over Kimurayama by okuridashi, 6.7 sec

--------------------------------------------------------

(Hearing the fans cheer as he had two kensho banner)

"The company has been supporting me for so long and the president told me not to worry as they would continue to put the kensho for my bout."

Gagamaru (0-1) losing to Kokkai by tsukiotoshi, 1.6 sec

-----------------------------------------------------

(Facing his senior rikishi from Georgia Kokkai in his first Makuuchi bout)

"I was thinking so much and became so tense. I couldn't move at all."

(With his Kise Beya folding and moving to Kitanoumi Beya)

"We have been going there for de-geiko so I really don't feel strange being there."

Takamisakari (1-0) over Takekaze by hikiotoshi, 6.3 sec

-----------------------------------------------------

(Without Nagatani-En kensho but hearing from a fan to do his best even without the kensho. Pulling down Takekaze calmly to earn his first win)

"I wasn't really thinking about the kensho at all."

Kakizoe (0-1) losing to Shimotori by oshitaoshi, 6.7 sec

------------------------------------------------------

(Without his shisho and senior Miyabiyama present)

"We should reflect on what we have done and do all our best on the dohyo. That's all we can do."

Yoshikaze (0-1) losing to Tokusegawa by yoritaoshi, 1.5 sec

----------------------------------------------------------

(Permitted to stay in the basho as his involvement with baseball gambling was considered to be minor.)

"I am sorry I really don't know the details."

Kakuryu (1-0) over Wakanosato by yorikiri, 46.7 sec

--------------------------------------------------

(Beat Wakanosato but heard a yell)

"I really understand their anger and we should know we deserve them. But once we start showing good sumo I am sure they will understand what we are doing."

Tokitenku (1-0) over Kitataiki by hatakikomi, 2.2 sec

-----------------------------------------------------

(Lamenting on NHK's live coverage being cancelled)

"It's not just viewers in Japan. There are a lot of people elsewhere looking forward to the broadcast."

Kisenosato (1-0) over Aminishiki by okuritaoshi, 5.0 sec

-------------------------------------------------------

(Also involved in baseball gambling, competed in the only bout involving two Japanese rikishi in the last half of Makuuchi)

"I think I was able to put out a sumo that I was capable of. It was very good sumo for me. The only thing I am doing is to constantly display good sumo."

Kaio (1-0) over Aran by hatakikomi by 1.3 sec

--------------------------------------------

(Another win by a pulldown)

"Somehow it ends that way. I am sure it's really boring for the fans. I am always trying to move forward but my body isn't catching up."

(Facing one of the most difficult basho as the Japanese ozeki)

"Obviously the atmosphere is quite a bit different. But those of us still active, all we can do is to compete on the dohyo. We are really gratified that the fans are still coming to see us in this circumstance."

Kotooshu (1-0) over Asasekiryu by yorikiri, 11.8 sec

---------------------------------------------------

"When we come back from the dohyo, we have no replay to see and no announcer. It's really strange."

(As if already thinking ahead)

"You know we really miss receiving the Cup on the Senshuraku..."

Tochiozan (1-0) over Harumafuji by oshidashi, 3.0 sec

---------------------------------------------------

(Beating Harumafuji and getting a good start)

"I was able to keep going after him without stopping. Actually I have been able to do quite a bit of training prior to the basho."

Harumafuji (0-1) losing to Tochiozan

------------------------------------

(Overwhelmed by Tochiozan)

"He was powerful today. I felt the fans were watching us over warmly. For that reason I should start winning."

Baruto (1-0) over Hakuba by kimetaoshi, 2.6 sec

-------------------------------------------------

(Beating Hakuba in his first encounter)

"I knew he would not come out hard. So I just stayed calm. I think I was able to show my sumo."

Tochonoshin (0-1) losing to Hakuho by uwatenage, 1.9 sec

---------------------------------------------------------

"I did all I could but there was not much I could do. I just wanted to hit him hard. Well, we just started, everything happens from now on."

(Seeing only 11 kensho banners for his bout against Hakuho)

"If we could only get this many for the day 1, there will be none after this for me. It's so sad."

Hakuho (1-0) over Tochinoshin

-------------------------------

(Closing the first day of what started out as a tumulus basho.)

"This was the important first day of the important basho. I fee I did display a good sumo."

"Clearly I felt pressure as I heard more calls of support than otherwise."

"I believe we will never encounter a basho like this again. By experiencing a basho like this, I gain more opportunity to grow larger."

Chairman Murayama

--------------------

"First and foremost we need to do our best to show the fans good quality sumo till the Senshuraku."

"I felt really the weight of it all when I stepped on the dohyo. I heard the calls of support and criticism. Once again I realized that there were many opinion."

"We really had good sumo today, didn't you think so? I am really looking forward to all the basho day to the Senshuraku as I am sure we will get Mainn Onray as well."

Nishonoseki Oyakata (former Sekiwake Kongo)

------------------------------------------

(As the Nagoya Basho Director finishing the day 1)

"We went thorough so many things but somehow we made it through to today. All I can hope for is we can get to the Senshuraku without any incidents."

The Kyokai announced that Kataonami Beya's new recruit Yuki Tanimoto from Ehime has passed his entrance exam and will be starting his mae-zumo from Day 3 on July 13. He is 178 cm tall and weighs 184 kg. He will compete against a Banzuke-gai rikishi.

Juryo Hoshikaze received a reprimand from the Judging Director Tomozuna oyakata and his shisho Oguruma oyakata relating to his tachiai conduct in his bout against Tokumanazuru today. Tomozuna oyakata indicated along with off-dohyo reforms the Judging group will be more strict in observing the dohyo manners. Hoshikaze tried to get his opponent to jump before the tachai started and pushed him all the way out of the dohyo.

"This was a problem even prior to Matta. We were all afraid of such conduct to happen," Tomozuna oyakata said. Hoshikaze has been accused of bad dohyo manners frequently and only said, "I am sorry." "I'd really caution him when I get back to the heya," Oguruma oyakata said.

There will be only 12 Kensho on Day 2, the fewest number of kensho since the Kyokai started recording it in 2003. On Day 1 today, there were 19. Up to now the fewest was 17 kensho at the 2003 Hatsu Basho Day 9 and Nagoya Basho Day 6. The half of 12 kensho will be going to the Hakuho Tochiozan bout tomorrow.

With many uniformed and non-uniformed police stationed in and outside of the arena as well as announcements asking for organized crime group members to leave, the Aichi Regional Police told the Nishonoseki oyakata, Nagoya Basho Director, there was no member from such group in attendance today. They also say that with NHK cancelling their broadcast and no opportunity to be seen also contributed their absence.

Nishonoseki oyakata walked around the arena three times before he judged there was no Mainn Onray today. The released attendance was 7200, 800 fewer than the day 1 last year but almost reached 90% mark (7290, 8200 capacity) for Maiin Onray. "I decided not to make it as Maiin Onray as we may be accused of trying to artificially add up numbers." Since 1985 when they started recording the attendance, this was the first time the Day 1 of Nagoya Basho failed to get the sell out mark.

Record

-------

Baruto - 300th Makuuchi appearance

Hiroyoshi Murayama, Acting Kyokai Chairman Opening Address

----------------------------------------------------------

On this first day of the basho, the chairman, Musashigawa. should be presenting the opening address at this point, however he is currently in the "self-restrain" period, in place of him I will like to offer you our greeting.

As you are all aware the Nihon Sumo Kyokai has received severe criticisms from the public over a series of shameful incidents and has been put into unprecedented difficult circumstance. Chairman Musashigawa has offered our sincere apology at various places but he was hoping once again to offer his personal apology here on the dohyo today but due to his physical condition he is unable to do so today. For Chairman Musashigawa I'd like to apologize from the bottom of my heart to all the sumo fans in the country for causing so much anguish and concerns.

While receiving so much harsh opinion from many fields, the fact that we could hold the July Basho today is because of strong support we received from you and for that we are all grateful. The Kyokai and Kyokai members as a whole will strive to make this basho as the basho of recovery and reform of Ozumo Hon Basho and firmly commit ourselves to the effort. To that end, please guide us and support us even more than in the past. All rikishi will focus all they can to face their bout on the dohyo hoping to meet your expectation.

Finally I'd like to close my speech by asking to provide us with your continued support and to come to see us through to the Senshuraku.

[D-chan 2]

I always appreciate and enjoy Rikishi Talk (as well as Rikishi Talkishi!), but even more so since it's the only "color commentary" I'll get this basho.

So, for this basho, and others past and future, thanks so much!

[Shibata-gumi 1]

Agreed the Rikishi talk is MOST appreciated!

[Naganoyama 6,043]

Thanks for a bumper edition!

[jakking 0]

Let me add my sincere thanks too. This is about as close as I can get to the basho this time.