Rikishi Talk the Senshuraku Aki Basho 2010

[Jonosuke 28]

Toyonoshima (Juryo West 1, 14-1) over Hoshikaze by yoritaoshi

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(A long but fruitful basho has completed after going through baseball gambling suspension and falling down to Juryo.)

"I felt the basho was really long. But I am fully aware of a fact that it will take much longer and much more hard work to regain full trust from the fans."

Miyabiyama (Juryo East 2, 12-3) over Shironoryu by hikiotoshi

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(Winning 12 bouts after missing last basho because of the suspension.)

"Prior to the basho I had no idea how I would do and I was really anxious to know if I could even compete well again. But I believe I have done all I could have done."

Toyohibiki (Juryo West 3, 7-8) losing to Tochinowaka by uwatenage

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(Becoming the sole sekitori out of baseball gambling suspension to suffer a makekoshi.)

"This was the basho I should have shown the result. But there is no point in getting down now so I will train hard to prepare for the next basho."

(Goeido, Juryo East 1, 12-3 won over Nakanokuni by hatakikomi, another of fomer Makuuchi rikishi returning after the suspension but now certain to be back in Makuuchi again next basho.)

Sokokurai (8-7) over Kokkai by yorikiri, 14.5 sec

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(Getting kachikoshi in his Makuuchi debut basho)

"When I suffered my seventh loss, I thought I couldn't get kachikoshi. It's the same 15 days as in Juryo but it was totally different, it was so much harder."

Takamisakari (4-11) over Kakizoe by yoritaoshi, 4.7 sec

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(Learning Iwakiyama also from Aomori retiring.)

"Even most powerfuls will have a day to retire. Personally I have no idea how long I can continue myself but until that day arrives, I will keep on desperately struggling till the very end."

Takekaze (12-3) over Kotoshogiku by yorikiri, 9.0 sec

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(His first Kanto-sho since 2008 Hatsu Basho)

"I didn't think I'd win this many to get an award even when I got to 31 years old. More than getting to Sanyaku, I wanted to get a Sansho one more time actually. For some reason I was really able to stay relaxed this basho."

Yoshikaze (11-4) losing to Kakuryu by hatakikomi, 4.9 sec

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(Unable to celebrate his Kanto-sho with a win)

"I was overpowered a bit today but mentally I am already looking forward to the next basho. I think I was able to focus well this basho. I need to get my sumo to a level fully competitive with the top ranking rikishi. As it will be my local basho (from nearby Oita) I will do all my best next basho. I still have a lot to do but I am happy to receive the sansho."

Kakuryu (9-6) over Yoshikaze

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(Certain to return to sekiwake for the first time in a year)

"I have not yet had a kachikoshi at sekiwake. If I can get the kachikoshi next basho, that will give me so much more confidence that I had indeed grown as well."

Kisenosato (7-8) losing to Aminishiki by oshidashi, 8.8 sec

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(Another betrayal of expectations to his supporters and fans, finishing with 7-8.)

"Once again I realized I didn't possess enough strength. I need to burn passionately so much more for sumo."

Tochiozan (11-4) over Asasekiryu by hatakikomi, 3.0 sec

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(On winning by hatakikomi)

"I guess he just slipped. I was able to attack from right though. I was able to go calmly at the tachiai too. Throughout the basho I have been able to go with good sumo so it has given me more confidence."

(On winning Gino-sho)

"I doubt I was that good technically this basho actually."

(Winning his 11th in his sekiwake debut basho)

"I got myself onto the double digit win zone and felt I might as well try all my best to get one more today."

"This basho I believe I was able to move so well after I was out of tachiai, hitting my opponent hard."

(On a start of his ozeki promotion quest)

"I want to prepare for it with confidence. If I am to have any hope of getting there, I will need to keep getting double digit wins."

Hanaregoma oyakata, Kyokai Chairman

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"His lower half has really stabilized. If he finishes with another double digit record next basho, I think there will be such a call (of his ozeki promotion possibility) too."

Kaio (8-7) losing to Aran by yorikiri, 3.5 sec

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(Overwhelmed by Aran)

"When you think about it, if I did not get the win yesterday, this would have been my final bout. I definitely do not want to end my career with such a miserable sumo as today's. I will have to recover from injuries and rebuild my physique to as close as to perfect next basho."

Baruto (9-6) losing to Kotooshu by yoirkiri, 9.5 sec

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(Seeing Hakuho)

"62nd consecutive win...it is really an amazing feat. I know I have to do something about it too."

Harumafuji (8-7) losing to Hakuho by yorikiri, 5.1 sec

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(Was all psyched up to stop Hakuho's consecutive record but easily getting pushed out.)

"I couldn't turn to offensive. I need to really work hard to be able to go after him. I feel such regret over this. I don't know but then perhaps I am that weak after all."

Hakuho (15-0) over Harumafuji

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"What was the most gratifying for me personally was to able to go with my own sumo till the end. I am most happy that I was able to get up on the dohyo healthy injury-free till the Senshuraku. Knowing by continuing the streak, if I can make even one fan or two fans share the joy, nothing can make me happier,"

"I am not a powerful man at all. It is with perseverance and endeavoring, 365 days a year, by challenging everything I do, I believe God has granted me a good fortune."

"I recognized the weight of the yusho cup all over again. It really felt good. It was even brighter than the last time I looked at it. Last basho I had a bitter experience of not able to receive it. As a result I really wanted to get it myself this basho. I went through a pretty nervous time around the 53rd and 54th win but I am happy that I was able to do my best till the very end."

"It was so trying last basho not receiving the Cup. I realize that how special it is to receive it for winning the yusho."

"My immediate goal is to get close to Tanikaze-zeki, and then by equalling Futabayama-zeki, I believe I can repay to the Kyokai all it has done for me."

(The 4th Yokozuna Tanikaze had 63 consecutive bout win record between 1778 and 1782. Futabayama set his record of 69 consecutive wins between 1936 and 1939.)

Takanohana oyakaka (former Yokozuna), Director of Judging

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"Hakuho has been perfect. He had power and he went for the decision right way today too. It's really interesting to see how long he can continue (consecutive win record). Let's look forward to it."

Hanaregoma oyakata (former Ozeki Kaiketsu), Kyokai Chairman

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"Hakuho is so good at cutting his opponent's hands off his mawashi and he can move into his offense so quickly."

"Obviously Hakuho was nothing short of remarkable this basho. The other imperssions were dismal performance by all ozeki and Tochiozan's solid sumo. Both Takekaze and Yoshikaze have done well but I'd like to ask Ozeki to get themselves do something. In the last half basically they just collapsed."

"This was the basho that reinforced the remarkable power of Hakuho. I can't put his achievement in any other way than say it was simply magnificent. I have a feeling his chance of breaking the record to be pretty good. I must say we wanted to have more fans coming over to see the basho but as we regain the confidence back, I believe we can bring them back."

"I'd like to say that we were able to conduct a real normal basho, thanks to having received corporation from those inside and outside. I once again pledge to all that we are aiming to rebuild the sumo kyokai that is loved by every fan."

Kumagatani oyakata, Hakuho's personal shisho

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"He used to rush himself unnecessary in the past but he has hardly shown any of that now. He can take in his opponent firmly and calmly. I believe that comes from confidence he has within himself that if he can get into his form, he can win regardless. Since the Nagoya Basho after the scandal, mentally he has even matured further. And that is also contributing to his winning streak."

"From now on it will be all battles within himself for Hakuho."

Michinoku oyakata (former Ozeki Kirishima)

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"I don't see any concerted will and effort from ozeki to stop him. Hakuho can even continue his streak to 100 wins if we go on with the way it is."

Sayoko, Hakuho's wife

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(Replacing Hakuho's trainer suspended after baseball gambling, massaged Hakuho's arms and legs during the basho.)

"By the second half of the basho, the muscles were so hard and tight, it became really difficult."

"He used to talk about Futabayama often in the past but he has not done it this basho. I imagine he feels he has come close to him that he is viewing him as no longer a figure in the books, someone he can come close to achieving it now."

Kokonoe oyakata (former Yokozuna Chiyonofuji)

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"Even being so young, everything he does, he does it with such excellence."

Naoto Kan, Prime Minister of Japan

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(As he presented the 40 kg Prime Minister Cup personally to the yusho winner, Hakuho.)

"Congratulations on winning the yusho. And I would like to congratulate for your 62 consecutive winning record as well."

Katsuo Uchida (former Ozeki Yutakayama, Futabayama's junior rikishi.)

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"I believe he is supporting himself mentally by learning from Futabayama and doing all he can to come as close to him as possible. He now has more deep knowledge about sumo as well. I wish him to become a magnificent yokozuna."

Hakkaku oyakata (former Yokozuna Hokutoumi)

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"When he was promoted to yokozuna, he got there only because he was physically strong. Since then till the Nagoya Basho, I felt there was something lacking in him still. But since the basho he has transformed himself. Every word he speaks, one by one by it reflects his inner maturity in his heart. Finally his heart caught up to his physique to make him a true great yokozuna."

Hiroyoshi Murayama, Deputy Kyokai Chairman (Acting Chairman during the Nagoya Basho)

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"We have now been able to present the Yusho Cup as well as all awards presented by our sponsors. I feel personally relieved that we were able to complete the basho without any problems. The yokozuna has done a tremendous job for us."

"Compared to the last basho with full of tense atmosphere, we had an air of having escaped from a real crisis. We still have a full set of tasks to complete to ensure our organization to remain a public foundation and as a going concern so that we can preserve the Japanese tradition and culture that is Ozumo."

Shigeo Fukuchi, NHK Chairman

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(Presented the NHK Cup to the yusho winner, resuming live broadcast of the basho.)

"I came here not just to congratulate Hakuho but to say a 'Thank You' to Hakuho. It was a masterful exhibition of sumo."

Sansho Award

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Kanto-sho:

Yoshikaze - Maegashira West 11, 11-4. Real name: Masatsugi Onishi from Oita. 28 years old. Oguruma Beuya. Dohyo debut: 2004 Hatsu Basho. 176 cm, 140 kg.

His second Kanto-sho since 2008 Kyusho Basho.

Takekaze - Maegashira West 12, 12-3. Real name: Akira Narita from Akita. 31 years old. Oguruma Beya. Dohyo debut: 2002 Natsu Basho, Makushita Tsukedashi 15. 171 cm, 150 kg. His second Kanto-sho since 2008 Hatsu Basho.

Gino-sho:

Tochiozan - West Sekiwake, 11-4. Real name: Yuichi Kageyama from Kochi. 23 years old. Kasugano Beya. Dohyo debut: 2005 Hatsu Basho. 189 cm, 152 kg. His second Gino-sho since 2008 Haru Basho.

Yusho

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Sandanme:

Chiyozakura - East 51. 7-0. Real name: Masaru Tateno from Tokyo. 23 years old. Kokonoe Beya. Dohyo debut: 2010 Haru Basho. 184 cm, 134 kg. Favorite moves: Migi-yotsu, yori.

"It was really hard facing against him (Myogiryu, his senior at the Nihon Taiiku university), in the kettei-sen. I could never beat him normally so I feel I was rather lucky today. I want to become a sekitori within the next two years."

Jonoidan:

Yoshifuji - West 77. 7-0. Real name: Seiya Minami from Hygo. 18 years old. Isegahama Beya. Dohyo debut: 2010 Hatsu Basho. 173 cm, 118 kg. Favorite moves: Tsuki, Oshi.

"I could not believe it (beating his heya mate, Tosahikari). I went up thinking as if I was asking for a training session. But to lose or win, I just wanted to go all out. My parents have a birthday in September and October so I will buy them a present with the award money."

Masunoyama

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Chiganoura Beya's Makushita East 3 Masunoyama who won his fifth bout today to ensure his promotion to Juryo next basho and Makushita Yusho winner Takayasu of Naruto Beya will become the first sekitori born in Heisei Era.

"Next Basho I will have 15 days. As I can go all out, I am really looking forward to the basho. I know I need to train much much harder too," 19 year old 179 cm, 171 kg Masunoyama said.

Tsurugitake

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Makushita West 3 Tsurugitake of Musashigawa Beya won his kachikoshi to earn his Juryo promotion next basho. He made his dohyo debut 10 years ago after graduating from Nihon Taiiku University. "There were times I almost gave up. But I am really happy I kept going," 31 year old said.

Iwakiyama

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Former Komusubi Iwakiyama (real name: Ryuta Tsushima from Aomori), 34, of Sakaigawa Beya officially sent his retirement paper and his inheritance of Sekinoto Toshiyori share on Sepmteber 26.

He has withdrawn for three consecutive basho since the Natsu Basho after a medical exam showed he had suffered a mild stroke. He was ranked at West Juryo 14.

"I've gone done below 150 kg prior to the basho and I realized it would take more than six months to make a comeback," Iwakiyama said during his press conference today.

Iwakiyama chose not to turn pro immediately after a successful amateur career and was working as a teacher at a private high school after graduating from Aomori University but could not give up his dream and made his dohyo debut at the 2000 Nagoya Basho.

"About 10 years of rikishi life seems rather short. I feel I should have trained much harder. I wanted to show the junior rikishi, by working hard they too can make it and send them the message," Iwakiyama said with tears flowing down his cheeks. "I couldn't even go past my shisho and I regret I could not convey the message to younger rikishi."

"I was told by my wife, if I forced myself to continue and die prematurely there was no point to it. I believe it was the best decision I could make under the circumstance."

His shisho Sakaigawa oyakata said, "His quietly going about working every single day and virtue of it will be carried on to the next generation. I recall he made a pledge when he joined Ozumo that he would never attempt a tachiai henka or run away from his opponent and always hit the other opponent fair and square. He has shown he has kept the belief it throughout his active career."

"He was our heya's first sekitori. I want to thank him for all he has done for us. All I want to say to him now is a big thank you. I believe without the presence of Iwakiyama, this heya we have now could not have existed," his shisho, Sakaigawa oyakata said.

Kimenryu, Sandanme West 44

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Holder of third most career basho with 154 basho, former YOkozuna Asashoryu's tsukebito Kimenryu announced his retirement at the age of 40 years old.

"When I just joined Ozumo, I wanted to quit every single day. It's amazing to know I was able to compete this long," Kimenryu said after beating Hokutogo in his final bout. "My fondest memories are when I won the Sandname Yusho in 1997 Natsu Basho and beating Hakuho in both encounters," Kimenryu said looking back his 26 years of rikishi life since his dohyo debut at the 1985 Haru Basho.

Attendance

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Prior to the baseball gambling scandal, the Natsu Basho's 15 day attendance was 129,000 while this basho the attendance was 15 days was only 117,000. It was more dismal compared to the last Aki Basho which ahd 143,000.

TV ratings were as dimal as attendance. According to Video Research, up to Day 12, the average ratins after 5 PM when the last half of Makuuchi bouts were aired was only 8.6%, compared to 10.1% for the Natsu Basho and 11.7% recorded in the last Aki Basho.

"If this ia a reflection of the problems we face, we will really have to gravely face up to it. I admit the level displayed by Hakuho is not low but it appears to me he has been winning too many bouts without exerting all of his capacity. I imagine if we still had Asashoryu around, it may have been a bit differnt," an oyakata said.

Kensho

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Compared to the Natsu Basho's 949, the Aki Basho recorded 803, almost recovering to the former level, In the Nagoya there were only 243 kensho. Hakuho had 47 kensho in his Senshuraku bout, the most this basho and he earned a total of 424, over half of the kensho total.

Takamisakari had his sponsor Nagatani-En back in the kensho parade. "It was good not just for me but for all of us. An ideal is to have a kensho for every bout though. Then we will have more exciting bouts," Takamisakari said.

Another sponsor Tama Home has also returned with 60 kensho but was more cautious. "We made a decision to come back after the pledge by the Kyokai of their zero tolerance policy towards organized crime groups. We will closely follow the developement and will decide our participation on merit every single basho," an offcial with the firm said.

[Sashohitowa 6]

Miyabiyama (

".... But I believe I have done all I could have done."

As a former Ozeki, he should have retired, if you ask me.

Jonosuke, thank you, as always, for the great Rikishi Talk thread. (Neener, neener...) (Sleeping...)

[ryafuji 815]

As a former Ozeki, he should have retired, if you ask me.

If it's acceptable for a former ozeki to be a rank-and-file maegashira for nearly ten years then surely a one-basho drop into juryo is acceptable too.

[Yubinhaad 11,768]

Adding my thanks for these posts, Jonosuke! They let us get that little bit closer to the basho, even for those of us who might be far away.

(Goeido, Juryo East 1, 12-3 won over Nakanokuni by hatakikomi, another of fomer Makuuchi rikishi returning after the suspension but now certain to be back in Makuuchi again next basho.)

Did Goeido actually say anything, or was this just added for completeness?

[Sashohitowa 6]

As a former Ozeki, he should have retired, if you ask me.

If it's acceptable for a former ozeki to be a rank-and-file maegashira for nearly ten years then surely a one-basho drop into juryo is acceptable too.

Well, it was not the case with Dejima, quite recently.

[Kintamayama 45,569]

As a former Ozeki, he should have retired, if you ask me.

If it's acceptable for a former ozeki to be a rank-and-file maegashira for nearly ten years then surely a one-basho drop into juryo is acceptable too.

Well, it was not the case with Dejima, quite recently.

Big difference sir-Dejima fell because he was done physically. Miyabiyama was demoted as punishment, and not for lack of ability. We can argue that he should have retired after he was caught gambling and helped shame sumo, but we're not. Miyabiyama still has some joi-grade fighting years left in him.

Anyway, he still has to return to Ozeki, as I have promised time and again.

[Jonosuke 28]

(Goeido, Juryo East 1, 12-3 won over Nakanokuni by hatakikomi, another of fomer Makuuchi rikishi returning after the suspension but now certain to be back in Makuuchi again next basho.)

Did Goeido actually say anything, or was this just added for completeness?

He may have said something but I did not find him say that.

While his high school rival Tochiozan is now considered to be an ozeki promotion candidate, I thought he deserves a mention as he fell this far only because of suspension. I am sure he is still seeing Tochiozan to be his rival but just like Ama and Kisenosato, one may zoom past his one time rival by some kind of momentum.

Tochiozan looked pretty solid this basho but of course he needs to repeat this two more basho which isn't that easily done. With a dire need of Japanese ozeki, however, who knows, he may only need 20 more wins by the end of Hatsu to park his car in the Kokugikan garage.

[Tokyo Tom 0]

I also would like to thank you for all of the rikishi comments you post as well as the match time durations!

[alpineviolet 0]

Kisenosato (7-8) losing to Aminishiki by oshidashi, 8.8 sec

Didn't Aminishiki lose to Kisenosato?

I want to chime in with the others; thank you for posting these quotes. :)

[ryafuji 815]

As a former Ozeki, he should have retired, if you ask me.

If it's acceptable for a former ozeki to be a rank-and-file maegashira for nearly ten years then surely a one-basho drop into juryo is acceptable too.

Well, it was not the case with Dejima, quite recently.

Big difference sir-Dejima fell because he was done physically. Miyabiyama was demoted as punishment, and not for lack of ability.

Exactly - there was never any doubt Miyabiyama would make an immediate return. Not so with Dejima.

[Harry 67]

Being there in Nagoya it was obvious that Dejima could barely make it up onto the dohyo anymore with his bad knee. Miyabiyama still seems to have a lot of power, if not a lot of speed.

[Kaiomitsuki 408]

Thank you for all the "Rikishi talk" topics during this Basho (I am not worthy...)

[Sashohitowa 6]

I understand what you say, and I agree that Miyabiyama's recent performance are better than Dejima's last bashos. And although one can argue if Dejima would have problems to make an immediate return to Makuuchi or not, my point was different, and I gave Dejima just as a side example.

The thing is about the tradition former Ozeki to retire when they fall to Juryo. How reasonable this tradition is, is a different question - in my understanding this is one of those Japanese "things" that are expected to happen, no matter of the reasons.

So I am kind of disappointed that everybody just closed their eyes in front of their own unwritten rules.

[Kintamayama 45,569]

So I am kind of disappointed that everybody just closed their eyes in front of their own unwritten rules.

As I understand, this "unwritten rule" pertains to an ex-Ozeki who drops to Juryo due to lack of ability or bad health. In Miyabiyama's case, he was punished, so I don't think that "rule" applies here-it's just a totally different thing. I don't think anyone was closing any eyes to anything here.

[Sashohitowa 6]

So I am kind of disappointed that everybody just closed their eyes in front of their own unwritten rules.

As I understand, this "unwritten rule" pertains to an ex-Ozeki who drops to Juryo due to lack of ability or bad health. In Miyabiyama's case, he was punished, so I don't think that "rule" applies here-it's just a totally different thing. I don't think anyone was closing any eyes to anything here.

I think that there is not supposed to be any other reason for dropping to Juryo besides lack of ability or bad health. The current situation, which enforced healthy rikishi to skip the whole basho with no kosho status, is exceptional by itself, and the "owners" of the Ozeki-to-Juryo rule had to make a decision how to play it in these circumstances. And they obviously decided that it's ok for Miyabiyama to stay.

Which is strange to me, because a former Ozeki in Juryo due to gambling brings more dishonour to the rank than an injured former Ozeki, for example.

Edited September 29, 2010 by Sashohitowa

[Asashosakari 19,694]

Which is strange to me, because a former Ozeki in Juryo due to gambling brings more dishonour to the rank than an injured former Ozeki, for example.

I dunno, does he? I'm struggling to make that connection, and not only because Miyabiyama hasn't even been an ozeki for a decade. An ozeki turning out losing performances in juryo is dishonourable because you can look at them as directly comparable to his past performances as one of the standard bearers of Ozumo, but the gambling really stands on its own, it's not a matter of past performance or past ranking. Of course one can be of the opinion that Miyabiyama has caused a level of dishonour comparable to a juryo-dwelling ozeki, but in that case the only logical option would have been to dismiss him along with Kotomitsuki. That didn't happen, so it would be a bit disingeneous by the Kyokai to then say "well, we're going to punish you like any other gambler, but because you once happened to perform as an ozeki, you can't actually accept that punishment. Ex-sekiwake Toyonoshima and Goeido are in the clear, though!"

[yorikiried by fate 2,029]

I seem to read "rule" here all the time. Must clean my glasses.