Kitanoumi Rijicho severely cautions Harumafuji and Isegahama

[Kintamayama 45,345]

Kitanoumi rijicho flew off the handle today when he heard that Harumafuji was chewing gum during his Yokozuna promotion ceremony. "This is a very serious ceremony and this kind of behavior is unimaginable!! " he thundered. He will not be reprimanding Harumafuji personally but has conveyed a stern warning to Isegahama Oyakata, urging him to show better leadership. So the hinkaku issue has surfaced with the speed of light.

There is also talk of Harumafuji's behavior on the dohyo. The YDC has demanded he not use any harite. To this, Kitanoumi added: "We can't have him flying and hopping around. It makes one wonder how he will be perceived as a Yokozuna.. It's important he does straightforward sumo that is fair and square," Other members of the Kyokai management agree with him as well. "After being told this, I am convinced he will be reflecting on his deeds, " added messenger Hakkaku Oyakata.

A head-on confrontation with the rijicho on the first day of his Yokozuna-ness- the Kyokai really hopes it will be the first and last altercation, said the reporter who reported the report.

Edited September 26, 2012 by Kintamayama

[krindel 673]

And the music has started... (No, no, no...)

[Kintamayama 45,345]

Takanohana:"I wonder how he will fare against large and heavy rikishi. He has bulked up recently, but now he'll have to maintain his physical strength. I would like him to think of how he is going to deal with the big guys.."

Kokonoe. "I would like him to "pull" the other rikishi with him. He should do substantial sumo rather than 'noisy' sumo.. He should quickly build himself his own style of sumo where he will not lose!"

[Kintamayama 45,345]

Papers say he flubbed the words he planned to use. He said : "横綱を自覚して全身全霊で相撲道に精進します", roughly "Doing awareness of a Yokozuna, i will completely devote myself to concentrating on the sumo way" when he intended to say "横綱の自覚を持って" or "Having (Holding) an awareness of being a Yokozuna etc.."

[Kuroyama 715]

The YDC has demanded he not use any harite.

*checks calendar*

Nope, not April 1. Are they serious? I had no idea harite was supposed to be un-yokozuna-like. Next, they'll be vetting his technique for illicit Mongolian influence or something.

[Kintamayama 45,345]

The YDC has demanded he not use any harite.

*checks calendar*

Nope, not April 1. Are they serious? I had no idea harite was supposed to be un-yokozuna-like. Next, they'll be vetting his technique for illicit Mongolian influence or something.

I also didn't know, but it says, black on white, that they are "demanding" this. Still, it's the YDC..

[Kuroyama 715]

The YDC has demanded he not use any harite.

*checks calendar*

Nope, not April 1. Are they serious? I had no idea harite was supposed to be un-yokozuna-like. Next, they'll be vetting his technique for illicit Mongolian influence or something.

I also didn't know, but it says, black on white, that they are "demanding" this. Still, it's the YDC..

I almost wonder if they're aiming for the now tried and true black-hat/white-hat routine, and they're trying to set up Harumafuji for the role in which they see him by starting off with unreasonable demands.

[Fukurou 534]

I almost wonder if they're aiming for the now tried and true black-hat/white-hat routine, and they're trying to set up Harumafuji for the role in which they see him by starting off with unreasonable demands.

I would imagine they do want a black-hat/white-hat situation, but they've got an awful lot invested over many years in publicizing Hakuho as being a Mr. Perfect type who does no wrong (which is clearly impossible since no one is infallable, but don't tell the NSK that). The conspiracy theorist in me says they may be trying to set up Harumafuji as the black-hat whipping boy who is always wrong.

That said, only idiots are dumb enough to chew gum when they're the center of attention of that kind of ceremony

[Washuyama 641]

It all just sounds to me like silly attempts to prevent the reappearance of Asashoryu. Easier to prevent than to cure so to speak.

[Treblemaker 254]

Kitanoumi rijicho flew off the handle today when he heard that Harumafuji was chewing gum during his Yokozuna promotion ceremony. "This is a very serious ceremony and this kind of behavior is unimaginable!! " he thundered. He will not be reprimanding Harumafuji personally but has conveyed a stern warning to Isegahama Oyakata, urging him to show better leadership. So the hinkaku issue has surfaced with the speed of light.

There is also talk of Harumafuji's behavior on the dohyo. The YDC has demanded he not use any harite. To this, Kitanoumi added: "We can't have him flying and hopping around. It makes one wonder how he will be perceived as a Yokozuna.. It's important he does straightforward sumo that is fair and square," Other members of the Kyokai management agree with him as well. "After being told this, I am convinced he will be reflecting on his deeds, " added messenger Hakkaku Oyakata.

A head-on confrontation with the rijicho on the first day of his Yokozuna-ness- the Kyokai really hopes it will be the first and last altercation, said the reporter who reported the report.

Ok, let's start with the gum-chewing... Take a henka, I don't necessarily blame the henka-er, because it's the job of the Henka-ed to be aware of what's coming. Now, with the gum thing - was HF by himself? Weren't there people with him? surely he must have had company. Didn't anyone in his group notice anything? Certainly he had people who could have given him a once-over, and suggested that chewing the cud might not be the best of all possible worlds. I don't just blame HF (on yet another cranial frostbite), but on his posse. Wasn't his Oyakata with him? What was he thinking?

Then, no slapping? What next? Keep one foot in a bucket and wear lipstick? Where does it say a Yok can't use certain moves and weapons at other people's disposal? But it's ok to have some opponent slap him? What does it take to become a member of the YDC? Be ugly? (Well, we know that.) Have your brain removed and replace it with used bowels from some cadaver? What are they thinking? Then again, who cares what they're thinking?

At least HF has some charisma, and he's already pretty popular. Leave the guy alone and let him be himself. He'll be a huge draw for the Kyokai.

Especially when he's not chewing gum.

[Asashosakari 19,500]

If they want a tougher hinkaku component, they should go ahead and say so.

I guess they just did... Though as usual, thanks to the YDC's usefulness neutered by the two-yusho standard, they waited until it didn't actually matter. If all these are actual concerns of them and not just posturing, it should have been brought up after the Nagoya yusho, not now.

(But the harite complaint is lame either way.)

Edited September 27, 2012 by Asashosakari

[Masumasumasu 902]

I agree with the YDC. Harite is not dignified.

Being a Yokozuna is tough. If HF can't take the heat, he should stay out of the kitchen.

[Dr.Radical 16]

I agree with the YDC. Harite is not dignified.

Being a Yokozuna is tough. If HF can't take the heat, he should stay out of the kitchen.

Surprise surprise. (Sigh...)

[Kintamayama 45,345]

Trying to recall- AFAIR, Asashouryuu was the only Yokozuna who used harite on many occasions. Sure, Akebono was a pusher, but I don't remember him slapping. Am I right or just old?

[Akinomaki 40,666]

The YDC has demanded he not use any harite.

*checks calendar*

Nope, not April 1. Are they serious? I had no idea harite was supposed to be un-yokozuna-like. Next, they'll be vetting his technique for illicit Mongolian influence or something.

I also didn't know, but it says, black on white, that they are "demanding" this. Still, it's the YDC..

Preventing Mongolian type sumo seems to be one intention. Like I posted before, prohibiting ketaguri was mentioned as well. But one source also reported that it's only a demand and hari-te is not exactly a kinji-te (forbidden technique) for Harumafuji.

Edited September 27, 2012 by Akinomaki

[ronnie 221]

Trying to recall- AFAIR, Asashouryuu was the only Yokozuna who used harite on many occasions. Sure, Akebono was a pusher, but I don't remember him slapping. Am I right or just old?

I'm sure I read somewhere that Asashoryu was reprimanded after just a few basho as Yokozuna for excessive harite. The gist of it being that harite was not a technique fit for the rank.

I also thought the reprimand was a bit odd since that was basically what took him to where he got. Seems that, with Harumafuji, they're attempting to circumvent the reprimand.

[Ajisen 15]

The poor guy was probably nervous, couldn't have a smoke and was chewing gum in lieu.

I guess he could start using his right forearm and elbows more. Heh.

[Naganoyama 5,942]

They appear to be trying to set him up for a very poor start as Yokozuna, or maybe at least that is how it will result. I seem to remember when he was promoted to ozeki, he thought he had to reinvent his sumo to be some kind of special "ozeki sumo" rather than the sumo which got him there. The result was that he had huge difficulty winning a single bout. Now he has to create a third type of sumo, not only without any harite, but presumably also without any of his speed techniques. (I assume that that is what is meant by flying and hopping??? What is he supposed to do instead, "highing and flopping"?)

[Bugman 384]

I agree with the YDC. Harite is not dignified.

Being a Yokozuna is tough. If HF can't take the heat, he should stay out of the kitchen.

Surprise surprise. (Sigh...)

I'd like to be added to the "surprise" list if i'm not there already, i don't appreciate the excessive harite either, not just from Harumafuji but from anyone.

Edited September 27, 2012 by Bugman

[wanderer 159]

As a Mongol, I am very happy to see the third Yokozuna. I understand why YDC is demanding some change of style from HF, and I don't think it has anything to do with HF being a Mongol, or they would like to marginalize Mongols etc.

I have the same concern to be honest. Yokozuna must possess overwhelming technical superiority over their lesser opponents, and should be able to deal with them without any hesitation. Asashoryu, and Hakuho shows that most of the time. Yes, there are moments of "lapses" here and there, upon which they "reflect" on those missteps, and correct them next time. With this serenity, these Yokozuna can, and did use harite from time to time, just to show that their arsenal of weapons are properly stocked. If Yokozuna starts using harite regularly for his own survival, or expression of his rank, or main technique to avoid head on confrontation, then it is surely un Yokozuna like. I think what YDC people meant is exactly this, and they are demanding HF to grow higher and become a good Yokozuna.

Sumo basically is a game of ranks. Alpha male must dominate, and be accepted by the rest. The respect comes with responsibility. Desperate moves, or unnecessary roughness leads to questioning his authority, and dignity. So, Yokozuna has to maintain his dominance both physically and morally.

Edited September 27, 2012 by wanderer

[Zuikakuyama 1]

I agree with wanderer above.... A Yokozuna IS supposed to show power sumo, either Yorikiri or Oshi/tsuki sumo.

[Treblemaker 254]

Ok, I hear what's being said and all, but the list of restrictions put on this guy is rediculous. And he has yet to go one bout as Yok. Leave the guy alone and let him be as creative as he can. Speed, the element of surprise, cunning and thinking outside the box are what got him where he is.

Yok, Ozeki or otherwise: What's good for the goose is good for the gander. No harite? Ok, so outlaw it altogether. But don't tell me that Kise can slap him one good one, but he can't slap back. That's simply stupid.

And I remember watching Kitanoumi as Yok a few years ago via some old videos, and he seemed just brutal, from what I saw. He held no punches, so to speak. I think there were about 6-7 bouts, and his approach (it seemed to me at the time) was simply that of a bully. I might be totally wrong, and I can't seem to find too many old videos online now, but from what I'm reading, he certainly wasn't Gorgeous George.

[Washuyama 641]

And I remember watching Kitanoumi as Yok a few years ago via some old videos, and he seemed just brutal, from what I saw. He held no punches, so to speak. I think there were about 6-7 bouts, and his approach (it seemed to me at the time) was simply that of a bully. I might be totally wrong, and I can't seem to find too many old videos online now, but from what I'm reading, he certainly wasn't Gorgeous George.

Kitanoumi was definitely a badass and he usually displayed his dominance over those below ozeki often. But, due to his size and strength, he could go power for power with anybody. I don't feel HMF can do that with all comers.

I agree with you though... Leave the guy alone and let him do what got him to this point. If he breaks the rules and pees in the chikara-mizu or plays soccer while kyujo, then censure him.

[Fukurou 534]

I agree with wanderer above.... A Yokozuna IS supposed to show power sumo, either Yorikiri or Oshi/tsuki sumo.

Really? Where does it say that? A Yokozuna is supposed to win by legal means. (and a flying elbow or two thrown in for good measure must be ok too)

Edited September 28, 2012 by Fukurou

[Kuroyama 715]

I agree with wanderer above.... A Yokozuna IS supposed to show power sumo, either Yorikiri or Oshi/tsuki sumo.

I guess Hakuho is a borderline failure as a yokozuna, then, to judge from his kimarite stats.