Rikishi sez-Day 7

[Kintamayama]

Aran, doing only straightforward sumo this basho: "I'm finished with henka. I used to be ashamed watching my sumo on video.. I will gambarize in Makuuchi till June when we go to Moscow!!"

Masunoyama, after the pathetic matchup between him and Daidou-two seemingly seriously injured rikishi: "I think my opponent found it hard to fight.. As long as I manage to win, I will go all out and do my best.. "

Daidou, on not going kyujo: "I just twisted the ankle. Doesn't hurt much.. If I don't do better sumo I will disrespect the fans.."

Toyonoshima, avoiding consecutive losses and winning: " Today, a win or a loss made a big difference. I'd like to continue on this path so that I may face the Ozeki/Yokozuna in the second half.."

Myougiryuu, getting a morozashi hold against Kisenosato and attacking him, yet losing for the fifth time: "I had a chance to win, but I just couldn't attack..At the end, my waist just 'floated'."

Okinoumi, facing Goueidou tomorrow: "He is unbeaten and that makes me feel worked up.. I'll get into the mode and gambarize like I did when I got that kinboshi on day 2.."

Kotooushuu, getting his second loss: "I'll spring back". Tomorrow he faces Yokozuna Harumafuji. "Tomorrow is tomorrow!"

Takekaze, getting oshidashid by Yokozuna Harumafuji, 5th straight loss: "The win/loss thing is important, but the fact I got to face the Yokozuna builds up my confidence. It means I am still good enough to face him!!"

Hakuhou, winning all his keiko bouts against Goueidou before the basho: "The guys who trained with me are doing well, I guess.. But the keiko-ba and honbasho are not the same."

Ikioi, calmly winning his 6th: "I'm able to 'see' my opponents well. While going at it earnestly, I also am composed ." This is his third time in Makuuchi, and this time around he got to train with the Yokozuna during the jungyo. "I am mentally prepared and it shows in the results.. With every day that passes, I become more aware and it's getting hard to fall asleep. I'd like to face my opponents without thinking about them too much, one day, one bout, doing the best I can "

Edited November 17, 2012 by Kintamayama

[krindel]

Aran, doing straightforward sumo only this basho: "I'm finished with henka. I used to feel shame when I used to watch my sumo.. I will gambarize in Makuuchi till June when we go to Moscow!!" said Aran.

Hallelujah! Why in the blazes that behemoth chose to become a henka master (and an almost universally disliked rikishi as a result) is beyond me... I hope he keeps up the "new" method !

[ronnie]

What's the odds that Takayasu finds himself launching into thin air on day 8?

[Bugman]

Kinta you are the best :) Just out of curiosity, does anyone know off the top of their heads if Toyonoshima still wears his kesho mawashi with the little whale on it? He's got a different one on here http://sumo.goo.ne.j...kishi_2429.html and the whale was my favourite of all time, closely followed by Harumafuji's horse.

Edited November 17, 2012 by Bugman

[Kaioshoryu]

Kakuryu should take a lesson from Aran...

[Pocari]

Kakuryu should take a lesson from Aran...

Jeez, let the guy make his mistake. It's not like you've never made one.

[Kaioshoryu]

Kakuryu should take a lesson from Aran...

Jeez, let the guy make his mistake. It's not like you've never made one.

You're quite right about that, it's just that this henka was so unnecessary. And Kakuryu had been doing so well, having almost completely stopped henkaing people, which let's face it, he did quit a lot before. I'm just disappointed I guess...

[botev1921]

Henka or not - a win is a win and last time I checked there was no rule set in stone against that? It is irritating, but emphasizing too much on that is just stupid, especially considering how often we see it...just the other day Tokitenku did a monstrous henka too...I was pissed, but you have to live with it. If you can't sense and anticipate it, then avoid it and punish it - you are not worthy of winning the bout!

[Kintamayama]

Henka or not - a win is a win and last time I checked there was no rule set in stone against that? It is irritating, but emphasizing too much on that is just stupid, especially considering how often we see it..

Oh, wasn't it you complaining about Hakuhou's elbow and Harumafuji's slapping just the other day and calling them bad names? Elbow/slap or not - a win is a win and last time I checked there was no rule set in stone against that? Right? And before you tell me "it's not worthy of their rank" or whatever, the same goes for Kakuryuu in this case.

[botev1921]

Henka or not - a win is a win and last time I checked there was no rule set in stone against that? It is irritating, but emphasizing too much on that is just stupid, especially considering how often we see it..

Oh, wasn't it you complaining about Hakuhou's elbow and Harumafuji's slapping just the other day and calling them bad names? Elbow/slap or not - a win is a win and last time I checked there was no rule set in stone against that? Right? And before you tell me "it's not worthy of their rank" or whatever, the same goes for Kakuryuu in this case.

You can not be serious! Knocking someone unconscious with your elbow is the same as jumping to the side, right!

[botev1921]

For elbows and slaps there is another sport...it's called MMA in Europe and you can slap, choke, kick, elbow and punch the opponent as much as you want. It is not about ranks, it is about dignity and you can't compare henka, which happens 20+ times a week to elbows, which are a patent to a few. If you do, then why not watch MMA...you will love it more than sumo, I guarantee! To me, henka is fine no matter the rank as it is indeed helpful in developing anticipation, sense of the opponent, but slapping and elbowing is not suitable for sumo!

Edited November 17, 2012 by botev1921

[Kintamayama]

Well,. either you've been watching sumo for a month, or you really don't understand what it's about. Slaps and "elbows" as you call it, have been a part of sumo for ages. Suitable for Sumo? What does that mean exactly? Suitable to who? To you? I suggest you go back and watch some bouts and review the slap/henka ratio.

Edited November 18, 2012 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama]

Henka or not - a win is a win and last time I checked there was no rule set in stone against that? It is irritating, but emphasizing too much on that is just stupid, especially considering how often we see it..

Oh, wasn't it you complaining about Hakuhou's elbow and Harumafuji's slapping just the other day and calling them bad names? Elbow/slap or not - a win is a win and last time I checked there was no rule set in stone against that? Right? And before you tell me "it's not worthy of their rank" or whatever, the same goes for Kakuryuu in this case.

You can not be serious! Knocking someone unconscious with your elbow is the same as jumping to the side, right!

Yes, in the sense that both are legal moves in sumo. And a very small percentage of elbows end in knockouts. Most are used for diversion at the tachi-a and either work or don't.

[Pocari]

Kakuryu should take a lesson from Aran...

Jeez, let the guy make his mistake. It's not like you've never made one.

You're quite right about that, it's just that this henka was so unnecessary. And Kakuryu had been doing so well, having almost completely stopped henkaing people, which let's face it, he did quit a lot before. I'm just disappointed I guess...

Ah, old habits die slowly right? Mine definitely do anway....

[Swami]

Kakuryu was bare-faced with that henka, to say the least.

Swami

[ronnie]

Kakuryu was bare-faced with that henka, to say the least.

Not to mention empty handed!

[Pocari]

Kakuryu was bare-faced with that henka, to say the least.

Not to mention empty handed!

So, don't tell me he was flat-footed about it too?

[Asashosakari]

Kakuryu was bare-faced with that henka, to say the least.

Not to mention empty handed!

So, don't tell me he was flat-footed about it too?

To say nothing of being hare-brained.

Edited November 18, 2012 by Asashosakari

[Washuyama]

Kakuryu was bare-faced with that henka, to say the least.

Not to mention empty handed!

So, don't tell me he was flat-footed about it too?

To say nothing of being hare-brained.

Would all that amount to Kotoshogiku being heartbroken?

Edited November 18, 2012 by Washuyama

[kuroimori]

Kakuryu was bare-faced with that henka, to say the least.

Not to mention empty handed!

So, don't tell me he was flat-footed about it too?

To say nothing of being hare-brained.

Would all that amount to Kotoshogiku being heartbroken?

well, only his tell-tale heart can tell...

[ronnie]

Kakuryu was bare-faced with that henka, to say the least.

Not to mention empty handed!

So, don't tell me he was flat-footed about it too?

To say nothing of being hare-brained.

Would all that amount to Kotoshogiku being heartbroken?

well, only his tell-tale heart can tell...

Depends on how crestfallen he was about it.

[sumofan]

To me, henka is fine no matter the rank as it is indeed helpful in developing anticipation, sense of the opponent, but slapping and elbowing is not suitable for sumo!

I'm sure that if the kyokai agreed with you, it would be against the rules, or at least frowned upon. Given that the kyokai can complain about the most trivial matters, I'd say 'slapping and elbowing' is just fine. The world of sumo doesn't seem to worry about 'your' opinion of what is or is not suitable for sumo.