Miyabiyama Intai

[kuroimori 1,634]

Miyabiyama decided not to continue in Makushita and called it quits - according to Jiji Press.

[Mark.Buckton 68]

kudos to Jiji this time - more often than not the also-rans in news releases in Japan.

Sad to see him go. Interviewed him in 2008. Could barely stand unaided then. Strong man to keep going so long, but owning a LOT of art from one of Japan's most famous artists, and a decent sized transportation business in Japan will not be short of a bob or two.

[Pippooshu 1]

Former Ozeki for a bit and former Sekiwake for a long time, I remember. He won 8 sansho prizes also and 2 kinboshi. 2 Makushita and 2 Juryo yusho for him and 1 Ise tournament also (it's not an hon-basho tournament but it's good...). Miyabiyama has been a great! (Clapping wildly...) (Clapping wildly...)

[Swami 245]

Was he having trouble securing a kabu?

Swami

[Yubinhaad 11,698]

He is now Futagoyama-oyakata.

[krindel 671]

So he is staying in sumo? Excellent news!

[Raishu 208]

He is now Futagoyama-oyakata.

And surprisingly listed as the owner (Takanohana selling his cross ichimons ... weird).

Maybe that explains ex-Kobo's switch a few weeks ago.

[Masumasumasu 902]

G-d bless Miyabiyama!

[Asashosakari 19,344]

He is now Futagoyama-oyakata.

And surprisingly listed as the owner

I don't think it's possible to draw that conclusion yet; he's higher up the table because he's immediately been made iin taigu toshiyori (he's been placed right below ex-Kaio), not necessarily because he owns the share. We haven't actually seen an ex-ozeki on a borrowed kabu since Kirishima, so it's hard to tell what that would look like in the oyakata rankings.

The closest case right now is ex-Musashimaru who did have to give up iin taigu status when he changed to a kabu on loan, but he had also exhausted his five-year grace period. Let's put it this way - if Miyabiyama was taking his own three-year grace period now, he would clearly be allowed to become iin taigu. (Tochiazuma and Musashimaru were.) Maybe they have decided that he can't be treated worse just because he has taken an actual share, even if it's one on loan.

Edited March 24, 2013 by Asashosakari

[Raishu 208]

He is now Futagoyama-oyakata.

And surprisingly listed as the owner

Let's put it this way - if Miyabiyama was taking his own three-year grace period now, he would clearly be allowed to become iin taigu. (Tochiazuma and Musashimaru were.) Maybe they have decided that he can't be treated worse just because he has taken an actual share, even if it's one on loan.

Good point. I didn't look at it from that perspective.

So essentially, it does not matter whether he is on the banzuke as Miyabiyama or Futagoyama (when it comes to climbing up the ranks)?

If so, why picking up a kabu on loan?

Three years are a long period of time. Especially with all these mandatory retirements ahead.

[Asashosakari 19,344]

So essentially, it does not matter whether he is on the banzuke as Miyabiyama or Futagoyama (when it comes to climbing up the ranks)?

I'm just speculating. It's entirely possible that he has in fact acquired the Futagoyama kabu, I'm just saying there's not enough evidence to be sure. My "grace period possible under any name" theory could be completely wrong. Edited March 24, 2013 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari 19,344]

Hmm, I didn't realize until now that Miyabiyama actually made it into the top 10 all-time in makuuchi basho with 82 (9th place). Longest tenure of all collegiate rikishi, beating Tochinonada by one basho and Tosanoumi by two.

Edit: And an interesting choice by Miya for his most memorable bout during his intai interview - winning on Day 1 of the Haru 2002 basho, back on the dohyo as a maegashira after dropping from ozeki and out of sanyaku due to injury.

Edited March 24, 2013 by Asashosakari

[Exil 301]

:'-( Not that I didn't see it coming, but... :'-(

For old times' sake:

[ScreechingOwl 343]

I was never attracted to Miyabiyama's style, but he had a long and at times distinguished career. I think it does have to be noted, however, that, like another former ozeki, Chiyotaikai, his memory would have been better served had he retired one basho sooner.

[Kuroyama 715]

I was never attracted to Miyabiyama's style, but he had a long and at times distinguished career. I think it does have to be noted, however, that, like another former ozeki, Chiyotaikai, his memory would have been better served had he retired one basho sooner.

I disagree. I think there's a lot to be said for having the persistence and dedication to not give up until the bitter end. Especially now that we know he had a kabu waiting for him. He might have retired at any point over the past couple of years, most likely.

[Flohru 176]

I was never attracted to Miyabiyama's style, but he had a long and at times distinguished career. I think it does have to be noted, however, that, like another former ozeki, Chiyotaikai, his memory would have been better served had he retired one basho sooner.

I disagree for another reason: I don't think that the memory of long-standing guys like Miyabiyama or Chiyotaikai can really be hurt by one or two basho more or less. In three years nobody will remember Miyabiyamas ill-fated Juryo stint. Heck, I had already forgotten about the four Sekiwake bouts Chiyotaikai had before finally retiring...

[Kintamayama 45,144]

Miyabiyama will make it back to Ozeki. You'll see.

[Ruziklao 34]

Miyabiyama will make it back to Ozeki. You'll see.

Do you expect yokozuna run too?

[Kuroyama 715]

Miyabiyama will make it back to Ozeki. You'll see.

Do you expect yokozuna run too?

Every Ozeki is always on a Yokozuna run every time he gets at least a Jun-yusho, without exception, and promotion is always immanent.

[tarako 3]

I'll miss him. Over the last few years he wore more bandages than the rest of the makuuchi combined, but on a good day he could still bust a move :)

[sashimaru 10]

Goodbye Miyabiyama

The outstanding dohyo diver.

[aderechelsea 125]

i have an ex that will lose all her interest in sumo.

She still holds dearly to that Miya tegata i got from John as a prize for my win in his forum game back in 2006.

personally i was never a fan but i always like him around makuuchi.

he should join Musashimaru in his new heya. You know this is happening ....

[Kintamayama 45,144]

"Danpatsushiki either after Hatsu or Natsu next year," said his shisho Fujishima Oyakata.

Edited April 11, 2013 by Kintamayama

[charliki 16]

Between Haru and Nagoya 2006, Miyabiyama won 34 times. He could have been twice ozeki (Kisenosato became ozeki with 32 wins, Kotoshogiku and Kakuryu, with 33 wins).

[Asameshimae 220]

I think I kind of remember that. I am sure the kyokai was once bitten twice shy on that one. It certainly seemed even to me during his Ozeki career that his performance was not up to Ozeki standards, and I always loved the guy.