Haru 2022 Discussion Thread (SPOILERS!)

[Sue 482]

If you can say "Lee Harvey Oswald" or "Sally Jessy Raphael," you can say "Waka Taka Kage."

[Yarimotsu 522]

10 hours ago, sumojoann said:

I notice from watching the Japanese-language live broadcast on TV Japan that the Japanese announcers sound like machine guns when they pronounce Wakatakakage's name.  When I try to imitate them, it's pathetic.  I always end up adding an extra syllable or two.  Normally, I watch the Japanese live broadcast but the few times I have watched a Youtube video that featured the English-language announcers, they generally just sound out Wakatakakage's name, syllable by syllable.  His name really is quite easy to pronounce if you break it down that way.  WA-ka-TA-ka-KA-ge.

 

1 hour ago, Sue said:

If you can say "Lee Harvey Oswald" or "Sally Jessy Raphael," you can say "Waka Taka Kage."

To combine these sentiments, I think it's a matter of familiarity with the Japanese phonetic system to some degree. My own Japanese pronunciation improved massively when I listened to a native recite the phonetic alphabet at speed: a-i-u-e-o-ka-ki-ku-ke-ko-sa-shi-su-se-so-ta-chi-tsu-te-to etc. Trying to make it through the whole thing in order without a mistake is a challenge at first, but eventually with practice it became easy. And then you can increase the speed until you can go rapidfire. I still struggle with the ta-chi-tsu-te-to section though.

In general, if you're expecting to say and hear a japanese-language sound instead of an english-language sound when you see a japanese word in romaji, you'll find it much easier to pronounce at speed.

[RabidJohn 1,663]

21 hours ago, Kaminariyuki said:

Why, Wakatakakage simply trips off the tongue. I don't see a problem, unless you're British. 

Oi, I'm British and I have no problem either writing or saying Wakatakakage.

I hope he keeps the shikona, but I could understand a switch to Wakabayama if he clinches another promotion.

Btw, I've been likening him to Chiyonofuji for a while now. I believe I mentioned it for the first time this basho after his bout with Ichinojo, but I've commented on it before that. 
Up 'til now it's only come in flashes, though. If he can pull it off consistently there's no telling how far he could go.

[warusawa 3]

I was wondering how in the world Takayasu did not push Waka out in the last seconds of the bout. Then I noticed that before the final elbow from Takayasu, Waka grabbed his mawashi! And then used Taka's momentum to sling him out of the ring, while improving his own balance at the edge. The old judo (sumo?) principle - use other guy's momentum. These guys are agile. Whenever I say that I am a sumo fan I get weird looks and comments like - oh, the fat guys? And I want to reply - You wish you were so fast, agile and flexible like these fat guys, but I don't say anything. They wouldn't understand anyway. Kinda like wabi sabi, lol.

[nelimw 80]

On 27/03/2022 at 19:14, maglor said:

Or(possibly the best one), when Kaiketsu from M7 had to fight a Yokozuna, three Ozeki, two Sekiwake, and a Komusubi in his last 7 days. Then he lost to a Sekiwake in the playoff.

That Kaiketsu example is incredible. He only faced TWO rikishi that ended with a losing record in Haru 1972. 

[Naganoyama 5,841]

I also have no trouble with saying or writing Wakatakakage despite being British. I'm not sure whether you think our tongues are inserted the wrong way up in the factory or what?

Certainly British people are much less likely to speak foreign languages than our European counterparts, but that is not so true for us sumo fans.

[Reonito 1,335]

2 hours ago, warusawa said:

I was wondering how in the world Takayasu did not push Waka out in the last seconds of the bout. Then I noticed that before the final elbow from Takayasu, Waka grabbed his mawashi! And then used Taka's momentum to sling him out of the ring, while improving his own balance at the edge. The old judo (sumo?) principle - use other guy's momentum. These guys are agile. Whenever I say that I am a sumo fan I get weird looks and comments like - oh, the fat guys? And I want to reply - You wish you were so fast, agile and flexible like these fat guys, but I don't say anything. They wouldn't understand anyway. Kinda like wabi sabi, lol.

Takayasu also stepped on Waka's foot, which didn't help his balance.

[Churaumi 728]

My Midwestern American friends that I subject to sumo every two months can get his name down after a couple tries. They lose track of all the Ks.

[sumojoann 1,256]

In the following video, I am curious as to what the 2 reporters are saying to Wakatakakage and what he is saying in response to their questions and comments (all in Japanese).  At one point, Mitakeumi's name is mentioned and Wakatakakage hesitates in answering.  There is a lot of laughter throughout the interview.  Amazing to see this side of Wakatakakage's personality.  The actual interview starts after the playoff bout is shown (at 1:30). 

 

[Taliesin 68]

Interviewer: Here is Wakatakakage-zeki, who just won a spectacular yuushou. Congratulations!          Wakatakakage:  - Thank you.

I: Today was the  last day of the tournament, that decided a yuushou. How do you feel?               W: - I don't quite understand that feeling. Yeah

A person strongly suspected to be Iwatomo-oyakata, ex-maegashira Kimurayama: Hey, you should be more cheerful!             I:  Yeah, a little, why not...

K: After 2 consecutive losses to the fellow Toyo-uni graduate*! January and March. There are two of ours in makuuchi, right**?  W: Yes, that's right.

Another voice (Could it be Mitakeumi himself?): Well, and the following basho it will be the same.              W: I'll do my best. 

I: What will be your message to your fans, How's your enthusiasm, going into the next basho?       W: Yes. Thank you for supporting me for these 15 days. I'll make sure to do my best next basho as well, so please continue supporting me.

I: Next, who is your most respected senpai?  W: Kimurayama-zeki (Iwatomo-oyakata) K: //Victorious shout   Another voice: Liar. 

K: // Proposes creating Wakatakakage merch. W: Nods. K: Then how about it? Mitakeumi -Wakatakakage  W: Embarrassed face. Another voice: yeah, three of us. 

Everyone laughs

I: How will you use the prize money? W: I would like to have a delicious meal with my family. ... pause...  and with all my heya-mates as well. ... after. And as for what I will do after, it's not decided yet.

Everyone says thanks to each other.

* - Mitakeumi

** Kimurayama was from Toyo as well.

 

 

 

Edited March 29, 2022 by Taliesin

[Octofuji 327]

1 hour ago, sumojoann said:

In the following video, I am curious as to what the 2 reporters are saying to Wakatakakage and what he is saying in response to their questions and comments (all in Japanese).  At one point, Mitakeumi's name is mentioned and Wakatakakage hesitates in answering.  There is a lot of laughter throughout the interview.  Amazing to see this side of Wakatakakage's personality.

At the start he wasn't too forthcoming, just said the yusho doesn't seem real yet. Then the Oyakata encouraged him to enjoy the moment :)

They mentioned that Mitakeumi and Wakatakakage are both from Toyo University, and asked him which of his senpai he respected the most - he said ex-Kimurayama (Iwatomo Oyakata). The Oyakata then joked he should team up with Mitakeumi for some goodies - that's when he hesitated... but in the end they decided that some (very!) limited edition merch might be a goer.

[Benevolance 2,478]

5 hours ago, RabidJohn said:

Oi, I'm British and I have no problem either writing or saying Wakatakakage.

 

2 hours ago, Naganoyama said:

I also have no trouble with saying or writing Wakatakakage despite being British. 

Yeah, but when you Brits pronounce it it sounds remarkably like 'wooster cage' 

[Kaitetsu 277]

On 28/03/2022 at 19:25, Seiyashi said:

Sure, the name itself could have been associated with great accomplishments, but it doesn't "promote" the name in prestige within the context of a family lineage. Arguably it works the other way round where a great achievement as a bearer of a lesser name is what entitles the taking up of a more prestigious one.

Ohhh, thats interesting! Thanks for the explanation Seiyashi, now I can see how it normally works. Now I am kinda curious to see Kotonowaka rising to ozeki to continue the family tradition.

[Kaitetsu 277]

On 28/03/2022 at 19:25, Seiyashi said:

If Wakatakakage has kids some day, we could see a Wakatakakage II.

Also, I have heard in some places that he does have 4 kids ALREADY! He is definetely married and does have kids (Source - The Asahi Shimbun), it is just not clear how many.

[sumojoann 1,256]

On 28/03/2022 at 13:25, Seiyashi said:

If Wakatakakage has kids some day, we could see a Wakatakakage II.

Wakatakakage is married with a 3-year-old daughter.  Maybe by the time she grows up, women will be allowed in professional sumo, and SHE can be Wakatakakage II.

Edit to add:  Wakatakakage having only one child was the latest information I had.  However, since he mentioned "kids" in The Asahi Shimbun article, apparently he has more.  According to an article I read, he married in 2018 and had a daughter in Jan 2019.  He obviously has at least one more.

Edited March 30, 2022 by sumojoann

[Godango 956]

4 hours ago, Kaitetsu said:

Also, I have heard in some places that he does have 4 kids ALREADY! He is definetely married and does have kids (Source - The Asahi Shimbun), it is just not clear how many.

 

1 hour ago, sumojoann said:

Wakatakakage is married with a 3-year-old daughter.  Maybe by the time she grows up, women will be allowed in professional sumo, and SHE can be Wakatakakage II.

Edit to add:  Wakatakakage having only one child was the latest information I had.  However, since he mentioned "kids" in The Asahi Shimbun article, apparently he has more.  According to an article I read, he married in 2018 and had a daughter in Jan 2019.  He obviously has at least one more.

This article from July 2021 mentions four kids. The relevant line: 

• He is a growing 26-year-old who speaks calmly, but in his personal life, he is a happy family man: he got married in 2018 and already has four children. 

Edited March 30, 2022 by Godango

[sumojoann 1,256]

3 hours ago, Godango said:

 

This article from July 2021 mentions four kids. The relevant line: 

• He is a growing 26-year-old who speaks calmly, but in his personal life, he is a happy family man: he got married in 2018 and already has four children. 

That's pretty amazing.  Considering that he got married in May 2018, had a daughter in Jan 2019, and then ................ fast forward to July 2021 when the article was written, suddenly he has 4 children!

[Yamanashi 3,724]

5 hours ago, sumojoann said:

That's pretty amazing.  Considering that he got married in May 2018, had a daughter in Jan 2019, and then ................ fast forward to July 2021 when the article was written, suddenly he has 4 children!

There's nothing you can't do if you gambarize®.

 

[SDM 9]

I thin Wakatakakage is a great name

Once you get over the initial reaction its quite easy to say and, as some have said, a lot of fun.

People struggling with it should practice their a i u e o ...

It helps once you stop trying to say it as an English/.... word and instead as a Jp word

Also a well deserved win although both leaders made a commendable effort.

Commiserations to Takayasu but dont give up!

[Chiyotasuke 257]

I just now realized that Hoshoryu's result in his Komusubi debut is the same as his shisho , heya-mate Meisei and uncle's debuts (8-7). They all got their kachi-koshi on the final day too

[Amamaniac 2,078]

Admittedly, this observation comes a little late (almost a month after the Osaka Tourney wrapped), but I am still playing catch-up.

My question is, has there ever been another tournament were a wrestler has led or been a co-leader for all 15 days (i.e., Takayasu) and then lost in the end?  Something tells me this may have been a first.

[Kishinoyama 582]

32 minutes ago, Amamaniac said:

Admittedly, this observation comes a little late (almost a month after the Osaka Tourney wrapped), but I am still playing catch-up.

My question is, has there ever been another tournament were a wrestler has led or been a co-leader for all 15 days (i.e., Takayasu) and then lost in the end?  Something tells me this may have been a first.

Konishiki won 14 in a row and lost to Asahifuji twice on the last day. The second loss of course was in a playoff. 

[Kamitsuumi 384]

3 hours ago, Amamaniac said:

Admittedly, this observation comes a little late (almost a month after the Osaka Tourney wrapped), but I am still playing catch-up.

My question is, has there ever been another tournament were a wrestler has led or been a co-leader for all 15 days (i.e., Takayasu) and then lost in the end?  Something tells me this may have been a first.

Hakuho giveth and Hakuho taketh away:
https://sumodb.sumogames.de/Banzuke.aspx?b=200905
https://sumodb.sumogames.de/Banzuke.aspx?b=201207
https://sumodb.sumogames.de/Banzuke.aspx?b=202107

[Yaochozuna 137]

On 30/03/2022 at 14:17, Yamanashi said:

There's nothing you can't do if you gambarize®.

 

Ok, that explains why gambarization … uh, gambarizement … gambarizedom … er, gambarizehood … why the thing is so popular.