Quotes from Day 12

[madorosumaru 7]

Quotes mostly from Mainichi:

Asashoryu stifled Tochiazuma with an elbow that almost lifted him off his feet. From there the Yokozuna moved quickly. He yanked at the Ozeki

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

Kakizoe (On his henka victory over Ozeki): 

[Taka 33]

Ama (Needing one more win for KK):

Edited January 20, 2005 by Taka

[madorosumaru 7]

Ama (Needing one more win for KK):

[QttP 0]

I find the constant reference to Takamisakari as "Robo" confusing, due to the presence of some guy called "Roho" and the subtle similarity between the small english letters 'b' and 'h'. Not to mention that I find the nickname "Robo" annoying as hell, but there's nothing that can be done with that one, as it's stuck with him for life.

[Kashunowaka 300]

I find the constant reference to Takamisakari as "Robo" confusing, due to the presence of some guy called "Roho" and the subtle similarity between the small english letters 'b' and 'h'.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree. I enjoy the Rikishi Talk posts very much, and they would be even better without the nicknames. "Ryu" has also stumped me a couple of times.

[madorosumaru 7]

I find the constant reference to Takamisakari as "Robo" confusing, due to the presence of some guy called "Roho" and the subtle similarity between the small english letters 'b' and 'h'. Not to mention that I find the nickname "Robo" annoying as hell, but there's nothing that can be done with that one, as it's stuck with him for life.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As the media remind us constantly, it is his "performance" that accounts for his immense popularity, not his sumo ability.

If you should be annoyed at anything, you ought to point to the rikishi that consciously exploits his own robot-like persona to considerable monetary advantage.

[Kintamayama 45,543]

Robo (After his first victory in six bouts against nemesis Takanosato: 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nitpicker, Inc.

Should read Takanowaka.

Thanks for the excellent translations and hard work, again..

[madorosumaru 7]

Robo (After his first victory in six bouts against nemesis Takanosato:

[madorosumaru 7]

Compiled from various news reports:

Asashoryu is not only the strongest, the fastest, the most versatile . . ., he is also smart. No wonder he dominates.

Yesterday, Tochiazuma found out to his great chagrin. Against the only rikishi with a winning record over him, the yokozuna was faultless. At tachiai, he blasted Azuma with an elblow block that staggered the ozeki and stopped him in his tracks. In an instant he had neutralized the vaunted strength of the low-charging Azuma. Then, before his opponent could recover, he yanked at his left arm and twisted his body around. Azuma could offer little resistance as he was summarily pushed out of the dohyo.

"That was good sumo for a change. I've been losing to him a lot. I was conscious of that in this bout. It was intelligent sumo," Ryu said in the dressing room afterwards, sounding satisfied.

Azuma, on the other hand, sounded thoroughly defeated. "I expected him to go for the left front mawashi, but he attacked the right side. I felt I did all that I could do, but nothing worked. Look, he [fooled me by going] to the right side. He's two or three steps ahead of me. He's gonna get zensho yusho."

Despite his convincing victory, Ryu wasn't happy. He feels all alone in his race to the championship. "All the top guys are futzing around. I can understand that they are not in top physical shape. But I'm not feeling that well either. I don't want to sound high-and-mighty, but [you guys] know what I mean . . ."

Ryu had words of encouragement to Azuma. He also had exhorted Kaio, Hakuho and Kotooshu earlier. That's fairly unusual for a yokozuna during a basho. When asked if felt that confident, he replied sadly, "It's because [the guys who should be winning] are so lackluster." Ryu wants some legitimate rivals. Tough hombres whom he can whup to show his stuff.

It's easy to seel the painful difference in abilty. Kitanoumi Rijicho said, "It's one thing to run away against strong opposition. But that's not the current situation. There is just too much of a gap [between Ryu and the others]. It's not that I think Ryu practices a lot. It's more like those around him are not doing enough."

The guys who are supposed to be his rivals are faltering. Kaio is kyujo; Taikai is on verge of demotion; Azuma has his hands full with his effort to return to ozeki.

Before the basho, Ryu lamented the sad sight of Robo shrinking away when he designated him for keiko. "I thought people wanted to do keiko so they could become stronger. I've never seen anything like that."

Ryu came into the tournament cold--without much keiko. Still, the only ones that can even be considered to be pursuing him are new-Komusubi Hakuho and M14 Kasugao. There is no way his competitive spirit can be satisfied. His repeated plea, "I need a rival," reflects the current crisis of sumo as a sport.

[Araiguma_Rascal 0]

As the media remind us constantly, it is his "performance" that accounts for his immense popularity, not his sumo ability.

If you should be annoyed at anything, you ought to point to the rikishi that consciously exploits his own robot-like persona to considerable monetary advantage.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I

[QttP 0]

I find the constant reference to Takamisakari as "Robo" confusing, due to the presence of some guy called "Roho" and the subtle similarity between the small english letters 'b' and 'h'. Not to mention that I find the nickname "Robo" annoying as hell, but there's nothing that can be done with that one, as it's stuck with him for life.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As the media remind us constantly, it is his "performance" that accounts for his immense popularity, not his sumo ability.

If you should be annoyed at anything, you ought to point to the rikishi that consciously exploits his own robot-like persona to considerable monetary advantage.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

One doesn't detract from the other.