futagoyama Oyakata on Takanohana situation-day 8

[Kintamayama 47,132]

This was posted on the ML a while ago by Joe Kuroda:

Futagoyama oyakata told reporters waiting at the heya

located in Tokyo's Nakano-ward late Sunday night that

there was no decision made whether Yokozuna Takanohana

would retire or not on this day but the Yokozuna would

make it clear one way or another early Monday morning.

     

The oyakata indicated that he watched the bout on TV

at the heya after finishing his duty as the dohyo

judge for Juryo bouts on Sunday. He said he

subsequently visited the Yokozuna's home in the

neighboring Suginami-ward and discussed with him the

retirement question but reached no conclusion.

     

There was such a pandomonium surrounding the heya

buidling after 7 PM with over a hundred reporters and

TV remote vehicles positioned that the police had to

be called in to direct traffic as the residents around

the heya complained that they could not go outside

their home.

Futagoyama officials finally allowed them to come in

to the training area even though it was after 9 PM

until the oyakata arrived back from the Yokozuna's

home to ease the situation.  There was a strong

speculation that Takanohana would announce his

retirement.

"We have not yet reached a conclusion tonight. We've

agreed to come to a decision after thinking over

through the night. Ultimately the question is whether

he could maintain the drive and energy," said the

oyakata who did not clearly disclose his own feeling

but added, "I have expressed to him my own opinion.

There will be no more kyujo again. In my own case I've

decided after thinking it over one night too."

When further pressed by reporters that the only

remaining alternative was to either go through the

rest of basho or retire, the oyakata respondde,

"Exactly. But even if he won tomorrow (against

Kotonowaka on Day 9), it's possible he may eventually

decide to retire if he felt in his own mind he could

no longer win convincingly."

The oyakata also added that the yokozuna was still

training when he visited him earlier tonight.   "He's

been in the sumo for 15 years so there is no doubt he

could decide for himself."

[Guest Kyukenzan]

Whatever his immediate decision, I doubt he'll last long...

[QttP 0]

A great era is about to end... I have never been a real fan of Takanohana, but I feel sad.

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

Doom and gloom... (Grr...)

Never underestimate him.

[Onnagumo 4]

Doom and gloom... (Grr...)

Never underestimate him.

Do you mean Takanohana or his opponent tomorrow, Kotoseiya-zeki?  :-D

I know this is very, very, VERY unlike me, but I'm not sure if I want Koto to win tomorrow (I can't believe I wrote that!  (Blush...) ) Yes, he needs a win too, but he'll have six more days left to reach kachi-koshi, and I don't want to miss Taka yet! :~-(

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

Well, it's all over now. Amanogawa-zeki just told me Takanohana's intai was announced in radio.

[Guest Kyukenzan]

It is not the end. Neither is it an end, but a beginning. Long live Takanohana!

[Zentoryu 154]

As I wrote elsewhere, this is unfortunately how the great ones leave this sport...

Wow, I've been watching him for so long now, it's going to be hard knowing that I'll never see him wrestle again.

The Takanohana era is over... Is the Asashoryu era about to begin?

[Hoshifransu 0]

Is the Asashoryu era about to begin?

Great analysis. Chiyonofuji's era just ended with the beginning of young Takanohana's era which could end with a new era : young Asashoryu could become Yokozuna and he has a long career to come !  (Hehe...)

[Onnagumo 4]

Well, Kotonowaka got a free win today - then why am I not feeling happy..... :-D

I know Taka gave everything he had to this beautiful sport and its fans, and yes, I too think it's been more than enough, but still I feel sad now that it's really over....