Manekineko 200 Posted April 17, 2003 (edited) Here are few completely subjective and non-analytical impressions of Haru basho as broadcasted by Eurosport. 1. Asashoryu finally earned the caricature! And it's very like him, too. I wonder how long some of the other "newcomers" will have to wait to earn theirs. B-) 2. Together with his tsuna, Asashoryu has also aquired a bit of that unperturbed blank facial expression before the bout, and to some degree after it. It seems to go with the rank... I'll miss the expressive and exuberant Asashoryu. But in spite of all his dignity, he was so disgusted with that loss against Dejima (when he was hit by a flying zabuton on the hanamichi, no less), that he threw his sagari at one of his tsukebito. I wouldn't want to be Shoryu's tsukebito! (Eating...) Digression: How I miss Hoshifransu at moments like these - he'd again claim how that zabuton is a sign of Japanese audience's dislike of foreign yokozuna... ;-) :-P 3. We have again been blessed with shitaku-beya pictures, mostly focusing on Asashoryu and his opponents, but in last few days Chiyotaikai got deserved attention, too. I'm happy! :-D 4. After 9 days, I find it hard to understand how Akinoshima survived to fight another basho. He looks so empty, drained, lifeless... OK, so he always looks lifeless. ;-) 5. Syd Hoares idee fixe (sp?) for this basho is that the hight of the dohyo causes injuries, and that it should be lowered. But I can't remember the last really bad injury (except to gyoji, shinpan, journalists or audience) caused by fall from dohyo. Remind me! (Enjoying a beer...) And a few telegraphic ones to wrap it up: - Takanohana looks lost without a mawashi. - Kotonowaka is cuddly! :-P (In love...) - Kotomitsuki's painful to watch. :-( - Takamisakari defies description. (Applauding...) - Eurosport still hasn't corrected that "Oseki" title. >:-( Edited April 17, 2003 by Manekineko Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tokimori 0 Posted April 18, 2003 Did any swede see the swedish edition of day 7-9 of the Haru basho today? I saw it and was baffled by the incompetence of the swedish commentator. He claimed that only one from each foreign country would remain in a year. Yes, the same April fools message we got some time ago! Congrats to the makers of that joke! Booh to the swedish commentator! Pity for the swedish people who thinks that Kyokutenho will be kicked out in twelve months... (Eating...) >;-) (Enjoying a beer...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
QttP 0 Posted April 18, 2003 Digression: How I miss Hoshifransu at moments like these - he'd again claim how that zabuton is a sign of Japanese audience's dislike of foreign yokozuna... Syd Hoare did say that whenever a foreign yokozuna loses, there are always more pillows flying around... After 9 days, I find it hard to understand how Akinoshima survived to fight another basho. He looks so empty, drained, lifeless... OK, so he always looks lifeless. (Enjoying a beer...) It's like he had lost any sense of balance and coordination. His usual losing pattern is his opponent stepping aside or pulling him and he goes flying down or out... Syd Hoares idee fixe (sp?) for this basho is that the hight of the dohyo causes injuries, and that it should be lowered. But I can't remember the last really bad injury (except to gyoji, shinpan, journalists or audience) caused by fall from dohyo. Remind me! Haven't I suggested a similar idea before? And you didn't like it? What have you got against changing the dimensions of the dohyo a bit? I don't know how many injuries were caused by falling off the dohyo. Do you remember any bad injuries caused to the spectators? That's something I'd take into consideration too. Not saying that I want the dohyo changed right now. But I will keep it as an option. Maybe just make it softer down there... Eurosport still hasn't corrected that "Oseki" title. I don't know what's gotten to them. In all the bashos I've watched carefully (since Nagoya 2002) it was always "ozeki" and now "oseki". Also, notice that throughout the basho Musoyama was "Ozeki 1" and Taikai and Kaio were "Oseki 2"... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Manekineko 200 Posted April 18, 2003 Syd Hoare did say that whenever a foreign yokozuna loses, there are always more pillows flying around... That's why I'd really like to see a new and strong Japanese yokozuna, so we could compare the number of pillows flying... Taka's losses were such shocks to audience which desperately wanted him to continue, their heart weren't into it... I have to admit, I don't remember how it looked after Taka's defeats in his prime. I also don't remember any incidents of Taka or Waka being hit by a zabuton on the hanamichi, so there I have to agree with the sceptics. ;-) Haven't I suggested a similar idea before? And you didn't like it? What have you got against changing the dimensions of the dohyo a bit? Actually, I have nothing much against (nor for) changing the dimensions of the dohyo. I just don't think it would help any, and there have been opinions (by those more knowledgeable than me) that the height of the dohyo actually helps prevent injuries, because rikishi (like cats) have time to adjust their body position and fall in a less harming way. It's just like the "rikishi are too fat, hence more injuries" approach - it's too simplistic. (Eating...) Do you remember any bad injuries caused to the spectators? Nope, but I do remember gyoji with broken bones, although I can't remember if he was officiating the bout, or waiting beside the dohyo. (Enjoying a beer...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yubiquitoyama 4 Posted April 18, 2003 (edited) Did any swede see the swedish edition of day 7-9 of the Haru basho today? I saw it and was baffled by the incompetence of the swedish commentator. He claimed that only one from each foreign country would remain in a year. Yes, the same April fools message we got some time ago! Congrats to the makers of that joke! Booh to the swedish commentator! Pity for the swedish people who thinks that Kyokutenho will be kicked out in twelve months... (Eating...) Edited April 18, 2003 by Yubiquitoyama Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kashunowaka 300 Posted April 18, 2003 Did any swede see the swedish edition of day 7-9 of the Haru basho today? I saw it and was baffled by the incompetence of the swedish commentator. He claimed that only one from each foreign country would remain in a year. Yes, the same April fools message we got some time ago! Congrats to the makers of that joke! Booh to the swedish commentator! Pity for the swedish people who thinks that Kyokutenho will be kicked out in twelve months... (Applauding...)Â >:-PÂ ;-) Yes, that was clearly a case of bad information, but I suppose once in a while such things get through. That April fools joke at least had some staying power :-P You are being too lenient, Yubiquitoyama-zeki (Eating...) (In love...) By the way, I have never been a fan of Toki, but now after having seen "carbon Toki" Takanotsuru a couple of times, I must concede that perhaps the original Toki isn't so bad after all... (Enjoying a beer...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Naifuzan 1 Posted April 18, 2003 Crap! I Missed days 4-6, 7-9 and I'm gonna miss 13-15 as well. (Enjoying a beer...) Any news on when it's gonna be on next time? I have to tape it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yoavoshimaru 0 Posted April 18, 2003 don't know what's gotten to them. In all the bashos I've watched carefully (since Nagoya 2002) it was always "ozeki" Perhaps someone at Eurosport was reading our Japanese language questions thread and misunderstoof the replies there? (Eating...) (Enjoying a beer...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
QttP 0 Posted April 18, 2003 That's why I'd really like to see a new and strong Japanese yokozuna, so we could compare the number of pillows flying... Yeah! Let's all support Taikai for Yokozuna! Just so we can count the flying pillows! (Laughing...) (Laughing...) (Laughing...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Manekineko 200 Posted April 18, 2003 (edited) Yeah! Let's all support Taikai for Yokozuna! Just so we can count the flying pillows! As long as it's for a worthy cause... (Laughing...) Edited April 18, 2003 by Manekineko Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zentoryu 154 Posted April 18, 2003 About the "more cushions when a foreign yokozuna loses" the precedences are too far back to do any fair comparison. Wakanohana never was in a power situation as Yokozuna and a weak Yokozuna generally makes for less zabuton (since he loses more often). And Takanohana has been on the verge of retirement for some time now, so as Manekineko says, Taka in his heyday is the latest possible comparison, and that being 5 years back, I strongly doubt Syd Hoare has complete recollection of that. Whether he is right or not, a new strong Japanese Yokozuna is the only way to make a good comparison. Personally I can't say I care too much either way, but it does seem other people do, and therefore I think right should be right. I once wrote about this when I was arguing with Hoshifransu (a purely pointless venture as I now realize (Laughing...) ) about whether Musashimaru getting hit by a Zabuton while heading up the hanamichi was racism or not. I'll repeat what I wrote there. In 1998, my first full year of watching Sumo, I saw on ESPN an old basho highlight show from one of the tournaments in 1997 when Taka was very much in his prime. I don't remember which basho it was (ESPN rarely ever mentions the tournament names, just a general idea of what time of the year it took place, like spring or winter) nor do I remember who Taka's opponent was. What I do remember was that Taka lost and the shower of Zabuton that hit the dohyo was unbelievable ! To this day, I have never seen so many cushions thrown in the wake of a Yokozuna's loss. No one can claim that had anything to do with his being a foreigner can they? I never saw Taka get hit in the head while walking up the hanamichi, but I did see him get belted on at least two occasions while stepping off the dohyo. Besides, you'd have to be pretty darn close to him to be able to hit him, those cushions can't be too easy to aim. (Laughing...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenjimoto 40 Posted April 19, 2003 Did any swede see the swedish edition of day 7-9 of the Haru basho today? I saw it and was baffled by the incompetence of the swedish commentator. He claimed that only one from each foreign country would remain in a year. Yes, the same April fools message we got some time ago! Congrats to the makers of that joke! Booh to the swedish commentator! Pity for the swedish people who thinks that Kyokutenho will be kicked out in twelve months... (Shaking head...)Â >:-(Â (I was stupid...) Yes, that was clearly a case of bad information, but I suppose once in a while such things get through. That April fools joke at least had some staying power :-D Are you guys SERIOUS?? I wasn't following this thread, cause I am not at the mercy of Eurosport, but just now happened to come accross this tidbit.... Um.... BRRRUUUU WAAAA HAAA HAAAA HAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !! (Laughing...) So now we know that the Swedish commentator is a lurker on the SML! I herewith claim the self-proclaimed first prize for "Best Sumo April Fools Joke of 2003" - since I don't think any of the others made it on the AIR, (Laughing...) broadcasted as a "fact" in a major European country! (Laughing...) Cheers! Zenjimoto Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kashunowaka 300 Posted April 19, 2003 Are you guys SERIOUS?? Oh yes. He even repeated the information tonight (days 13-15). (Oops! ) I wasn't following this thread, cause I am not at the mercy of Eurosport, but just now happened to come accross this tidbit....Um.... BRRRUUUU WAAAAÂ HAAA HAAAA HAAAAA HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !! (Laughing...) So now we know that the Swedish commentator is a lurker on the SML! Wasn't the joke from a real sports site? Do you mean that you wrote it? (Sign of approval) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zentoryu 154 Posted April 19, 2003 Wasn't the joke from a real sports site? Do you mean that you wrote it? Well, Zenjimoto certainly posted it to the SML. I even wrote him back, complimenting him for making me fall over laughing. (Laughing...) Not a bad day's work if you ask me. (Laughing...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenjimoto 40 Posted April 20, 2003 (edited) Yeah, it's true... I made the whole thing up, including the fictional sports site, Tonkatsu Sports. (Laughing...) Tonkatsu is a breaded pork cutlet that closely resembles the Austrian national dish, Wiener Schnitzel! (I was stupid...) If you click on the link to the "article on the site", it goes nowhere, but if you look closely, it gave plenty of clues to what's going on: http://www.tonkatsu.ne.jp/eng/sumo/article...Krules.asp&4235 Somebody please call this poor chap at Eurosport Sweden, as to save him from more embarassment, and the Swedish sumo fans from more disinformation!! (Laughing...) (Laughing...) It's a good thing I didn't claim that Asasekiryu would try to acquire Swedish citizenship (I claimed he would turn himself into a German), cause the poor guy might have proclaimed that too, with great pride... "Sweden will have a Makuuchi rikishi and future Sanyaku hopeful next year".... (Shaking head...) Cheers! Zenjimoto Edited April 20, 2003 by Zenjimoto Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Manekineko 200 Posted April 21, 2003 Eurosport showed Daizen's farewell from active sumo, too - flowers, and everything. But Syd Hoare either didn't know or didn't bother to explain it... (Laughing...) Again, a big plus to directors, showing us these little gems (including sheepish Ushiomaru returning to get his kensho-kin). (Laughing...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
QttP 0 Posted April 21, 2003 Eurosport showed Daizen's farewell from active sumo, too - flowers, and everything. But Syd Hoare either didn't know or didn't bother to explain it... Yeah, I've noticed it too. Overall, Syd Hoare is a good commentator, but sometimes he forgets the simplest things. Like, he said that Shimotori hasn't got a sansho (he got Kanto-sho in Nagoya 2002). And once, on Senshuraku, Tamakasuga won to make his record 6-7-2, and Syd couldn't make up his mind whether he had kachi-koshi or make-koshi... He's not as fun as the russian commentators, though. One of them has a funny voice, and the other does everything, except comment on the actual bouts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yoavoshimaru 0 Posted April 22, 2003 He's not as fun as the russian commentators, though. One of them has a funny voice, and the other does everything, except comment on the actual bouts. I don't suppose there's a translation of these funny commentators somewhere? I only know two or three words in russian... (Laughing...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
QttP 0 Posted April 22, 2003 He's not as fun as the russian commentators, though. One of them has a funny voice, and the other does everything, except comment on the actual bouts. I don't suppose there's a translation of these funny commentators somewhere? I only know two or three words in russian... (Laughing...) With digital cable or satellite TV, you get to select which soundtrack you want on your Eurosport: British or Russian. When I tape sumo, I prefer Syd Hoare, but if I get to catch the reruns, I don't mind listening to the funny things the Russian duo has to say... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yoavoshimaru 0 Posted April 22, 2003 With digital cable or satellite TV, you get to select which soundtrack you want on your Eurosport: British or Russian That's cool. We can do that here with satellite TV but not with digital cable, which is a lot more common than satellite TV. Hopefully some day soon >(Laughing...) Where's the wishful thinking emoticon? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
QttP 0 Posted April 23, 2003 That's cool. We can do that here with satellite TV but not with digital cable, which is a lot more common than satellite TV. Hopefully some day soon >:-( Where "here"? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yoavoshimaru 0 Posted April 23, 2003 Where "here"? My city.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
QttP 0 Posted April 23, 2003 Where "here"? My city.. I see... Well, in Good Old Israel the soundtrack selection is available on both satellite and digital cable (which I have). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
