Quotes from Day 14 - Nagoya 2006

[madorosumaru 7]

Asashoryu: (Reflecting on his yusho) I felt strongly that I needed to re-start from the very beginning and win the yusho. [Having to go kyujo last basho] was really tough and there were a lot of uncertainties this basho. However, as I got it going, I was able to do the kind of sumo I wanted.

More Ryu: A lot of things have been said about me, but I really worked hard. I think I am going to feel happier and happier [as I realize what I have accomplished].

Even more Ryu: (On his injured elbow) It's a bit better. (On his conditioning) I "shined and polished" my body with perspiration. That's how much I love sumo.

Kitanoumi Rijicho: There was not a single bout this basho where he was even threatened. Only when he wins yusho can one say a yokozuna returning from kyujo has recovered. [Asashoryu] has accomplished that, so one must say his recovery is complete. He did well to win 14 in a row.

Takasago Oyakata, Ryu's shisho: He committed [himself] to quick, well-thought-out sumo. His physical condition was not perfect so he was doubly cautious in his approach. There is no more for me to say.

Mihogaseki Oyakata: For the first half [of the basho] he was cautiously checking out the situation. After that, it was back to the normal strong Asashoryu. I get the sense that he is way ahead of the pack.

Kokonoe Oyakata: He was returning from kyujo but he raised his pace as he went along. This was a yusho he won with [all phases of sumo]--speed, strength and skill.

Hakuho: (Calm in analysis of his bout with Kaio) I was able to stop and straighten him up. From there, I was able to get into my position. That was the main reason for my victory.

Kaio: That was an important bout for me too. I can't do much in migi-yotsu. I got caught in a bad position which I couldn't afford to be.

Kisenosato: (KK with win over Roho) I didn't force things at the start. Once I grabbed the uwate, I attacked with all I had.

More Kise: (Looking to the future) [KK] is great, but that's only the beginning.

Baruto: (Komatasukui--a new waza for The Creature?) Nah, it's "kuchiki-taoshi" from judo. That's the first time I used it in sumo. I'm going to use it again from now on.

More Bart: (Possible sanyaku in Aki?) C'mon, now. Little ole me? (Laugh) (ed.--Freely translated)

Miyabiyama: (Slapping down Mickey for his ninth win) Since I got kachi-koshi yesterday, you could say I was more relaxed today.

More Miya-babe: (With another win, there is still a chance for ozeki?) Nah, I don't think so. That'll only add to the pressure. (Laugh)

Tamanoshima: (Losing on a tachiai henka) I guess I am at fault, too, for not expecting [a move like that]. I don't mind if I lose by doing sumo. I just wanted [the opportunity] to do some sumo.

Kokkai: (Komusubi next basho?) After I won my eighth, I thought I may have a chance. I'm a bit tense [because of that].

Tochiazuma: (Six straight losses) It's getting so I don't know what the heck is going on. If I can't move my feet properly, I can't do my [style of] sumo.

Chiyotaikai: (No chance against the champ) The yokozuna's intensity towards his bouts is simply awesome. He just doesn't have the same kind of ups-and-downs that I do in a basho. It's something that I need to learn from him.

Kotooshu: (Managing to avoid make-koshi) I didn't want to lose anymore than I have already. I plan to do a lot of keiko and get back my strength. . . . (Followed by exasperated silence)

[Olenishiki 0]

Tamanoshima: (Losing on a tachiai henka) I guess I am at fault, too, for not expecting [a move like that]. I don't mind if I lose by doing sumo. I just wanted [the opportunity] to do some sumo.

As always, thanks so much for these translations! (Clapping wildly...)

Just wondering. Do you have any sense, from the sources you work with, whether Dejima declined to say anything for himself after that particularly heinous henka? Or was he hiding from the press? Or didn't anyone ask the question? (By the way, as bad as it was, it's true that Tamanoshima should have kept his eyes open. I don't think this is the first time that Dejima has done this.)

[Asojima 2,874]

I don't think this is the first time that Dejima has done this.)

It may not be the first time, but by my memory, henka from Dejima is very rare.

[Olenishiki 0]

I don't think this is the first time that Dejima has done this.)

It may not be the first time, but by my memory, henka from Dejima is very rare.

I have the same impression. But I think his rare use has been striking. I don't remember the exact instances, but I do have the strong impression that they were as nasty as this one. If I had this impression, I'd think a well-prepared rikishi would too. I'm a long-time and faithful but satellite-remote observer of this great sport, so this isn't a rhetorical question: Do the better rikishi keep at least mental notes on the fighting particularities of their opponents, rather like the better baseball pitchers and batters carefully study each other's strengths and weaknesses?

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

Chiyotaikai: (No chance against the champ) The yokozuna's intensity towards his bouts is simply awesome. He just doesn't have the same kind of ups-and-downs that I do in a basho. It's something that I need to learn from him.

This is a rather interesting comment I think. A year and a half ago me and Maguroyama discussed Chiyotaikai's "deader than dead" basho quotes and counted the days to his retirement. This comment rather sounds as if it comes from some 23-year-old new Ozeki just burning for learning new things to apply in the future... Maybe just a one-off, but interesting notwithstanding...

(Clapping wildly...)

[Olenishiki 0]

Chiyotaikai: (No chance against the champ) The yokozuna's intensity towards his bouts is simply awesome. He just doesn't have the same kind of ups-and-downs that I do in a basho. It's something that I need to learn from him.

This is a rather interesting comment I think. A year and a half ago me and Maguroyama discussed Chiyotaikai's "deader than dead" basho quotes and counted the days to his retirement. This comment rather sounds as if it comes from some 23-year-old new Ozeki just burning for learning new things to apply in the future... Maybe just a one-off, but interesting notwithstanding...

(Clapping wildly...)

And he's been trying consistently to do straight-ahead sumo--even with the massive Baruto and even after Baruto's henka injured him.

[Elenrian 0]

(Followed by exasperated silence)

Don't be shy, little Koto- chouchou!! (Clapping wildly...)

[madorosumaru 7]

Just wondering. Do you have any sense, from the sources you work with, whether Dejima declined to say anything for himself after that particularly heinous henka? Or was he hiding from the press? Or didn't anyone ask the question?

The Japanese press do not make a big deal over henka. Today, the news is about Ryu's yusho, Hakuho's tsunatori and Miyabi's hope for ozeki. Tamanoshima's quote was buried in the "Quotes of the Day" section of a paper with no elaboration. What else is new? Nobody who loses by henka is ever happy about it. Everyone who wins by henka is always sheepishly apologetic about it but invariably has an excuse for it.

Tamanoshima was particularly upset yesterday because (this is my take) he felt he was in a streak and still a part of the yusho race and sansho consideration and, thus, deserved the "courtesy" of a fair fight. Dejima, on the other hand, was going for his eighth win. He is also a former ozeki who is yo-yoing in maegashira of late. The last thing he had in his mind was any such "courtesy" toward his opponent.

Tamanoshima reacted emotionally on the dohyo, but upon settling down, he realized he has no one but himself to blame. Henka is part sumo, just as it is part of life--just ask Charlie Brown.

Do the better rikishi keep at least mental notes on the fighting particularities of their opponents, rather like the better baseball pitchers and batters carefully study each other's strengths and weaknesses?

Yes. That is why they are the better rikishi.

[Taka 33]

I don't think this is the first time that Dejima has done this.)

It may not be the first time, but by my memory, henka from Dejima is very rare.

I have the same impression. But I think his rare use has been striking. I don't remember the exact instances, but I do have the strong impression that they were as nasty as this one.

This was in my early years of following sumo (and I probably didn't even know what henka was back then) but didn't he henka Akebono for Yusho back in 99?

Edited July 22, 2006 by Taka

[Olenishiki 0]

I don't think this is the first time that Dejima has done this.)

It may not be the first time, but by my memory, henka from Dejima is very rare.

I have the same impression. But I think his rare use has been striking. I don't remember the exact instances, but I do have the strong impression that they were as nasty as this one.

This was in my early years of following sumo (and I probably didn't even know what henka was back then) but didn't he henka Akebono for Yusho back in 99?

I think you're right. And didn't he henka Chiyotaikai just last March? Chiyo sure thought so. (Remember the extra shove?)

[serv 0]

...

Kitanoumi Rijicho: ... He did well to win 14 in a row. [Now the Yokozuna should lose tomorrow to Hakuho...]

Do you guys think there's some sort of control or subdue on rikishi from the governing body of JSA? for example, if the JSA wanted to have another Yokozuna they could say Asashoryu to lose for Hakuho, etc.

Edited July 23, 2006 by serv