Naganoyama

Not so strange really. Hakuho probably felt quite a part of the victory.

The Makuuchi play-off was won by Asashoryu width="100%"> After day 15,May 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 15 0 - 14 0 - 13 2 Asashoryu, Hokutoriki 12 2 Tamanoshima, Hakuho 11 0 - 10 4 Kaio, Iwakiyama, Kokkai, Kotoryu 9 6 Chiyotaikai, Wakanosato, Kotomitsuki,Kyokushuzan, Takekaze, Kaiho 8 6 Kotonowaka, Aminishiki, Hayateumi, Jumonji,Kinkaiyama, Takanowaka 7 6 Shimotori, Dejima, Tokitsuumi, Tochisakae,Tosanoumi, Futeno 6 4 Musoyama, Kyokutenho, Kakizoe, Takamisakari 5 2 Tochinonada, Kobo 4 4 Buyuzan, Harunoyama, Toki, Asanowaka 3 2 Miyabiyama, Asasekiryu 2 0 - 1 0 - 0 0 - width="100%"> After day 15,May 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 15 0 - 14 0 - 13 0 - 12 1 Tokitenku 11 1 Toyonoshima 10 4 Kasugao, Roho, Wakanoyama, Kotooshu 9 5 Toyozakura, Otsukasa, Wakatoba, Hamanishiki,Hagiwara 8 1 Takanotsuru 7 3 Tamakasuga, Gojoro, Wakakosho 6 6 Yotsukasa, Chiyotenzan, Ama, Bushuyama,Sumanofuji, Daishodai 5 1 Kitazakura 4 2 Kaido, Tochifudo 3 2 Oikari, Dewanofuji 2 0 - 1 0 - 0 0 - <

I have said what I wanted to say. I have no opinions on the critical point and therefore no fear of being lynched. Hokutoriki can expect no libellous statements from me. Sorry if you find that disappointing.

The reason I don't want to speculate is because I have absolutely no facts on which to base any sullying of Hokutoriki's name. The reason I mentioned other sports was because, if there were automatic drug tests in sumo as in other sports, such as athletics, tennis, etc, we would not have to wonder whether Hokutoriki's training has finally clicked into place or whether he has been taking drugs. I hope Hokutoriki's success this basho is due to hard work finally paying off. I have no reason to believe it is not.

cellpadding="3"> After day 14,May 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 14 0 - 13 1 Hokutoriki 12 1 Asashoryu 11 2 Tamanoshima, Hakuho 10 1 Kokkai 9 5 Chiyotaikai, Kaio, Iwakiyama, Kotoryu, Kaiho 8 8 Wakanosato, Kotomitsuki, Kyokushuzan, Takekaze,Hayateumi, Jumonji, Kinkaiyama, Takanowaka 7 5 Dejima, Tokitsuumi, Kotonowaka, Aminishiki,Futeno 6 7 Musoyama, Kyokutenho, Kakizoe, Shimotori,Takamisakari, Tochisakae, Tosanoumi 5 0 - 4 4 Tochinonada, Buyuzan, Harunoyama, Kobo 3 3 Miyabiyama, Toki, Asanowaka 2 1 Asasekiryu 1 0 - 0 0 - cellpadding="3"> After day 14,May 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 14 0 - 13 0 - 12 0 - 11 2 Tokitenku, Toyonoshima 10 2 Kasugao, Kotooshu 9 4 Roho, Wakanoyama, Hamanishiki, Hagiwara 8 4 Toyozakura, Otsukasa, Wakatoba, Takanotsuru 7 1 Wakakosho 6 6 Tamakasuga, Yotsukasa, Chiyotenzan, Ama, Gojoro,Bushuyama 5 3 Kitazakura, Sumanofuji, Daishodai 4 0 - 3 4 Kaido, Oikari, Dewanofuji, Tochifudo 2 0 - 1 0 - 0 0 - <

I don't even want to speculate on whether you are right. I do believe that in many sports, such a sudden improvement in performance would lead to drug tests.

Yes it just shows how much we rely on him. Also what a great guy he is, because it is so incredibly rare that he is late for any reason!

width="100%"> After day 13,May 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 13 0 - 12 1 Hokutoriki 11 1 Asashoryu 10 3 Tamanoshima, Kokkai, Hakuho 9 2 Kaio, Iwakiyama 8 7 Chiyotaikai, Wakanosato, Kyokushuzan, Takekaze,Kotoryu, Kaiho, Kinkaiyama 7 7 Kotomitsuki, Tokitsuumi, Kotonowaka, Hayateumi,Jumonji, Futeno, Takanowaka 6 5 Musoyama, Dejima, Tochisakae, Tosanoumi,Aminishiki 5 4 Kyokutenho, Kakizoe, Shimotori, Takamisakari 4 3 Tochinonada, Buyuzan, Harunoyama 3 3 Toki, Asanowaka, Kobo 2 2 Miyabiyama, Asasekiryu 1 0 - 0 0 - width="100%"> After day 13,May 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 13 0 - 12 0 - 11 1 Tokitenku 10 1 Toyonoshima 9 4 Kasugao, Roho, Kotooshu, Hagiwara 8 4 Otsukasa, Takanotsuru, Wakanoyama, Hamanishiki 7 2 Toyozakura, Wakatoba 6 4 Ama, Gojoro, Bushuyama, Wakakosho 5 4 Tamakasuga, Yotsukasa, Chiyotenzan, Sumanofuji 4 2 Kitazakura, Daishodai 3 4 Kaido, Oikari, Dewanofuji, Tochifudo 2 0 - 1 0 - 0 0 - <

Hakuho's okuritsuriotoshi had such a stamp of Asashoryu about it. He could easily just have okuridashi'd him, but had to teach him a lesson too.

I would have liked to see him against Hakuho and Kyokushuzan. Hakuho because he is doing well and is a bit of an unknown quantity as far as Riki is concerned and Kyokushuzan because he is such a wily character. I am going to be disappointed in at least one of these as Takekaze has been already been announced as his opponent for Day 14.

Of course that's yaocho and a rather serious version at that. It would surprise me if there would be anything pointing to such though. I didn't mean either that any money changed hands or even that anyone met to fix this. Just that someone might be less well motivated to beat Hokutoriki when they are regularly treated as a rag doll by Asashoryu. Also I was not picking on a particular opponent of Riki's. Sorry. I know we have been round and round the subject of what constitues yaocho. Perhaps what I was talking about was not the deliberate act of losing, only a rikishi not quite going for it with 100% of his will.

border="1"> After day 12,May 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 12 0 - 11 1 Hokutoriki 10 2 Asashoryu, Tamanoshima 9 3 Iwakiyama, Kokkai, Hakuho 8 4 Chiyotaikai, Kaio, Wakanosato, Kinkaiyama 7 7 Kyokushuzan, Takekaze, Kotoryu, Hayateumi,Kaiho, Futeno, Takanowaka 6 7 Musoyama, Kotomitsuki, Dejima, Tokitsuumi,Kotonowaka, Aminishiki, Jumonji 5 4 Kakizoe, Takamisakari, Tochisakae, Tosanoumi 4 3 Kyokutenho, Shimotori, Buyuzan 3 5 Tochinonada, Harunoyama, Toki, Asanowaka, Kobo 2 2 Miyabiyama, Asasekiryu 1 0 - 0 0 - border="1"> After day 12,May 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 12 0 - 11 0 - 10 1 Tokitenku 9 4 Kasugao, Kotooshu, Hagiwara, Toyonoshima 8 3 Takanotsuru, Roho, Wakanoyama 7 2 Otsukasa, Hamanishiki 6 4 Toyozakura, Wakatoba, Ama, Gojoro 5 4 Yotsukasa, Chiyotenzan, Bushuyama, Wakakosho 4 2 Tamakasuga, Sumanofuji 3 5 Kaido, Kitazakura, Dewanofuji, Daishodai,Tochifudo 2 1 Oikari 1 0 - 0 0 - <

Will his opponents 'melt away' to give him his opportunity. Not exactly yaocho, but preferring one yusho winner over another?

I've always thought he was waiting for the camera. He is a natural showman.

In the Haru Basho bout between Asashoryu and Kyokutenho, Shoryu attempted a tsuri move against Tenho and failed (possibly due to the length of Tenho's legs and the extra height which the lift therefore called for). I wondered at the time whether Tenho would see that a tsuridashi might be possible against Shoryu. I was too embarrassed to suggest it at the time, because it seemed too stupid for words. Well Tenho obviously didn't think it was stupid! It must be pleasant the for other rikishi, particularly Kotomitsuki, who is by some way Shoryu's favourite target for tsuri moves, to see him taking his own medicine.

border="1"> After day 11,May 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 11 0 - 10 1 Hokutoriki 9 2 Asashoryu, Tamanoshima 8 6 Kaio, Wakanosato, Iwakiyama, Kokkai, Kinkaiyama,Hakuho 7 5 Chiyotaikai, Kyokushuzan, Takekaze, Hayateumi,Futeno 6 6 Musoyama, Kotomitsuki, Tokitsuumi, Kotoryu,Kaiho, Takanowaka 5 5 Dejima, Kotonowaka, Tochisakae, Aminishiki,Jumonji 4 4 Kyokutenho, Kakizoe, Takamisakari, Tosanoumi 3 7 Tochinonada, Shimotori, Buyuzan, Harunoyama,Toki, Asanowaka, Kobo 2 2 Miyabiyama, Asasekiryu 1 0 - 0 0 - border="1"> After day 11,May 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 11 0 - 10 1 Tokitenku 9 1 Kotooshu 8 3 Kasugao, Hagiwara, Toyonoshima 7 4 Otsukasa, Takanotsuru, Roho, Wakanoyama 6 2 Toyozakura, Hamanishiki 5 6 Wakatoba, Chiyotenzan, Ama, Gojoro, Bushuyama,Wakakosho 4 3 Tamakasuga, Yotsukasa, Sumanofuji 3 3 Kaido, Kitazakura, Dewanofuji 2 3 Oikari, Daishodai, Tochifudo 1 0 - 0 0 - <

:-)

width="100%"> After day 10,May 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 10 0 - 9 2 Asashoryu, Hokutoriki 8 4 Kaio, Tamanoshima, Kinkaiyama, Hakuho 7 5 Chiyotaikai, Wakanosato, Iwakiyama, Kokkai,Futeno 6 6 Musoyama, Tokitsuumi, Kyokushuzan, Takekaze,Hayateumi, Kaiho 5 5 Kotomitsuki, Kotoryu, Aminishiki, Jumonji,Takanowaka 4 5 Kakizoe, Dejima, Kotonowaka, Tochisakae,Tosanoumi 3 6 Kyokutenho, Tochinonada, Shimotori,Takamisakari, Harunoyama, Asanowaka 2 4 Asasekiryu, Buyuzan, Toki, Kobo 1 1 Miyabiyama 0 0 - width="100%"> After day 10,May 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 10 1 Tokitenku 9 0 - 8 2 Kasugao, Kotooshu 7 4 Takanotsuru, Wakanoyama, Hagiwara, Toyonoshima 6 2 Otsukasa, Roho 5 6 Toyozakura, Wakatoba, Chiyotenzan, Ama,Hamanishiki, Wakakosho 4 3 Yotsukasa, Gojoro, Bushuyama 3 5 Tamakasuga, Kaido, Kitazakura, Sumanofuji,Dewanofuji 2 2 Oikari, Tochifudo 1 1 Daishodai 0 0 - <

Well what does his mean after all? (you know some guys don't actually speak russian around here....... (Showing respect...) ) -------------------- I trifilara.......i omadara pire protathlima pire kai kipello kai eseis oi gavroi ena papari......gamo ton Olympiako !!!!!! Manolaki....eee....vgaltin ekso......ooo.....natin doune....eeee...kai na pune....oooo !!!!! And your signature for those of us who don't understand Greek? (I assume it is Greek anyway and that it is something about athletes and the Olympics. Or monkeys - oooo - eeee - oooo!) (Punk rocker...)

width="100%"> After day 9,May 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 9 0 - 8 3 Asashoryu, Hokutoriki, Kinkaiyama 7 6 Kaio, Wakanosato, Tamanoshima, Kokkai, Futeno,Hakuho 6 3 Chiyotaikai, Iwakiyama, Takekaze 5 7 Musoyama, Kotomitsuki, Tokitsuumi, Kyokushuzan,Hayateumi, Kaiho, Jumonji 4 7 Kakizoe, Kotonowaka, Tochisakae, Kotoryu,Tosanoumi, Aminishiki, Takanowaka 3 5 Tochinonada, Shimotori, Dejima, Takamisakari,Harunoyama 2 5 Kyokutenho, Buyuzan, Toki, Asanowaka, Kobo 1 2 Miyabiyama, Asasekiryu 0 0 - width="100%"> After day 9,May 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 9 1 Tokitenku 8 0 - 7 5 Kasugao, Takanotsuru, Wakanoyama, Kotooshu,Toyonoshima 6 2 Otsukasa, Hagiwara 5 1 Roho 4 9 Toyozakura, Yotsukasa, Wakatoba, Chiyotenzan,Ama, Gojoro, Bushuyama, Hamanishiki, Wakakosho 3 4 Kaido, Kitazakura, Sumanofuji, Dewanofuji 2 2 Tamakasuga, Tochifudo 1 2 Oikari, Daishodai 0 0 - <

cellpadding="3"> After day 8,May 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 8 0 - 7 6 Asashoryu, Wakanosato, Hokutoriki, Kokkai,Kinkaiyama, Futeno 6 3 Kaio, Tamanoshima, Hakuho 5 5 Chiyotaikai, Tokitsuumi, Iwakiyama, Takekaze,Jumonji 4 10 Musoyama, Kotomitsuki, Kakizoe, Kotonowaka,Kyokushuzan, Tochisakae, Tosanoumi, Hayateumi, Kaiho, Takanowaka 3 6 Tochinonada, Shimotori, Takamisakari, Kotoryu,Harunoyama, Aminishiki 2 4 Kyokutenho, Dejima, Asanowaka, Kobo 1 4 Miyabiyama, Asasekiryu, Buyuzan, Toki 0 0 - cellpadding="3"> After day 8,May 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 8 1 Tokitenku 7 2 Takanotsuru, Toyonoshima 6 4 Kasugao, Otsukasa, Wakanoyama, Kotooshu 5 2 Roho, Hagiwara 4 6 Yotsukasa, Wakatoba, Chiyotenzan, Bushuyama,Hamanishiki, Wakakosho 3 4 Toyozakura, Kitazakura, Ama, Gojoro 2 4 Kaido, Sumanofuji, Dewanofuji, Tochifudo 1 3 Tamakasuga, Oikari, Daishodai 0 0 - <

Gifts are not to be judged. It wouldn't make us very grateful, would it? I agree with BuBa-san I was very grateful to Doitsu-san for going to the trouble of posting the bouts when Dale's satellite receiver broke. I would have been quite miserable waiting an extra day to see the action. So thanks (Shaking head...)

width="100%"> After day 7,May 2004, Makuuchi division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 7 1 Hokutoriki 6 5 Asashoryu, Wakanosato, Kokkai, Kinkaiyama,Futeno 5 5 Kaio, Tokitsuumi, Tamanoshima, Iwakiyama, Hakuho 4 8 Chiyotaikai, Kotomitsuki, Takekaze, Tochisakae,Tosanoumi, Hayateumi, Kaiho, Jumonji 3 9 Musoyama, Tochinonada, Kakizoe, Shimotori,Kotonowaka, Kyokushuzan, Kotoryu, Harunoyama, Takanowaka 2 5 Kyokutenho, Takamisakari, Aminishiki, Asanowaka,Kobo 1 5 Miyabiyama, Asasekiryu, Dejima, Buyuzan, Toki 0 - - width="100%"> After day 7,May 2004, Juryo division scores are: Wins Rikishi Shikona 7 1 Tokitenku 6 3 Otsukasa, Takanotsuru, Toyonoshima 5 4 Kasugao, Wakanoyama, Kotooshu, Hagiwara 4 7 Yotsukasa, Wakatoba, Chiyotenzan, Roho,Bushuyama, Hamanishiki, Wakakosho 3 1 Ama 2 5 Toyozakura, Kaido, Kitazakura, Gojoro,Dewanofuji 1 4 Oikari, Sumanofuji, Daishodai, Tochifudo 0 1 Tamakasuga <

I am indeed,Grimsby born and bred- We do seem to have a rather large Sumo following for such a small town- Also originally from Grimsby are brothers Jomojo and Jeijima who post here and their sister Kamejima who plays bench sumo in the sandamme division. Are you still living in Grimsby then Hidenohana? Grimsby must be the Aomori of the UK. :-(

Whatever he is on I want some too. Edit: not sure how to edit this so it doesn't sound like I think he is on something illegal. Last attempt didn't make sense. Hey Yoavo, 2000 posts. Cool B-)