Oikeassa

Thanks to both of you for the quick replies. Problem not solved, but dealt with: The stream does NOT work with WMP11, but I acessed the stream on the first attempt with another computer using WMP9. Thanks again, Asojima and Kintamayama.

Is there some "secret" to the new feed? I try to connect, get the japanese characters in the bottom left corner of WMP, but then get the network error that "Windows Media Player cannot play the file because a network error occurred. The server might not be available. Verify that you are connected to the network and that your proxy settings are correct." Is it already overloaded--I've been trying and getting the same error message since 3:00 JST. Thanks to any experts out there who can help!

Experts: Has it ever happened that the YOKOZUNA and FIVE OZEKIS all lost on the same day? I would certainly think that this is a first.

what goes around comes around... you might as well be mad at Kaio for breaking elbows. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> . . . or be mad at Chiyotaikai for always slapping people around. I wonder how much Kotooshu is thinking about today's match: I guess we'll all see how much additional punishment his injured face can take.

I admit to disliking henkas in most cases, but in sanyaku they really seem out of place to me. So what about Days 10 & 11--who are really the biggest culprits? Is Tosanoumi just an idiot for being unprepared (and going makekoshi in the process) or are these two (supposed) ozekis just disrespectful of their rank?

How about the almost comical Tokitsuumi vs. Ama? (see http://www.banzuke.com/~juryoika/200503/ )

What the heck is going on? Seems like everyone below ozeki (and even some of them) are trying to henka this basho! Does anybody track such information--and, if true, why this sudden fondness for trickery?

"Poor Takamisakari"!? When he does his face-slapping finale before a bout, the other rikishi just stands in his corner--boiling and getting pissed. As much as the cash bonus, I think this showing up of the other rikishi provides the incentive for all of "Poor Takmisakari's" opponent to REALLY "do their best".

If this was a basis for kyujo, Takanonami would be in sandamme.

Sumo is finding its way into more and more bigger newspapers/websites--often due to Asashoryu's boat-rocking. Here's a piece today from the UK Guardian.

The Eurosport website at Eurosport Schedule shows the Sumo Basho broadcast is on 15/02 from 1900-2100 CET. (Let's hope!)

Incredibly, there was just a piece on CNN International--including coments from Musashimaru and Akebono--covering most of the stuff in the article.

Sorry, Kintamayama--my Reuters link didn't work, so I pasted the article to the other topic.

Interesting article from Reuters: Ancient sumo grapples with modern times Fri 6 February, 2004 03:06 By Dan Sloan TOKYO (Reuters) - Tracing its origins to the dawn of time when gods grappled for sovereignty over the Japanese isles, the sport of sumo has an iron grip on national mythology. But sumo, which emerged as a professional sport in the Edo era from the 17th century, has lately been pushed to ring's edge by tough economic times and competition from other entertainment. With waning sponsorship, falling turnout and -- perhaps most troubling -- the loss of its biggest stars, sumo has been less than agile in responding to very modern business woes. Retiring grand champion Musashimaru put it bluntly: "Hello, it's 2004. We're not in the Edo Era." Musashimaru, who entered the sport in 1989 and reached its pinnacle before retiring in November, says the lack of a home-grown yokozuna, or grand champion, leaves sumo vulnerable. "We have a big hole right now. We need a Japanese yokozuna, but I don't think the guys we have right now will make it," the Samoan-born wrestler told Reuters in an interview. "They're not big enough or physically tough enough. Their lack of something -- confidence, that's big." Still sporting a topknot and 235 kg (518 lbs), the goliath's departure left sumo with only one yokozuna, Mongolian-born Asashoryu, and follows the loss in the last few years of Japanese brothers Takanohana and Wakanohana along with Hawaiian Akebono. Asashoryu won the recent New Year's tournament, dashing hopes that a rival Japanese wrestler would capture enough bouts to warrant promotion to the top spot. ROLLIN' AND TUMBLIN' The sumo hierarchy overseeing the 2,000-year-old sport is an incorporated, non-profit association known for its tight control, which is only now coming to grips with its problems. "The more influential leaders of the Sumo Association have a sense of crisis and are aware that more must be done," said Clyde Newton, editor of Sumo Digest. Falling ticket sales for the six annual tournaments and the cancellation of a nightly televised digest of matches reflect the continuing desertion by once-loyal fans. Many of sumo's corporate backers deserted during the decade-long recession that followed the bursting of Japan's late 1980s "bubble economy" due to a combination of financial strain and the growing attraction of rival sports such as soccer. "The economic downturn caused a lot of financial sponsors to disappear years ago," said Lynn Matsuoka, a sumo commentator. "A lot of things that the sumo wrestlers and Association want to do, like tour the country, they can't do that now." Only sumo's relatively low overheads have staved off worse woes. "Salaries earned by competitors in the top two divisions are very low compared with other professional sports," Newton said. A grand champion is estimated to make about $300,000 a year compared to around $5 million for a top baseball player. LORD OF THE RINGS A deep body blow was the loss of Wakanohana and Takanohana, scions of a family that dominated the sumo dohyo, or ring, for much of the 20th century. "Once the brothers started to fade in the late 1990s, public interest in sumo in Japan declined markedly," Newton said. Musashimaru said the ancient sport, which has recently added a bilingual Internet homepage and convenience stores to its ticket retailers, still needs better public relations efforts. "If you don't promote, you won't get anywhere." Perhaps the conservative sport's greatest modernisation was the welcoming of foreigners such as Musashimaru, who stoked interest because of rivalries with Japanese grand champions. But with only one yokozuna, competition is falling flat, and the exit of some stars has underscored its slide. Former yokozuna Akebono cut his ties to sumo to join K-1, where boxers, kickboxers and wrestlers battle in a free-for-all style. In a nationally televised New Year's Eve match, Akebono was quickly dispatched by former American football player Bob "The Beast" Sapp, an outcome that did little to enhance sumo's dignified image. The former yokozuna, who considered leading his own sumo stable of wrestlers, says money was a factor in his move to K-1. "For yokozuna, people expect if you stay in the Sumo Association that you'll open your own stable, and that's not free," the K-1 fighter now known as Taro Akebono told Reuters. "Basically, I wondered if I went the stablemaster way or the K-1 route, which risk would be less for me? "It's a big risk staying in sumo." ------------------------------- An ancillary issue is "What's up with Musashimaru?" He seems to be coming up with a bold quotable statement almost every day. Some of them have been posted here in the last few weeks. This piece includes: "Hello, it's 2004. We're not in the Edo Era." "We have a big hole right now. We need a Japanese yokozuna, but I don't think the guys we have right now will make it. They're not big enough or physically tough enough. Their lack of something -- confidence, that's big." This doesn't seem like the Musashi we've seen over the years. Is this just his true personality finally coming through or is he trying to generate publicity to promote some new career aspirations? (Hopefully, not K-1 (I am not worthy...)!) Edit: Couldn't make the link work--had to paste the article.

According to Chiyanofuji's site at http://www.chijanofuji.com/, Oko showed up again at Juryo-12 in Natsu 1985. He went 4-11 and disappeared again. Maybe he got injured in 1982, battled back by 1985, but just didn't have it anymore.

This interview with Takanohana Oyakata Japan Times Interview with Takanohana is not a new one (March 2003), but as I reread it recently, a few points and questions (these from the following section of the Q&A) seemed worthy of opinion and discussion: --------------------------------------- What do you think about women not being allowed on the dohyo? There is a serious discussion in the Japan Sumo Association about this. Hard collisions take place in sumo and there is a chance you can break your neck and die. In sumo we make that hard contact every day. We can't bring women up to that dangerous place on the dohyo. In sumo, it is said that men or sumo wrestlers must defend women. But traditionally, we have not expressed this. We did not talk about it. A sumo wrestler is a warrior. On the dohyo, we vomit blood or get wounded. Women are so noble and fighting is a man's job. This is the Japanese version of putting ladies first. Is it discrimination against women? No. Men should not be allowed to take women on the dohyo because it is the place of fighting. Why do you think sumo is so important to Japan? Because sumo is a symbol of strength. Strength to fight and defend women. This is common thinking in the sumo world and it is very Japanese-like. It is hard to understand. But this is the reason that sumo has continued be part of the Japanese soul. --------------------------------------- (1) The usual reason I've seen for women not being allowed on the dohyo is that this is a sacred place that would be "defiled" by women. Takanohana's explanation (e.g., "dangerous place", "Japanese version of putting ladies first") is a much different tack than I've ever seen expressed before. (2) "Hard collisions take place in sumo and there is a chance you can break your neck and die." Takanohana cerainly knows first hand about serious injuries on the dohyo; however, has there ever been a death directly from an event on the dohyo? (3) Sumo "is a symbol of strength. Strength to fight and defend women. This is common thinking in the sumo world and it is very Japanese-like. It is hard to understand. But this is the reason that sumo has continued be part of the Japanese soul." Is this REALLY "common thinking in the sumo world"?

A little grist for the mill--quoting from Ion Howard on the SML. (If you're here, Ion, thanks and feel free to expand for the savvy folks on this forum): To me Asashoryu is the most important rikishi of the 20th/21st century because sumo is in a major evolutionary time now with young Japanese people turning their back on it. Who will fill the void? Sumo is being practiced in many corners of the globe and his success and panache will attract many more foreign wannabes to Japan with dreams of triumph and intrigue. Even if he never acquires Japanese citizenship and eventually leaves the sumo world himself he will be the magnet that draws them...and if the JSK can't bring in enough Japanese recruits they'll have to accept them if they want sumo to survive and save their own jobs. This will be followed by a surge of Japanese recruits eager to re-establish Japanese pride in sumo, but the genie won't go back into the bottle and sumo will forever be different. With Asa to provide the initial inspiration, twenty or thirty years from now there will be enough Kyokutenhos, Asasekiryus, Kokkais, etc. in the JSK to change the thinking of sumo's leaders. This diverse group will take sumo in a completely different direction...don't know what for sure but it'll sure change. In other words Asashoryu is in a position to not only dominate sumo but to initiate a complete transformation. But only if he stays. If he bolts to K-1 or whatever, or gets expelled, sumo will sink like a rock for some time to come. The zensho made it easier for him to say the right things but the real test will come when things go south, and they do go south for the best, some of the time. What's he gonna do when the going gets tough? This was what Uchidate and Takasago had in mind and I believe it was the mindset behind Kitanoumi's remark. The "higher quality" yusho wasn't just about the torikumi. But I'm still an optimist because he's just 23 and a family guy too and this bodes well for maturing further. Asa's got the world by the tail and I'm excited for him and for sumo. I just hope he can hang on. [EndPost by "lon howard" <itsulon@msn.com>]

"Take advantage of the 'Akebono boom'", "refuses to be naturalized", "low kicks and other fouls" "eats at the lodging house of the Japan Professional Wrestling Association", . . . Oh, god! From www.japantoday.com Bad boy Asashoryu has sumo world worried Asashoryu, the Mongolian-born sumo grand champion, can't seem to shake off his bad-boy image. There is even a prevailing rumor that he might be turning to the world of K-1. At the end of last year he didn't show up for the funeral of stablemaster Takasago, preferring to stay in Mongolia. He also skipped the first three days of training and the weaving of rope ceremony earlier this month. Asashoryu is now widely recognized as skating on thin ice. Japan Sumo Association (JSA) official Tsuneo Watanabe declared that Asashoryu will have to fall in line or face forced retirement. According to one JSA member, "Everybody in the sumo association is upset. They are concerned that Asashoryu might take advantage of the 'Akebono boom' and quit sumo for wrestling. That would leave sumo without a yokozuna. Most people think Asashoryu has been spoiled too much. He also refuses to be naturalized, contrary to the rules of becoming a grand champion." One senior wrestler said: "Asashoryu is known for his Spartan training of younger wrestlers, but at the same time for frequently used punches, low kicks and other fouls. I believe he can't tell the difference between the sumo and K-1 rings." The rumors of Asashoryu turning to K-1 come from his close ties with the Japan Professional Wrestling Association. His brother wrestles under the name of "Blue Wolf." "In fact, Asashoryu more often eats at the lodging house of the Japan Professional Wrestling Association than at his sumo stable," said a member of the Takasago stable. "He even injured his neck once while he was sparring with pro wrestlers and had to pull out of a tournament." Asashoryu's worship of Akebono, a former sumo grand champion, is also fueling the JSA's concern. "Akebono and Asashoryu are sort of like brothers, being foreign participants in sumo. I think Akebono counted on Asashoryu's ties to the professional wrestling world to get started as a wrestler." Now there are rumors that Akebono is trying to establish a new group of wrestlers with Asashoryu, and that Asashoryu said while having dinner with a TV sports executive that he wants to join the TV world as Akebono did. Maybe we are seeing the birth of K-1's newest bad boy. (Translated by Emiko Ichikawa) January 22, 2004

If I might rephrase my question in a different way: At this point of his career, is Asashoryu the best of all time? Some comparisons seem to refute it. Looking at some of the leading yusho winners of all time (and assuming Asashoryu wins this current yusho for his #5), at what age did some of those the other top yusho winners get their #5? Takanohana: Won #5 at age 21. His last (#22) came at age 28. Kitanoumi: Won #5 at age 22. His last (#24) came at age 31. Chitonofuji: Won #5 at age 26. His last (#31) came at age 35. Taiho: Won #5 at age 21. His last (#32) came at age 30. I guess that answers my question: Asashoryu has fallen behind and better get it in gear if he is to make it in this business!

It seems to me that evidence is accumulating that Asashoryu could possibly turn out to be the best sumotori of all time. He's certainly not there yet--and much could happen to derail his progress, but consider these recent factors: (1) He is dominating this basho. Domination, of course, is relative to the competition--and the quality of competition is not that great right now. (However, would more competition make him even more dtermined and committed?) (2) As described by Thierry on the SML, Asashoryu--despite his current dominance--probably trains harder than any other sumotori. No one on the scene seems able to match his combination of strength and agility. He's training against himself and continuing to improve. (3) Most of the others seem to really fear him--and that gives him an advantage before the match even starts. Fear is not just of injury (a la Takamisakari) but also of embarrassment (a la Kotomiksuki--who's currently in second place in the yusho race despite being droped like a sack of potatoes). (4) His attitude, concentration, and yokozuna "presence" all seem to have greatly improved. (5) He's 24. Almost all of you know more about Sumo than I do. What do you think?

Connected to streaming video at 1552.

I just tried to connect for the live streaming video and got "Server Session Limit is Exceeded". Really exceeded or another bug with the new site? Anybody able to connect already?

I don't know if anyone is even following this thread about the (potentially VERY sad (Sigh...) ) Akebono K1 saga, but I read with gloom whatever information becomes available about the upcoming "fight". Kurt Easterwood on the Sumo Maillist posted this today from the Japan Today web site: "Film director Takeshi "Beat" Kitano weighs in on New Years' Eve TV entertainment options, the first part of which is about the K1 match-up between Sapp and Akebono, and is pasted below (not sure if this is a translation of a "Shukan" article or a Japan Today original. How Takeshi would like to kick ass on New Year's Eve Beat Takeshi gives us an insight into what to expect from the TV ratings battle on New Year's Eve. If you are spending the night at home in front of the tube, make sure the remote control is handy. Besides my show on UFOs, NHK will have its Kohaku (Red and White) singing contest going up against the fighters of Pride on Fuji TV, K1 Dynamite (TBS) and Inoki Festival (Nippon TV). The biggest drawcard is undoubtedly K1 Dynamite, in which former sumo champion Akebono will make his debut against K1 star Bob Sapp. It is being billed as the fight of the century (wow, long century, so far), but I doubt if it will be such an enjoyable spectacle. Even to my unsophisticated, unprofessional eyes in the fighting field, it is easy to imagine that the weak knees of Akebono aren't going to help him very much against man mountain Sapp. I remember another former sumo champion, Wajima, who tried his hand at pro wrestling after retiring from sumo. He was the center of attention leading up to his debut, then he flopped. I suspect Akebono is going to turn tail and run, too, once he gets in the ring with Sapp. One is from football and the other is from sumo. All Akebono can do is just charge forward in attack. He has no killer technique, so I cannot imagine how he's going to survive. Still, it was a good idea to get Akebono involved in the New Year's Eve extravaganza, but I guess his promotion agency doesn't know how to use him. What does a retired sumo star do? It's a question facing another retired sumo grand champion, Musashimaru, who announced his retirement after the November tournament in Kyushu. Since anything goes in K1, he should jump on the bandwagon, too. If he joined K1 or Pride, he could earn billions of yen just by signing a contract with either of them. Even it is called a match, you can still make money even if you have the crap kicked out of you and end up face down. No one will complain about his suitability for K1; they just want to see one contestant get his ass kicked. Beside Musashimaru, I think there are other potential K1 characters in Japan's sporting ranks. Former sumo champion siblings Takanohana and Wakanohana are great examples. Professional baseball players such as Kiyohara from the Giants and Irabu from the Hanshin Tigers are aggressive enough to fight in the ring. How about basketball's Okayama? How about they all become K1 fighters just for New Years Eve? Great idea, eh?" If anyone is still following this thread, maybe we can share any news that becomes available. Who knows--there might even be some positive developments (unlikely as that might be!).

I voted no--and I would be surprised if he even gets to 7 wins. I agree with Zenjimoto-seki--sekiwake is the rank Musoyama deserves. He also deserves credit for being an overachieving Ozeki, but really makes a good Sekiwake. I think he should be proud of his peformance.

I was kinda hoping this would be the ISP bout--I can use a gimme.