genghis

Well, no matter who is the total zero, time will tell us. I wish you and dear Miyabyama a big Good Luck! No. To everything. No one who is a total zero like you picture him can stay in Sumo for long, let alone in Makuuchi, let alone Sanyaku. You are mistaken, and you dug up a year and a half old thread to boot. <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

While I do not disagree with the oppinions posted, I decided to add my impression. A wrestler must possess few characteristics to be paid as a wrestler. Body, talent, will and intelligence. Miyabiama, I think, has the worst possessions of all in the sanyaku rank. His weight has already gone over the treshold where he can't control his movements in a rational way. He can't stop if his opponent sidestepped, he can't stay low thanks to the enormous belly, and he can't tackle for long because of his weight. He might, however, serve well as training doll for other rikkishi. He has no talent at all. Look at the way he is dumped by Asashoryu. Rikishi of this rank, and this weight should be able to at least avoid such an awfull defeat. And this is happening again and again. He doesn't understand what is going on. Every rikishi comes with the fire for revenge to Asa. But not him. I think Asa knows about it and dumps him like a bag of sand deliberately. I don't see how people can count on him for ozeki run. He will soon be replaced from his sanyaku rank and sumo will look little more graceful then.

Whooowhoo!! Nice to hear that Kaio is doing well. I root him whatever is his keiko success. G'luck Kaio, go Kaio and go!

Well, it is not happening for whatever the reason. Imagine, Kaio or Tochiazuma is afraid to practice with Asa? Or Asa is telling Tochiazuma's or Kaio's mistakes during the de-keiko? If they happen to do keiko before basho, it will be very formal thing, I guess. Joint training is quite common in amatuer sports, including sumo. Mongolian amatuer sumo wrestlers usually go to Japan before every major tournament. But it is different for professionals. Neither Hakuho, nor Asashoryu now seem to be comfortable with the idea of training together. It just doesn't make sense. This is because they are now principal rivals. They will at least try to keep their pride by avoiding the potential lecturing from each other during the de-keiko.

As in any other wrestling or sport, high ranking competitors usually don't practice together. Imagine Mike Tyson practicing with his competitor before the match. Or, Brazilian soccer team is practicing with Germany before the final. It makes sense for Tochiazuma, Kaio, Chiotaikai and may be even Hakuho, to keep their preparations private. As far as I know, high ranking wrestlers in Mongolian sumo prepare and perfect their surprise attacks throughout a year and unleash it when they meet. Nowadays, a video recording makes this strategy even useful. I think the high ranking wrestlers, who respect themselves as potential competitors to Asa, are not doing de-keiko with him not because they are afraid. Rather, they are not the ones in need to learn.

Found some interviews from Mongolian newspaper "Zuunii Medee". The newspaper said they took these interviews from Japanese sources. Anyway, here is the translations: On the readiness for the basho: Asashoryu: I've managed to win the last basho eventhough my preparations were not enough. I prepared myself much better for the Nagoya, so am quite confident about Zensho Yusho. Takasako Oyakata on Asashoryu: No one can defeat the Yokozuna (anymore) this year. He is very confident on himself and hardly make any mistakes nowadays. A Yokozuna should be just like him. I think no one will argue with that this year is his year. PS: Asa did some keiko with Tokitsuumi, Kokkai and Iwakiyama and suffered not a single loss. Myagino Oyakata on Hakuho: Hakuho is becoming stronger everyday that now only two rikishi can stand against him: Asashoryu and Kaio. The rest will simply be overwhelmed. He will make double digits in Nagoya. PS: Hakuho apparently denied interview. He has mostly been working on his strength but stopped the power training 2 weeks prior to the basho. He overdid this in March and stopped it just a week before the tournament, so his body simply didn't recover from the stress, leading to a disastrious basho. This time, he is more carefull about his timing. Hakuho is apparently keeping a low profile to avoid unwanted pressure and secretly aiming for the yusho. There is also rumour going around that Kitanoumi apparently said that 13 wins would make him consider promoting Hakuho to Ozeki. Tochiazuma: My spirit is high. I would compete to win the basho. My primary opponent will be Asashoryu. Takanohana Oyakata on Tochiazuma: Tochiazuma's preparedness looks on edge, so I think he will win the yusho. In Nagoya, main competition will take place among Asashoryu, Hakuho and Tochiazuma. The rest will have no chance.

I agree with most of you. Just to make this discussion of a more fun, let me play with traditional mongolian wrestler's watch. (I learnt it from our elders) A wrestler is truly great when following 4 characteristics are all met in an outstanding manner: 1. Body build 2. Talent 3. Will 4. Intelligence There can be some ups and downs on these, and even surprises. Then: As everybody can tell, Asa has an outstanding athletism, profound will to rule, and amazing ability to calculate his bouts with deadly accuracy. In short, he is naturally talented to be a terminator. Kaio has a frame which can be compared with only that of alpha male gorilla. However, we all know, what he lacks. (no hope) Tochiazuma has utter will to win and succeed most of the time. But he doesn't know how to surprise his opponents, basically coming with the same weapon everytime. No talent. Everybody knows about his injury plagued body. (no hope) Chiyotaikai has lesser body strenght then the fellow ozekis. Again, he has only one song in his disposal. No talent (no hope). Hakuho's body build needs no attention. His will seems to be lagging behind his achievements, but will not take very long for him to figure out who he is. He is the only rikishi at present, besides Asashoryu, who can really learn from his mistakes and act differently each time around. Naturally talented. Considering his age, he is the only hope. Kotomitsuki might have some will and talent, though it is not very evident. However quick rise of youngsters like Hakuho and Oshu may provoke him enough. His ability to control bouts intelligently isn't that good. Even with the will and brain, his body build is just not enough for ozeki. (no hope) Kotooshu's body build doesn't need attention. He also showed very strong will to be the top gun. He is very gifted wrestler. It is just a matter of time that he learns all sumo tactics. He has a shot for Yokozuna in coming years, if Asa and Hakuho will allow it to happen. :-) Miyabiama. Body is hopeless, no talent, no intelligence, no will, so no hope. (Blushing...) Wakanasato's build is impressive except his buttock muscles. If you look at wrestlers at ozeki and above, their buttock muscles are very pronounced. That means Wakanasato has just not enough thrust. The biggest thing he lacks is will. So, no hope. Roho has a build, talent and will. But it seems that his brain power isn't just enough. He reacts too slowly. A long career in Sanyaku is waiting for him. No ozeki. Kokkai's weight has already crossed the treshold where he will no longer be able to move his body efficiently. More on that, he is not showing any sign that he is learning a thing. No talent and no hope. Kisenosato has a real talent and intelligence. His thurst for fame will come just on time. The only worrying thing about him is that his weight might increase faster than his career, eventually making him just another Iwakiyama. Ozeki post is waiting for him, if he can keep his weight in control. Ama has everything but body build. But it is just for now. His father, one of the famious Sekiwake in Mongolian sumo, has recently told reporters that Ama's body is developing exactly on schedule. Ama might be the biggest surprise rikishi, he might have a shot at ozekihood. Asasekiyu will take where Miyabyama left. Kyokushuzan has everything but will. He doesn't want to win a yousho. I mean it literally. (Eh?) Kakizoe would be ozeki if we can magically increase his size by just 10%. He is an excellent wrestler. (Eating...) I think I better stop here since there are no more hot rikishi around for the time being.

In my opinion, Takanohana's legs still have powerfull muscles, and can definitely kick some makushita's butts ! (I am not worthy...) Regards, Chienoshima <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I've never seen such a drastic change in athlete's body. It looks just so unnatural. Is it healthy to change so much so fast? Excess weight and fat are ok to lose, but I guess he overdid it loosing so much of a muscle.

I heard, but am not sure, that dual citinzenship depends on whether the two countries both allow dual citinzenship or not. This conditional citizenship is more visisble in US-Mongolian case. US has an agreement with many countries that people can have dual citizenship. But because Mongolia doesn't allow this to happen US has to do nothing but demand giving up Mongolian citizenship before becoming US citizen. I guess same happened to Tsevegnyam and Enkhbat.

i had read in one of the reports that Asa did go to the funeral that the Kyokai held. if im mistaken someone please correct me. i thought it was late in the thread consering it said he cut his visit to mongolia short in order to come back and make the funeral (one of the services, not sure which one). <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks for the news. I was bit worried that Asa is having too much of a fun while Sumo was mourning the great loss.

I don't know what to do with your very un-informative answer. Today is June 20 and the next basho starts on July 10th. So, there are only 21 days left, if you know how to count. Isn't it time to do some keiko? I also wonder if Asashoryu attended the funeral of late Futagoyama?

Can any one tell me how Kaio is doing nowadays? Is his back back to normal? Did he start training? I haven't heard anything about the all wrestlers' training at all recently. Or it starts little later this month? Sorry for so many questions.

I am deeply disturbed by the way Takanahana acts on this occasion, though I accept rivalry between the brothers. Their father's funeral is something very special and Takanahana should follow the culture and respect his older brother. Having this kind of rift within 49 days is terrible thing in Asian cultures. Takanaha is looking more like Anakin Skywalker is becoming the Darth Vader.

this is possible only if you see sumo in purely sporting terms. O-zumo is more than that. its tied in with the culture and traditions of japan. international professional sumo would have to come from the amateur game as that IS purely a sport. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> As Japanese did for Judo and Karate, Sumo could revive as a world sport. It can be a unique instrument for both Japanese people and rest of the world, to understand and appreciate the very culture of Japan. I can't tell you how many millions of people around the globe study Kendo today. I can't also imagine any sport, where money can be made, that is not international. Sumo is a very big and attractive show business on its own right. Having foreign Yokozuna will never make Sumo foreign, I guess. In contrast, it is very nice to see how Sumo makes foreigners into a real Samurais. Asashoryu might be, in some way, saving Sumo by acting as a sole Yokozuna, challenging the natives to rise against him.

I suspect, 5 is the number of his basho in makuuchi. If I am not wrong, 5 is the number of his KK basho in makuuchi.

Very small picture. But I hope, everybody can guess what number was Hakuho.

I agree with the idea that nowadays it is very difficult to be so overwhelming in any sport. However overwhelming is Asashoryu, I doubt that he can make 30+ youshos. We are talking about at least 3 years of total dominance, which is quite impossible. But he will be really remembered, of course, if he can make it. Lets root for him that he can make it. The most recent case of such a dominance was probably the Alexander Karelin. May be, nothing is impossible?

This is actually pretty good idea and people have tried to make it happen before. But every existing rule, says "No" to the idea, from Sumo Dress code to selling the media rights. Besides, everybody would not want to see an active Yokozuna is beaten by a some one from a different wrestling.

I suspect that he will party a lot going back to Mongolia and will dive next basho.

That is right. I mean, he is so proficient in sumo that he may somehow manage to be placed somewhere in the lower maegeshira, and steal 13,14 wins easily, and facing someone from the top, when he can unleash his awesome technique. He is 100% capable of doing this. For now, he has no plan to retire, which I know from a reliable source. However, when there appear real rivals to the Yokozuna and The Yokozuna becomes no longer able to dominate, he might steal one yousho. I wouldn't surprise if it happens. Please, don't talk about retirement! (Applauding...) (Applauding...) I really want to see him live in 2006. But I thought the same...A Yusho in the end...And I know he is able to win it...but sure, luck is a friend who's not allways by your side. But nobody can steal it. (Applauding...) (Applauding...) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Chiyotaikai's tsuppari looks to me a thrust to opponent's neck and chest area. It doesn't really look like a slap. And he does it so clean and nice. I am sure his opponents feel pretty bad when 160 kg man thrusts to their neck this way. But, his technique looks so clean and nice. In contrast, Hakuho usually hits in the chin area, or throws his hand to the opponents face from a distance with such an efficiency that, for Taikai's case, he simply knocks down. I think any sekiori can knock down any one, if they wish. doesn't chiyotaikai slap an awful lot? <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Noticed that fellow members talk about Kokkai's beating of Sakari. That was really nasty. I also observed that Hakuho beats people (litterally) up. This seems to be Ok according to the rule. But Yokozuna and Ozekis don't do beating. So, can anyone tell me if there is any restriction on punching or slapping.

Yeah, maybe first time in many years that he may have a spot in Sanyaku. I suspect, he might be thinking about retirement with style. That would make him even more popular. If he retires with yousho, that will be great. However, the reality will tell us that he will just enjoy the life next basho. An impressive performance this time but I would be shocked if he wins 5 matches next time. I think 2 would be a better guess. (Applauding...) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, there were at least two boxing matches yesterday. One between Taikai and Hakuho. Hakuho literally punched Taikai's chin as would boxers do.

I agree. Look what he said about this basho: "fun" ?... Despite his dissapointing performance, he is widely respected in Mongolia for pioneering in Sumo, and bringing the winds of change into Sumo. He often revives long forgotten trips (which are, of course, just usual trips in mongolian brand of sumo). There will be nothing to watch from him next basho. The elevator is set to go down.