Battle of the Titans

[Kintamayama]

Day 2. It is coming down. The battle of the titans. The first ever battle between two National college graduates- Ichinoya (46), the world's oldest active rikishi, and Masumeidai (23), in his 5th basho. There was a battle between two National college rikishi in 2002 (Ichinoya against Yumenosato) but it's a first between 2 graduates. Masumeidai has been eagerly awaiting this bout against Ichinoya ever since he entered sumo. He was expecting it to happen this basho. "We are very close in the banzuke (Jonidan 60 and 61) so I was pretty sure it would happen. My heart is beating wildly and I'm really happy!!", said Massmedia. When he entered sumo, he shared the shitakubeya with Ichinoya, and was given words of encouragement by him. Ichinoya even helped Mass tighten his mawashi a few times. Mass was very moved by this gesture. "He is a totally nice guy. I have been his fan since college", said Massmedia. He has never seen his senpai actually fight. "I'll just have to do my own sumo..", he muttered. "46 years old?? It's like a father and son matchup.. no way Mass loses!", said a supportive Chiganoura Oyakata.

[Kotonosato]

Day 2. It is coming down. The battle of the titans. The first ever battle between two National college graduates...

Is this really the case? I thought there were dozens of college grads in sumo now. Do you mean that this is the first time that graduates from 国立大学 have faced each other in ozumo.

[Kotonosato]

Is this really the case? I thought there were dozens of college grads in sumo now.

Yes but colleges like Nichi-Dai are private. National university graduates usually tend to go on and become pillars of society rather than pillars of muscle.

I see. So what schools did Ojiichan and Massmedia go to?

[madorosumaru]

Ichinoya is a graduate of University of the Ryukyus.

Masumeidai (舛名大), as his shikona suggests, graduated from Nagoya University.

[Kotonosato]

I see. So how many college grads are there all together in ozumo and what percentage of them are from National schools?

[Kintamayama]

I see. So how many college grads are there all together in ozumo and what percentage of them are from National schools?

They are the only 2 Nationals now so the percentage should be tiny.

[Asashosakari]

So how many college grads are there all together in ozumo ...

SFM's list of gakusei rikishi should be pretty comprehensive.

(BTW, SFM folks...Ichinoya's entry still states that he's "the sole graduate from a National university in Ozumo", even though Masumeidei's row is right below.)

Edited July 8, 2007 by Asashosakari

[Kotonosato]

So how many college grads are there all together in ozumo ...

SFM's list of gakusei rikishi should be pretty comprehensive.

Thanks for the link. I count about 80 active graduates. Two Nationals is a very small percentage indeed.

Now can anyone tell me about the distribution of sumo clubs is at Japanese universities? Are National schools less likely to have sumo clubs at all?

[Kintamayama]

Ichinoya won. Hikiotoshi.

Edited July 9, 2007 by Kintamayama

[Jakusotsu]

"46 years old?? It's like a father and son matchup.. no way Mass loses!", said a supportive Chiganoura Oyakata.

Ichinoya won.

Things like that always make me smile. (Weeping...)

[Kintamayama]

Rikishi talk:

"He was a bit tense, wasn't he? I'd like him to really learn all the fundamentals", said Ichinoya encouragingly. "Ichinoya-san is the pioneer of National college rikishi and as such, I respect him very much. I hope I climb the banzuke some more so I don't have to face him again.." said Masumeidai.

[Sashohitowa]

I hope I climb the banzuke some more so I don't have to face him again.." said Masumeidai.

The expectation Ichinoya NOT to climb up the banzuke together with him sounds to me in a little contradiction with the respectful words said before that...

[Fukurou]

Ichinoya won. Hikiotoshi.

Ichinoya has gone Kyujo, as of Day 3.

Did he hurt himself?

Edited July 9, 2007 by Fukurou

[Kintamayama]

Ichinoya has gone Kyujo, as of Day 3.

Did he hurt himself?

Strange. He wrote an entry in his blog a few hours after the bout and no mention of any injury-on the contrary, he seemed to be psyched up by the fans and media interest surrounding him.

I hope this isn't an intai.

Edited July 9, 2007 by Kintamayama

[Asashosakari]

I hope this isn't an intai.

I wondered the same...a "passing of the torch" thing maybe...

[Asojima]

Per rikishi talk, his father passed away last night.

[Kintamayama]

Per rikishi talk, his father passed away last night.

Yes, but usually rikishi do not miss bouts for "that".. OTOH, Ichinoya is no ordinary rikishi. I hope he returns quickly, which I believe he will.

He has my utmost respect, even more so now.

[Kintamayama]

Day 2. It is coming down. The battle of the titans. The first ever battle between two National college graduates- Ichinoya (46), the world's oldest active rikishi, and Masumeidai (23), in his 5th basho.

Ichinoya has retired, but what of Masumeidai? We haven't heard from him for quite a while. Well, he was ranked Jonidan 80 after two straight MKs. This basho, though, he managed to get a 4-3 KK after being 2-3 and seemed happy. "I managed to win the last two and that was good.. I'm not content with the 4-3, but at least I managed a KK..", said Massmedia. "He's beginning to do good shiko. His body is becoming solid..", said Chiganoura Oyakata.

Mass notifying Oyakata of his KK: "Yes sir, I can shiko.."

Edited January 27, 2008 by Kintamayama