Asa in hot water-thread 2

[Bishonohana]

what the hell is going on ?????

i leave for a few days (or months?) and all hell breaks loose ....

I am speechless in Salvador.

See what you have done?? You made sumo (Asa in particular) go to hell in a hand-basket!! (I am not worthy...) No more leaving for you!! (Laughing...)

[Arslan]

Many times I hear he is a Mongolian hero and so on.

But, Asa was your yokozuna and your hero and your product, remember that.

I think his love for sumo was real.He thought he has done something for sumo, quite opposite what the Japanese sumo world think of him.

Now he is out of his illusion and never be a Japanese yokozuna again. I think he is done.

He says he wants come back.But, since he can't be with his heart and soul there, Kyokai should let him retire.

First, your second paragraph.

I don't believe this way at all. You are underestimating the drive that propelled him to the ultimate position in the sport it was totally foreign to him initially. Did he lose his heart and soul just because he got penalized for two basho and salary reduction? I doubt it very much.

I have followed his career from the time he joined Ozumo after leaving Meitoku Gijuku High. Contrary to a popular perception he is really sensitive to the public opinion. It's been said often he always worried about his public image. To hide the sensibility he behaved in such a way to show he is one rough and tough customer. More than anything else this incident showed how deeply hurt he was inside.

We may have forgotten he just won the yusho despite suffering from a rather painful elbow injury (but I am not sure about his lower back). He was still heads and shoulders above everyone else. He showed his own brand of resiliency from the early stage of the basho. He showed unsurpassed intensity when everything counted.

As a smaller rikishi with no prisoner taken style of sumo, his body has accumulated all the tears and wears from the past abuses but did he lose it all? Hardly. Takanohana had a crippling injury but he came back, working out all alone. Asashoryu is still young, he only needs a time to reflect and rejuvinate his body and soul. He has that time. When he sees others competing, he will regain the drive again. Even for personal reasons alone, he still has something to prove to all the others.

And the first paragraph.

I also have no doubt he loves sumo as much as anyone in Ozumo. He is not only a Mongolian hero but many Japanese recruits joined Ozumo seeing him. I have read a comment after comment of new recruits who stated more than anyone else, Asashoryu was their aspiration.

For me the greatest contribution he brought to Ozumo was his quickness and sure execution of his moves. Prior to Asashoryu's arrival, all rikishi thought they needed more size. Even Takanohana gained his weight to 160 kg while for him 145 kg would have been ideal and likely prevented the fatal knee injury. The consensus was to counter the huge Hawaiians, they needed to have the size.

Asashoryu reversed the trend for better. Instead of slow and deliberate sumo, Asashoryu brought speed and dynamism to Ozumo. The bouts became more exciting and fun to watch. And he gave a renewed opportunity to all recruits who lacked the size. The average weight of rikishi started to decrease and more rikishi did not need to risk debilitating illness and injury by trying to gain more weight.

When we only read certain media reports, we get an impression that the whole Japan is against Asashoryu. Not so. The fact remains Asashoryu can still count on rather large number of influential and wealthy friends. From such sports figures as Olmpic hammer thrower Alexander Koji Murofuji, Judo legend Yasuhiro Yamashita, boxing's Kameda brothers, well known TV personalities Monta Mine and best selling author of astrology books Kazuko Hosoki as well as former Japanese Finance Minister. If Asashoryu can only show his true self, his sensitive side to show occasionally then the public's perception will change. And if only he can get himself to apologize for causing all this uproars then it will give everyone a reason to embrace him. We all love humble people. Asashoryu has a soft, kind and charming side. He needs to just show it more.

Just like he did at the Las Vegas when I was sitting only a meter away from him. While Chiyotaikai and Tochiazuma couldn't get out of the place fast enough when the day ended, Asashoryu stayed behind and played the greatest ambassador Ozumo could have. Answering every reporter's often silly questions with smile and thanking eveyone for their hard work and taking the time to be there. He sounded sincere and his sincerety showed through.

Or when he stayed behind to help out the old Sadogatake oyakata putting his shoes on as the oyakata just had a surgery to amputate his foot. They were both at a party for all past and present yokozuna at a banquet hall. As this was Japan, the guests all took their shoes off to put them on a shelf when they first arrived. The old oyakata had a rather difficult time putting his shoes on and his helpers did not arrive yet. Out of all yokozuna present, the only one who got down on his knees to put the shoes on for the oyakata was Asashoryu. Then Asashoryu held the oyakata's arm and walked with him to a waiting taxi. The old Sadogatake oyakata later said he would never forget the kindness shown to him by Asashoryu and added that it was truly shame that Japan no longer had a young man like Asashoryu.

There are still plenty of people in Japan cheering for him and I have no doubt he will not disappoint them.

Very well said (Applauding...). I believe that he shouldn't retire and hope he won't.

[Ikh Mongol Dagvadorj]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htb_fe5CwlI

[Otokonoyama]

"Interesting" vid. Stalking indeed. This kinda crap's on tv most every day.

[Jonosuke]

In the clip they say that the big geru is where the main restaurant is but there is also another restaurant in the middle of compound. In the building Asashoryu is apparently staying in.

Incidentally you can book your stay in Dreamland (obviously not right now) through Asashoryu's travel agency ASARESORTS in Japan. They even have the picture on their website.

Howerver they mention that it could be closed between October and March so you may want to try next year if you are interested.

Edited September 8, 2007 by Jonosuke

[Sasanishiki]

Good grief! can you imagine filming and filing that story that was on the youtube video? "Ummm, there are a bunch of people near the ger...they are now going inside...there are still many white ger standing there....now I am talking to someone who once went there...." I hope the Japanese media get bored and jsut go home. They would be doing everyone a favour!

[Kintamayama]

Dr. Oriole, the Mongolian doctor who is taking care of Asa, said he is smiling and responding well to the treatment. There was great progress made, he says. "He intends to start the physical treatment on the tenth (today). This means he has gotten better mentally, which is good. I hope this means he will be going forward and getting better!!", said Takasago Oyakata.

As for a date of return, the doctor said it depends on how quickly he recuperates. "It's not that he's totally cured now. He will start physical treatment soon..", he summed.

Bottom line-he has yet to leave Dreamland since he arrived there some two weeks ago.

[Ikh Mongol Dagvadorj]

where can i buy this book?

Is there any non-japanese version of this book?

[Kintamayama]

Takasago Oyakata has confirmed that Asa started his treatment in Khujirt today. Asa's manager has relayed this news to the Oyakata.

"This is a step forward. If he does this one step at a time, it would be great". added Takasago Oyakata.

[Jonosuke]

Asashoryu called his doctor, Dr. Honda, today to tell him he was feeling much better. He told him he has been listening to music with speakers brought in from Japan. He even asked the doctor to bring bigger speakers with him from Japan.

"I could get a sense that Asashoryu was definitely getting better. He is imroving without medications so I feel relieved to know he is recovering so well," Dr. Honda said. Dr. Honda is scheduled to visit Asashoryu in Mongolia next week.

Asashoryu appeared in front of waiting Japanese TV crews at a Khujirt spa around 3 PM on September 11 but he seemed not to be bothered by the reporters and quickly went into the second floor treatment room without saying a word.

Asashoryu was wearing a windbreaker but not a mage as he set his hair in a ponytail. He had slight beard but not looking unshaven as when he left Japan.

According to Takasago oyakata, he will be commuting to the clinic for his elbow and lower back treatment for the next little while. His return date to Japan is still uncertain at this point.

[Blue_Wolf]

Манай хэдийн нэг нь энийг орчуулаад тавьчихаач, please! This is a quote from interview of Asesekiryu on Asashoryu matter. Hope this will be transleted in here very soon. So please don't bother.

- Их аварга маань хүнд шийтгэл хүлээлээ. Одоо хоёр тэмцээн барилдахгүй.

- Дагваа 2006 оны 5 сараас л гэмтэлтэй байсан. Амраад гэмтэлээ эдгээе гэхээр ояката чи ганц их аварга, тойргийн барилдаан өнжиж болохгүй гээд л барилдуулаад байдаг байсан. Харин сая Хакүхо ёкозүна болоод хоёр их аваргатай болсон болохоор Дагваа за одоо л эмчлүүлье гэсэн бодолтой байсан, багш ч зөвшөөрж байсан. Арай хэтэрхий хатуу шийтгэсэн. Японы хэвлэл мэдээлэл ч хэт өсгөн ярьж, одоо ч Дагваад тайван амрах бололцоо өгөхгүй байна. Ингэж болохгүй байх. Гэхдээ одоо зурагт радио, сонин хэвлэл харж байхад монгол залуу Япон хэмээх их 7 гүрний нэг орны хэвлэл мэдээллийг өөртөө хандуулж, хуйлруулж байгааг нь үзээд найзаараа бахархах сэтгэл төрдөг. Манай Дагваа иймэрхүү шалихгүй юманд ялагдах хүн биш, гэмтэлээ эдгээгээд хурдан буцаж ирнэ.

source: http://www.tsahimurtuu.mn/main/200709111291.htm (full interview)

Edited September 14, 2007 by Otokonoyama
tried to repair the link

[Blue_Wolf]

Regular members like i are not allowed to put an image in forum?

Moderator Notice

Yes, you may. Thanks for the cool pic! (Holiday feeling...) You had http://http:// to start your link, which caused the problem

Edited September 14, 2007 by Otokonoyama

[Otokonoyama]

http://japundit.com/archives/2007/09/14/6973/

A pretty late and pedestrian round-up of the situation, until I read this:

I will admit that I don

[Kotonosato]

http://japundit.com/archives/2007/09/14/6973/

Did anybody else read the interview he mentioned? Is the paraphrasing accurate?

I won't believe it until I see the original article. These bloggers tend to pull stuff out of their @$$es.

[Otokonoyama]

http://japundit.com/archives/2007/09/14/6973/

Did anybody else read the interview he mentioned? Is the paraphrasing accurate?

I won't believe it until I see the original article. These bloggers tend to pull stuff out of their @$$es.

He's usually a reliable blogger. Here he's working from memory, and then paraphrasing what he read some time ago. But interesting to speculate about...

[Kintamayama]

He's usually a reliable blogger. Here he's working from memory, and then paraphrasing what he read some time ago. But interesting to speculate about...

I'll steak it and say Rijicho never said that. If he did, it would have been brought up by Asa supporters and xenophobia experts in the media and outside of it long ago. A rijicho can never say such a thing. If he did, it would have made the headlines.

I am calling it total BS and selective memory until proven otherwise.

And FWIW, there are no "reliable bloggers" in my book, and that's how it should be. We don't write blogs to be reliable, we write blogs to sound off.

OR, he could have said the Asashouryuu era is about to end and the Asashouryuu-Hakuhou era is about to begin, or something along those lines. Japanese language misunderstanding is also possible.

And insinuating that the yaocho scandal article and Asa deciding to play soccer and getting caught on candid camera was instigated by the rijicho is really off the wall. His first sentence is quite telling, though. He doesn't know much about Sumo.

Edited September 14, 2007 by Kintamayama

[Otokonoyama]

He's usually a reliable blogger. Here he's working from memory, and then paraphrasing what he read some time ago. But interesting to speculate about...

I am calling it...selective memory...OR, he could have said the Asashouryuu era is about to end and the Asashouryuu-Hakuhou era is about to begin, or something along those lines. Japanese language misunderstanding is also possible.

That is the most likely explanation. It seems like he may have read this quite some time ago, and quite probably in English (after reading some of the comments). Paraphrasing a translation you read months ago may not be good for anything but sounding off. Ah well. It's gotten so quiet with Asa enjoying his mudbaths...

[Kintamayama]

Some articles from the Mongolian press in English. Notice the subtle difference in reporting..

http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/index.php?opti...view&id=604

http://www.mongolia-web.com/content/view/1359/2/

Edited September 14, 2007 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama]

Asashouryuu will hold a press conference on the day of his return to Japan, it has been established. "From Narita airport, he will go straight to the Kkan and hold a press conference there. When he returns to Japan, it would mean he is mentally stable. If he isn't *he won't be able to explain to the the Kyokai and fans*. Of course, I'll be there beside him", said Takasago Oyakata. (If this sounds lame, it is, because I don't know how to translate *協会とファンに対して示しが付かない*...)

As for Asa, he visited the Khujirt clinic for the second straight day today flanked by two bodyguards and accompanied by his older brother and parents. He did not say anything to the Japanese Press camped out there. He wore the same white Jersey and blue parka like yesterday, and was sporting a trimmed down beard.

[aderechelsea]

cameras don't exist there? i want to see a photo ..... (Whistling...)

[Kotonosato]

Asashouryuu will hold a press conference on the day of his return to Japan, it has been established. "From Narita airport, he will go straight to the Kkan and hold a press conference there. When he returns to Japan, it would mean he is mentally stable. If he isn't *he won't be able to explain to the the Kyokai and fans*. Of course, I'll be there beside him", said Takasago Oyakata. (If this sounds lame, it is, because I don't know how to translate *協会とファンに対して示しが付かない*...)

I think Takasago's usage is not so good here. He's saying that "It would set a bad example for the kyokai and the fans." What he probably means is "It would look bad to the kyokai and the fans".

Edited September 14, 2007 by Kotonosato

[Jonosuke]

What Takasago is trying to say is unless Asashoryu comes clean, the Kyokai and sumo fans won't be satisfied. It's just a roundabout way of saying he has to say he is sorry.

[ilovesumo]

flanked by two bodyguards

I wonder how the bodyguards of one, who is looking like the king of bodyguards himself, look like. (Shaking head...)

(Holiday feeling...)

[Jonosuke]

Since I did not want to have this thread or Ikh totally disappearing from the forum, I dug up something to get your day brighten up somewhat:

Comments on seeing Asashoryu's recent visit to the hotspring spa on TV:

Takasago oyakata: I let each TV viewer judge on their own. I won't make any comment on his appearence.

An unnamed oyakata: I can't believe it was the face of a man who has been under duress mentally and had no appetite. He looked robust and vibrant.."

An unnamed Kyokai director: He looked like he gained so much more weight since he won the yusho at the Nagoya. His round face is a visible sign of a man locking himself in a tiny room, eating and drinking his favorite food and drinks as much as he wanted and then sleeping all day. Obviously it's not a good for his health but from a point of view of his sumo, it will be worse. Asashoryu's sumo is all about his speed. When he gains that much weight, he would not be able to compete in the way he has been doing before. Unless he starts a serious diet regimen, his career will be over shortly.

Edited September 16, 2007 by Jonosuke

[paolo]

...

An unnamed Kyokai director: He looked like he gained so much more weight since he won the yusho at the Nagoya. His round face is a visible sign of a man locking himself in a tiny room, eating and drinking his favorite food and drinks as much as he wanted and then sleeping all day. Obviously it's not a good for his health but from a point of view of his sumo, it will be worse. Asashoryu's sumo is all about his speed. When he gains that much weight, he would not be able to compete in the way he has been doing before. Unless he starts a serious diet regimen, his career will be over shortly. ....

Apart from his eating and his drinking, I think that the worst point at the moment is that he has not been practicing or training at all for nearly two months now (not considering the soccer game...). And if things go on this way, this situation could last even longer. Are there cases in the past when a rikishi did stop so long and then came back successfully ? For sure nobody, including Asashoryu himself, would be happy to see a weak Yokozuna...