Asashouryuu preparations Nagoya 2008

[Kintamayama]

Asashouryu went to Kasugano again today. He was totally preoccupied by the goings on in Mongolia. When he heard that a crowd of looters attacked the building of the national symphonic orchestra and stole some ancient instruments, he vowed to help restore them. He also sent words to the newly elected ex-Kyokushuuzan. "I hope he gambarizes and doesn't let down the people who voted for him..", he said. As for the keiko, although he won 15 out of 16, he wasn't looking that good and was thrown once by Tochinonada and landed on his injured right ankle, possibly aggravating the injury. Tomorrow he has a dedication dohyo-iri at Atsutajingu with Hakuhou.

"Oops.. I must have dropped my i-pod.."

Edited July 4, 2008 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama]

Tomorrow he has a dedication dohyo-iri at Atsutajingu with Hakuhou.

3500 spectators apparently in sweltering heat, as Manekineko hinted. Everything went smoothly, no bar-room brawls or anything..

Asa with Asasekiryuu:

[Kintamayama]

Asashouryuu came to Sadogatake beya today for de-geiko and looked terrible. For the first time since his Yokozuna promotion, he lost 5 straight bouts in keiko. His opponent was Kotomitsuki, going 5-7 against him finally. "Shit!! One more!!", he was heard yelling at Mickey but couldn't turn it around till the end. It looked as if his right ankle injury was aggravated yesterday more than was initially thought. He had 15 bouts altogether (some with Kotoshougiku) and narrowly got a KK with 8-7. "This is bad. I was useless. The lower half of my body was floating..", he complained. In all, it was a lackluster performance. Ex- Yokozuna Kitanofuji was there and had this to say about Asa's performance: "I've never seen him this weak. He's in very bad condition. Doing mostly muscle training is not bringing his sumo sense back!!" "This is what keiko is for. It has motivated me", countered Asashouryuu. It seems the new injury and the troubles in Mongolia are weighing on him quite heavily.

Edited July 5, 2008 by Kintamayama

[Sokkenaiyama]

You serious, Mr. D? This scenario looks like something out of a Sci-Fi book, that's why I'm asking. (if you are serious, say you're as serious as cancer, I like that one)

Edited July 6, 2008 by Sokkenaiyama

[Kintamayama]

You serious, Mr. D? Thise scenario looks like something out of a Sci-Fi book, that's why I'm asking. (if you are serious, say you're as serious as cancer, I like that one)

Serious, serious.

[Kintamayama]

After a day off, Asashouryuu returned to Sadogatake to try to get his revenge against Kotomitsuki but all he managed was a 3-5 against him. He was seen rolling on the floor shouting very loudly. His injured right ankle was taped and he lacked sharpness at the tachi-ai. "My body doesn't listen to my feelings..", he complained. However, he did go 7-3 against Yokozuna contender Kotooushuu.

Asa today:

Edited July 7, 2008 by Kintamayama

[Jonosuke]

I don't know what his weight now but he looks like he gained some weight.

At this stage I don't think it's not really crucial he beats everyone in sight. Unless something physically bothering him badly, he should be ready for the basho just like as usual.

Coming back from Mongolia, perhaps he has not really acclimatized enough to Japan's humid hot weather yet. He will shed some pounds and sharpen up his skills by the start of Nagoya I am sure.

[Kintamayama]

At this stage I don't think it's not really crucial he beats everyone in sight. Unless something physically bothering him badly, he should be ready for the basho just like as usual.

Coming back from Mongolia, perhaps he has not really acclimatized enough to Japan's humid hot weather yet. He will shed some pounds and sharpen up his skills by the start of Nagoya I am sure.

He is physically bothered for sure with his renewed injury and the wear and tear he is carrying with him lately . Not being in Japan for 20 days and not training at all is virtually unheard of, Yokozuna or not. His preparation is almost zero. I don't see him doing anything significant this basho. All articles and quotes of those that have seen him (and guys like Kitanofuji know what they're talking about..) are saying he is looking awful. There are exactly 5 days left. Take away the weekend and that's three. If he trains on two of them it would be surprising to me. Going 8-12 against any rikishi, keiko and Kotomitsuki notwithstanding, is not close to Asashouryuu's standards.

I'd be surprised if he finishes the basho.

[Jonosuke]

I'd be surprised if he finishes the basho.

Actually all I can say now is to be prepared to be surprised. The best of Asashoryu is not physical, it's his intensity, and motivation.

He has hardly done any pre-basho training sessions for the last two years with all those Mongolian breaks in between and he still manages to do not shabbily. Granted his oppositions have not proved to be much but despite accumulating all tear and wear he still did not embarrass himself either.

Unless his injury is bad enough for him to withdraw, he will be up there vying for the yusho even close to the end though he may find himself in more or less similar situation when he may drop one or two unexpectedly, he may find himself a bit of uphill struggle one again but he is Asashoryu after all, he will be there at the end.

He has Mongolian Jungyo waiting for him after the basho. He wants to go back there triumphant. He really cannot go back there half crippled.

[Asashosakari]

All I know is, one of these days I'll really have to dig up my posts from 2004 or so in which I "predicted" that Asashoryu would likely start to fall apart physically around age 27/28 and become just another mortal yokozuna just like the other three very young yokozuna (Taiho, Kitanoumi, Takanohana) did. Not that I was the only one to say it (far from it), but I'm curious to see who all vehemently disagreed at the time and thought that Shoryu would obviously be a super-duper-sturdy exception because he trains so much, and all that. (What a turnaround that has been...)

Edited July 7, 2008 by Asashosakari

[Asojima]

He has Mongolian Jungyo waiting for him after the basho. He wants to go back there triumphant. He really cannot go back there half crippled.

If he goes kyujo, would the Kyokai allow him to participate in the Mongolian Jungyo? It would make for an interesting conumdrum.

Edit: I don't think I would bet big money on any of the Mongolian sekitori having a great basho this time. I suspect most of them will be practicing safe sumo.

Edited July 8, 2008 by Asojima

[Jakusotsu]

If he goes kyujo, would the Kyokai allow him to participate in the Mongolian Jungyo?

I guess they'd rather have him play some football in Japan. ;-)

[Kintamayama]

More from yesterday-he was 11-8 overall including the bouts against Osh and Kotoshougiku. He lost 5 straight again to Kotomitsuki and "Ahh..shit.." was there again. His first step was non-existent and he relied mostly on pulling techniques. "My right ankle has improved, but not my feeling.. I just can't seem to generate much power. Still, I'm doing great keiko and I hope I get in shape soon. Somehow something will happen.", he said.

[Kintamayama]

Asa smiling after being beaten 5 straight by Mickey for the second time- Mickey smiles along with Mitch:

[Kintamayama]

Asashouryuu has not trained for the last two days. According to his inner circle he is suffering from hip (lumbago) pains in addition to his right ankle injury.

He was planning on going for degeiko today but the pain was too much. He is planning on going tomorrow if he gets better.

[Kintamayama]

Asashouryuu trained today after 3 days off. He lent his chest to the young guys and was seen throwing them around heartily. OTOH, he was feeling his injured right angle consciously. "It's a bit more bad than usual..", he muttered. asked about his rest, he said: "No use taking unnecessary chances..".

[Fukurou]

Asashouryuu trained today after 3 days off. He lent his chest to the young guys and was seen throwing them around heartily. OTOH, he was feeling his injured right angle consciously. "It's a bit more bad than usual..", he muttered. asked about his rest, he said: "No use taking unnecessary chances..".

Why do I keep thinking that there's a sandbag job going on?

[Kintamayama]

Asashouryuu was using a rubber band to train yesterday. He was seen doing some tsuriotoshi, but at the same time was favoring his leg. "It is not good..", he was heard muttering. Asked about his day 1 opponent Toyonoshima: "It's normal. the East yokozuna always gets the west komusubi..", he matter-of-facted.

Asa, no visible sandbags around, trying to lift the chair using only his fingertips:

Edited July 12, 2008 by Kintamayama