Kirinoumi Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 Regardless of whether Yokozuna Asashoryu takes advantage of one of his two opportunities for the yusho tomorrow, surely even the naysayers out there must now admit that he has proven he is once again one of the two best rikishi in the sport and thoroughly deserving of his place as Yokozuna. Not only that, but with an Asashoryu win tomorrow, I don't see how anyone could discuss the greatest rikishi ever again without mentioning his name. If he picks up his 23rd championship, he will pass Takanohana II and be one away from breaking into the top three list - a group that has been undisturbed for 20 years. In addition, I believe he is the only rikishi to have won all six tournaments in one year (2005). I, for one, find it truly amazing that he was able to return with this kind of result after nearly four months off of the dohyo. Mere weeks ago, I think we all had concerns about the yokozuna's physical health, his lack of training, and his mental state. But somehow, he has regained his lower body stability and is not only winning, but dominating again with his trademark speed. I think it's an inspiring story and a turn of events that is extremely good for the sport, and I hope he can continue at this level for at least the rest of this year.
Hananotaka Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 If Asashoryu had gone kyujo and then retired without even stepping foot on the dohyo in 2009, he would still be in the discussion for greatest rikishi. Winning all the yusho in 2005 is not particularly impressive itself, compared to the other great Dai-Yokozuna. Other Yokozuna have won six yusho in a row, and the fact that they were all in 2005 is merely a coincidence of the calendar. What is truly amazing is that he won seven yusho in a row, which is entirely unprecedented.
Kozaru Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 I'm behind Asa all the way tomorrow. I'll be on his left, actually. I don't know if he can hit the 30-yusho mark, but I'd love to see him plant himself firmly in sole possession of the third-place slot.
Kozaru Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 How long until the accusations surface that he bought at least 12 matches this basho?
Bilu Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 How long until the accusations surface that he bought at least 12 matches this basho? I wouldn't imagine any. His sumo speaks for itself - strong, smart and speedy as during his heyday.
Asashosakari Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 I'm with Hananotaka...is there really anybody whose assessment of Asashoryu would be significantly changed/improved by a 23rd yusho? He was among the greatest rikishi ever two weeks ago, and he'll be in exactly the same position (except in yusho count, possibly) after tomorrow. Anyway, people who think he's dominating this basho have evidently forgotten his shaky first week already...
Gusoyama Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 I'm just happy to have the final match on day 15 mean something again! And to have two strong Yokozunas.
Harry Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 (edited) I must say I'm very happy to have been completely wrong about him. I thought he was all washed up. Edited January 24, 2009 by Harry
Jejima Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 I must say I'm very happy to have been completely wrong about him. I thought he was all washed up. My thoughts exactly ;-) Long may he continue to be a force!
Kozaru Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 How long until the accusations surface that he bought at least 12 matches this basho? I wouldn't imagine any. His sumo speaks for itself - strong, smart and speedy as during his heyday. Wasn't he in his heyday the last time these accusations came up?
Asashosakari Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 (edited) Remind me again why I'm paying so much attention to the lower divisions these days... Much like I'm okay with having Asashoryu around but would like to shoot 90% of his fans into the sun most of the time, I think I'm about to reach the point where I'm just fine with the existence of yaocho but would like to blast off all the people who insist on polluting perfectly good, unrelated threads with "discussions" of it all the freakin' time. Grrr. /rant Edited January 24, 2009 by Asashosakari
Kozaru Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 (edited) Remind me again why I'm paying so much attention to the lower divisions these days... Much like I'm okay with having Asashoryu around but would like to shoot 90% of his fans into the sun most of the time, I think I'm about to reach the point where I'm just fine with the existence of yaocho but would like to blast off all the people who insist on polluting perfectly good, unrelated threads with "discussions" of it all the freakin' time. Grrr./rant Wow, ummm... I'm not saying that it's fixed. I'm suggesting that some might accuse him of it. I don't buy it for a second. And it's not unrelated to this thread. It's relevant because he could go 15-0. Remember the last time he went 15-0? You're a warehouse of sumo knowledge, so I know you remember. What happened? Yaocho allegations. P.S. It takes more energy (ie. fuel) to shoot somebody into the Sun than to shoot them off to infinity. I suggest infinity as your target. It will save money and weight of your launch vehicle. (aerospace engineering degree) Edited January 24, 2009 by Kozaru
Asashosakari Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 Wow, ummm... I'm not saying that it's fixed. I'm suggesting that some might accuse him of it. Hence "discussions" in scare quotes. This halfway crap is actually even more annoying than if somebody just came right out and accused him. And it's not unrelated to this thread. It's relevant because he could go 15-0. Tunnel vision doesn't get any better than this, I'm afraid. Never mind.
Kozaru Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 Nice. You edited my comments to cut out my statement that I don't believe any of it (very strongly so), and that the last 15-0 basho resulted in yaocho accusations (the consequences of which are still being fought in court). Need me to be perfectly clear? "I do not believe that Asashoryu has ever paid anyone to lose any match to him, nor would he ever need to." If that isn't relevant to a new 15-0 possibility, then I guess..... never mind.
Kozaru Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 Oh, my initial comment about the yaocho was supposed to have been taken as sarcasm. Didn't actually expect a response.
Kofuji Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 Remind me again why I'm paying so much attention to the lower divisions these days... Much like I'm okay with having Asashoryu around but would like to shoot 90% of his fans into the sun most of the time, I think I'm about to reach the point where I'm just fine with the existence of yaocho but would like to blast off all the people who insist on polluting perfectly good, unrelated threads with "discussions" of it all the freakin' time. Grrr./rant Hey it was the favourite topic on the SML for over a decade ... it ain't going away here :) (See my notes regarding the Kabuki Factor ...)
Asashosakari Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 (edited) Nice. You edited my comments to cut out my statement that I don't believe any of it (very strongly so) Gawd. It doesn't matter whether you believe it or not. Here we have a thread about Asashoryu's surprising resurgence, and this: How long until the accusations surface that he bought at least 12 matches this basho? ...is one of the first things you feel is most appropriate and/or most worthy to add to the conversation. Do you not realize how that makes you come across? I honestly can't fathom that mindset where, well, everything is immediately looked at via "I wonder what the yaocho angle might be here?" Whether you actually believe it or are just cracking wise is totally immaterial to the fact that yaocho appears to occupy an awful, awful lot of your mindspace. Late edit: Even more incendiary original post toned down a bit. Edited January 24, 2009 by Asashosakari
Bilu Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 (edited) Hey it was the favourite topic on the SML for over a decade ... it ain't going away here :) (See my notes regarding the Kabuki Factor ...) Personally, I'm not subscribed to the SML for 2 years or so. I can't seem to recall any yaocho allegations in the SML against Asashoryu back then. In any case, I don't see any basis for these allegations, so no point in discussing them. Edited January 24, 2009 by Bilu
_the_mind_ Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 (edited) im sure the answer to this is "no", given chiyonofuji's age, but will asa be the oldest person to zensho? should he manage to. if not, how old was the person who was the oldest to make it happen at the time it happened? Edited January 24, 2009 by _the_mind_
Randomitsuki Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 im sure the answer to this is "no", given chiyonofuji's age, but will asa be the oldest person to zensho? should he manage to. if not, how old was the person who was the oldest to make it happen at the time it happened?Oldest zensho winner in a 15-day basho was Haguroyama in Hatsu 1952 (37 years, 2 months). Oldest zensho winner since 1909 was Tachiyama in June 1915 (37 years, 10 months with a 10-0).
HenryK Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 I'm with Hananotaka...is there really anybody whose assessment of Asashoryu would be significantly changed/improved by a 23rd yusho? He was among the greatest rikishi ever two weeks ago, and he'll be in exactly the same position (except in yusho count, possibly) after tomorrow. That's true, but how he came back this basho is nonetheless astounding, given that two days before the basho his participation was unclear and people speculated whether he was mindlessly provoking his retirement. I for my part expected him to do well, but not to be 14-0 going into seshukaru.
sekihiryu Posted January 25, 2009 Posted January 25, 2009 I think this one will be among his most treasured if (actually I think when) he wins today. Vilified, hounded, written off and he comes out with a meritorious basho: what a slap in the face of his most ardent critics and the absolute best way to shut them up and eat humble pie. His return is like a phoenix from the ashes, which is actually quite ironic as its the other guy has phoenix in his shikona. And Finally to move past takanohana and sit alone in 4th place all in the same basho will be cherry on top.
Fujisan Posted January 25, 2009 Posted January 25, 2009 I think he will win today but what is most important is that my man isn't done yet.
Otokonoyama Posted January 25, 2009 Posted January 25, 2009 Would be a real treat to see Takanohana himself present the yusho cup should Asa prevail.
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