Ryu: "I have returned!"

[madorosumaru]

General Douglas MacArthur made famous the phrase, "I shall return." On Sunday, Yokozuna Asashoryu declared in the interview after winning Hatsu Basho yusho, "I have returned."

Prior to the basho, even the most die-hard of Asashoryu supporters were skeptical. The yokozuna had gone kyujo in three straight basho and was frankly less-than-impressive in keiko. His injured left elbow was not fully healed and it was obvious he was not in battle-shape. One critic, Mitsuru Yaku, even boldly predicted that he would fare miserably and be forced into ignominious retirement by Day 3.

The first week of the basho showed Ryu in a "Perils of Pauline" act. Time after time--against Kisenosato on Shonichi, Miyabiyama on Day 4 and Yoshikaze on Day 7--he was in dire straits. However, he managed to survive those scares and rejuvenated himself for the home stretch. It helped that his foes in the second week were the ineffectual ozeki bunch but still the yokozuna showed some of his old form to go 14-0.

That set up an ultimate showdown with his arch-rival Hakuho on senshuraku for all the marbles. The Kyokai couldn't wish for more in a basho that was lackluster in every other way. Musashigawa Rijicho, representing the Kyokai, touted, "This is the finest drama. Asashoryu would want to decide it in hon-wari and would focus on doing that. Hakuho would want to prevent that [at all cost and get to a ketteisen]." Takanohana Oyakata, whose disdain for Ryu is rarely beneath the surface, said, "Musubi-no-ichiban turned out to be exactly what the fans had hoped for. Now, I would like Hakuho to rise to the occasion and do what he does best . . .."

The honwari bout was an anti-climax. Ryu made a soft tachiai and allowed Hakuho an advantage to force him out in a jiffy. "I was tense," he admitted. " I thought it might be a matta. I sort of blew that one." However, "By losing, I became more relaxed. Knowing there was one more bout encouraged me."

He spent the time before the ketteisen, doing teppo and working on his tachiai. He had a definite plan for the deciding bout. He knew Hakuho is dominant when he gets into migi-yotsu and grabs the left uwate. To prevent that, he went for the front mawashi with his right and pressed his head into his opponent's chest. With a firm grip also with his left, he was in total control. "Once we got into that position, there was nothing much I could do," conceded Hakuho.

"I sure screwed up [in the ketteisen]," Hakuho lamented. "In the [earlier bout], he felt much lighter. I guess it must be a matter of experience. There was a pitfall in the ketteisen [and I fell into it]."

When the bout was decided, Ryu raised his arms high in the air in exuberance, knowing he would probably incur the wrath of his many critics. He had done it! It was not quite Al Michaels' "Do You Believe in Miracles?" but the NHK announcer called it "The Miracle Comeback Yusho." The man who was at the brink of retirement made the January tournament the "Asashoryu Basho."

The fans in Mongolia were ecstatic. Ryu even addressed them in the native tongue during the yusho interview, probably further angering his critics. The Japanese fans were just glad that there is some exciting sumo to look forward to. Fans, YDC members, Kyokai muckety-mucks all gave somewhat similar left-handed compliments--"We didn't believe he could, but he did it. The guy is a rascal but his fighting spirit is singular and awesome. There is always a need for a 'heel' so his continuing is a good thing for Ozumo."

Recalcitrant Yaku ceased his yakking and was nowhere to be found. However, there were still some negative voices. Hakkaku Oyakata brought up the lack of opposition, "Including the younger ones, the ozeki bunch was just too pathetic. There isn't a single one [among them] that would make Asashoryu say, 'I hate to face him.' The situation hasn't changed one iota since before he went on his kyujo hiatus." An anonymous makuuchi rikishi concurred, "I felt if he could only survive the first half, he would be okay [in the second half against the 'Useless Ones']." Another top-ranking sekitori said, "I know I don't stand a chance against Hakuho, but I feel I could keep up with Asashoryu."

Takanohana was his usual self. By winning, Ryu had passed him in the total number of yusho. Asked for a comment about that feat, he was abrupt, "Maybe, another time." He then added, "There is one thing I want to say. I would like the young rikishi to work diligently every single day and endeavor to improve themselves [in every facet of body, mind and technique]. Doing that would be in keeping with the true spirit of sumo-do. I want them to understand that."

By making that statement, the last Japanese dai yokozuna clearly meant: "Don't be like Asashoryu."

Edited January 25, 2009 by madorosumaru

[Musashoryu]

Great post! It was interesting to see the crowd actually behind Asa......although there are still many who want him to fall on his face!

[sekihiryu]

General Douglas MacArthur made famous the phrase, "I shall return." On Sunday, Yokozuna Asashoryu declared in the interview after winning Hatsu Basho yusho, "I have returned."

and dont forget the drunk crop-duster Russell ( Randy Quaid) in Independence Day: "Hello, boys! I'm back!"

[Bilu]

Takanohana was his usual self. By winning, Ryu had passed him in the total number of yusho. Asked for a comment about that feat, he was abrupt, "Maybe, another time." He then added, "There is one thing I want to say. I would like the young rikishi to work diligently every single day and endeavor to improve themselves [in every facet of body, mind and technique]. Doing that would be in keeping with the true spirit of sumo-do. I want them to understand that."

By making that statement, the last Japanese dai yokozuna clearly meant: "Don't be like Asashoryu."

People tend to forget that Asashoryu, when up-and-coming, used to work VERY hard at training sessions. So hard, that Kintamayama (IIRC) upon watching him at keiko when he was merely in Makushita, predicted that he'll go all the way to Yokozuna.

He got to where he is through hard work. Some of this hard work will always be deposited in his 'bank'.

In addition, carrying a somewhat injured body (after a long tenure as Yokozuna) really makes it all the more reasonable to train appropriately.

[Kintamayama]

People tend to forget that Asashoryu, when up-and-coming, used to work VERY hard at training sessions. So hard, that Kintamayama (IIRC) upon watching him at keiko when he was merely in Makushita, predicted that he'll go all the way to Yokozuna.

Admittedly, I haven't seen as many keiko sessions some other members of the forum, but I have seen a few, and I never, ever, saw anything like that. I even got permission from the Oyakata to have his picture taken with him, I was so taken aback. Ask Babaryutaikai- she took the picture.

And yes, that was one of my million predictions that actually came true.

[Babaryutaikai]

People tend to forget that Asashoryu, when up-and-coming, used to work VERY hard at training sessions. So hard, that Kintamayama (IIRC) upon watching him at keiko when he was merely in Makushita, predicted that he'll go all the way to Yokozuna.

Admittedly, I haven't seen as many keiko sessions some other members of the forum, but I have seen a few, and I never, ever, saw anything like that. I even got permission from the Oyakata to have his picture taken with him, I was so taken aback. Ask Babaryutaikai- she took the picture.

And yes, that was one of my million predictions that actually came true.

Asked and answered in the affirmative. He was and still can be a firebrand during keiko (when he goes (Neener, neener...) ). But he wasn't yet in makushita then , was he?

[Kintamayama]

Asked and answered in the affirmative. He was and still can be a firebrand during keiko (when he goes (Neener, neener...) ). But he wasn't yet in makushita then , was he?

High Makushita, IIRC.

[Bilu]

Asked and answered in the affirmative. He was and still can be a firebrand during keiko (when he goes (Neener, neener...) ). But he wasn't yet in makushita then , was he?

High Makushita, IIRC.

Check this... (On the banzuke...)

[Skotkotaikai]

Don't forget this one too :/

I'll be back...

I am back!

Edited January 27, 2009 by Skotkotaikai

[hidenohana]

Asked and answered in the affirmative. He was and still can be a firebrand during keiko (when he goes (Nodding yes...) ). But he wasn't yet in makushita then , was he?

High Makushita, IIRC.

Check this... (Whistling...)

Thanks.

It seems,though,the picture of Kintamayama with Asashoryu has disappeared! :-O

http://www.geocities.com/bavk/vanity2.html

Clearly Kintamayama wishes to carefully guard his privacy from his legions of fans! (Whistling...)

[Kintamayama]

It seems,though,the picture of Kintamayama with Asashoryu has disappeared! (Nodding yes...)

Clearly Kintamayama wishes to carefully guard his privacy from his legions of fans! (Whistling...)

Disappeared from where??

[Gusoyama]

Have you been time traveling again, Kintamayama?

[Kintamayama]

Have you been time traveling again, Kintamayama?

I am completely lost here.

Edit-got it finally-it's all rock and roll to me.

Edited January 27, 2009 by Kintamayama

[Kofuji]

It seems,though,the picture of Kintamayama with Asashoryu has disappeared! (Nodding yes...)

http://www.geocities.com/bavk/vanity2.html

Clearly Kintamayama wishes to carefully guard his privacy from his legions of fans! (Whistling...)

You may want to check the Asashoryu pic link on Kintamayama's audio banzuke

[Babaryutaikai]

Asked and answered in the affirmative. He was and still can be a firebrand during keiko (when he goes B-) ). But he wasn't yet in makushita then , was he?

High Makushita, IIRC.

Check this... (Whistling...)

Thanks.

It seems,though,the picture of Kintamayama with Asashoryu has disappeared! :-O

http://www.geocities.com/bavk/vanity2.html

Clearly Kintamayama wishes to carefully guard his privacy from his legions of fans! :-D

Aah, but that was 1999 September. Where was he then? hey, you stole my picture off my old website. Now everyone knows I was really skinny, too - once upon a time (Laughing...)

[hidenohana]

Asked and answered in the affirmative. He was and still can be a firebrand during keiko (when he goes (Nodding yes...) ). But he wasn't yet in makushita then , was he?

High Makushita, IIRC.

Check this... (Whistling...)

Thanks.

It seems,though,the picture of Kintamayama with Asashoryu has disappeared! :-O

http://www.geocities.com/bavk/vanity2.html

Clearly Kintamayama wishes to carefully guard his privacy from his legions of fans! (Holiday feeling...)

hey, you stole my picture off my old website. Now everyone knows I was really skinny, too - once upon a time (Laughing...)

Can you forgive me? :-(

BTW thanks for the heads-up Kofuji

Amazing! Miyabiyama was a fresh-faced youngster once.

Edited January 29, 2009 by hidenohana

[Jakusotsu]

Amazing! Miyabyama was a fresh-faced youngster once.

He will always be to me, since he was the first mage-less rikishi I ever saw.