Chiyotaikai intai

[Asashosakari]

This has yet to be picked up by the sports papers, so take it with a grain of salt I guess - as of about 45 mins ago Tokyo Shimbun reports that Chiyotaikai has decided to call it quits following his loss against Kaio and will be handing in his intai notice this morning Japanese time (i.e. right about now).

Edit: Confirmed, see below.

Edited January 13, 2010 by Asashosakari

[madorosumaru]

Jiji has reported that Taikai is retiring. They quoted Kokonoe Oyakata, "Chiyotaikai will intai as of today." He will assume the toshiyori myoseki Sanoyama, which was on loan to Toki.

[Asashosakari]

Yep, also in Mainichi, Sanspo et al. now. Time to edit the subject header...

(Shaking head...) Taikai

[Chinonofuji]

Wow. I guess it's overdue, but I'm still sad to see him go. Bye, Taikai!

(Err... off topic and all, but what happens to Toki now, in terms of the on-loan toshiyori?)

[Asashosakari]

(Err... off topic and all, but what happens to Toki now, in terms of the on-loan toshiyori?)

All the articles at the moment give off a vibe of "death of a celebrity" pre-written templates, with little actual, current reporting to fill in details like that yet. I'm sure we'll find out sometime today once the beat writers have recovered from this early morning surprise.

Edit: Hmm, on a vaguely related note - I wonder if the customary press conference will take place still today. The whole timeline is a bit off here - more often (IIRC) these high-profile intais tend to be announced in the evening right after the rikishi's (what turns out to be) final bout, with the press conference the next day, but this time it didn't become public until the next morning.

Edit #2: Answered by Nikkan Sports already - press conference in the afternoon.

Edited January 13, 2010 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari]

[madorosumaru]

. . . but what happens to Toki now, in terms of the on-loan toshiyori?

Since the possibility of Taikai's intai had been looming for a long time, behind the scene negotiations have been going on about the fate of Toki and others. One scenario discussed is for Toki to take over Furiwake, which is currently on loan to Musashimaru from the retired Asaarashi who was affiliated with the Takasago Ichimon. Musashimaru, belonging to a different ichimon, would then be musical chaired to another loaner kabu, perhaps Kaio's vacant Asakayama.

With the Kyokai elections impending, these maneuverings become even more significant than usual.

[Takanorappa]

Sad to see ol' Chiyotaikai go. Besides the fact, that while in his prime, he could shove anybody he felt like out of the ring, I really loved his sense of humor. I remember seeing him in Vegas doing his best Robocop impersonation, while waiting in the wings. He was absolutley spot-on -- had me ROFL (almost literally).

You have to admit going out today, seemed quite appropriate, given he loses to the Ozeki who breaks his shisho's record. Kind of poetic, really. (sniff. sniff.)

See you in the blue windbreaker, Taikiai!

[Harry]

I'm so glad I got to see him in person, and in his last basho of KK, beating Asashoryu no less (well, by hikiotoshi but kachi wa kachi). Stayed too long but you have to admire his tenacity. He gave it his best shot.

Heisei 21 Nagoyabasho, just a point 'n shoot so the action shots were no good:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hpulley/3765980452/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hpulley/3902947721/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hpulley/3902947239/

You will be missed Taikai!

Enjoy your Nikes Ryuji!

Edited January 13, 2010 by Harry

[madorosumaru]

Taikai began the day as normal. He put on his mawashi and went to the keiko-ga. He did some leisurely shiko and gave instructions to the Young Guys. After about 30 minutes, he met with the gathered press and told them of his intentions.

What finally made him come to the decision to retire was watching himself on videotape against Kaio. He played the scene of his defeat over and over. "When I saw myself flipped over like that, I realized this was the right time, the only time, [to call it a career]," he said. He met with his oyakata in the morning to tell him of his decision.

"The reality [of intai] hasn't hit me yet," he told the media. As for his friend and rival Kaio being his last opponent, he said, "It just turned out that way. But I am glad it was him."

[madorosumaru]

One scenario discussed is for Toki to take over Furiwake, which is currently on loan to Musashimaru from the retired Asaarashi who was affiliated with the Takasago Ichimon. Musashimaru, belonging to a different ichimon, would then be musical chaired to another loaner kabu, perhaps Kaio's vacant Asakayama.

Toki is now Asakayama Oyakata. Musashimaru is not involved this time. Kaio is loaning his kabu to Toki as his friend reclaims Sanoyama. There will be 110 voters in the Feb. 1 election.

[Chiyomaru]

Goodbye Chiyotaikai (Sign of approval...)

You were so much more than just my favorite rikishi!

[salle]

An era comes to an end. It's very sad to see Chiyotaikai go. He was among my favorites ever.

Perhaps it was better to retire in Kyusho while still Ozeki, but he showed us all his fighting spirit is still there and his heart is still young. It's his body that betrayed him. (Sign of approval...)

[ilovesumo]

No blog entry yet, I'll watch that...

[Skotkotaikai]

(Sign of approval...)

Bye, Chiyotaikai.

[Washuyama]

All 4 Ozeki decided to honor Chiyotaikai's intai...... by losing. Way to go, guys! (Sign of approval...)

[Tikozan]

(Sign of approval...) Bye bye Chioyotaikai, we will miss you

[sekihiryu]

And finally he rides off into the sunset...........sayonora, to a rare breed the "Ozekius longevitus"

Edited January 13, 2010 by sekihiryu

[Pippooshu]

Jiji has reported that Taikai is retiring. They quoted Kokonoe Oyakata, "Chiyotaikai will intai as of today." He will assume the toshiyori myoseki Sanoyama, which was on loan to Toki.

Hi...sorry for my OT question, but...

What's Toshiyori? Another word for Oyakata?

And what's Myoseki?

(Sign of approval...)

[Tokyo Tom]

All 4 Ozeki decided to honor Chiyotaikai's intai...... by losing. Way to go, guys! (Sign of approval...)

LOL!!!

I started watching sumo soon after moving to Japan in the Fall of 2006- and Chiyotaikai was the first rikishi to stand out in my mind due to his thrusting attack. My wife also noticed and couldn't wait to see her favorite "Slappy" on the J Sports sumo recap show at 11:00pm. (Whatever happened to that show? Another discussion for another time....)

Chiyotaikai wasn't the same since the 2007 basho where he was in the yusho running until Day 14 when Hakuho nearly yanked his arm out of his shoulder socket. He always showed true fighting spirit; even when injured, he seldom retired from a basho since he felt he owed an appearance to the fans who bought tickets in advance for the final days (like myself). On days when I feel like mailing it in at work I think of Chiyotaikai. He will inspire be to "do my best" for the rest of my career. Thanks Chiyo!!!

[Fukurou]

Jiji has reported that Taikai is retiring. They quoted Kokonoe Oyakata, "Chiyotaikai will intai as of today." He will assume the toshiyori myoseki Sanoyama, which was on loan to Toki.

Hi...sorry for my OT question, but...

What's Toshiyori? Another word for Oyakata?

And what's Myoseki?

(Sign of approval...)

Near the top of this page is a link to something called "Sumo Glossary". You might want to check there first, and ask again if there's something you still don't understand.

[Pippooshu]

Jiji has reported that Taikai is retiring. They quoted Kokonoe Oyakata, "Chiyotaikai will intai as of today." He will assume the toshiyori myoseki Sanoyama, which was on loan to Toki.

Hi...sorry for my OT question, but...

What's Toshiyori? Another word for Oyakata?

And what's Myoseki?

(Help me...)

Near the top of this page is a link to something called "Sumo Glossary". You might want to check there first, and ask again if there's something you still don't understand.

Many thanks. (Sign of approval...)

[Fujisan]

(Sign of approval...) Taikai..........

Before Asashoryu came along he was always my favourite,I loved his full steam ahead style..Even those times when it was used against him were fun to watch.....(Takanohana in one of his final bashos comes to mind,Taikai was nearly in the 2nd row before he realised he'd missed)

All the greats have to retire sometime though and it was overdue.....

Edited January 13, 2010 by Fujisan

[Asashosakari]

What's Toshiyori? Another word for Oyakata?

And what's Myoseki?

Near the top of this page is a link to something called "Sumo Glossary". You might want to check there first, and ask again if there's something you still don't understand.

I'll also suggest the front page of the Oyakata gallery, where the nuances and distinctions of toshiyori/myoseki/kabu are probably explained better than anywhere else. (Arguably even compared to all Japanese sources I've encountered...)

[Hananotaka]

I wonder why he retired. He was putting up Ozeki-like numbers this basho!

Sigh. Another one of the Hana no Go-ichi-kumi goes down. My first thought was "He's not that old!", but 33 going on 34 is indeed ancient in the sumo world. Particularly when punishing your body with oshi-tsuki as Chiyotaikai has done.

The '76ers left

Makuuchi-

Kotomitsuki

Bushuyama

Wakanosato

Takamisakari

Iwakiyama

Juryo-

Asofuji

Jumonji

The list once included Tochiazuma, Chiyotaikai, Takanowaka, Kinkaiyama, Chiyotenzan, Takanotsuru, Shunketsu, Harunoyama, and Hamanishiki.