Day 9 Rikishi speakishi

[Kintamayama]

Kasugaou, stopping his losing streak at three: "I found out that on various Korean internet sites people are writing that I'm not doing sumo seriously. I was fuming. Koreans are very serious about their sports.."

Tokitenkuu, first loss: "When people keep saying 'winning streak, winning streak' it finally gets to you. From tomorrow I'll go about my business calmly.. Now, I have to shave the beard I've been growing since day 1.'"

Houmashou, 5 straight wins; "My feet moved well. I've never had a MK in Haru, so the signs are good. First, the KK, then double digit wins, sansho, yusho. That's the feeling I'm going out there with.." "It's been a while since he did the amount of keiko he did this pre-basho", added Shikoroyama Oyakata.

Kyokutenhou, early MK: "I seem to be stuck in reverse.. I've tried all kinds of stuff, but it always backfires.."

Hakuba, beating Takamisakari with the very rare Kozumatori: "I was thinking of grabbing his leg, but it happened by chance.."

Takamisakari, beaten by a rare kimarite: "No way I could expect that.. He was quick. I'm heartbroken.."

Toyohibiki, having a torinaoshi called in his bout against Kotomitsuki: "I thought I had won.. I used up all my strength during the first bout." "I thought it was a torinaoshi at best. Finders keepers..", gloated Kotomitsuki.

Kotooushuu, avoiding consecutive losses: "I did all I could so that yesterday's sumo wouldn't repeat itself." On tomorrow's bout against Baruto: "He seems healthy.."

Harumafuji, not letting yesterday's loss get to him and winning: "Yesterday was yesterday. Sumo is difficult. I will gambarize bout by bout!'

Baruto, beating KaioU for his 9th win: "My foot slipped at the beginning..I thought it would be best to grab his mawashi. I got the outside grip.. Before the bout I was thinking of stuff, like what I was going to eat at night.. It's too early to think about promotion. One day, one bout." Asked if he was tired, he said: "It's the same for everyone.." "He's become more serious at the heya and talks a lot less..", said Onoe Oyakata.

KaioU, giving up the outside left hand grip to Baruto and losing: "I was thinking of going inside, but I tried too hard..The worst thing is to get into a 'hanmi' (defensive position with one leg bent in front and the other extended behind) . He definitely has the power of an Ozeki.."

Toyonoshima, oshidashied by Hakuhou: "We crashed heads. With a 22 centimeter difference in height between us, it means I was too high..He had me flying out with that left arm and I thought I was in danger..There is definitely a difference in the amount of concentration."

Hakuhou, sending Toyonoshima flying out from the center of the dohyo: "I didn't think it would end like that. I'm just moving forward. Sumo is not a contest of strength. It's how you use that strength! I'd like to 'pull' everyone till senshuraku. This feeling is especially strong this basho.."

Milestones:

KaioU, 1630 bouts in all, tied for fourth place overall with Aobajou.

Kyokutenhou- 1400 bouts in all.

[Treblemaker]

Hakuba, beating Takamisakari with the very rare Kozumatori: "I was thinking of grabbing his leg, but it happened by chance.."

Takamisakari, beaten by a rare kimarite: "No way I could expect that.. He was quick. I'm heartbroken.."

This is one of those rare times that Sakari's habit of not wanting to know in advance who he's up against worked against him. I'm watching and I'm thinking, "Sakari's got to see this coming... it's Henkuba, after all, and Sakari has proven in the past that he's pretty henka-proof..."

Wrong on both counts.

[kame]

As usual, thankishi!

Tenhou already has 1400 bouts... wow.

Kaiou "tried too hard"? And then (off the dohyo too) he's all *nudge nudge* *wink wink* Baruto's ozeki material!

[Kintamayama]

As usual, thankishi!

Tenhou already has 1400 bouts... wow.

Kaiou "tried too hard"? And then (off the dohyo too) he's all *nudge nudge* *wink wink* Baruto's ozeki material!

He meant he over-extended himself trying for the inside grip. No nudging as far as I can see..