Rikishi Talk Day 1 Hatsu Basho 2011

[Jonosuke]

Matsutani (Makushita West 51, 1-0) over Kawanari by yorikiri

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(Returning from a suspension resulting from baseball gambling involvement and winning his first day.)

"I was really tense today but I was able to hear so much cheers and that made me so happy."

(Receiving two basho suspension and falling down all the way to Makushita bottom from Juryo.)

"There were so many times I felt I was going to quit. But then I realized I was being supported by so many people and I knew I had to work so hard to respond to their support."

Sokokurai (1-0) over Toyohibiki by yoritaoshi, 12.8 sec

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(Notching the win on his 27th birthday.)

"I won my bout back when I was in Makushita too. I believe I won most of my bouts on my birthday. Maybe I get more psyched up."

Wakakoyu (1-0) over Kotokasuga by kotenage, 6.2 sec

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(Back in Makuuchi after three basho due to baseball gambling involvement.)

"I was able to return from a point where I could have been released altogether."

Takamisakari (1-0) over Tokitenku by uwatenage, 6.2 sec

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"I drew a good fortune at a shrine this year. I often get bad luck ones so I am feeling really lucky. "

(Asked about his helper's fortune.)

"Oh....I don't remember."

Kotoshogiku (1-0) over Aran by yorikiri, 11.3 sec

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(Got into his favorite Gaburi-yori and winning his first day bout.)

"I would have to do all I can so that (rival) Kisenosato would be an ozeki before I knew it."

Kisenosato (1-0) over Yoshikaze by tsukidashi, 3.1 sec

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(Returning to sekiwake rank after three basho, bulldozing out Yoshikaze easily.)

"He can become pretty pesky once he gets inside. I was able to use Ottsuke well today. I was able to attack well from left. I am seeing my opponent very well."

"Actually I was so tense today that I almost forget that we had the emperor and empress in attendance."

(Stopping Hakuho's consecutive record last year, hoping to continue with the good stride.).

"I want to make this year a year to leap forward."

Harumafuji (1-0) over Tochinoshin by yorikiri, 13.9 sec

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(Beating Tochinoshin whom he has lost two consecutively and getting his first win this basho.)

"I am happy about every win but I am especially very happy about this win. I am relieved."

(Facing his first kadoban after withdrawing from the last basho due to right ankle injury.)

"I have no concerns. I was a bit tense today as this is the day 1 but I am moving well and the foot does not give me so much problem. I just wanted to come back on the dohyo as quickly as possible. I realized how privileged I was to being able to step up on the dohyo once again."

Kotooshu (1-0) over Aminishiki by oshidashi, 3.5 sec

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(Experienced some troubles but finally beating his sometimes nemesis Aminishiki.)

"I had no choice but keep moving forward. I am really happy I got the win."

Aminishiki (0-1) losing to Kotooshu

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(Hoping to reverse the outcome at the end.)

"I was thinking at least I'd get a mono-ii but it may be foretelling my bad fortune ahead."

Baruto (0-1) losing to Toyonoshima by hikiotoshi, 8.2 sec

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(Could not keep pace with Toyonoshima.)

"I think I rushed myself a bit. Initially I was trying to catch him but I changed my mind in the mid-way."

Toyonoshima (1-0) over Baruto

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(While evading Baruto's push, finding the perfect timing to pull the huge body down and rolling him down out of the dohyo.)

"His pushing is not really technically superior so I just kept moving around. I was able to counter his moves well, I couldn't get inside of him but I was able to finish him with good timing. This is a win against the opponent I really rather not to face, so it is huge."

(On winning two straight against Baruto.)

"It's a real confidence builder. I kind of felt I was rather lucky in the last Kyushu Basho but today I was able to win by moving on my own. This is a great start for the basho."

(On Hakuho bout tomorrow.)

"I want to go on offensive first and get into a good form. I want to go with an approach that this time around I can beat him for certain."

(Heard the emperor was seen giving him warm applause.)

"As a Japanese, I feel really happy to be able to display a good sumo."

Tochiozan (0-1) losing to Kaio by hatakikomi, 7.4 sec

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(Losing exactly the same way and not able to stay more than one second, unable to break through the wall as his record against Kaio stands at 1 win and 8 losses now.)

"I lost by one step. I felt like I wasted all my efforts."

Kaio (1-0) over Tochiozan

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(Slapping down Tochiozan)

"Obviously it isn't my sumo at all but I was able to see him coming out so clearly. The path is still long."

Kakuryu (0-1) losing to Hakuho by oshidashi, 2.5 sec

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(Faced Hakuho 16 times and ended up losing all of them.)

"When the yokozuna gets his initiative first, then you would have no hope. I wasn't able to jump out well at the tachiai. I am so far away from even close."

Hakuho (1-0) over Kakuryu

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(Out of his 17 yusho, managing to win yusho only once at Hatsu Basho.)

"Not sure what it is but perhaps I got too much satisfaction or a sense of accomplishment by winning the Kyushu to close the year."

"Today I was able to go through with push. It was more of flow but I feel I have done

(Asked if he was covering his old left elbow injury, protecting it by a supporter during training sessions.)

"Well he came in low and there was his arm but it's true that I do feel a bit of tenderness there. But I am not in a position where I can go with a half hearted

approcah."

(Made a mistake during his dohyo iri last year anticipating the emperor coming to see the basho but this year he was able to perform the ceremony calmly.)

"I'd be doing all my best this year as if it is up to me to pull and lead all six basho."

The Yokozuna Deliberation Committee presented Hakuho with the King of Dohyo award today. Hakuho is only the fourth yokozuna to receive a special award from the committee after Taiho, Kitanoumi and Chiyonofuji.

"We award the honorary title of the King of Dohyo to Hakuho for his great achivement and praise his accomplishments," the committee chairman, Takuhiko

Tsuruta said. The trophy was designed by the committee member, Ryohei Miyata, the chancellor of Tokyo University of Arts. The trophy depicts a dolphin and is etched with 63, Hakuho's consecutive winning record number.

"He is a great yokozuna equipped with grace as well as all of the elements of heart, techniquie and physique," Tsuruoka added.

"If felt heavy. I feel I now have a new road and new challenges ahead of me," Hakuho responded. Hakuho aslo received 46 kensho, the most ever recorded on the first day of basho in front of the emperor and empress today. "I had a good start today. I believe when you have a good start, you will naturally have a good finish."

The emperor and empress have arrived at the Ryogoku Kokugikan today to take in the lat half of Makuuchi bouts, visibly enjoying the bouts and applauding after each bout.

"We have requested to them to come see the new Sumo Kyokai in this new year," Hanaregoma oyakata, Kyokai Chairman, explained. "The emperor told me he understood we have been endeavoring to work through many travails." "We are really pleased to see the emperor and empress visiting us so early."

In his traditional Basho Day 1 speech today, Kyokai Chairman Hanaregoma oyakata pledged the renewal of Sumo Kyokai. "We will do our utmost as the whole Kyokai members as one, together to make this year, the year of renewal of Sumo Kyokai to regain the trust we have lost last year," the oyakata stated in his opening address. "We want to work towards building the sumo world where people can sense it has turned the corner and has made significant progress."

The Kyokai is planning a study session with all oyakata and rikishi to learn more about legislative reforms related to non profit organizations on January 31. The Kyokai also organized a meeting to exchange opinion between all oyakata and sekitori (Juryo and Makuuchi rikishi) last August but there was hardly any input from the rikishi side so they are setting up another meeting with the sekitori but this time only with Kyokai executives on February 1 as some rikishi felt uneasy with all oyakata present.

"We want to ensure we set up a stage where rikishi can freely express their opinion," Hanaregoma oyakata said.

The Kyokai also indicated that they have reached an agreement with the Chaya Union (Sumo Annai-jo) last November to pay a settlement fee of 15 million yen. The chaya union was asking for compensation for loss of revenue resulting from significant drop on their sales after the baseball gambling and other incidents.

The Kyokai released the name of nine new recruits who passed their new recruit entrance physicals. Other than one foreign born rikishi (a Mongolian rikishi from Magaki Beya), they will participate in Mae-zumo bouts from Day 3 on January 11.

- Shinji Kameyama, 16, from Niigata, Dewanoumi, 192 cm, 160.

- Katsuji Iwasaki, 22, from Hyogo, Irumagawa, 186, 106.

- Muneo Sasaki, 18, from Kagawa, Oitekaze, 176, 108.

- Rao Ito, 17, from Saitama, Tatsunami, 173, 118.

- Kazuya Mitani, 18, from Mie, Mihogaseki, 187, 120.

- Hideyuki Hatto, 16, from Kagoshima, MIchinoku, 185, 95.

- Shinichi Komori, 16, from Saitama, Takashima, 184, 87.

- Masahiro Mori, 18, from Fukushima, Tamanoi, 173, 109.

The Kyokai announced Sanyaku rank gyoji Masanao Kimura will be on kyujo this basho as he requires further rest and treatment till the end of January. Masanao had a surgery remove cancer cells from his liver last October.

[Mikiro]

Thanks so much for doing this for us.

[shimodahito]

bravo! Bravo!! BRAVO!!! to rikishi talk.

aminishiki bout was close... i too was hoping for mono-ii.

[Fay]

Thanks a lot Jonosuke!