Rikishi Talk Day 1 - May 2011

[Jonosuke]

Kimurayama

---------------

(With fewer sekitori in the dressing room)

"I feel this place is much bigger now, Looking up on the board, the number of torikumi has become far fewer too."

Kaisei

----------

(Beating veteran Miyabiyama with ease)

"I am happy. I was able to stay relaxed."

Okinoumi

------------

(Fooled by Takekaze's henka)

"When we need to do all we can to display good performance, how can anyone come up with a henkan on Day 1? OK I will admit it's also a fault of myself getting tricked too but ....."

Kotoshogiku

----------------

"I was really able to get down lower and I felt it was good sumo for me."

Aminishiki

------------

(Finally beating Kisenosato after losing four straight)

"I have been thinking about the strategy for four straight months or so. Everyone talks about him as the next ozeki so it sure psyched me up that much more."

(On seeing his older brother Asofuji ousted from the Kyokai after the yaocho incident)

"Mentally it's been really tough. But I can tell you this time around I have done most training in the last seven or eight years. You see this many people are still coming to see us you know. All I can do is to compete in bouts as best as I can."

Kisenosato

-------------

(Suffering his first loss already as expectations mount high for his ozeki aspiration but looking furious giving no chance to reporters to inquire)

"Ah..."

Kotooshu

--------------

(Almost losing at the dohyo edge but was able to throw Kakuryu by uwatenage to notch his first win)

"I did not rush myself, I was able to stay calm and that contributed the win."

(On seeing 800 fans coming to see the basho from quake area today)

"I feel really happy to show them a good bout. I am hoping if we can do least bit to get them feel revitalized."

Kaio

-------

(Only 10 more win to tie 1045th win, the most win record held by Chiyonofuji, but looking meek and tired already on Day 1, easily getting pushed out by Goeido)

"I couldn't do anything. I have not been doing any training sessions. I cannot regain my sumo sense."

(Compared to the Hatsu Basho, his weight down 9 kg and appearing to be suffering from more injuries)

"All I am hoping for is that I won't come back with the same sumo like today."

Harumafuji

--------------

(Losing to Tochiozan)

"I let him get inside of me. I have been doing training just like normally. All we can do is to do our best."

Hakuho

-----------

(Shouldering a heavy load as the yokozuna but showing no weakness against pesky Toyonoshima)

"For one, I believe I had a pretty good sumo today. It's been some while since we've been on the dohyo like this so I kind of felt I really missed it. I felt gratified that I have been able to be up on the dohyo competing again."

A Hakuho's tsukebito

------------------------

"He has been really tense today, he has been sweating a great deal too (doing warm up exercises in the dressing room)."

Hanaregoma oyakata

--------------------------

"It was the bout with full intensity."

"Regardless of all bouts, I am relieved that we were able to somehow open the basho and complete this day without any problem. I received as much cheers and support from the spectators today and realized once again that we have to come back and return with a regular basho as soon as possible."

Juryo Dohyo Iri

--------------------

(Normally having 14 East and West rikishi lined up surrounding the dohyo but this basho, there are only 8 on the East and 10 on the East.)

Akiseyama

----------------

"There were so few of us, I had no idea where I should have stopped walking."

Masunoyama

----------------

"It felt so empty around me...."

Takanohana oyakata, Director of Judging

-------------------------------------------------

"Everyone had a good eye contact and looked all motivated."

NIshonoseki Oyakata, Director of Surveillance

-------------------------------------------------------

"We have observed carefully all 28 bouts above Juryo today and we did not find any suspicious or questionable bout but we will continue to be vigilant. I am relieved that somehow we were able to have a good start."

Kyokutenho

---------------

(With no sekitori allowed to have a mobile device/phone in the dressing room)

"Somehow there was an air of tranquility compared to before."

Otake oyakata (former Juryo Dairyu) working as a Kimarite referee

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Welcoming the first day of special basho)

"Rikishi should have been preparing knowing they could expect having a basho any time. Hopefully we would have a full capacity for the next 15 days."

The Kokugikan almost filled up to full capacity by Makuuch bouts began today as all tickets distributed were free and there were many people who came to see sumo learning of free admission. 1000 same day tickets were all distributed by 10 AM but it was clear this was no ordinary basho as there were no banners of rikishi name or drum sounds greeting the spectators as they came to the Kokugikan. The Kyokai announced that there would be no kensho nor alcohol drinks sold in the Kokugikan this basho.

The Kyokai also indicated that they have cut down electricity consumption by 40% this basho by lowering the lightening throughout the building and will employ a self generator if they would require air conditioning in future.

The Kyokai released a list of seven new recruits who have passed their entrance exam. They would start their Mae-zumo starting tomorrow on May 9 along with the new recruits from Haru Basho.

1. Shota Moritaka, 15, from Nagasaki City. 191 cm, 99 kg. Naruto Beya

2. Yuya Sato, 16, from Iwata Prefecture, 173 cm, 97 kg, Tamai Beya

3. Takahiro Yamamoto, 15, from Hyogo Prefecture, 176 cm, 121 kg. Tokitsukaze Beya

4. Takayuki Sakuma, 22, from Tokyo, 185 cm, 151 kg. Kitanoumi Beya. College Yokozuna

5. Teiki Sasayama, 18, from Aomori, 178 cm, 147 kg. Kitanoumi Beya

6. Masaya Shinzato, 22, from Tokyo, 180 cm, 124 kg. Sakaigawa Beya

7. Yasuhide Masuda, 18, from Tokyo, 183 cm, 177 kg. Sakaigawa Beya

Former Komusubi Futeno, 30, of Dewanoumi Beya had his brief press conference at the Kokugikan on May 8, commenting the main reason of his decision to retire was losing the motivation to continue after the Haru Basho was canceled due to yaocho incidents.

As a new komusubi Futeno beat Yokozuna Asashoryu on Day 1 of the 2001 Aki Basho but could not sustain his initial burst of energy and ended up with 5 win and 10 loss record.

Suffering basho suspension last year due to his involvement in baseball gambling, his banzuke fell to a lower Makushita. "Actually rather than missing Ozumo, I feel rather relieved not having to get myself on the battle front again. I believe I have done all I could have done so in that sense I have no regret," Futeno said.

He will be working for Dewanoumi Beya as Inagawa oyakata, coaching and developing the heya's rikishi.

Chairman Hanaregoma's Opening Message

------------------------------------------------

On this occasion of Skill Judging May Basho, I would like to extend our greeting to all.

I would also like to extend our sincere condolences and wishes to the victims of the East Japan Quake that occurred o March 11 and share our whole prayer for their recovery and renewal as quickly as possible.

At this time I would like to offer our sincere apology for causing anxiety and concerns after the incidents of intentional unmotivated sumo have come to surface. As we realized this problem was the major issue that could have shaken the foundation of Nihon Sumo Kyokai, we have undertaken exhaustive investigation promptly. However as the main issue has not come to the final conclusion yet, we have decided to cancel the whole Haru Basho and for this May Basho, we have opted not to hold it as full regular basho but as a basho to gauge the skills and ability of all our rikishi. making it as Ozumo Skill Judging May Basho.

Each Kyokai member and the Kyokai as a whole organization realize we need to shoulder the full responsibility of inviting this serious situation and must reflect deeply and gravely not to repeat such incidents ever again and to work on the extermination of the root cause. And to recover the trust placed on us by all, we are determined to move ahead with all our efforts to bring about the renewal of Sumo Association.

And finally by asking you to provide us with your continued support and guidance and coming to see the basho till the Senshuraku, I would like to conclude my opening day address.

The year of Heisei 23, May 8. Public Foundation NIhon Sumo Association Chairman Teruyuki Hanaregoma

Path to Skill Judging Basho Day 1

--------------------------------------

February 2 - News of "Yaocho mail" surfacing. Takanawa oyakata (former Makuuch Kasuganishiki), Chiyohakuho and Enatsukasa admit their involvement

February 6 - Kyokai announcing cancellation of Haru Basho as well as all jungyo basho this year.

March 9 - Meeting of a committee for prevention of re-occrrenace convenes. Renaming the committee, "Ozumo Renewal Committee", issues six steps for

discussion and consideration

April 1 - Kyokai issues retirement advisory to 20 rikishi and 2 year suspension to three rikishi

April 5 - 19 rikishi accept the Kyokai request and announce their retirement. Tanigawa oyakata (former Komusubi Kaiho) was dismissed after rejecting the Kyokai advisory,

April 6 - Kyokai decided not to hold a regular May Basho, instead announcing a basho to gauge rikishi's skill and ability, offering free admission to the public.

April 11 - Kyokai adds two more rikishi, Sokokurai and Hoshikaze to the list of rikishi being involved in yaocho bouts

April 14 - Kyokai dismisses both Sokokurai and Hoshikaze after they rejected the retirement advisory

April 15 - The Renewal Committee release eight recommendations for prevention of yaocho to the Kyokai executives and directors. The Kyokai accepts them unconditionally and adopts penalty clauses in their by-laws effective this day.

April 20 - NHK announces they would not air neither live broadcast or digest program.

May 4 - Kyokai announces more prevention measures including extended and fortified surveillance throughout the venue

May 8 - Day 1 of Skill Testing and Ability Judging Basho starts

[Takamizakura]

Thanks as always for the recaps/translations, especially for this inauspicious day.

[Kintamayama]

Juryo Dohyo Iri

--------------------

(Normally having 14 East and West rikishi lined up surrounding the dohyo but this basho, there are only 8 on the East and 10 on the East.)

Akiseyama

----------------

"There were so few of us, I had no idea where I should have stopped walking."

Masunoyama

----------------

"It felt so empty around me...."

From today