Kaio retires

[sekihiryu]

Just announced now on NHK 1047 wins and out. The end of an era. Farewell Kaio.

[Harry]

(I am not worthy...)

[ryafuji]

More yusho than any other non-yokozuna, most wins, most top division wins, most top division bouts and tournaments, and equal with Chiyotaikai for longest serving ozeki.... I don' t think we'll see another rikishi like Kaio for a long long time. The right time to go - breaking those longevity records is some justification for hanging on as a mediocre ozeki for the last few years in my opinion. The greatest rikishi not to make yokozuna. And my personal favourite in my 20+ years of watching sumo. Best of luck to him in his future coaching career - I'm glad he can finally rest that battle-weary body.

[Asashosakari]

Saw a Daily Sports report last night that insinuated it might be coming if he continues to head towards MK, but I didn't (want to) believe it until now...

Nearly 20 years as sekitori. (I am not worthy...)

According to an article posted somewhere last week Kaio is very keen on setting up his own stable, but other than the mandatory one-year waiting period Tomozuna-oyakata has already made it clear that he wants to keep him around for at least a couple of years to teach him the ins and outs of running a heya.

[Ruziklao]

So it is now quite a responsibility for Kotoshogiku as far the flag of Japan is concerned...

[Tikozan]

(Happy goodbyes...) Kaio

(I am not worthy...) for all the years in sumo.

[sashimaru]

Goodbye Master of the Kotenage. (I am not worthy...)

I wish you all the best. Well choosen moment to retire.

After reading in Thread:

Ex-Kirinishiki has changed from Asakayama (Kaio's kabu) to the recently vacated Ikazuchi share per July 14.

I have been waiting for this.

[Kaji]

(Happy goodbyes...) (I am not worthy...)

Bye Kaio-zeki. We'll all miss you in the doy

[shumitto]

Kaio dismissed he was going after records, but no longer after he captured maybe the last he was capable of he then retires. Could have been earlier, but at least he is gone. It was nice to nice him around, specially when he was Ozeki-level (until 2005 IIRC). This rest is much needed.

[yorikiried by fate]

He could still have secured the sole first place in Most Ozeki Basho. He chose to keep this shared with his fellow hanger-on perpetrator Chiyotaikai. Stylish while style was not a relevant category for the last five years or so.

[Flohru]

Great decision to retire non-kadoban, but a very very sad day nonetheless... (I am not worthy...)

[Fay]

Bye, Bye (Showing respect...)

See you again as Oyakata! (Sign of approval...)

[ragerkawa]

A sad day. Some of my first memories of Sumo come from the time when he won his first emperor's cup. Things won't be the same without him.

[Gusoyama]

I was just thinking yesterday "What's left for Kaio? He's a non-factor, he's got to struggle to get 8 wins, and battle nagging injuries the whole way. He's a great guy, but the time has come."

[salle]

Sad! One of the greatest I ever had pleasure two watch.

Thanks for all the years Kaio-zeki (Showing respect...) (Sign of approval...)

[Saburo]

Last of the March '88 rikishi? It really seems like Ake/Waka/Taka was an entirely different generation. As if Kaio bridged the gap from B&W to Color and beyond.

Haven't really been into sumo the last few years but it was always comforting to know that there was always Kaio, my link to when I got back into sumo in the late 1980s and seeing the sport become trendy again in the early 90s.

Truly end of another era in ozumo...

[Zuikakuyama]

Best of luck to one of my early favorites. And looks like I may need to change my avatar after more than 8 years.

[Onnagumo]

Goodbye, Kaio-zeki, and thank you (Sign of approval...)

[Fujisan]

Sad to see Kaio retire (Showing respect...) but it was overdue (Sign of approval...)

[Fay]

Farewell Ozeki Kaio

PICS

[Manekineko]

So, last basho's surprisingly good performance turned out to be his swan's song. Man, I can't believe he finally retired... He was one of my favorites, although last few years were often painful/embarrassing to watch. I guess I'll have to iron my KaioU T-shirt and wear it to work tomorrow in his honour. (Sign of approval...)

[Blue_Wolf]

I'm sure he was the most favourite rikishi by all Mongolians. Sad to see him go.

[sekihiryu]

http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=27099

Jejimas final "Will he retire poll".

Ten of us got the year, but none one got the basho. I thought it would be his home basho. I guess the record was the last carrot he was ever going to chase.

[Kintamayama]

Sorry to rain on everyone's parade, but I think everything surrounding KaioU these last few years was shameful. Many people signed up to do their utmost so he could break the records or whatever. I think with the latest concrete proof provided of what we always suspected goes on behind the scenes, nobody should be surprised or outraged by what I'm saying. He was a true powerhouse in his heyday although I was never a fan, but nobody can take that away from him.

I'm glad he has finally put himself (and some of us) out of our collective misery. The timing of his retirement proves my point perfectly, in my mind. These last few years, it was more painful than not to watch what had become of him, especially to those who knew him "before".

And all this for some records which I'm sure at least some of us believe he was not capable of breaking by himself.

[Asashosakari]

Sorry to rain on everyone's parade, but I think everything surrounding KaioU these last few years was shameful. Many people signed up to do their utmost so he could break the records or whatever. I think with the latest concrete proof provided of what we always suspected goes on behind the scenes, nobody should be surprised or outraged by what I'm saying. He was a true powerhouse in his heyday although I was never a fan, but nobody can take that away from him.

I'm glad he has finally put himself (and some of us) out of our collective misery. The timing of his retirement proves my point perfectly, in my mind. These last few years, it was more painful than not to watch what had become of him, especially to those who knew him "before".

And all this for some records which I'm sure at least some of us believe he was not capable of breaking by himself.

Silver lining - perhaps it's not just that Kaio turns out to be the last of an era, but also that it (the type of behaviour you're describing) was the last of an era... With him gone, the Kyokai has much less reason to tolerate OBSC stuff, especially if Kotoshogiku fails to make it now.

In any case, all he was doing at the end was breaking records held by Chiyonofuji, so I for one approve of any help he may have got in the process. Poetic justice and all.