Kitanoumi Rijicho severely cautions Harumafuji and Isegahama

[Otokonoyama]

Kitanoumi rijicho flew off the handle today when he heard that Harumafuji was chewing gum during his Yokozuna promotion ceremony. "This is a very serious ceremony and this kind of behavior is unimaginable!! " he thundered. He will not be reprimanding Harumafuji personally but has conveyed a stern warning to Isegahama Oyakata, urging him to show better leadership. So the hinkaku issue has surfaced with the speed of light.

At least we know HMF can walk & chew gum at the same time, unlike many of his compatriots! ;-)

Trying to recall- AFAIR, Asashouryuu was the only Yokozuna who used harite on many occasions. Sure, Akebono was a pusher, but I don't remember him slapping. Am I right or just old?

I'm sure I read somewhere that Asashoryu was reprimanded after just a few basho as Yokozuna for excessive harite. The gist of it being that harite was not a technique fit for the rank.

I also thought the reprimand was a bit odd since that was basically what took him to where he got. Seems that, with Harumafuji, they're attempting to circumvent the reprimand.

Akebono often used harite at the tachiai, at least in the last few years of his tenure.

[Naganoyama]

As far as I'm concerned a Yokozuna should be able to use techniques from the complete arsenal, with the single proviso that he does them damn well.

[yorikiried by fate]

As far as I'm concerned a Yokozuna should be able to use techniques from the complete arsenal, with the single proviso that he does them damn well.

We need to be able to like more posts because this is another good one!

Let me help you out.

[Asameshimae]

I can kind of understand the gum thing, and even the harite. But telling him not to do his style of sumo? Heck, that's what I love about him. I hope he keeps doing his active kind of sumo regardless of what the pundits say. He probably won't last long if he doesn't anyway. If they complain, they can complain. They will eventually forgive him as long as he keeps him mouth shut and keeps his private life relatively clean.

[Orion]

Kitanoumi rijicho flew off the handle today when he heard that Harumafuji was chewing gum during his Yokozuna promotion ceremony. "This is a very serious ceremony and this kind of behavior is unimaginable!! " he thundered. He will not be reprimanding Harumafuji personally but has conveyed a stern warning to Isegahama Oyakata, urging him to show better leadership. So the hinkaku issue has surfaced with the speed of light.

On gum-chewing: personally I think it is a disgusting habit that does not belong on the dohyo. OTOH, since the man is a smoker (and I have personally recorded this) I feel he should be allowed some space if he was genuinely trying to kick a bad habit. I personally quit smoking over 40 years ago and it wasn't easy.

Orion

[Asameshimae]

Not surprised. Smoking is rampant in sumo. What else would you expect from an exclusive boys club? There's another thing the kyokai needs to make efforts to curb.

[krindel]

I don't think anyone has any "real" objection about the gum being a mistake, although I do believe the issue was not as serious as all that.

However, the "content of his sumo" issue, is a joke. If they really think the content of his sumo is not Yokozuna-worthy, then they should have the guts to NOT promote him on the basis of that. There are several rikishi I wouldn't like to see promoted to Ozeki (let alone Yokozuna) not even if they posted the "necessary" records because of their ugly sumo.

Harumafuji's sumo is beautiful, most of the time, and has several moments of brilliance when he's in form. I personally like it, and would not like to see him try to outmuscle behemoths just to show he is a "proper" Yokozuna.

[Akinomaki]

I don't think anyone has any "real" objection about the gum being a mistake, although I do believe the issue was not as serious as all that.

Tospo reports in some detail. It was while the rikishi were preparing the hemp for the tsuna the day before the yokozuna messenger ceremony that Harumafuji showed up chewing a gum. He was interviewed on the spot and reporters pointed out the gum. He rushed to spit it out. He also had a beer can in his hand while talking. Obviously he was too relaxed and had partied too much. I think it was more a general problem of behaviour, especially while the press is watching, although Kitanoumi pointed out that the asa-momi was a solemn occasion and therefore the action was unthinkable.

[Kintamayama]

I guess I got it wrong-thanks Akinomaki- it was during the asa-momi, or the tsuna making and not during the Yokozuna ceremony itself. What a major mistake by me, what much ado about nothing then by Kitanoumi et al..

[Dr.Radical]

I don't think anyone has any "real" objection about the gum being a mistake, although I do believe the issue was not as serious as all that.

Tospo reports in some detail. It was while the rikishi were preparing the hemp for the tsuna the day before the yokozuna messenger ceremony that Harumafuji showed up chewing a gum. He was interviewed on the spot and reporters pointed out the gum. He rushed to spit it out. He also had a beer can in his hand while talking. Obviously he was too relaxed and had partied too much. I think it was more a general problem of behaviour, especially while the press is watching, although Kitanoumi pointed out that the asa-momi was a solemn occasion and therefore the action was unthinkable.

The gum and beer can is just showing that my prediction of him being the Coolest Yokozuna is coming true.

[nomadwolf]

The gum and beer can is just showing that my prediction of him being the Coolest Yokozuna is coming true.

Next thing you'll know, he'll be on Bill Maher's show smoking weed....

[勝 Katsu]

Hmmm...nobody has said "racism" yet.

[Kintamayama]

Hmmm...nobody has said "racism" yet.

Because nobody (except you, I guess..) thinks it has anything remotely to do with racism.

[sumofan]

And I remember watching Kitanoumi as Yok a few years ago via some old videos, and he seemed just brutal, from what I saw. He held no punches, so to speak. I think there were about 6-7 bouts, and his approach (it seemed to me at the time) was simply that of a bully. I might be totally wrong, and I can't seem to find too many old videos online now, but from what I'm reading, he certainly wasn't Gorgeous George.

I agree with your sentiment, but I don't think that it really matters.

HF's biggest sin is not being Japanese.

There is a saying in my country: if you want to hit a dog, you'll always find a stick.

Meaning that no matter what, they'll always find something to criticize him for.

Given that they can't actually criticize him for not being of Japanese descent, they'll just criticize him for not being what they think a Japanese yokozuna should do or be like. The guy just won 2 consecutive zensho yusho. They can't really complain about his performance without looking silly. So they'll just criticize the way he does his sumo.

And about what a yokozuna is 'supposed' to do... by what standard?

The standard of some guy on an internet forum who has never stepped inside the dohyo? I'd say the yokozuna themselves set the standard. So let's look at the previous ones. If they want a different standard, then all they need is to train Japanese rikishi to become yokozuna and set that standard. They outnumber the foreigners already so that should be easy enough, no?

[krindel]

And I remember watching Kitanoumi as Yok a few years ago via some old videos, and he seemed just brutal, from what I saw. He held no punches, so to speak. I think there were about 6-7 bouts, and his approach (it seemed to me at the time) was simply that of a bully. I might be totally wrong, and I can't seem to find too many old videos online now, but from what I'm reading, he certainly wasn't Gorgeous George.

I agree with your sentiment, but I don't think that it really matters.

HF's biggest sin is not being Japanese.

There is a saying in my country: if you want to hit a dog, you'll always find a stick.

Meaning that no matter what, they'll always find something to criticize him for.

Given that they can't actually criticize him for not being of Japanese descent, they'll just criticize him for not being what they think a Japanese yokozuna should do or be like. The guy just won 2 consecutive zensho yusho. They can't really complain about his performance without looking silly. So they'll just criticize the way he does his sumo.

And about what a yokozuna is 'supposed' to do... by what standard?

The standard of some guy on an internet forum who has never stepped inside the dohyo? I'd say the yokozuna themselves set the standard. So let's look at the previous ones. If they want a different standard, then all they need is to train Japanese rikishi to become yokozuna and set that standard. They outnumber the foreigners already so that should be easy enough, no?

While I do agree with the sentiment overall, Kitanoumi is hardly "some guy on an internet forum who has never stepped inside the dohyo". One of the few good things with the current sumo management structure is that, unlike most other sports, the oyakata know the mentality of the rikishi (even if some seem to have forgotten).

[sumofan]

And I remember watching Kitanoumi as Yok a few years ago via some old videos, and he seemed just brutal, from what I saw. He held no punches, so to speak. I think there were about 6-7 bouts, and his approach (it seemed to me at the time) was simply that of a bully. I might be totally wrong, and I can't seem to find too many old videos online now, but from what I'm reading, he certainly wasn't Gorgeous George.

I agree with your sentiment, but I don't think that it really matters.

HF's biggest sin is not being Japanese.

There is a saying in my country: if you want to hit a dog, you'll always find a stick.

Meaning that no matter what, they'll always find something to criticize him for.

Given that they can't actually criticize him for not being of Japanese descent, they'll just criticize him for not being what they think a Japanese yokozuna should do or be like. The guy just won 2 consecutive zensho yusho. They can't really complain about his performance without looking silly. So they'll just criticize the way he does his sumo.

And about what a yokozuna is 'supposed' to do... by what standard?

The standard of some guy on an internet forum who has never stepped inside the dohyo? I'd say the yokozuna themselves set the standard. So let's look at the previous ones. If they want a different standard, then all they need is to train Japanese rikishi to become yokozuna and set that standard. They outnumber the foreigners already so that should be easy enough, no?

While I do agree with the sentiment overall, Kitanoumi is hardly "some guy on an internet forum who has never stepped inside the dohyo". One of the few good things with the current sumo management structure is that, unlike most other sports, the oyakata know the mentality of the rikishi (even if some seem to have forgotten).

My apologies about this confusion. With the 'internet guys' I meant some people here who talk like they own sumo and determine what is or is not proper for a yokozuna. Kitanoumi of course does not fall in that category :)

[Afrozuna]

Personally I find any adult chewing gum extremely annoying especially if they are male. I certainly would not expect a rikishi to chew bubblegum just like I would be completely shocked if I saw a picture of Hakuho sucking on a lollipop. However that is my personal opinion.

The original poster seemed to suggest HMFJ was chewing bubblegum during the actual ceremony itself when he was accepting his promotion. I was baffled by this as surely HMFJ would not be that dumb as to chew gum in front of ALL those microphones and cameras

[ryafuji]

The original poster seemed to suggest HMFJ was chewing bubblegum during the actual ceremony itself when he was accepting his promotion. I was baffled by this as surely HMFJ would not be that dumb as to chew gum in front of ALL those microphones and cameras

Indeed, as Kinta himself has pointed out, it's now clear it was during the tsuna making beforehand. Storm in a teacup.

[勝 Katsu]

Hmmm...nobody has said "racism" yet.

Because nobody (except you, I guess..) thinks it has anything remotely to do with racism.

Just a thought....

[Senkoho]

just a polite suggestion: let's try to keep this place meme-free. when I feel like looking at memes, I go to 9gag. When I want to read something interesting and, let's put it this way, professional about sumo, I come here. It would be great to keep these notions separate ;-) Nothing personal, Katsu, I hope that you don't feel offended.

[Akinomaki]

Tospo reports that Akebono warns Harumafuji, apparently in connection with the gum and beer incident.

"That is not to be. Until now it was maybe OK, but from now on it can't be permitted. If he does it a second time, he'll get fired."

"Diligent learning is necessary. In our days the oyakata was rigid. Even after I surpassed the oyakata on the banzuke, the oykata is the oykata. It was the time when if one did something, one got beaten on the spot. The oyakata has to tell. From now on the mass media will put his (Harumafuji) losses on the front page. In the end it is about the man himself having how much self-awareness."

[Harry]

The real sacrilege is ruining a perfectly good beer by drinking it while chewing gum at the same time! I can't believe I am the first to point out this major transgression.

[Kuroyama]

The real sacrilege is ruining a perfectly good beer by drinking it while chewing gum at the same time! I can't believe I am the first to point out this major transgression.

Now, now. Let's not be hasty in passing judgment. We don't know for a fact it was good beer. Maybe it was an American brand.

[Washuyama]

Maybe it was an American brand.

I want to be offended by this comment, but the truth hurt a little! LOL

[勝 Katsu]

just a polite suggestion: let's try to keep this place meme-free. when I feel like looking at memes, I go to 9gag. When I want to read something interesting and, let's put it this way, professional about sumo, I come here. It would be great to keep these notions separate ;-) Nothing personal, Katsu, I hope that you don't feel offended.

I'm not offended but I'm a huge fan of memes and have no intention of ceasing my use of them.