Kitanofuji stuff

[Kintamayama]

Worth a thread of its own..

Senshuraku. Kitanofuji appears with a "loud" shirt  on his 79th birthday:

Mainoumi : "Whatever Kitanofuji san wears, it looks cool.."

Kitanofuji: "Are you taking the piss?"

Mainoumi: "No, nothing like that.."

A bit later:

" A few years back, Mainoumi gave me a necktie for my birthday. I was thinking of wearing it today, but didn't have the courage to try to tie it.."

 

Announcer: "Happy Birthday!"

"Thanks. I mean, I'm OLD!!.."

"Once, my birthday coincided with Chiyonofuji's yusho. Man, we had a party back then.. The cake was flying all over the place.."

 

On Terunofuji getting the shukun-sho: "Terunofuji has beaten the Ozeki and has become strong, so.. It's not really outstanding.  His abilities exceed those of all the Ozekis at this time. He dropped and came back magnificently. So isn't it a bit rude to award him that prize? Understatement?"

 

He guessed Terunofuji would get the yusho on day 13.

"I'm too shy, I won't make any guesses."

"Please, don't be shy and teach us.."

"OK, Terunofuji, then.."

 

Two days later, Osaka announcer reminded him of this.

"I guess I did say that.." he said, with a satisfied look.

"I guess you did.." retorted Osaka-san.

 

"Terunofuji's  frame of mind is different from the other rikishi at this point, right? I hope he becomes Ozeki soon and breathes some life into the  weak Ozeki camp.."

 

"When Terunofuji became Ozeki back then I was sure he would become a Yokozuna.  He had loads of fighting spirit. Standing next to him it seemed he could blast you away, you couldn't approach him. He seemed to think the world revolves around him.."

 

End of basho broadcasts:

"Hmm, it's over huh? Playoffs don't happen that often..I guess I've got an year left. I'll be 80 next year! " 

He then tweeted: "No way- I hope to be of service in the future as well.."

 

Edited March 29, 2021 by Kintamayama

[hakutorizakura]

Such an interesting character, this one.

[dada78641]

He's our sumo grandpa. I'd love to meet him someday.

[Kintamayama]

On Hakuhou: "Well, it certainly looks like he is getting close to the limit. The question is will he or won't he be mounting the dohyo again, right? He is the one who has to decide his retirement. I can't really comment much on this, but if he is having problems reaching a decision,  someone will have to say something.. I think he's worried about Kakuryuu's  retirement.   He may be thinking he should have retired first. I think he is troubled by a lot of things, feeling he was overtaken there.."

On Tobizaru, who did not earn a special prize despite going 10-5: "I'm willing to pay for it out of my own pocket, but lately, business isn't too good.. "  Mr. Osaka:"How about a 'Kitanofuji-sho (prize)?" "That would be difficult.." answered Kitanofuji. 

On Shoudai: "He's somehow managed to win seven bouts, but there really is nothing to see in his sumo this basho. Since he's become Ozeki, he's not that good. He is too relaxed.."

On day 13: "I was in a hurry to get here and my back hurts.." "Asked if it was an injury he carries from when he was active: "No! I have always had very few injuries! I didn't do sumo that seriously.." he said, laughing and entering the booth healthily without his walking cane.

On Abi who won the Makushita yusho: "He didn't get demoted because he was weak. As someone who was in sanyaku, a zensho in Makushita is no surprise. He should not forget the way he feels right now, as he truly has a good thing going for him. He should devote himself to doing sumo. He is still young and must aim for Ozeki!"

Edited March 29, 2021 by Kintamayama

[Seiyashi]

9 minutes ago, Kintamayama said:

On Abi who won the Makushita yusho: "He didn't get demoted because he was weak. As someone who was in sanyaku, a zensho in Makushita is no surprise. He should not forget the way he feels right now, as he truly has a good thing going for him. He should devote himself to doing sumo. He is still young and must aim for Ozeki!"

Abi, the next ozeki? 

[Kintamayama]

6 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

Abi, the next ozeki? 

Well, maybe not the next..

[Seiyashi]

1 minute ago, Kintamayama said:

Well, maybe not the next..

Abi, the Ozeki After Next? 

[Kintamayama]

Just now, Seiyashi said:

Abi, the Ozeki After Next? 

Abi or not Abi, that is the question.

[Sue]

1 minute ago, Seiyashi said:

Abi, the Ozeki After Next? 

Hey, Shodai could still be the next Ozeki promotion if he doesn't un-kadoban himself next time....

[Yamanashi]

10 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

Abi, the next ozeki? 

According to ironclad, in-the-know opinion:

Haru 2022 Banzuke

Y Hakuho  0-0-15 (intai)

Y Terunofuji 13-2Y

O Asanoyama 11-4

O Takakeisho 12-3J

O Abi 9-6

O Takanosho 8-7

O Shodai 7-8

O Wakatakakage 9-6

O Hoshoryu 10-5

…

[Kintamayama]

1 minute ago, Yamanashi said:

According to ironclad, in-the-know opinion:

Haru 2022 Banzuke

Y Hakuho  0-0-15 (intai)

Y Terunofuji 13-2Y

O Asanoyama 11-4

O Takakeisho 12-3J

O Abi

O Takanosho 8-7

O Shodai 7-8

O Wakatakakage 9-6

O Hoshoryu 10-5

 

No Daieishou?

Edited March 29, 2021 by Kintamayama

[Yamanashi]

4 minutes ago, Kintamayama said:

No Daieishou?

Daieishou went intai after Kyushu 2021 for reasons which you well remember, as you commented on it extensively in the posts for that basho ...

[Yamanashi]

3 hours ago, Yamanashi said:

Daieishou went intai after Kyushu 2021 for reasons which you well remember, as you commented on it extensively in the posts for that basho ...

Pardon me, I meant Yokozuna Daieishou went intai.  (I've just given @Kenneth Minami conniptions again.  Some folks don't know about my absurdist sense of humor; I apologize in advance).

[Asashosakari]

3 hours ago, Seiyashi said:

Abi, the next ozeki? 

The "no" in "no way" stands for "next ozeki".

[Jakusotsu]

I don't even dare to challenge you for a steak since everything seems possible these days. Chiyomaru yusho in May.

[Sue]

15 hours ago, Kintamayama said:

Worth a thread of its own..

Senshuraku. Kitanofuji appears with a "loud" shirt  on his 79th birthday:

Mainoumi : "Whatever Kitanofuji san wears, it looks cool.."

Kitanofuji: "Are you taking the piss?"

Mainoumi: "No, nothing like that.."

Curmudgeonly ex-great becomes long-standing announcer, and national institution, in his sport, and wears loud clothing on the air. Is Kitanofuji problematic enough to be the Don Cherry of sumo?

[Seiyashi]

5 hours ago, Sue said:

Curmudgeonly ex-great becomes long-standing announcer, and national institution, in his sport, and wears loud clothing on the air. Is Kitanofuji problematic enough to be the Don Cherry of sumo?

I thought of Jonathan Agnew, actually, who mightn't have been as "great" but certainly has become legendary as an announcer.

[Kintamayama]

10 hours ago, Jakusotsu said:

I don't even dare to challenge you for a steak since everything seems possible these days. Chiyomaru yusho in May.

It’s not me- it's Kitanofuji.  I would never go with Abi becoming Ozeki. Akiseyama, OTOH..

[Kintamayama]

On Kakuryuu's intai: "I know it's the way of the world so there is nothing we can do about it.. Still, he looked relieved and showed a nice smile.."

Day 12, Takayasu faces Hokutofuji. Kitanofuji is on the radio broadcast with Mr. Funaoka. "Isn't it better for him to go with the thrusts?" asked Funaoka. "I would go for the belt", answered Kitanofuji. Takayasu went for the oshi thrusts and won. "You called that. You have a better eye.." said Kitanofuji. "I got lucky.." answered Funaoka-san.

Day 12 again,  Mitakeumi loses to Asanoyama. "When Mitakeumi loses, they are totally powerless losses.  You feel like shouting to him 'Do you even have the will to go out there and do it??'

Day 12, on Terunofuji: "If he gets his 11th win I think nobody can say anything (regarding his promotion). The pressure will mount when he faces the three Ozeki these coming days, but no guys are stronger than Terunofuji!"

Edited March 30, 2021 by Kintamayama

[Kujo]

Hearing Kitanofuji's comments make me really miss the times when Musashimaru (another curmudgeon) would guest on NHK's english broadcast.

I don't think either one is capable of filtering their thoughts (and much more interesting for it).

[pricklypomegranate]

4 hours ago, Kujo said:

Hearing Kitanofuji's comments make me really miss the times when Musashimaru (another curmudgeon) would guest on NHK's english broadcast.

I don't think either one is capable of filtering their thoughts (and much more interesting for it).

I think it’s a Yokozuna thing. When you are on top of the spot and one of the greatest talents of your generation, you have the credentials to be a lot more critical. And regarding Mainoumi - he gave a necktie as a gift? Exciting sumo but boring gift giver, hahaha. I prefer Kitanofuji’s commentary over his, but am warming to Wakanohana. 

[Kintamayama]

Kitanofuji has slimmed down.

"Have you slimmed down?"

"Did you notice?"

"I've been exercising and cutting down on the sweets. I dropped five kilos. Today, I was able to wear a suit that I bought three years ago for the first time after putting on weight back then...."

[Kintamayama]

On Hakuhou: "We have no idea what shape he will be in next basho. He should retire if he doesn't yusho. I hope that is what he feels..'

[Kintamayama]

On no spectators: "Well, it's larger here than in Osaka (the last basho we had no spectators) so it somehow feels bleaker here.. I'm really cold.."

[Saburo]

I wish the NHK dudes would ask him about his singing career. I'll bet they have a few videos in the archives too.