Takanohana

[Hashira]

i think he's done for good.

[Naifuzan]

I think so too. He seems like the kind of guy who'd want to quit while he's on top.

[Rijicho]

Moved to the Polls subforum.

[Kotoseiya Yuichi]

Never underestimate him.

[Zentoryu]

We all thought he was done in September and look what he did then.

It's really a matter of his spirit now. How serious is the injury and does he have the will to go through another recovery. The pressure on him to retire will probably increase also. Does he still have the will to endure it?

Only time will tell...

[Fujisan]

Something must be happening Ive just come from the Grand sumo page and Takanohanas down to fight on day 5 against Toki,so maybe hes gonna finish the basho after all.

[Zentoryu]

Yes, he is returning for day 5. Hopefully this isn't a swan song...

[Manekineko]

Somehow, I doubt he will continue wrestling, unless he finishes this basho with a miraculous result, convincingly dusting off Ozeki, etc etc. This is semi-painful and semi-boring. Ake did the right thing, IMHO, and even Waka's last basho was more dignified than this soap-opera...

[Hoshifransu]

Never underestimate him.

Never underestimate anybody.

The proof :

by Paul "Woolly" Wooldridge.

[Hoshifransu]

Re-never underestimate anybody :

(Going nuts...)  (Baaa...)

[QttP]

Another thing about Takanohana:

I read on a Russian Sumo site that after Taka decided to return and wrestle on day 5, despite the injury, the NSK has released an announcement, according to which Taka will be forced to retire if he withdraws once again before the end of the basho. I haven't heard it on the forum - is this true?

[Kintamayama]

I read on a Russian Sumo site that after Taka decided to return and wrestle on day 5, despite the injury, the NHK has released an announcement, according to which Taka will be forced to retire if he withdraws once again before the end of the basho. I haven't heard it on the forum - is this true?

I highly doubt it, since the NHK, being just the TV station that shows Sumo, has no say in the matter. Maybe the NSK..

Seriously, I seriously doubt this.Nobody had to say this to Takanohana.He KNOWS it.    (Unhappy...)

[QttP]

I highly doubt it, since the NHK, being just the TV station that shows Sumo, has no say in the matter. Maybe the NSK..

Seriously, I seriously doubt this.Nobody had to say this to Takanohana.He KNOWS it.

[Kintamayama]

So what you're basically saying is that you know of no official statement on the matter, but it sort of goes without say?

Well, that is my personal view, yes.. To tell you the truth, I fully expected him to announce his retirement today, but it hasn't happened. I guess he's planning to wrestle Kotonowaka tomorrow..

It sure would be weird if he won all his remaining 7 bouts in a timely fashion, but I, a big, big Takanohana fan, highly doubt this..

[Manekineko]

I also really doubt we will see another Taka miracle this basho. The intai announcement looks really imminent now... If he decides to wrestle on, he'll risk a make-koshi tournament, and I doubt he wants to be remembered as one of the pair of makekoshi yokozuna brothers...  :-D

Of course when he does retire, he will be remembered as one of the greatest there was, this last basho aside. I just wish we didn't have to watch his agony... I have to make an effort now and remember him as the man who could not be budged, with perfect balance and smashing uwate... I think I'll go to Dale's page and indulge in some memory lane traveling... (Unhappy...)

[Zentoryu]

When most Yokozuna retire, it's usually after they have lost their form. Akebono was an exception to this. So what's happening with Taka is not entirely unusual.

Of the last batch of Yokozuna from the early 90's, Onokuni, Chiyonofuji, Hokutoumi, and Asahifuji all went out with whimpers rather than bangs. I'm sure there were a lot of people that didn't want to watch their "agony" back then either.

Unfortunately, this is usually how the great ones leave the sport...

:-D

[Yoavoshimaru]

Hi,

From a different perspective: it seems like frequently those athletes who quit while they're still in great form almost always come back.  For example, Michael Jordan.  I think if you're still winning when you quit, that stays in your mind, and no matter how much time has passed you always think you can come back and win.  But if you're losing when you quit, then you are forced to realize you are not as good as you once were.  :~-(