Takahanada

[_the_mind_]

while this might not be the most appropriate thing to ask given the timeing...the passing of his father made me wonder if Taka has any young sons whom might be making their way into sumo in the next decade or 2? i was just thinking about the family legacy and possability for a 3rd generation champion of the family. does anyone know anything about his family or possability of another hanada making it into sumo?

[Jakusotsu]

Yes, he does have a son. (Yuichi, about 10 years old)

But I would rather count on Kotonowaka's son to hold up his family's banner.

[_the_mind_]

why is that? (i dont know anything about either of their families)

is Kotonowaka from a wrestleing family?(other then his father in law is the oyakata, right?)

is Takahanada's son not interested in sumo?

[Onnagumo]

why is that?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

here is your answer :-) I don't think any further comment is needed :-)

He is six years old here :-O :-P

Edited May 30, 2005 by Onnagumo

[_the_mind_]

a 60KG 6 year old hehe (j/k).....yes he is rather large. good for him for being in sumo. i hope he does well.

[Araiguma_Rascal]

If Takanohana's son entered Sumo, there would be a lot of pressure and high expectations on him. It might be hard if he could not live up to his family legacy.

OTOH, Taka should have a good idea about how to raise a future champion. Just do whatever his father did.

[_the_mind_]

i agree on both accounts..... when you raise a small child in or around a dohyo like Taka was it makes you so familiar with some sumo abilities that it would become more of reflex then to have to think about what to do. which may be why Yokozuna Taka acheived more in his career then Futagoyama oyakata

but the pressure to be a 3rd generation Ozeki (at least) would be quite a mountain of burden to carry around your whole career.

Edited May 31, 2005 by _the_mind_

[Cammy]

I have seen that pic before, and the kid is well built to be in sumo...he also looks way to serious, unlike the kid behind him...who isn't that small himself.

[Sasanishiki]

but the pressure to be a 3rd generation Ozeki (at least) would be quite a mountain of burden to carry around your whole career.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well there might be more pressure to become second generation yokozuna. Afterall, Taka and Waka exceeded their dad, and the expectation could be that Yuichi live up to dad and uncle and become yokozuna.

[_the_mind_]

i agree of that too, but asuming the child of a yokozuna will have to exceed the father because the father exceeded his own father is not very realistic. i dont beleive anyone can sit there and expect Taka's son to do better then he did(22 yusho). thats saying that this young child (whom might not even be in sumo yet)has to be one of the 3 best sumotori ever or will be a disappointment? just because his father did more then the grand father. for him to even sanyaku i would call a large acheivement, because for anyone to sanyaku is an acheivement. i would never say he has to win 23 yusho just because he is the son of Takanohana II and must do as well or better then the old man.

there are many cases in pro sports where the kids of a star didnt do nearly as well as the father. there are also cases where the son did much more then the father. he could fall into either case, if he even goes into sumo. you cant really expect every generation of a family to be better then the previous ones. they just might not have the desire necissary to get to that level. or lack of skill, or dedication.

i wonder if Takanohana got into sumo because he was younger then Waka? maybe he felt he had to prove something because he was younger? is Taka older or younger? i dont personally know. desire has alot to do with all of this.

[Asashosakari]

i wonder if Takanohana got into sumo because he was younger then Waka? maybe he felt he had to prove something because he was younger? is Taka older or younger? i dont personally know. desire has alot to do with all of this.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As far as I know, Takanohana had been very enthusiastic about joining Ozumo ever since he was young (there's a story somewhere on the forum about how he would intensely pay attention to the goings-on at his father's heya during keiko); it was Waka who seemed to do it more out of a sense of family loyalty.

And yes, Taka's the younger one.

[Sasanishiki]

I head a story that Waka joined to look after and protect his younger brother, rather than because of the burning desire (that Taka had). Masaru (Waka) was 17 and Kouji (Taka) was 15 when they started.

[Jonosuke]

I head a story that Waka joined to look after and protect his younger brother, rather than because of the burning desire (that Taka had). Masaru (Waka) was 17 and Kouji (Taka) was 15 when they started.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually I believe Masaru joined Ozumo for family obligation. I may have written this on ML before but it may be worth repeating as I tend to forget these things rather quickly as my memory was never good to begin with.

While growing up, everyone who visisted the home of Mitsuru Hanada (Futagoyama oyakata) knew Koji (Yokozuna Takanohana) would eventually join Ozumo. There was no doubt as he was always practicing sumo moves from very early on. While both participated in kids sumo tournament, Masaru showed not much interest to sumo then. Instead the visitors thought he would perhaps become a baseball player when he grew up.

When Mitsuru Hanada retired as Ozeki Takanohana, Masaru went bombastic crying his guts out and locked himself in the bathroom while Koji was shown to be doing his best not to show his emotion. Eventually Masaru was dragged out of the bathroom by his mother but this was the first time anyone has seen Masaru cared so much about sumo and his father. Of course being the eldest son, he was expected to continue the family legacy (though Futagoyama oyakata never mentioned it) and especially his uncle Katsuji (Yokozuna Wakanohana I) wanted him to go into Ozumo as soon as he graduated from middle school. This did not happen as Masaru went to Meiji Nakano High school (the same school Tochiazuma went later on).

This wasn't the case with Koji. He knew exactly what he wanted to do when he graduated from the middle school. He had no hesitation whatsoever about joining his father's heya and he did promptly. This caused a lot of anguish for Masaru as he really did not want to join Ozumo right away but seeing his younger brother joining and he felt he must. As well his uncle plodded him on. So he quit the high school and joined the heya with his brother.

Koji did not join Ozumo to prove anything or from any obligation. He loved sumo and nothing else. It was the only sport he ever played seriously and was interested in. He could not see himself doing anything else except becoming a sumotori. This was not true with Masaru but as he had varied interests and was more of social creature, he was more approachible and accessble to many more people. He was more easy going and could easily blend in with people. In Japanese society that is a skill well cherished and appreciated.

However from a sumo point of view, the dedication and single minded devotion Yokozuna Takanohana had followed excelled him to make him one of the greatest yokozunas of all time. And one must respect him for that if you love sumo.

[Jakusotsu]

Thanks for the story, Jonosuke-san! (Sigh...)

I think I admire Masaru even more now for reaching Yokozuna. He might always be remembered as Koji's shadow and 'weak' Yokozuna, but knowing why and how he followed his path leaves nothing but deepest respect.

[_the_mind_]

yeah really. for someone to only half heartedly win 5 yusho's and make yokozuna, imagine if he had takanohana's passion and desire for sumo.

[AOZORA]

I once skimmed the first part of the book written by Masaru. He mentioned inside his book that how it was fearful being a SUMOTORI, everyday thinking about death when he left home for bouts.

He wrote that the night he retired from sumo, was the first night he could sleep without any fear and worry after a long long dohyo life.

It sounded like story of a gladiator.

[_the_mind_]

why would he be worried about death in sumo? im i unaware of an underlieing danger? i mean i realize it is physically taxing but death seems rather extreme doesnt it? some of you guys who are super knowledgeable please help me out in why a sumotori would think this way?

[sekitori]

why would he be worried about death in sumo? im i unaware of an underlieing danger? i mean i realize it is physically taxing but death seems rather extreme doesnt it? some of you guys who are super knowledgeable please help me out in why a sumotori would think this way?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I certainly am no expert and I definitely do not have super knowledge, but I would think that the word "death" might be equated to failure. In other words, professional death--not literal death. When your brother is also a rikishi and more highly regarded than you are, the pressure for you to keep up with him must be enormous. It must have been even worse even when they both were yokozunas. Grand champions live in a fishbowl where everything they do can be a cause for criticism. Like losing matches they're not supposed to lose. And even winning, but not as decisively as a yokozuna should. Because he was unable to equal Takanohana's performances, I can understand why Wakanohana used the term "death". The pressure to succeed as well as his brother must have been tremendous and the fear of failure must have been on his mind constantly throughout his career. His retirement removed that stress. "Death" in that context seems to me to be quite appropriate.

[_the_mind_]

fair enough explination, i can buy that (Blinking...)

[Zentoryu]

actually wakanohana meant it in a literal sense. the possibility of a broken neck or such like.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Also, Musashimaru was once qouted as saying he was afraid of going all out at the tachi-ai for fear of killing his opponent (literally).

Edited June 5, 2005 by Zentoryu

[_the_mind_]

actually wakanohana meant it in a literal sense. the possibility of a broken neck or such like.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Also, Musashimaru was once qouted as saying he was afraid of going all out at the tachi-ai for fear of killing his opponent (literally).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

wow, thats serious. Musa and Akebono were probably the only ones who could really drill eachother as they pleased.

Musa is a big softy :-( (as not wanting to KILL people and all LOL)

Edited June 5, 2005 by _the_mind_

[ragerkawa]

actually wakanohana meant it in a literal sense. the possibility of a broken neck or such like.

Does anyone know the last time someone was killed or fatally injured in a professional sumo match?

Thanks

John

[sekitori]

actually wakanohana meant it in a literal sense. the possibility of a broken neck or such like.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I thought that he used the term "death" only figuratively. It never occurred to me that rikishi feel such strong anxiety over possible severe injuries when they compete. If they do, they keep it very well hidden. If Wakanohana was literally afraid of life threatening injury every time he was on the dohyo, it's amazing that his career was so successful. He reached sumo's highest rank and did quite well as a yokozuna.

I wonder how many rikishis have similar feelings of fear. After reading the above post, there probably are more than I ever would have suspected. No matter how good you are, there must be some apprehension facing a huge person whose immediate aim in life is to knock you off your feet or out of the ring. One would normally expect scared rikishi to not do very well, since their main priority would be to keep from getting injured rather than winning. On the other hand, I guess the enormous pressure to succeed will overcome even terrible anxiety like that. In Wakanohana's case, it obviously did. And it probably works the same way for other rikishis, too.

[_the_mind_]

well someone in Waka's postion might have good reason to be fearful of his health. being a Yokozuna means he would have to fight Akebono and Musashimaru every basho unless they were out for injury or he was. also maybe im wrong but i always had the feeling that Waka was injury prone. which itself would be consern if he didnt have to fight 500lb hawiians given that Waka wasnt exactly large. i dont know exactly how tall or how much he weighed but i would not consider him to be more then average size (except for his huge quads)....so maybe he knew something we didnt about potential danger to him at that time. i personally would not have been overjoyed about having to tachi-ai into Musa or Akebono every basho knowing that one serious shoulder hit could probably snap him in half (figuratively).

[Torideyama]

actually wakanohana meant it in a literal sense. the possibility of a broken neck or such like.

Does anyone know the last time someone was killed or fatally injured in a professional sumo match?

Thanks

John

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I too have asked this question, but have never seen a response. I would think that if it had ever happened, it would easily recalled by someone here.

Emmett