Dr.Radical

On a (semi) related note, I went to Ueno (to see the pandas :D) and got this shot of my hand in Chiyonofuji's handprint.

I'm living in Chiba for at least a year. If I called his stable (in english) do you think I could see a morning practice? I'd love to see his prospects and maybe see a future ozeki/yokozuna!

Yes! Absolutely. I think you nailed why I always liked him for the short period of time I've followed sumo. Regarding his sumo, I think some of you are selling him a bit short. He was in makuuchi for almost 10 years and had some memorable kinboshi. He was certainly no slouch!

Doesn't the oyakata have a pretty big say in it? Refuse your oyakata's wishes and I'm going to assume your life will be a living hell. Not that I'm saying Baruto's shishou forced him to wrestle with an injury but it doesn't seem like it would be as simple as it being your own choice as a rikishi.

Thank you for including Harumafuji's first honbasho dohyo-iri, Kintamayama! I was curious to know if he had gained any swagger from his first performance.

Did he go out to dinner with Asashoryu or something? ;-)

Yeah, they're definitely very interesting. One other thing I noticed was the tachiai in those days.... I think a modern rikishi's tachiai would flatten some of those old rikishi. Just speculation though, of course. We'll never know how wrestlers from different time periods stack up.

Great! Thank you! :-D As Kyokutenho also ran away when he first started, I wonder if he talked to Kyokutaisei at all about it. In the video it kinda seemed like he only received advice and help from a couple other rikishi. I'm glad Kyokutaisei kept at it, though, as it looks like he could definitely at least reach juryo. His former judo skills seem to have served him well.

I'm going to have to agree with everyone that that documentary was awesome. What I wouldn't give for a .gif of (what looked like) Kyokutenho churning out handprint autographs!

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.

I'm digging Hakuho's yellow mawashi. I hope it's a permanent change!

Is there a video anywhere? I think someone recorded the last one.

Ever heard of Akebono? Also Kotooshu. He's taaaaall. And as Baruto showed, brute force can get you to the top of maegashira... Before you get a severe injury that follows you the rest of your career. :( I'm still not quite sure how well Baruto would have done at the top vs. rikishi like Asashoryu or Hakuho. Even before his injury, Asashoryu would manhandle him. I guess part of the problem with rising so fast is that you don't really have time to develop your technique so the possibility of hitting a wall in makuuchi becomes more likely. Ahem... well Dr. Radical, I don't get the hypothetical thing here - did I miss the first Estonian intai? because he actually DID face both Asashoryu & Hakuho quite a few times and yes, up to now he did not do too well against as his records against Asashoryu & Hakuho clearly show. I must miss something in your post... right? Unless I misunderstood the post, the poster before me was suggesting that had Baruto not been injured, his brute force would have carried him farther. I was simply saying that that would probably not be the case as his pre-injury bouts against Hakuho and Asashoryu showed that his strength was clearly not enough.

Surprise surprise. (Sigh...)

Ever heard of Akebono? Also Kotooshu. He's taaaaall. And as Baruto showed, brute force can get you to the top of maegashira... Before you get a severe injury that follows you the rest of your career. :( I'm still not quite sure how well Baruto would have done at the top vs. rikishi like Asashoryu or Hakuho. Even before his injury, Asashoryu would manhandle him. I guess part of the problem with rising so fast is that you don't really have time to develop your technique so the possibility of hitting a wall in makuuchi becomes more likely.