Rikishi Talk the Senshuraku Haru Basho 2007

[Jonosuke 28]

Satoyama (Juryo East 4, 12-3) over Goeido by katasukashi

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(Winning Juryo yusho and heading to Maegashira-hood)

"I have stepped foward with everything I had today. I focused solely on my sumo and let the flow take care of itself. I am sure my father (who passed away prior to the Hatsu basho) is congratulating me. .....(putting a towel over his eyes to wipe his tears). I really wished he could have seen me in Makuuchi."

"I don't feel as if I am a Makuuchi rikishi yet but I will be approaching the next basho with more resolve than ever before."

Tochinonada (7-8) losing to Tosanoumi by uwatenage, 18.1 seconds

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(Area where his parent's home suffering a major quake)

"I have called them today and fortunately they are safe."

(Losing three straight to finish the basho)

"I am extremely disappointed. That's all I can say right now."

Wakanosato (11-4) over Kokkai by hatakikomi, 2.8 seconds

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(Winning 11th as a returnee to Makuuchi)

"I will be rebuilding my physique so I can train harder once more, aiming for a higer rank. I am 30 years old now but I still have an intensity of 20 year old."

Tochiozan (11-4) over Takamisakari by yorikiri, 6.7 seconds

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(Winning 11 and getting Kanto-sho)

"I am really really happy to receive it. I never have believed I could have won this many. I will give myself 70 to 80 out of 100 this basho. I know I will be facing higher rank rikishis next basho, so I want to do all my best. Win or lose I can show good sumo I won't have any regret with."

Dejima (7-8) losing to Kotoshogiku by yorikiri, 21.8 seconds

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(HIs parent's home in Kanazawa also hit hard by the quake)

"I was able to contact them. They told me things like a rice cooker and toaster fell off on the floor but that's about it so I am really relieved."

(Suffering Makekoshi on the Senshuraku)

"I feel quite a bit of regret. But I know I can still keep going and I can come back strong next basho."

Toyonoshima (8-7) over Roho by hikiotoshi, 6.3 seconds

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(Getting Kachikoshi and possibility of Sanyaku promotion)

"Like I am so ecstatic, so happy. Now that I became more visible to others, I did get more exhausted. I also gained more self-confidence as I know I could win if I keep moving forward. I want to do all I can not to get Makekoshi next basho."

Homasho (11-4) over Tokitenku by oshidashi, 4.4 seconds

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(Winning his 11th and receiving his second Gino-sho. And a possibility of Sanyaku promotion)

"I am surprised to learn I was awarded with Gino-sho. I always thought it was meant for more technically skilled rikishi like Toyonoshima."

"Physically I was not in a top condition but I felt I got better in the end."

(Certain to face the yokozuna next basho)

"My dream always has been to be on the dohyo for Musubi-no-Ichiban. I want to train that much harder to keep sharping my techniques and working on my sumo."

Kaio (8-7) over Ama by kotenage, 1 min 8.2 seconds

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(After an exhaustive ardous sumo, finally downing Ama and managing Kachikoshi)

"I felt I was able to move better in the last half. Even when losses started to accumulate, I never got down on myself, never giving up, determined to finish. "

Chiyotaikai (7-8) losing to Asashoryu by hatakikomi, 0.7 seconds

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(Next basho will his 50th basho as ozeki, tying the record for the longest tenure and worst record of 10th Kadoban)

"You would never believe the yokozuna would unleash a henka. You all know I needed this win more badly than him (suffering Makekoshi). Now I am going back to Tokyo, starting all over again for another Kadoban basho. Thank you very much."

Hakuho (13-2) over Kotooshu by sukuinage, 7.3 seconds

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(On the tachiai henka at the Kettei-sen)

"It was a spur of the moment. I lost to him yesterday and I really wanted to win regardless of what. I wasn't thinking about it until the last minute. But I am really happy to get the win and won the Yusho. Ths last yusho was without the yokozuna present so this one has more meaning."

"I can now report the good news to my wife."

(His father became a yokozuna in Mongolia when he was 23 years old. Hakuho is also planning to invite his older sister, working as a model in London for the Natsu basho)

"My wish is to become a yokozuna younger than when my father became one."

Kumagatani oyakata, Hakuho's oyakata

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(On Hakuho's henka)

"I imagine he got an idea from the yokozuna in his win against Chiyotaikai."

Asashoryu (13-2) over Chiyotaikai

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(Losing the Kettei-sen to Hakuho by a tachiai henka)

"Well, what can I say? I guess that's just about all there is to it. "

"I really wanted Hakuho to come out as hard as he could. I don't think that was right at all. It's not something a rikishi aiming for yokozuna should and would do. But it's all over now."

"But a loss is a loss. I am satisfied with what I have done."

"I won 13 straight after starting the basho with two straight losses. After being accused of this and that prior to the basho, it has been really gruelling. Personally I feel like I won the yusho. For the first time in my life, I want to congratulate myself for all I have been able to accomplish this basho."

Kitanoumi oyakata, chairman of the Kyokai

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(On Hakuho)

"Hakuho was struggling in the earlier rounds but he rebounded well from the mid-way point. Undoubtedly he is a rikishi who should always be involved in yusho races. We can certainly rate highly his accomplishment this basho."

"If he can overcome his bad habit of throwing himself over, I am sure he can win more yusho."

"The tachiai (in the yusho kettei-sei) was totally unexpected. The move could have been as risky for Hakuho as well. Obviously Hakuho wanted to win desparately but I believe Asashoryu himself never anticiapted Hakuho would come out by slapping his head down."

"I believe Hakuho has returned to his best form he once displayed. I really cannot comment what the requirements (for yokozuna promotion) but I can tell you he will need to step up to a higher level as 13 wins alone without yusho may not be appropriate for consideration."

Kokonoe oyakata (associate chief of Judging)

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"We are certain the spectators and fans wished they could have decided the yusho with more exciting finish."

Mihogaseki oyakata (associate chief of Judging)

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"Their job is also to show good sumo to the spectators and fans. I imagine they wanted to win the yusho that much. But I guess as they say more crucial the bout is, it often is more disppointing, unfortunately."

Hanaregoma oyakata (chief of Judging)

---------------------------------------------

"I think neither of them believed it would have been decided that simply."

(Asked if the henka win would affect Hakuho's yokozuna promotion chance)

"No at all. A Kettei-sen is outside of regular hon-basho bouts. It won't diminish the 15 day performance of the basho."

++++++++++++

Juryo East 14 Ouga (Atsushi Moriyasu from Fukuoka), 29, of Takasago beya has announced his retirement from active sumo on March 25. His dohyo debut was at the 1993 Haru basho, He took over Yumitori ceremony at the 2004 Hatsu basho and continued with the duty even after he was promoted to Juryo last Natsu basho.

Ouga had 5 wins and 10 losses this basho and decided to retire as it became apparent he would be demoted to Makushita next basho. He has performed 300 Yumitori ceremonies over 20 bashos. He will not be staying with the Kyokai and is planning to go back to his home in Fukuoka and perhaps to "open a chanko restaurant".

The last rikishi to perform Yumitori ceremony after being promoted to Juryo was Itakura (Daigo) in 1975, Ouga performed the ceremony for six bashos in Juryo.

"I perfomed the Yumitori ceremony today as if it was just like any other day. When I was promoted to Juryo, I decided I'd retire if I fall down to Makushtia. Since there is nothing wrong with me physically. there is not much I can do as I can no longer win. I have been able to see the yokozuna win yusho from a closest vantage point. It's been a great experience. I have no regret whatsover on my 15 years of rikishi life," Ouga said.

++++++++++++

The 33rd Tate Gyoji Shonosuke Kimura (real name: Yoichi Nozawa from Aomori) of Takasago beya talked to reporters upon his retirement from the Kyokai. He will be reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65 years old after the basho. His final bout became the yusho kettei-sen normally performed by Inosuke Shikimori who opted out for Shonosuke as it was his last basho.

He made his dohyo debut at the 1955 Nagoya basho when he was 13 years old. He said he was as nervous as his dohyo debut when he performed the duty for Musubi-no-Ichiban for the first time at the last Haru basho after being promoted to Inosuke Shikimori,

He remembers he was told by his seniors to always "stay not too far and not too near while not moving too much". "In all my career I aimed to step on the dohyo with pure mind. So often I had no idea how the bout went. I think it may have been better that way. I approached this basho as not my final basho but just like any other basho," Shonosuke said.

He says he will be looking forward to spending his time talking about sumo with his neighbors from now. "From now on I want to enjoy sumo without worrying so much about who wins or loses," Shonosuke said.

++++++++++++

Ozeki Tochiazuma left an Osaka area hospital where he was admitted since complaining of severe headache and dizziness on March 22. He disclosed his brain scan showed he has suffered a mild stroke as well. He will continue to be treated by his physician in Tokyo but is planning to participate in a Haru Jyungyo tour starting on April 1.

"Initially it was a bit of shock to find a sign of stroke. It's rather scary to find something abnormal going on in your head. I was told it's not anywhere close where I will lose the use of my limbs. But right now I don't feel I will need to make any decision one way or another. Though I feel I should continue in one side, it could be very difficult. I talked with my shisho and he told me to decide what's right and best for myself. I will be consulting with experts and will take more time to consider my future," Tochiazuma said.

+++++++++++

Accoring to a report Magaki oyakata (former yokozuna Wakanohana II) has already started a simple rehabilitation program. He suffered a stroke during the Haru basho and was taken to an Osaka area hospital and underwent an emergency brain surgery.

He can shake a hand with others and can move his body a little as well as conduct a brief conversation now. However he is still suffering from a paralysis in his face and body and is unable to walk yet.

He has been performing the overall manager responsible for Haru basho operations.

+++++++++++

Makuuchi Yusho

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Hakuho (13-2) West ozeki. Miyagino beya (Munkhbat Davaajargal from Mongolia)

22 years old. 192 cm, 154 kg.

Dohyo debut: 2001 Haru. Favorite: Migi-yotsu, yori, uwatenage.

Sansho Winners

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Shukun-sho: None (for third consecutive bashos)

Kanto-sho: Tochiozan (first)

Gino-sho: Homasho (2)

Juryo Yusho

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Satoyama (12-3) East 4, Onoe beya (Kosaku Satoyama from Kagoshima)

25 years old. 176 cm, 117 kg.

Dohyo debut: 2004 Haru. Favorite: Hidari-yotsu, Shitate-nage.

Lower rank Yusho Kettei-Sen

--------------------------------

Sandanme:

Kiozan (over Hikarikaze of Ogurma beya)

7-0. East 36 of Oguruma beya (Tomoyasu Tsukuda from Osaka)

26 years old. 182 cm, 141 kig.

Dohyo debut: 1996 Haru basho. Favorite: Oshi, Tsuki.

Jonidan:

Tochihiryu (over Katsunofuji of Sakaigawa beya)

7-0. East 8 of Kasugano beya (Yukiya Honma from Shizuoka)

19 years old. 177 cm, 126 kg.

Dohyo debut: 2006 Haru basho. Favorite: Oshi.

Edited March 25, 2007 by Jonosuke

[Shimpu 0]

Thanks Jonosuke-san for providing Rikishi Talk to us. :-S

[Terarno 47]

What a lame declaration by Asashoryu... :-S

[Yuriyama Ren 1]

Hanaregoma oyakata (chief of Judging)

---------------------------------------------

(Asked if the henka win would affect Hakuho's yokozuna promotion chance)

"No at all. A Kettei-sen is outside of regular hon-basho bouts. It won't diminish the 15 day performance of the basho."

Looking forward to many, many more kettei-sen henkas in the future.. :-S

[Doitsuyama 1,192]

Asashoryu (13-2) over Chiyotaikai

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(Losing the Kettei-sen to Hakuho by a tachiai henka)

"I really wanted Hakuho to come out as hard as he could."

Ooh! He sounds exactly like a spoiled child. I think it's because he is one... Only looking for his own good, not caring for others at all. Doesn't he imagine that Chiyotaikai also "really wanted Asashoryu to come out as hard as he could"? Nope, probably not.

[Taizeniki 0]

++++++++++++

Ozeki Tochiazuma left an Osaka area hospital where he was admitted since complaining of severe headache and dizziness on March 22. He disclosed his brain scan showed he has suffered a mild stroke as well. He will continue to be treated by his physician in Tokyo but is planning to participate in a Haru Jyungyo tour starting on April 1.

"Initially it was a bit of shock to find a sign of stroke. It's rather scary to find something abnormal going on in your head. I was told it's not anywhere close where I will lose the use of my limbs. But right now I don't feel I will need to make any decision one way or another. Though I feel I should continue in one side, it could be very difficult. I talked with my shisho and he told me to decide what's right and best for myself. I will be consulting with experts and will take more time to consider my future," Tochiazuma said.

WOW! This sounds a bit ominous. For such a young man, this is scary... Best wishes to Tochiazuma....

[Kotobaru 0]

Thank you Jonosuke-san (Dripping sweat...) :-) ;-) of bringing up rikishi talk to us, who can not read Japanese. Also many thank about the records and news, especially today, it's good to be informed that health problems of people involved are bit of fading away.

[Peterao 3]

Asashoryu (13-2) over Chiyotaikai

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(Losing the Kettei-sen to Hakuho by a tachiai henka)

"I really wanted Hakuho to come out as hard as he could."

Ooh! He sounds exactly like a spoiled child. I think it's because he is one... Only looking for his own good, not caring for others at all. Doesn't he imagine that Chiyotaikai also "really wanted Asashoryu to come out as hard as he could"? Nope, probably not.

Well, personally I really want 10,000 yen bills to bloom from my tree. Does that make me spoiled, even if I accept the fact that they will not?

Asashoryu accepted the result with his "A loss is a loss." comment, and in the little smirk after the match that said "Dammit, ya got me!" instead of his usual stink eye following a loss.

Expressing what you want does not make you a "spoiled child" unless you are unwilling to accept that you won't always get what you want.

Edited March 25, 2007 by Peterao

[SalParadise 0]

The whole quote was:

Asashoryu (13-2) over Chiyotaikai

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(Losing the Kettei-sen to Hakuho by a tachiai henka)

"Well, what can I say? I guess that's just about all there is to it. "

"I really wanted Hakuho to come out as hard as he could.

I don't think that was right at all. It's not something a rikishi aiming for yokozuna should and would do.

But it's all over now."

"But a loss is a loss. I am satisfied with what I have done."

"I won 13 straight after starting the basho with two straight losses. After being accused of this and that prior to the basho, it has been really gruelling.

Personally I feel like I won the yusho. For the first time in my life, I want to congratulate myself

for all I have been able to accomplish this basho."

The 'a loss is a loss' is a cheap qualifier tacked on, and it sounds incredibly cocky.

Any chance we can find the original Japanese somewhere to see what it sounded like natively?

[Pikenoyama 27]

Juryo East 14 Ouga (Atsushi Moriyasu from Fukuoka), 29, of Takasago beya has announced his retirement from active sumo on March 25.

I am sorry for that. I undrestood before, that he will retire from his yumitori duties but I thought, that it

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

Yesterday was (to me) probably the worst day in ozumo since I started following it almost ten years ago. Hypocrisy, arrogance and self-delusion shown afterwards only rub the salt deeper in.

What I'd really like to ask from Asashoryu supporters is this: Are you truly proud of your favourite? Can't you really see through his veil? Are you still unable to see what he is and very likely will be for the rest of his life? Do you really want to be associated with the kind of behaviour he shows year after year? Can't you really see the guy has absolutely no idea at all about what sumo ideally is all about? Are you comfortable with that? Don't you feel dirty, stupid and mad at yourself even more than at the guy himself?

To avoid getting the forum messy, please reply me (if you feel like doing so) via private messages only. I will be online only sporadically this week, though, so don't expect a fast reply. I harbour some sickish fascination about self-delusional behaviour with which I mostly entertain myself with Jehovah witnesses (and religious people in general but only Jehovah witnesses are kind enough to come to my door to entertain me), members of the political right etc.

Please, Peterao, skip this. You're beyond non-professional help. Your idea about 100 yusho was first just an example of a lousy sense of humour. The fact that you keep coming back to it proves you have something you'd really want to discuss with a medical professional.

I've called a spade a spade. Watch out for the ever vigilant moderator to raise my warn level. And since that will happen anyway, I use this opportunity to do things that seemingly are allowed here.

Takamisakari is a village idiot!

Doreen Simmons is a cranky old Luddite!

Remember! This can be done! Moderation won't intervene! ;-) (Bye, bye...) :-)

Edited March 26, 2007 by Kotoseiya Yuichi

[aderechelsea 125]

Homasho (11-4) over Tokitenku by oshidashi, 4.4 seconds

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"I am surprised to learn I was awarded with Gino-sho. I always thought it was meant for more technically skilled rikishi like Toyonoshima."

talk about modesty ... ;-)

[Doitsuyama 1,192]

Expressing what you want does not make you a "spoiled child" unless you are unwilling to accept that you won't always get what you want.

You are right of course. Problem is that Asashoryu sounded exactly like he was unwilling to accept that. Something you yourself seem to have problems with too. Just read the whole quote from Asashoryu. I should have added his very next sentence to my quote as "I don't think that was right at all." pretty much is a statement of not accepting.

[kaiguma 0]

Expressing what you want does not make you a "spoiled child" unless you are unwilling to accept that you won't always get what you want.

You are right of course. Problem is that Asashoryu sounded exactly like he was unwilling to accept that. Something you yourself seem to have problems with too. Just read the whole quote from Asashoryu. I should have added his very next sentence to my quote as "I don't think that was right at all." pretty much is a statement of not accepting.

Yeah, especially if the thing you "don't think was right at all" just happens to be an act you had committed moments before! That also makes it extremely hypocritical. We know that some people really love Asashoryu. Sometimes I like him a lot, but you've got to face reality, too. He's got personality issues that make him less than a perfect example for younger rikishi who might look up to him. Consequently, you hear a lot of the new rising stars saying they want to be like Tochiazuma or Ama or a past Yokozuna, not the current one. Isn't that kind of sad?

[ilovesumo 12]

Oh my...so sad that Oga retired. I never had him in mind for intai... (Sign of approval...)

[Jonosuke 28]

For those who asked, here are Asashoryu's quotes in Japanese as reported by Sankei Sports and more literal translation:

「精いっぱいやってほしかった。上を目指すにはよくないんじゃないかな」

(I wished he could have put in his all. I believe it wasn't good for someone aiming higher. )

and immediately after the above comment, as if to catch himself what he said considering what he has done, he added:

「負けは負け。納得してます」

(A loss is a loss. I am satisfied.)

Edited March 26, 2007 by Jonosuke

[Jakusotsu 6,037]

"I believe it wasn't good for someone aiming higher."

Makes perfectly sense from his perspective and doesn't apply to himself, because Asashoryu can't aim anywhere higher anymore.

[Xris 2]

Asashoryu is a killer by instinct. You need this to win against tough competition. That does not mean that I like him. On the contrary. But that means that he is on top. When he will retire, he will become very respectable. And scold the youngters for what he did himself, as so many people do.

Old times are always better. That's was is good with memories. In a few years time, Hakuho will have won against the great and powerful yokozuna Asashoryu before missing the tsuna for the second time (or the opposite). Then Asashoryu went on to win for four successive bashos before beeing injured and seeing Yokozuna Hakuko getting promotted (or the opposite). And so on...

This is how stories go on ... it is very difficult to know the truth.

I'm not a long time follower of sumo (six, seven years only) and I cannot speak for champions of old, but I wonder how many great champions were trully honorable, at all times, during their fighting times (if I'm wrong, if a great number was, then sumo is even better than I think it is and I will be very happy. If I'm right, I still like sumo all the same).

[Guest Adoryu]

Hello!

Could someone please inform me where can I find the original rikishi talk in Japanese?

Thanks a lot. (Holiday feeling...)

Adrian

[Yuriyama Ren 1]

Hello!

Could someone please inform me where can I find the original rikishi talk in Japanese?

Thanks a lot. (Holiday feeling...)

Adrian

An old list of the various sources can be found here.

[Asashosakari 19,606]

Hello!

Could someone please inform me where can I find the original rikishi talk in Japanese?

Thanks a lot. (Holiday feeling...)

Adrian

I think most rikishi talk comes from Mainichi and the Jiji Press wire. A couple of quotes usually also make it into the daily roundups at Sanspo.

[Jonosuke 28]

In addition Yahoo Japan's Sumo page has a good collection of articles and pictures.

[SalParadise 0]

「精いっぱいやってほしかった。上を目指すにはよくないんじゃないかな」

(I wished he could have put in his all. I believe it wasn't good for someone aiming higher. )

Isn't this semi-ambiguous? Couldn't it also be I wanted to go in with all my strength? I know he'd have probably said 精いっぱいやりたかった... for himself or somesuch, but depending on his tone, I could just as easily see him saying this as a sort of, "I was going in as hard as I could, I wish he had the balls to do the same" in a passive aggressive (read: Japanese) way.

Of course, I'm no scholar, so don't take my word for it ;)

[Hananotaka 8]

「精いっぱいやってほしかった。上を目指すにはよくないんじゃないかな」

(I wished he could have put in his all. I believe it wasn't good for someone aiming higher. )

Isn't this semi-ambiguous?

Not at all. the ～てほしい construction can only be used when talking about other people. It never refers to the self.

[SalParadise 0]

「精いっぱいやってほしかった。上を目指すにはよくないんじゃないかな」

(I wished he could have put in his all. I believe it wasn't good for someone aiming higher. )

Isn't this semi-ambiguous?

Not at all. the ～てほしい construction can only be used when talking about other people. It never refers to the self.

As I said, I'm no pro, but I am almost certain (read: 70%) that I have heard '欲しい' used in reference to oneself, though perhaps only indirectly. Of course, that could be something I (incorrectly) say often, and therefore being a moot point in this conversation ;)