Asashouryuu preparations and tribulations - Haru 2008

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Asashouryuu has already started training on January 29th-gym stuff etc.. It's the first time since he became Yokozuna that he's started training so soon after a basho-two days, to be exact. Mostly muscle building-about an hour.

As for Asa's plans to return to Mongolia, nobody is talking about that at this time. "He's really tired from last basho, so he may postpone it", said sources close to the Yokozuna.

Hakuhou will start training on the 6th.

Edited February 26, 2008 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,530]

So he starts earlier than usual. As always, there's a reason. Asa is now in Mongolia. He took the afternoon flight via Seoul. He asked for official permission from Takasago on the second, Takasago filed for permission with the Kyokai as per the new rules, it was Ok-ed, and off went Asa. He intends to return on the eighth, but the airport in Mongolia has seen many flight delays and closures lately because of the extremely cold weather, and he may be taking a chance again, as there are one-day tournaments on the 9th and 10th at the KKan, and if he doesn't make it.. "The shisho surely knows all that..", said Kitanoumi Rijicho, but still, a problem may arise..

Edited February 4, 2008 by Kintamayama

[madorosumaru 7]

Asashoryu's trip to Mongolia came suddenly--so sudden that even his tsukebito did not find out about it until he had left. The media tracked down one of them, who said, "I heard that [the yokozuna] will return on Friday. I don't know [exactly] when he left."

Asasekiryu, who frequently accompanies Ryu on his trips home, was also in the dark. "[Obviously] I did not go with him [this time]," he said to the press at the Kokugikan where he was undergoing the Kyokai physical check-up.

Ryu had wanted to return home for New Years. His daughter missed him and begged him to come home. At that time, he was told by Takasago Oyakata that it was not the proper time for such a trip. "Perhaps, after Hatsu Basho," said the shisho.

However, after losing to Hakuho in the yusho-decider on senshuraku, Ryu was determined to recapture the crown in Osaka. To that end, he started working out earlier than he had done in recent years. Even on Saturday at Tochiazuma's dampatsushiki, he had told the press that he was going to start keiko "on the fourth or, at the latest, the sixth."

There was a plan to bring his family over but that was nixed because his toddler son had come up with symptoms of atophy the last time he visited Japan. The likelihood is that he talked to his daughter last weekend and decided to go after hearing her pleas.

Last summer, he had gone home without permission, but this time, he immediately had Takasago Oyakata sign and put his seal on the "Oversea Travel Request." Yamashina Oyakata, representing the Kyokai, said, "Yes, the request was processed [properly]."

Kitanoumi Rijicho felt everything was up and up, "Look, we received the travel request. I'm sure he discussed the matter with his shisho. Since he has permission, there is no issue at hand."

The weather in Mongolia has been problematic. Ryu must realize the importance of the charity tournament on the ninth. There are a direct flight from Ulaanbaatar and another one via Seoul that he can take for his return. One way or another, he has to be back by the afternoon of the eighth.

Yaku Mitsuru, cartoonist and sumo cognoscenti, had this to say: "I don't want to make too much ado about this trip, but I'd like to see him try, at least ostensibly, to comply with the responsibilities of a yokozuna. If he had intended to go home in the first place, why all the fuss? Why can't he handle matters like an adult? After the basho, he appeared on a TV program. There are plenty of other things that he needed to take care of. [For example] he could have held a press conference and talked about the changes he had undergone. Hatsu Basho turned out to be a 'Basho of Ablutions,' but he had an excuse of having been kyujo [for a long time]. Haru Basho would be more of an acid test. If Hakuho emerges victorious again, it would [clearly] signify a 'Change of Reign.'"

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Last summer, he had gone home without permission, but this time, he immediately had Takasago Oyakata sign and put his seal on the "Oversea Travel Request." Yamashina Oyakata, representing the Kyokai, said, "Yes, the request was processed [properly]."

Other papers are pointing out that the Kyokai's written permission (now you need the Kyokai's permission to go abroad..) arrived at Takasago at 10 am. Asa's plane left at 9:05 for Seoul. There was a direct flight a few hours later, but Asa preferred to take this one, maybe to create a smokescreen for the press.

[paolo 0]

Where is Asashoryu ? Did he leave Mongolia ? Is he on the right plane ? Will he arrive on time ? Will he be here for the tournament of 9th/10th ? While Hakuho is getting more and more the Good Boy, what is the Bad Boy doing ? If Asashoryu does arrive on time, can he try to be considered at least Good Boy West ?

[Harry 67]

Where is Asashoryu ? Did he leave Mongolia ? Is he on the right plane ? Will he arrive on time ? Will he be here for the tournament of 9th/10th ? While Hakuho is getting more and more the Good Boy, what is the Bad Boy doing ? If Asashoryu does arrive on time, can he try to be considered at least Good Boy West ?

It looks like he is on his way back:

http://sports.yahoo.co.jp/hl?c=sumo&a=...29-nks_fl-fight

"横綱朝青龍が８日、帰国していたモンゴルから、９日の福祉大相撲（両国国技館）に向けて来日した。"

"Yokozuna Asashouryuu on the 8th returning from Mongolia left on a trip to Japan for the grand sumo tournament on the 9th." Another quick one so hopefully didn't mess up again. Please check it.

Edited February 8, 2008 by Harry

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Where is Asashoryu ? Did he leave Mongolia ? Is he on the right plane ? Will he arrive on time ? Will he be here for the tournament of 9th/10th ? While Hakuho is getting more and more the Good Boy, what is the Bad Boy doing ? If Asashoryu does arrive on time, can he try to be considered at least Good Boy West ?

It looks like he is on his way back:

http://sports.yahoo.co.jp/hl?c=sumo&a=...29-nks_fl-fight

"横綱朝青龍が８日、帰国していたモンゴルから、９日の福祉大相撲（両国国技館）に向けて来日した。"

"Yokozuna Asashouryuu on the 8th returning from Mongolia left on a trip to Japan for the grand sumo tournament on the 9th." Another quick one so hopefully didn't mess up again. Please check it.

Yokozuna Asashouryuu has arrived in Japan on the 8th from a trip home to Mongolia , ahead of the Sumo tournament on the 9th.

[Harry 67]

Thanks again for the correction. Is it just me or could they have written that up in a less complicated fashion? Keeping at it...

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Thanks again for the correction. Is it just me or could they have written that up in a less complicated fashion? Keeping at it...

After a while, you get used to the seemingly roundabout way and the difference in syntax. It gets easier by the hour.

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Asashouryuu was 30 minutes ahead of schedule on his return from Mongolia, dispelling the worries he might not make it back on time. "I guess it's 'welcome back' after all, huh?", he snapped at the reporters and was his usual brazen self at the airport. He did, however, touch on the deshi death subject. "I find it very regrettable. I myself will just gambarize with all my might. It's important to tackle this thing seriously", he said. As for the 'how did you spend your holiday' essay: " I was with my family every day. Just watching the white mountains and grass-covered plains made me calm. There wasn't much snow but I was deeply moved by the cold", said the poetic Yokozuna.

"I am back, on time and without a hitch, you newsmongering pack of wolves!!"

"Another message from Takasago.. I'll keep him in suspense just a bit longer.."

Present for Makiko?

Edited February 8, 2008 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Asashouryuu promised the kids, but delivered only half way. Takasago Oyakata is a member of a rotary Club, and promised a mixed group of primary school kids, local and foreign (Turkey,Denmark etc..), around 60 people including chaperons, to host them and watch the Yokozuna train. But he didn't come. He arrived as they sat to eat chanko, explaining that his back was painful after the day before's one day tournament. From here on the stories differ, depending on the paper's stand on Asa. One paper says the delegation was pissed off and chaperones were saying he hasn't really reflected on his deeds etc.. The other paper did not mention the negative aspects.

[Kintamayama 45,530]

After not doing keiko yesterday and disappointing the kids, Asa was up bright and early today and had some energetic keiko. It is very rare for him to start serious keiko in Tokyo before a non-Tokyo basho. He was doing his usual trash talking-keiko , but was sweating it out.

Squatting with a forty kilo sandbag :

Asasekiryuu: "I hope he dumps it on my right leg this time.."

Edited February 12, 2008 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,530]

More on the above keiko:

Takasago was not present as he had started his new job with the Kyokai-assistant chief of the Kyokai training institute. With no one minding the store Asa was even more mouth-loose than ever. He arrived at 8:30 am, and the until-then easy going keiko session turned tense in a second. He did shiko and suriashi while giving the lower rankers advice, and then did about 100 squats with the 40 kilo sandbags on his back. "Muscle training. That's muscle training!! That's because I just finished Hatsu basho! It's nothing to talk about!!", said a pissed off Asashouryuu to the reporters. "Here I'll be sharpening my balance and then start full blown training in Osaka!", he added.

He ended with "Don't come to my place.. Go to Miyagino!!", revealing where his attention is focused and how deeply he is geared towards a revenge next basho.

Edited February 13, 2008 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Asashouryuu is in Hawaii. He has been allowed to go in order to attend his brother's wedding. "It's a good reason so I allowed him. He has the Kyokai's permission as well", explained Takasago Oyakata. He will be returning a day before the Haru Banzuke is announced and will assume his Yokozunal duties.

Yesterday he was at the gym and bench-pressed 200 kilos, a record for him. "I have a good feeling about Haru", he said.

Edited February 18, 2008 by Kintamayama

[philafuji 1]

Asashouryuu is in Hawaii. He has been allowed to go in order to attend his brother's wedding. "It's a good reason so I allowed him. He has the Kyokai's permission as well", explained Takasago Oyakata. He will be returning a day before the Haru Banzuke is announced and will assume his Yokozunal duties.

Yesterday he was at the gym and bench-pressed 200 kilos, a record for him. "I have a good feeling about Haru", he said.

Quite a respectful bench press for some one not doing constant weight training.

Can you imagine what he might bench if he were a full time power lifter?

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Asashouryuu is back from Hawaii. He again went out on a limb, after deciding to buy an Armani suit at the last minute at the airport, thereby missing his flight. "They'll wait for me!!", he said arrogantly and indignantly, showing no hinkaku. They didn't. When he tried to pay for his suit by American Express, the card was denied, citing "mud from spring". His people frantically tried to book him an alternate flight so he can land in time for the banzuke announcement as he had promised, but the only flight available was via Las Vegas, and then through the Western Hemisphere, where he would have landed two days before he left, thereby missing Takanowaka's danpatsushiki and the Beef Burgundi dinner thereof. And then, he lost his bag of creatine, which sent shivers up my spine and woke me up.

(cough). Asashouryuu has returned safely from Hawaii after a ten day trip, where he was running on the bee-atch, doing daily weight training and generally hanging out, and attending his brother's wedding as well. He will commence unadulterated keiko tomorrow.

"Shall I elevate her, or escalate her?'

Edited February 25, 2008 by Kintamayama

[Asafan 0]

(Neener, neener...) (Laughing...) (Laughing...) (Neener, neener...)

Delightful (On the banzuke...)

[Washuyama 641]

where he was running on the bee-atch,

Somehow, the beach scene in "From Here to Eternity" comes to mind. (On the banzuke...)

[Mark Buckton 1]

Asashouryuu is back from Hawaii. - , he lost his bag of creatine, which sent shivers up my spine and woke me up.

a well known side effect of not getting your daily 'fix' / small boost / supplement / pat on the back / advantage / edge. (On the banzuke...) (Laughing...)

Still, he is back in Japan. Maybe he'll 'hook-up' with Nishi? Sure Nish can help him avoid cold turkey and becoming bleu! (Neener, neener...) (Neener, neener...)

Edited February 25, 2008 by Mark Buckton

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Well, life is stronger than fiction, it appears. Asa may be in some trouble again, as this story is for real. Yomiuri Houchi is definitely on an anti-Asa crusade lately. This time they're running a story on what he was wearing at the Honolulu airport before he left to return to Japan. He was wearing a pale blue Hawaiian aloha shirt and short white pants, with sandals. When a photographer approached and took a picture, he shouted at him "What are you taking pictures of?? Give me your business card!". After receiving the business card, he continued: " Erase the picture you took!!". He was apparently worried these pictures would be made public , since the Kyokai dress code is "kimono in public". "My kimono is in my bag, and I'll be changing into it on the plane. Take the picture at Kansai Airport when I arrive!", he explained/demanded.

He was quite aggravated upon arrival. When a reporter approached him after he landed at Kansai Airport, he shouted: "Die, you idiot!!". After that, he kept quiet and disappeared into a waiting car that whisked him off to the Takasago beya lodgings in Osaka. A bewildered Chief of the Sumo educational guidance office Isenoumi Oyakata, upon hearing this, (tattle tales..) said, "I don't know the circumstances so I cannot comment".

Houchi sums it up by calling him the "rowdy Yokozuna", as it has been doing lately, and hints that this ain't no aloha-shirt wearin' laughing matter.

Sankei Sports OTOH says Asa was blinded by the flashes, and said to the cameraman in Honolulu "You are bothering the other passengers. It's dangerous, so stop it!!" They don't mention the "DIE" story, but seem to be worried that he is not behaving well, and say he can't afford to look bad in Haru.

Edited February 26, 2008 by Kintamayama

[Asashosakari 19,664]

Aloha!

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Nikkan which is usually reliable and straightforward is repeating the "Die" story, saying a cameraman called out to him, "Yokozuna, much appreciated, well done (otsukaresama deshita)", to which the Yokozuna responded "Die, fool!!" This , in front of the general public. "Who is this cameraman and who sent him?', he asked later.

This may grow.

[Washuyama 641]

This crap is making me hope for Asa to go zensho at Haru.. Let the man enjoy his vacation...

[Mark Buckton 1]

This crap is making me hope for Asa to go zensho at Haru.. Let the man enjoy his vacation...

24/7/365

The man is a yokozuna. He can relax when he retires. And there is nothing preventing that.

Be it right or wrong - yokozuna are put on a pedastal (sp) where they enjoy a great many privs - and the only way off that is to step down.

His form of dress shouldn't cause a problem as I have seen pics of Taiho and Kashiwado in Hawaii in similar attire - displayed in the NSK Museum.

His words and obvious lack of 'brain connect to mouth' wiring could bring criticism.

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

More worrying is the handgrip of a pistol clearly showing sticking out of his obi as he rides the escalator. Shades of another yokozuna returning from Hawaii... (On the banzuke...)

Edited February 26, 2008 by Otokonoyama