Asashouryuu preparations and tribulations - Haru 2008

[Harry 67]

Unfortunately, it's a lot of people! The rags are terriblewastes of paper but they likely outsell many if not most reputable publishings.

[Kintamayama 45,530]

On the 29th, Asa went to Sakaigawa for degeiko again. He had 20 bouts with the likes of Toyohibiki, Tochinonada and Tochiouzan-20 bouts, 18-2. He lost to Tochiouzan and Tochinonada, but immediately repaid each of them with subsequent wins. He dealt especially hard with Tochiouzan by throwing him onto the tatami where the guests were watching.

Regardless of how strong he is, he will lose here and there in training. His 12th match was against Tochiouzan. He was pushed back by his opponent , lost his balance, and fell on his butt. But that was it. This loss lit a fire under Asashouryuu's said butt, His eyes changed their color, and he immediately summoned Tochiouzan for a rematch. He then proceeded to blow him away onto the tatami mat reserved for the guests. The same thing happened with Tochinonada. An immediate rematch and a quick yorikiri. After the session ended, asa seemed happy. " It's getting better. I think I've upped my pace a bit. I'll be upping it slowly from now on..", he said. He smiled at the 50- odd fans who were there for the keiko session. He then proceeded to coach the sidelined Goueidou. "You've got to do more push-ups. It will make you stronger", he said. Goueidou did not participate in the final butsugari, because he was slightly injured in a bout with Asasekiryuu.

"I'll be coming tomorrow too", Asa promised the fans, while holding a mandarin.

"I don't remember saying that", he answered when asked if he told a reporter to drop dead a few days ago.

Asa on butt- "Yer, butt, no, butt yer..":

[Harry 67]

http://sports.yahoo.co.jp/hl?c=sumo&a=...00032-nks-fight

Another unflattering shot of Asa taken by the reporters after he's finished degeiko:

Yokozuna Asashouryuu was in Osaka city's Oonaruto beya for degeiko in advance of the Haru 2008 basho, in the opening day of competition strong komusubi Kisenosato's strength difference was apparent. In Hatsubasho's 2nd day, he suffered a humiliating okuritaoshi defeat to Kisenosato but on this day his record was 14 matches with 11 wins and 3 losses. Wakanosato six times alltogether 16 wins 4 losses but he was in a satisfactory mood, "I should be. I'm really becoming strong," a surplus of compliments were visible. 3-time winner Kisenosato also said, "The Yokozuna only let his guard down by chance. I was overwhelmed." Asashouryuu, "Tomorrow I will come again. I'll be at Oonaruto for a 3rd day of degeiko." I strictly intend to do "finishing touches."

[Kaikitsune Makoto 209]

Bouts between him and Kise were aggressive. After finishing with Kise he had bouts with Wakanosato and was almost knocked out in his 19th bout when Wakanosato hit his jaw. He only did one bout after that. Shoryu gave some compliments to Kise too saying he has become strong. Evidently Kise is now up to 170kg.

[Kintamayama 45,530]

A bit more:

He had 14 bouts with nemesis Kisenosato, starting the keiko with a hearty tsuridashi and throwing him against the wall, going 11-3, with two straight losses thrown in there, which had him in low spirits. "He has really become strong.. Still, the dohyo is a bit hard. It was good keiko, since everyone was really serious", said a disappointed Asa. "The Yokozuna was letting up a bit. I was overwhelmed. He is stronger and more efficient , but I'd like not to lose to him in feeling ", said a humble Kisenosato. Asa slipped in one of the matches and went for a break to tighten a bandage he had on his left foot, proving he was taking the keiko seriously at near hon-basho level and seemingly in need of a breather. 16-0, 18-2, 16-4 - a bit downhill in his last three keiko sessions.

He then proceeded to have 6 matches against Wakanosato going 5-1. In one of the matches , he was slightly KO'd in the jaw and seemed to be dazed for a second, suffering a slight concussion. "My head became filled with white..", he joked. "I'll be coming tomorrow too!", promised Asashouryuu.

Wakanosato pummeling Asa:

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Asa has Wakanosato in wedlock dreadlock headlock:

[HenryK 38]

Asa has Wakanosato in wedlock dreadlock headlock:

Thanks for all the updates, Kintamayama. Duno what I would do without you bewteen bashos.

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Thanks for all the updates, Kintamayama. Duno what I would do without you bewteen bashos.

My pleasure. I enjoy doing it, FWIW..

[Harry 67]

While Hakuhou was in vigorous degeiko today, Asashouryuu seems to have taken the day off even though he predicted the day before that he'd be in practice again. Perhaps his concussion is worse than he thought? I'm sure more articles will follow as this one just contains an Asa footnote to a Hakuhou story:　http://sports.yahoo.co.jp/hl?c=sumo&a=20080304-00000025-nks-fight

一方、横綱朝青龍はこの日、けいこを休んだ。

[Harry 67]

Though in this article: http://sports.yahoo.co.jp/hl?c=sumo&a=...12-nks_fl-fight it appears he did keiko after all.

It says rather than having a day off he was performing a dohyo-iri at Osaka's Tenmangu shrine, the first time a rikishi has done so since 1949. He worshipped there three years about when he won the yusho. He showed 1000 fans the Unryu style.

In the morning he did degeiko with Ama and Takamisakari. Looks like 14 rounds of keiko though no score is given.

Edited March 4, 2008 by Harry

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Though in this article:

It says rather than having a day off he was performing a dohyo-iri at Osaka's Tenmangu shrine, the first time a rikishi has done so since 1949. He worshipped there three years about when he won the yusho. He showed 1000 fans the Unryu style.

In the morning he did degeiko with Ama and Takamisakari. Looks like 14 rounds of keiko though no score is given.

It was his second visit there-the last one was three years ago. "When I came here three years ago I took the yusho, so I'd like to take that in mind..", he said. The last yokozuna to do a dohyo-iri in Tenmanguu was Azumafuji.

As for the keiko, Ama and Takamisakari came for degeiko.

[Harry 67]

http://sports.yahoo.co.jp/hl?c=sumo&a=...0000038-spn-spo

Seems Aminishiki was there too. Of 14 matches it looks like Asa won 11 though it doesn't say who won the other 3.

[Harry 67]

[Harry 67]

A few dohyo-iri shots with Asasekiryu, Asashoryu and Takamisakari:

Edited March 5, 2008 by Harry

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Asashouryuu acted as an Oyakata for all intents and purposes yesterday, as Takasago was away. He was shouting orders at the young ones, and giving them various tips. At the end of the session, he even led the conga line (it is called a centipede, it turns out..).

The arrival of rikishi for degeiko was the first since he returned from his banishment. "It's good!! Hahahaha!", he exclaimed.

Edited March 5, 2008 by Kintamayama

[philafuji 1]

A few dohyo-iri shots with Asasekiryu, Asashoryu and Takamisakari:

Nice photos Harry. Asashoryu looks like he is in very good shape for this basho.

[Harry 67]

What do you call something with 17 wins and no losses in degeiko? Asashoryu yesterday at Kasuganobeya in keiko with Tochinonada, Tochiozan, Iwakiyama, Toyohibiki, Goeido (good to see he is back practicing again) and Homasho. About the hearty uwatenage against Tochiozan he said, "As expected I'm powerful, don't you think?"

[Manekineko 200]

Centipede leg counting now has its own thread.

[Kintamayama 45,530]

After the Kasugano degeiko, Asa told the reporters that he has a pain in the neck. "My neck hurts", were his words. During keiko he was seen grimacing and favoring the neck a whole lot. The neck was injured in a training match against Wakanosato on March the 2nd at Naruto. (Wakanosato seems to injure Asa a lot lately..)

But later on he proceeded to act weird and suddenly opened a window and meowed like his friend the comedian Neko Hiroshi does.

[Harry 67]

At a nursing home leading the Macarena (well, it actually says the flower bamboo hat dance) the villain of a series of recent events looks happy:

The Japanese Sumo Association has decided the match ups for the 1st and 2nd days. On the first day Asashouryuu will face komusubi Kisenosato while Hakuhou will meet komusubi Takekaze. To revival, "Revenge start!" swore Asashouryuu.

Revival, revenge start has taken momentum. Kisenosato, who beat him on the 2nd day of the last basho is his first opponent this time. Asa's spirit is ready.

"From the first day it will be full speed ahead!"

He took a rest from keiko but he received enough power. He visited a nursing home. "Asashouryuu!", "Japan's best!" they shouted. The place was crowded full with 200 people whom he greeted with a smiling face. He promised them he would get his first yusho in four bashos.

"Glad, don't you think? Thanks for the support. Haru basho with all my might I'll do my best so please watch and cheer this figure on."

I was happy from the beginning to the end today and danced and clapped my hands to "The only flower in the world" by SMAP.

He has done research about Kisenosato. 2nd day of degeiko, 11 wins 3 losses I overwhelmed him. Paired with Kisenosato, Wakanosato worked hard that afternoon. My body feels good. I am aiming to return the favor of the Tokyo tournament.

Revival is attached to spring. Old people's smiling faces became medicine better than anything. After four bashos I am full speed ahead on the road to victory.

Edited March 8, 2008 by Harry