Kotooshu

[Coo-cook 0]

Kaikitsune Makoto, I'd say Hristo Stoichkov is the exact opposite of Kotooshu - an arrogant, vulgar, aggressive thug.

Personally I don't know Kotooshu, I know a friend of his, but I can't say for sure what his character is. But he seems like a modest, disciplined and decent guy, which makes him one of the very few Bulgarian athletes I can be truly proud of. It's good to see a famous Bulgarian showing such a civil demeanor to the world, not showing anger, spitting on the field or telling the referee what he thinks of his mother. Just a man who shows you don't have to act extraordinary to be extraordinary.

Even if he never becomes Yokozuna (something I don't doubt he can do) I'll still be glad Bulgaria has disciplined, humble and respectable athletes.

Well, at least Kotooshu has a proper behavior compared to current yokozunas who are acting way too "extraordinary" sometimes.

But, in post-basho interview I was expecting him to say that in next basho he would aim for yokozuna title. Instead he said "he will try his best". Was he too modest and humble ? Or, is it what the "protocols" dictate him to say?

Edited May 25, 2008 by Coo-cook

[Kuroyama 715]

But, in post-basho interview I was expecting him to say that in next basho he would aim for yokozuna title. Instead he said "he will try his best". Was he too modest and humble ? Or, is it what the "protocols" dictate him to say?

All of the above. Winning two back-to-back yusho (or a yusho and a "yusho equivalent" performance) is the minimum requirement. The YDC still must make the recommendation. Even if a candidate takes this for granted in private, it would be unwise to say so out loud.

He also does strike me as a genuinely modest man who isn't the kind to put himself as forward as some others.

[mokele 3]

For starters, it's obvious now that Kotooshu is strictly a yotsu-zumo rikishi in spite of his height, long arms and long legs. The orthodox view about such matters (expressed a few times over the years by Andy Adams and Clyde Newton of Sumo World) is that, other things being equal, tall, long-legged rikishi are at a significant disadvantage in yotsu-zumo bouts because their hips are too high and their opponents can get under them and use leverage. Another part of that orthodox view is that tall rikishi in yotsu-zumo battles are often well-advised to use tsuri (lifting) techniques if they know how to do so, but Kotooshu only very rarely picks up an opponent. However, there are other things to consider, being training, technique and raw strength. Kotooshu is a huge man, basically much bigger than most other rikishi, and his weight is due mostly to his natural size rather than to a bunch of extra fat. Hence he has a big advantage in yotsu-zumo battles because of his basic strength advantage, which more than makes up for the fact that he has to make an effort to keep his hips low all the time.

The secret to Kotooshu's success this basho was his ability to get a decent belt grip early in his bouts. He had an excellent tachi-ai the whole way, and once he got his belt grip his opponents couldn't handle his power. In any game or sport it's important to be able to learn both from victory and defeat. I feel that Kotooshu has learned a lot from victory this time, that he needs to be alert, pumped-up and aggressive at the tachi-ai to get a good belt grip, and if so, he can beat anyone!

Bravo to Kotooshu, a fine example of traditional power yotsu-zumo.

[Washuyama 641]

Kaikitsune Makoto, I'd say Hristo Stoichkov is the exact opposite of Kotooshu - an arrogant, vulgar, aggressive thug.

Personally I don't know Kotooshu, I know a friend of his, but I can't say for sure what his character is. But he seems like a modest, disciplined and decent guy, which makes him one of the very few Bulgarian athletes I can be truly proud of. It's good to see a famous Bulgarian showing such a civil demeanor to the world, not showing anger, spitting on the field or telling the referee what he thinks of his mother. Just a man who shows you don't have to act extraordinary to be extraordinary.

Even if he never becomes Yokozuna (something I don't doubt he can do) I'll still be glad Bulgaria has disciplined, humble and respectable athletes.

For those of us that aren't too familiar with Bulgaria, Kotooshu is a great "ambassador!"

[Kintamayama 45,095]

Concrete talk of tsunatori and stipulations begin. Looks like it's not going to be easy. "It's important for him to do as good as this basho, and even better!", said Kitanoumi rijicho, seemingly demanding a 14 win minimum Nagoya.

Ebisawa -san, member of the YDC and former chairman:"The impression of him until now isn't that good (probably referring to the fact that he had only 4 double-digit basho out of 15 as an Ozeki), and we'll have to see how we digest that.. It is necessary that he beats both yokozuna or at least one of them" Add the HH (Hinkaku Hurdle" which will be raised even higher as everyone sees the remnants of it lying around shamed outside the dohyo with the latest breaches, and the LA jungyo , the various celebrations and TV appearances that will certainly hamper his preparations.

Dad: "Hey, there's a guy in there that looks just like me!":

Edited May 26, 2008 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,095]

Mainichi- "He'll need something like a zensho, and we will be looking closely at the content of the bouts", said Kitanoumi Rijicho. When asked about the YDC's guidelines of "back to back yusho or equivalent" , he answered. "Guidelines are guidelines,but they are just guidelines!"

Osh: "Hey, there's a guy in there who looks just like me , but with much bigger ears.."

Edited May 26, 2008 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,095]

Ms. Uchidate:"It's a kadoban yusho. There is the 'back to back yusho' guideline, but the question is if he can become a stalwart Yokozuna. If we abide strictly by the guidelines and automatically promote a back to back yusho winner without looking at the details, there will be no need for the YDC, right?". she said.

[Kuroyama 715]

All things considered, it's perfectly reasonable to expect Osh to demonstrate consistency before anyone seriously considers yokozuna promotion, even if he does win the next basho. I've always liked him and would be very happy to see him with a tsuna, but you have to be realistic.

[Washuyama 641]

Ms. Uchidate:"It's a kadoban yusho. There is the 'back to back yusho' guideline, but the question is if he can become a stalwart Yokozuna. If we abide strictly by the guidelines and automatically promote a back to back yusho winner without looking at the details, there will be no need for the YDC, right?". she said.

I'm not sure if I agree with her, but she makes a good point.

[salle 11]

"Finally something I can fill with decent amount of yoghurt for a breakfast"

[Jonosuke 28]

I'd say other than a Zensho Yusho, Kotooshu won't get it.

He just came out of kyujo basho and up to then, his ozeki records have been nothing to speak of. We already have two yokozuna and in the current climate, YDC won't wholeheartedly go for the promotion now.

For a stretch of two years from 1993, Takanohana as ozeki, finished Second at the Haru, Yusho at the Natsu, Yusho equivalent at Nagoya (losing to Akebono in the ketteisen), second in the Aki, makekoshi at Kyushu, then Yusho at the 94 Hatsu, second at the Haru, yusho at the Natsu, 11-4 at the Nagoya and then 15-0 yusho at the Aki. And he still didn't get promoted in that span. He had to get another 15-0 yusho the following basho to get the promotion,

He fulfilled a yusho and yusho equivalent but they didn't give to him. Kotooshu with far less stellar records and kyujo basho won't get it unless he has a perfect basho.

[Peeter 15]

Ms. Uchidate:"It's a kadoban yusho. There is the 'back to back yusho' guideline, but the question is if he can become a stalwart Yokozuna. If we abide strictly by the guidelines and automatically promote a back to back yusho winner without looking at the details, there will be no need for the YDC, right?". she said.

Nice, from 1 to 8 days it was "back to back" fighting, but how to explain Kotooshus wins on days 9-12&14-15? Details ar such ( in my opinion ) - both Yokozunas see after day 12, that yusho is gone for them, and Oshu's suddenly happened lost to Aminishiki on day 13 wasn't wakening alarm clock for them! (Sign of approval...)

Edited May 26, 2008 by Peeter

[Sashohitowa 6]

Does someone have translated in English the interview with Kotooshu on the dohiyo after giving him the cup?

[Bealzbob 0]

Ms. Uchidate:"It's a kadoban yusho. There is the 'back to back yusho' guideline, but the question is if he can become a stalwart Yokozuna. If we abide strictly by the guidelines and automatically promote a back to back yusho winner without looking at the details, there will be no need for the YDC, right?". she said.

So is she implying that discussing yokozuna promotions is ALL they do ? She is if she thinks we don't need a YDC if we implement the B2BY rule. When we all know her job is to give weekly moans on Asashoryu's dress code, dohyo manner and inability to win every yusho. Ho hum.

[Hananotaka 8]

Ms. Uchidate:"It's a kadoban yusho. There is the 'back to back yusho' guideline, but the question is if he can become a stalwart Yokozuna. If we abide strictly by the guidelines and automatically promote a back to back yusho winner without looking at the details, there will be no need for the YDC, right?". she said.

So is she implying that discussing yokozuna promotions is ALL they do ?

No, but it's the primary purpose of the council, the reason it was formed.

[HenryK 38]

Ms. Uchidate:"It's a kadoban yusho. There is the 'back to back yusho' guideline, but the question is if he can become a stalwart Yokozuna. If we abide strictly by the guidelines and automatically promote a back to back yusho winner without looking at the details, there will be no need for the YDC, right?". she said.

I'm not sure if I agree with her, but she makes a good point.

One way or the other, yes (Shaking head...)

[Jonosuke 28]

Ms. Uchidate:"It's a kadoban yusho. There is the 'back to back yusho' guideline, but the question is if he can become a stalwart Yokozuna. If we abide strictly by the guidelines and automatically promote a back to back yusho winner without looking at the details, there will be no need for the YDC, right?". she said.

So is she implying that discussing yokozuna promotions is ALL they do ? She is if she thinks we don't need a YDC if we implement the B2BY rule. When we all know her job is to give weekly moans on Asashoryu's dress code, dohyo manner and inability to win every yusho. Ho hum.

Actually that's what they are supposed to do in the first place. YDC was formed so that yokozuna promotion would not be all handled among oyakata solely based on their interests such as I promote your guy so the next time when it comes to my guy, you give me your vote stuff.

Another of their mandate is to comment on yokozuna performance and if required, provide advice, caution or recommend retirement. Since I seem to be the only pro-Uchidate man, I can tell you she speaks up because she is passionate about sumo though I do agree she can be more cordial in her comment. You get her comments on papers because reporters seek her out as she is the only media savvy member in YDC (aside from the chairman who used to be the NHK chairman). She is also the only member who regularly attends a basho even when there is no meeting for YDC members.

Ms Uchidate is a screen writer who wrote a story about a girl living in a heya for NHK morning drama series and she is the only member of YDC who actually lived in a heya and experienced day to day goings-on of heya life. She also recieved her Master degree at the University of Tohoku's Graduate School for the history of Sumo and wrote a thesis on the religious history of sumo.

YDC is made up of members from the corporate world as well as arts such as a film directors and kabuki actors and they are asked to comment and reflect on what the general public think of yokozuna and yokozuna to be. And you may be surprised to know there are many who share Ms Uchidate's views in Japan. She has been and still is the most outspoken critic of Asashoryu in YDC and from the very beginning she requested to tell his shisho to instruct and teach him properly as he was not brought up in Japan. Her concerns were pretty much ignored but if the oyakata has done what she asked for years ago then we may never had the last year's incident. She could have been said she told you so.

And lastly YDC membership is not her job as she has a full time day job and does not receive any monetary compensation for her participation in YDC. You may also want to know Asashoryu himself listened to what she says. Remember it was her who insisted he received kensho with his right hand and now he does so every time. For some who may be new to Ozumo, her views may be considered to be extreme but I'd rather have a YDC made of members with a variety of opinion, rather than rubber stamping whatever the Rijicho wants.

[Bealzbob 0]

Since I seem to be the only pro-Uchidate man, I can tell you she speaks up because she is passionate about sumo though I do agree she can be more cordial in her comment. [snip]... I'd rather have a YDC made of members with a variety of opinion, rather than rubber stamping whatever the Rijicho wants.

Just to clarify my stance. I am definitely pro-YDC and mainly for the reasons you outline. I'm perhaps not quite as pro-Uchidate because she has historically tended to revel in pointing out Asa's flaws a little over eagerly, although she gets kudos from me for her comments re- the Asa-Hak bout on senshuraku. Anyhoo, don't want this turning into yet another Uchidate-centric thread.

[HenryK 38]

In my opinion this topic has several layers.

1) What is good for Kotooshu? I agree with those who said a quick Y promotion may do Kotooshu more harm than good. It's unclear at this stage whether he can put in these efforts consistently, and how much this yusho owed to the injuries of the Yokozuna. If he gets quickly promoted in another basho with semi-fit Ys but then returns to his habitual 9-6 and 8-7 bashos, this may make for a short and disappointing Y career rather than a long and interesting O career with a Y promotion in the cards somewhere down the road. I'd prefer to see him put in a solid, say, 11-4 basho in Nagoya, before seeting the eyes at higher honors.

2) Are the Y promotion criteria the right ones? Back-to-back yushos has thus far been a guarantee for Y promotion, but with Kotooshu people feel understandably uncomfortable and start adding in additional ad-hoc requirements (like not being kadoban when starting a run or getting X number of wins over 3 bashos).

Here is a suggestion:

The YDC administrates a list of O who are eligible for starting a Y run. The criteria for getting on that list should not be overly stringent, but they should also not be meaningless. A yusho or jun-yusho gets you on that list; also finishing two of the last three bashos with 10 wins (or something like a 9-8-11 series). However, Ozeki flirting regularly with kadoban or being unable to produce more than 8-7 or 9-6 performances should not be on that list. Kotooshu wouldn't have been on that list before this basho, but he would be now. Once that list is established and only "worthy" Os could start a Y-run, the "equivalent performance" exception could be applied a bit more generously, if needed.

3) What should the YDC do if Kotooshu wins in Nagoya? Well, I think it should grit its teeth and promote him. The YDC shouldn't create a "lex Kotooshu" ex-post, this would be bound to be ugly. The YDC should revise its rules though and see whether they remain adequate. More generally, I believe the YDC, as any governing body, should focus on setting appropriate rules -- that ex-post also bind itself -- and watch over their correct implementation, while limiting discretion with individual decisions to a minimum.

[Hananotaka 8]

Since I seem to be the only pro-Uchidate man,

I'm with you, Joe. I don't necessarily agree with all she says, and I'm certainly no fan of the YDC as a whole, but I do think she gets waaaay too much flak here for just fulfilling her responsibilities.

[Kintamayama 45,095]

"We did not discuss how many wins he has to get if he gets the yusho in Nagoya. I just hope he goes out and gambarizes, and then, we shall see..", said Mr. Ebisawa of the YDC, hinting that Kotooushuu's chances of a promotion are dim even if he wins the yusho.

"Counting from last Kyushu, he doesn't even have a 50% winning average.. Personally, I think if he gets the yusho in Nagoya, THAT could be the start of a tsunatori", said Ms. Uchidate.

Edited May 26, 2008 by Kintamayama

[sekitori 492]

"Counting from last Kyushu, he doesn't even have a 50% winning average.. Personally, I think if he gets the yusho in Nagoya, THAT could be the start of a tsunatori", said Ms. Uchidate.

Kotooshu's record for the last four bashos including those bouts where he was kyujo was 27-19-14. Taking those numbers into consideration, his winning percentage was 45% and Ms. Uchidate's statement that "he doesn't even have a 50% winning average" is correct. But his actual record on the dohyo for that period was 27-17 or 61%, the equivalent of slightly better than a 9-6 basho. That's not a very impressive percentage for an ozeki, but it's better than the 45% figure (the equivalent of just under a 7-8 basho) which the YDC apparently seems to be taking into consideration.

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

Since I seem to be the only pro-Uchidate man (...)

I intend to marry her! (Shaking head...)

[Peterao 3]

Since I seem to be the only pro-Uchidate man,

I'm with you, Joe. I don't necessarily agree with all she says, and I'm certainly no fan of the YDC as a whole, but I do think she gets waaaay too much flak here for just fulfilling her responsibilities.

He's not the only Joe. While I wouldn't want her running the whole show, I'm glad she's there to represent and articulate such valid viewpoints, even if they are not PC.

Personally, I also think that it is absurd that we are talking about a tsunatori run one basho after kadoban. After a zensho, maybe, and then only with another zensho. But all that Kotooshu has done now is reassert himself as an ozeki (he's still tied for the lowest total of yusho of any current ozeki).

Edited May 26, 2008 by Peterao

[Shomishuu 0]

Personally, I also think that it is absurd that we are talking about a tsunatori run one basho after kadoban. After a zensho, maybe, and then only with another zensho. But all that Kotooshu has done now is reassert himself as an ozeki...

That was all that Kotozakura had done after the first of his two straight 14-1 yusho, leading to his promotion. In his previous three basho, he had won a total of 18 bouts, with three kadoban of his own in the previous nine basho; although he had won two ozeki yusho, albeit 3 1/2 years before. Andy Adams wrote in Sumo World's 2nd issue that just before his miraculous comeback, he looked to be at the end of the line. But they desperately needed another yokozuna at the time and felt they couldn't wait on Wajima. It would be somewhat ironic if his future deshi would be the first ozeki in 58 years to win two straight yusho and not be promoted.

Edited May 26, 2008 by Shomishuu