Asashouryuu preparations Aki 2008

[ryafuji 815]

I believe there wasn't a peep out of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council until Taka missed his sixth basho in a row. Then when he pulled out of the seventh they finally said he had to compete next time or else.

[Asashosakari 19,664]

I believe there wasn't a peep out of the Yokozuna Deliberation Council until Taka missed his sixth basho in a row. Then when he pulled out of the seventh they finally said he had to compete next time or else.

Not the YDC, but I'm fairly sure there were rumblings in the press as soon as he tied Onokuni's "record" with four straight absences. And that's even though a quick glance at the SML archives seems to indicate that it was pretty clear early on (like three months after the injury) that he would be missing at least four basho and probably more.

[sekitori 492]

Finally, as for complaints about his absences and behavior, what else is new? (Sign of approval...)

Well for one thing, no other yokozuna ever been away from his own heya/residence in Tokyo as much as he has been.

A yokozuna's duty isn't just being around hon-basho but he should be around for supporters club functions, other heya/ichmon social functions as well as interacting with general public. If not injured, he is expected to help train other upcoming rikishi. This all comes with the territory. Asashoryu has never been coached well in this regards and this is a real tragedy.

As for records, an injury is no excuse for accumulating non-yokozuna records or absenses from the basho. A yokozuna will never be demoted. His stipends are far more than other rikishi. He is expected to perform at a level far exceeds the the others. If he cannot for any reason, there is only one course of action - to retire gracefully. When a rikishi is promoted to yokozuna, the first thing his shisho will tell him is to know when and how to retire. It is a tradition.

The bar is much higher for yokozuna and you may all complain how unfair it is but the yokozuna willingly accepted and pledged the oath to do their utmost to conduct themselves like a yokozuna. If one feels he cannot meet the conditions or rules set forth, then he can always leave. There is no one forcing him to keep the position or even making him stay with the Kyokai. Even a retired yokozuna who may be needed by the Kyokai will not be stopped. Just ask Akebono or perhaps soon Musashimaru.

Even if he was coached extremely well concerning the duties of a yokozuna, that doesn't mean Asashoryu would follow that coaching. He is an individual unlike any other in sumo. He's an egotist who believes that following the rules of conduct are for others but not himself. He basically follows his own rules, and when the Kyokai got fed up with his conduct, they suspended him for two bashos. From his recent conduct, it seems that suspension did little if any good.

Asashoryu will retire either when the Kyokai demands his resignation or when he feels like it. Whatever happens, it probably won't be done very gracefully. His shisho can give him advice about graceful retirement, but since he seems to have very little respect for his shisho, that advice will go unheeded.

Although a yokozuna is expected to perform at a higher level than others, he has a real advantage. If he's injured and he feels that he cannot compete properly, all he has to do is drop out of the basho and wait until he feels he can. In the American military it's called RHIP--"rank has its privileges". Compare the elbow injuries of Asashoryu and Chiyotaikai. Chiyotaikai's injury was extremely serious but he couldn't go kyujo without at least trying to compete. He went 0-7 in January and looked terrible before he finally went kyujo. He came back in March with an 8-7 record, saving his ozeki rank and lengthening his career. But no matter how bad his elbow was (and I'm sure it was very painful), he HAD to compete or retire. Asashoryu is under no similar type of pressure.

If things get to the point that the Kyokai demands his retirement, I'm sure Asashoryu will put on a very good show, similar to the one when he was suspended. He'll then go back to Mongolia and enjoy all the money and fame he acquired from sumo. And I'm sure he'll always believe how ridiculous the rules of yokozuna behavior were. Once an egotist, always an egotist.

[JAB 0]

I wonder if many of you would have the same opinion of Asa if he was Japanese?

Jake

[Randomitsuki 2,843]

I wonder if many of you would have the same opinion of Asa if he was Japanese?

Jake

If Asashoryu were Japanese, the critique were even harsher on this Forum, I guess. At least Asashoryu had the benefit of the doubt for a while (acculturation and stuff). A Japanese yokozuna on an ego trip would probably be disliked much more around here.

[Kintamayama 45,530]

I wonder if many of you would have the same opinion of Asa if he was Japanese?

Jake

Of course not. He's a foreigner and should keep a low profile and not cause sacrilege to the great time honored way of the sumou-dou! Isn't it enough he bought his way into sumo?? Out with him, and while you're at it, take all the foreigners who are soiling "our" sport with him.

Sumou for the Japanese!!

[Mark Buckton 1]

I wonder if many of you would have the same opinion of Asa if he was Japanese?

Jake

he would be gone already. Not cut the tremendous amount of slack he has been given thus far.

[JAB 0]

I admit I know little about his history. Any sites?

What do you mean he "bought his way" in?

The Japanese racism is exactly what will keep Sumo from ever becoming popular outside of the little following it has in Japan. Too bad, but like most racists people never learn from there tudes, just keep perpetuating them!

Cheers

Jake

[Asashosakari 19,664]

The Japanese racism is exactly what will keep Sumo from ever becoming popular outside of the little following it has in Japan. Too bad, but like most racists people never learn from there tudes, just keep perpetuating them!

I have to admit it: I laughed.

[Mark Buckton 1]

The Japanese racism is exactly what will keep Sumo from ever becoming popular outside of the little following it has in Japan. Too bad, but like most racists people never learn from there tudes, just keep perpetuating them!

I have to admit it: I laughed.

baarellly sttoooopppp laughhhinnng loongg enougghh to buhahahahaha ttyyppe thhis -- mmeee tooo - buhahahahahhahahaha

my ribs hurt

[hidenohana 0]

I admit I know little about his history. Any sites?

What do you mean he "bought his way" in?

I think Kintamayama was being ironic Jake.There have been a few(unproven) allegations that the 'Bully from Bator' had bribed his opponents into throwing their matches.

At one time or the other,according to the allegations,the 'Mongolian Moron' had half the upper division on his payroll.

I think the consensus,at the time,on this board,was that this was just sour grapes ,from reactionary elements within sumo establishment, and that Asashoryu was good enough to defeat his opponents consistently in his convincing manner,without even ever having paying them off.

There have also been allegations of bribery against one of the greatest Japanese Yokozuna Chiyonofuji.

Google is your friend.

[JAB 0]

Hide

Thanks.

I understand Google is my friend, but I have a bit less time on my hands to just search for hours. Hence me asking on a forum.

Jake

[hidenohana 0]

Hide

Thanks.

I understand Google is my friend, but I have a bit less time on my hands to just search for hours. Hence me asking on a forum.

Jake

Voila!Doesn't even take 5 minute to find some info and post the links...

Asashoryu allegations

http://www.japanfile.com/modules/smartsect....php?itemid=495

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/worl...icle1319139.ece

http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/sumo-w...885.html?page=2

[Kintamayama 45,530]

More Hancock:

[Randomitsuki 2,843]

I have deleted moved the most recent additions into the corresponding off-topic thread

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Asashouryuu was supposed to appear on two TV shows today, but Takasago Oyakata intervened and canceled them. "The Banzuke was announced, and from now on it's only Sumo!", he declared, and Asa agreed. He will, however, participate in the book party, and later, at a fan get-together.

[Asashosakari 19,664]

In utterly frivolous news, Asashoryu was seen striking a "banzai pose" after yesterday's morning keiko session upon hearing that his good buddy, hammer thrower Koji Murofushi, might be receiving a bronze medal for his Beijing performance after all (he was 5th originally) as two medalists from the Belarus may both end up losing theirs for doping transgressions:

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Asashouryuu went to Sakaigawa beya for degeiko today and had 13 bouts against the likes of Goueidou and Toyohibiki. No bandage at all on the injured left elbow. "It's gotten a lot better", he said. Asked about the brothers' departure, he said: "We have the same mage, so I just had to believe them. It's too bad. I am sad.." About the exchange of the rijicho: "It's a difficult problem. and I'm in no position to comment on it. I have no choice but to do sumo with all my might".

[skycruiser 0]

Even if he was coached extremely well concerning the duties of a yokozuna, that doesn't mean Asashoryu would follow that coaching. He is an individual unlike any other in sumo. He's an egotist who believes that following the rules of conduct are for others but not himself. He basically follows his own rules, and when the Kyokai got fed up with his conduct, they suspended him for two bashos. From his recent conduct, it seems that suspension did little if any good.

I have a feeling that Asa's lack of hinkaku and disregard for the rules of Ozumo,

will get him in trouble very soon.

Will see then, how serious the richijyo is, in keeping a tight ship.

Intai might be coming for Asa sooner rather than later.

Chiyonotora

[Jonosuke 28]

I personally think Asashoryu will behave more yokozuna-like from now on.

He knows he is no longer invincible as all the months of not doing enough keiko sessions is catching up to him. He knows he has to work harder especially with that nagging elbow injury not fully healed as his rivals are gaining the ground.

The simple fact is that he also knows his name gets mentioned every time there is some new scandal at the Kyokai and he just witnessed how easly anyone could be out of the Kyokai. He knows he must smarten up now, not tomorrow.

[skycruiser 0]

I personally think Asashoryu will behave more yokozuna-like from now on.

He knows he must smarten up now, not tomorrow.

I hope Asa will prove me wrong, as I don't think it

would be a good idea to check the rijichyo's resolve at this time.

But, Asa being Asa, how long is he going to be able to smarten up, before

returning to his old self?

We sure don't need another crisis now!

Chiyonotora

[paolo 0]

Asashoryu has already understood that everything is changed now with the new stricter Rijicho. I read that, asked by a reporter about Makiko Uchidate, he answered: "I noticed she recently cut her hair, and she looks beautiful." Is it that eventually their love will not be hidden any more ?

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Asashouryuu was asked what he thinks of the new rijicho. "No comment. He has many problems to tackle and I am not in a position to say anything". In the past , he said "I'm not going for degeiko to that heya - the shisho is really strict.."

Some other remarks:After his keiko at Sakaigawa Beya - "Goueidou and Toyohibiki have gotten stronger. Either that, or I'm just plain rusty..". He even joked. "Lately, I went to a medical check up. I was not found positive (to drug use). I'm 99.999% OK.."

Asa outside Sakaigawa beya after keiko:

Edited September 10, 2008 by Kintamayama

[Mark Buckton 1]

no paddling in he 'river' behind him this time? A cookie to anyone who can name that river in the next 12 hours!

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

Kenagagawa.