Asashoryu May/Did Return to Mongolia

[Mark Buckton 1]

Just for my ignorance and since I cannot watch any TV broadcast: does Asashoryu perform his dohyo-iri daily at the basho even if he does not take part in the basho itself ? does he attend the bouts or does he stay at his beya (or anywhere else...) ? Thanks.

He isn't at the heya too by all accounts.

interesting claim there Doits -what do you mean 'all accounts' ?? Hadn't heard this, but not seen too much of the papers for a few days.

[Doitsuyama 1,190]

Just for my ignorance and since I cannot watch any TV broadcast: does Asashoryu perform his dohyo-iri daily at the basho even if he does not take part in the basho itself ? does he attend the bouts or does he stay at his beya (or anywhere else...) ? Thanks.

He isn't at the heya too by all accounts.

interesting claim there Doits -what do you mean 'all accounts' ?? Hadn't heard this, but not seen too much of the papers for a few days.

I mean the reports on this forum where it was said that Asashoryu is not appearing in asageiko and Takasago-oyakata was pretty clueless as usual on his whereabouts.

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

Seems he was there Tuesday morning.

http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/index.php?...st&p=157066

[Doitsuyama 1,190]

Seems he was there Tuesday morning.

http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/index.php?...st&p=157066

Nice, a link to a post just above us. Well, I stand corrected as I missed that one. Still, my impression is that he was making himself rare in the last days.

[Kintamayama 45,285]

Just for my ignorance and since I cannot watch any TV broadcast: does Asashoryu perform his dohyo-iri daily at the basho even if he does not take part in the basho itself ? does he attend the bouts or does he stay at his beya (or anywhere else...) ? Thanks.

No and no. He's supposed to be at the heya training in the mornings if he can,and it seems he can since he did.

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

Seems he was there Tuesday morning.

http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/index.php?...st&p=157066

Nice, a link to a post just above us. Well, I stand corrected as I missed that one. Still, my impression is that he was making himself rare in the last days.

I knew a stickler for detail, such as yourself, would appreciate the link. It's much easier to agree with your revised statement. :)

[paolo 0]

I understand that there is an ongoing basho (somewhat boring, may I say...). But does somebody know what the naughty Yokozuna is doing ? Is he training, healing, resting, going a-fishing (,or playing soccer...)? Thanks

[Jonosuke 28]

I understand that there is an ongoing basho (somewhat boring, may I say...). But does somebody know what the naughty Yokozuna is doing ? Is he training, healing, resting, going a-fishing (,or playing soccer...)? Thanks

Takasago oyakata reported yesterday Asashoryu would be going to Beppu in Oita Prefecture, well known hot spring resort in Kyushu from November 19. "I received a report that he would be going to Beppu for three days. I imagine he has gone over there to receive further treatment for his left elbow injury,"　the oyakata explained to reporters.

Asashoryu will be reportedly staying in a health resort owned by his acquaintance. He is scheduled to come back for the heya's Senshuraku Launch party and will start preparing for the winter jungyo tour starting on December 2 in Kumamoto Prefecture.

As Asashoryu is not expected to be back by the end of this basho now, since his return from Mongolia, he had got himself in a morning training session in only one day this basho. Musashigawa oyakata, chairman of the Kyokai, advised him to get himself involved in training sessions after his return but somehow the message has not either reached him or he is seeking his own counsel.

Edited November 19, 2008 by Jonosuke

[Murakami 0]

classic.

[Gusoyama 103]

I am reminded of Rodney Dangerfield's "injury" in Caddyshack. "Oh my arm, look, I think I broke it!"

[Babaryutaikai 1]

<<SNIP>>

As Asashoryu is not expected to be back by the end of this basho now, since his return from Mongolia, he had got himself in a morning training session in only one day this basho. Musashigawa oyakata, chairman of the Kyokai, advised him to get himself involved in training sessions after his return but somehow the message has not either reached him or he is seeking his own counsel.

Well, then, I must have seen a phantom the other day...............

[Jonosuke 28]

<<SNIP>>

As Asashoryu is not expected to be back by the end of this basho now, since his return from Mongolia, he had got himself in a morning training session in only one day this basho. Musashigawa oyakata, chairman of the Kyokai, advised him to get himself involved in training sessions after his return but somehow the message has not either reached him or he is seeking his own counsel.

Well, then, I must have seen a phantom the other day...............

Are you saying Asashoryu has done a training session at Takasago beya in the last several days or has been at Takasago beya camp?

If that is the case then why wouldn't he talk directly to his shisho for going to Beppu for a hot spring treatment himself rather than using someone else to send a "report" to Takasago oyakata?

According to the media, the only day he came in to Takasago beya camp during the basho was on November 11 when he did a brief morning keiko. He has not been seen since by reporters.

Since he reported to his oyakata and received a permission to be in Beppu for a three night four day stay there for a hotspring treatment, if he has come back to Fukuoka without the oyakata's knowledge or permission, wouldn't he be making his oyakata looking rather bad as well as conducting himself rather irresponsibly?

There is a regular basho going on. Normally injured rikishi are expected to be at his heya camp, supporting other social, Kyokai and heya functions. He has given a special permission by his oyakata. When told by reporters that Asashoryu has gone for a hot spring resort for his treatment, Musashigawa oyakata was visibly upset and said Asashoryu was too young yet to going for something like a hot spring for treating an injury.

[sekihiryu 51]

Politics, duties and obligation aside and purely from human perspective, why would Asa want to be in Japan, hounded and incessantly harassed by everyone from the media -especially the media, the kyokai, the supporters and the public when he can be in a sanctuary of peace and calm where he is revered by all? I dont blame him for not wanting to be here in a cauldron of criticism.

Sure he is digging a hole for himself and it will hard to ever recover from this present position.

Part of me wants me to see him came storming back and shove it back it the face of his detractors, another part of me wants him to the flip the bird at the Kyokai and media for good and be done with it all.

This half alive/half dead Yokozuna limbo can't go on forever

[Jonosuke 28]

This half alive/half dead Yokozuna limbo can't go on forever

Even though the media will find a life without Asashoryu to be quite boring indeed, absolutely no one in the Kyokai is forcing him to stay and will let him retire gracefully to fade away in the plains of Mongolia if he so chooses. Since he appears to only giving a lip service to Takasago oyakata, it is all up to him, it's his decision to continue or quit.

However once he chooses to stay, as a yokozuna he has certain obligations to fulfill. It all comes with the territory. It's as simple as that.

While he stated his dislike of the Japanese media, I am sure the feelings are mutual, I doubt it is the tranquility of Mongolia that keeps beckoning him to go back there however. It has a lot to do with his business venture that he is having his relations to run there. Even before the current economic turmoils the business has been largely run by Asashoryu's rather significant income.

Aside from his set salary from the Kyokai as a yokozuna, he has rather significant revenues from other sources - his supporters, kensho (when he competes) and the Hosho money which currently stands at 1,029.50 Yen, more than the combined total of Hakuho and Kaio, the next two active rikishi with the most Hosho money. The allure of all that money must be overweighing the solace and peace he finds in Mongolia.

It may be a soldier's right to complain about his job but I don't hear a General complaining about his and staying on with his job. We all have a choice to make in life. As long as Asashoryu made the choice to stay then he should do whatever he must do as a yokozuna and that includes dealing with the media whether he likes it or not and do all mundane Kyokai and Heya related functions like appearing at supporters meetings and training sessions to meet and greet the fans at his heya and shopping malls, injured or otherwise.

Edited November 23, 2008 by Jonosuke

[Harry 67]

Asa says he will participate in the winter jungyo and will enter hatsubasho:

http://sports.yahoo.co.jp/hl?c=sumo&a=...000033-maip-spo

Edited November 23, 2008 by Harry

[JAB 0]

Obligations aside, it has to get old with the media in your face constantly asking stupid meaningless questions. In many respects they alter and effect Sumo in very negative ways. Just let the Rikishii fight. Let them focus on their training, technique, and the art. Too much drama is drug in by the Japanese media in all aspects of Sumo.

Jake

[Babaryutaikai 1]

Just to respond to Jonosuke's statement about the media not seeing Asa at asageiko. Between a friend and I, we have been there four times in the past 10 days, and not once was there anyone from the press, so where are THEY gettiing their information from?

I might also respectfully suggest that neither you, Joe, nor anyone else - not even I :-S - can know exactly his reasons for returning to Mongolia, or for most of his actions anyway. You say " I doubt it is the tranquility of Mongolia that keeps beckoning him to go back there however." Please do not underestimate the beauty and tranquility of the countryside, the strong family and country bonds that all Mongolians enjoy, and the relative gentleness and personal consideration of the Mongols themselves (putting that tragic bombing aside.).

"It has a lot to do with his business venture that he is having his relations to run there. Even before the current economic turmoils the business has been largely run by Asashoryu's rather significant income." Perhaps, but the comptetent management of his interests has played a key role in the enterprises' successes. Anyone knows that it is management that makes or breaks a company, bank or other venture irrespective of that venture's financial status. You are conjecturing, which, of course you have every right to do, but you really don't know.

Takasago is probably covering his own rear end when he speaks to the press - and I'm sure that so many of those stories come from him. What does he, himself do? He shows up at the keikoba at 8:30, weighs himself, drinks his tea, reads the Nikkan or some other Sports rag, picks his nose, barks a couple of sentences and then leaves within 10 minutes. At least he seems to have stopped smoking (or so the okamisan told me).

Why, oh why, does no one report the good, the charitable things he does?

While I will always be a staunch supporter and defender in whatever (legal) choices Asa makes and actions he takes, it seems that you will always find the dark side about anything he says or does - and this, I suppose, coming from the always reliable and fair-in-reporting media.

On another note, what the heck has age to do with going to a spa? People around the world go to hot springs, spas, etc., at any age. Must one be "old" to enjoy the benefits of spas in Japan? Typical statement by an old boy of the Kyokai.

Anyway, we seem to go around and around on this, so I think that since I, without access to the Japanese media reports, but only with personal knowledge, cannot win any discussion of this type (and I don't really mean "win" but I'm too tired to look for the word) and so, I will keep my pen quiet on matters regarding this dai-yokozuna from now on.

Snipe away at him! --------and me!!!

Edited November 23, 2008 by Babaryutaikai

[Jonosuke 28]

As I mentioned in my Rikishi Talk, you were right about Asashoryu back in Fukuoka as he apparently came back from Beppu only after one night, so my apology to you, Barbara.

If he has resumed his training sessions, it's all for better and something to really look forward to.

Aside from bashing he receives from the media, why I differ from you about him being Dai Yokozuna is that he has not been even fulfilling responsibility of even an average yokozuna. A yokozuna has certain duty even between the basho and if anyone can go hunt a deer in the wild and cook it, I feel certainly he can go out and help out in a jungyo tour by attending social functions and showing his presence in the venues.

Many rikishi have injuries and go to a clinic to get them treated every night before they go back to the basho the next day. Perhaps if he is doing all he can to come back from his injury then he should let at least his oyakata know regardless of how he feels about it. Most sumo fans only hear what the media report and I think he can avoid quite a bit of misunderstanding by all of us by communicating more with his shisho so we get the true picture.