Hakuhou news and Aki 2009 preparations

[Kintamayama 45,109]

Hakuhou's yusho parade was called off. "We can deal with the rain, but not with the thunder..", said a Kyokai person. It's the first time a yusho parade is called off since KaioU's back in Aki 2004. "Well, what can you do? ", wondered Hakuhou.

Hakuhou has left for Mongolia with his family. "It's the first time I'm taking my kids..I'd like to show them where I grew up". He will be returning on August 3rd.

Other rikishi on the flight- Harumafuji, Kyokutenhou and Shoutenrou.

Edited July 27, 2009 by Kintamayama

[kawika 123]

Maybe it is a short flight home from them? I suppose they get some nice downtime at home, away from sumo circus crowd / press. I am somewhat against the frequent trip home. I seem to recall the Hawaiians did it every now and then, but these guys, it seems like Asashoryu goes home almost each and every basho. One could point out that he may not have gotten in trouble with his football debut, if he had not gone home to begin with.

[Sokkenaiyama 81]

I don't think Mongolians go home much more than the other foreigners in sumo, with the notable exception of Asashoryu and (maybe) Hakuho. I don't remember reading anywhere about Tokitenku, Asasekiryu, Ama or Kakuryu going to Mongolia (not sure about Ama's Ozeki promotion, but that can be considered an exception). On the other hand, Baruto made a few visits to Estonia himself (at least two, IIRC).

I can't blame the East Europeans for not wanting to go back to their respective countries (expecially the Ossetians), those place are far worse than Japan. Mongolia isn't too far off either.

[Fay 1,677]

As far Kakuryu is concerned, he flies home once a year after the Nagoya basho and he said most mongolian (who are in the paid ranks) do so.

[Sokkenaiyama 81]

That sounds like a reasonable number.

[wanderer 159]

Mongolia's proximity to Japan is one big factor. But the real reason for the frequent trip of Mongolian rikishi to their country is, I think, the overwhelming popularity of Sumo itself, and the rikishi.

The rikishi get so much respect, and good treatment at home, not only the official recognitions from the President etc.

Another point is probably the wrestling heritage of mongolian rikishi. They will at least listen to their father's or brother's deep analysis on their bouts, so on.

Kyokushuzan used to go home so frequently that it was no longer a wonder if you happen to dine in the same restaurant he is dining.

[Kintamayama 45,109]

Before he left for Mongolia, Hakuhou had to attend a press conference at the heya in the morning. "My sumo had good rhythm. I went out drinking some tasty sake after a long time last night!", he said. He drank so heavily he overslept and had to be awakened by some heya people. He then vomited, and was 20 minutes late for the interview. He is aiming to tie Asashouryuu's record of 84 wins in a calendar year. "I think it would be great if I could line up with him. I will gambarize!", he declared.

[Manekineko 200]

Re: Europeans not heading home so often. 12 hour flight back home may have something to do with that. I still flinch when I remember my flights to Japan and back... I suppose sekitori could afford business class seats, tho', they certainly wouldn't fit in economy.

[Takamizawa 0]

What is it that draws the Mongolians away from Japan so much?

Mongolian food is about 80x more delicious than Japanese food (Sign of approval...)

[Harry 67]

What is it that draws the Mongolians away from Japan so much?

Mongolian food is about 80x more delicious than Japanese food (Sign of approval...)

Any Mongolian restaurant recommendations in Tokyo?

[Takamizawa 0]

What is it that draws the Mongolians away from Japan so much?

Mongolian food is about 80x more delicious than Japanese food (Sign of approval...)

Any Mongolian restaurant recommendations in Tokyo?

I've actually never been to Tokyo :-) sorry. Now if you were in Kyushu or Kansai...

[Flohru 176]

I can't blame the East Europeans for not wanting to go back to their respective countries (expecially the Ossetians), those place are far worse than Japan.

I would think that going back to your home country has mostly to do with seeing your family and old friends rather than enjoying the standard of living there that is of course higher in Tokyo than in Mongolia or Eastern Europe (though I guess if you have money there are some nice places to stay there, too). I really don't think that is the reason for guys like Kotooshu, Baruto or Tochinoshin for not going back home that often.

The flight argument seems to be very convincing otoh while the main reasons for Mongolian sekitori going back home so often should be the proximity and their popularity like wanderer said... I guess the Eastern European rikishi aren't that popular in their home countries while I could imagine that it is kind of expected of the successful Mongolians to return back home frequently by Mongolian society. I vaguely remember some Mongolian sekitori having PR stuff or even political campaigns going on at home, too...

[ryafuji 814]

He is aiming to tie Asashouryuu's record of 84 wins in a calendar year.

Eh? Why isn't he trying to beat it?

[Chisaiyama 11]

He is aiming to tie Asashouryuu's record of 84 wins in a calendar year.

Eh? Why isn't he trying to beat it?

Damn good question, he's only lost 3 so far this year and there are only 2 basho left. If he lost 1 in each of them he would have 85 wins for the year and beat the record. Should he have a zensho Yusho in one or both of them he could create an almost unbeatable record of 86 or 87 wins! He should not be saying he wants to try and tie it he should be aiming higher. But of course that is the difference in hinkaku between Hakuho and Asashoryu, privately I'm sure he intends to go all out to beat the record but publicly he is more self-effacing.

[Harry 67]

What is it that draws the Mongolians away from Japan so much?

Mongolian food is about 80x more delicious than Japanese food (Neener, neener...)

Any Mongolian restaurant recommendations in Tokyo?

I've actually never been to Tokyo :-( sorry. Now if you were in Kyushu or Kansai...

Doubt I'll make it to Kyushu but we have clients in the Kansai region so if you have any recommendations there, please pass them along. Will probably look for something in Tokyo too.

[Orion 431]

Mongolian food is about 80x more delicious than Japanese food (Enjoyable TV program...)

But a lot tougher -- the sheep must live long and hard lives before they get caught.

Orion (Proverbial apple...)

[Kintamayama 45,109]

Hakuhou is back in Japan. "I managed to get a good rest.. But when I come back to Japan, I feel at ease", he said. During his Mongolian trip, he met the newly elected President of Mongolia for the first time. "I will be starting keiko from the beginning of the jungyo. I love the jungyo because it brings me to all kinds of places. I would like to do Yokozuna-like keiko!", he said. The summer jungyo commences on Friday in Fukushima.

"Now, where did I leave my passport.."

Edited August 3, 2009 by Kintamayama

[Gusoyama 103]

Hakuhou is back in Japan. "I manged to get a good rest.. But when I come back to Japan, I feel at ease", he said. During his Mongolian trip, he met the newly elected President of Mongolia for the first time. "I will be starting keiko from the beginning of the jungyo. I love the jungyo because it brings me to all kinds of places. I would like to do Yokozuna-like keiko!",

Wow, does he know how to hit all the right buttons, or what? Japan = good, keiko= good, jungyo = good.

[Musashoryu 3]

Which is why when he surpasses Asashoryu in records he will be considered one of the best of all time........

[HenryK 38]

Hakuhou is back in Japan. "I manged to get a good rest.. But when I come back to Japan, I feel at ease", he said. During his Mongolian trip, he met the newly elected President of Mongolia for the first time. "I will be starting keiko from the beginning of the jungyo. I love the jungyo because it brings me to all kinds of places. I would like to do Yokozuna-like keiko!",

Wow, does he know how to hit all the right buttons, or what? Japan = good, keiko= good, jungyo = good.

He does, but to me this sounds too coreographed and not genuine. I for my part would like to read somewhat more interesting, reflective interviews from the big man. But the Japanese public does not seem to mind..

[Asashosakari 19,319]

He does, but to me this sounds too coreographed and not genuine. I for my part would like to read somewhat more interesting, reflective interviews from the big man. But the Japanese public does not seem to mind..

In fairness - while it's true that in-depth interviews with Hakuho seem to be a bit in short supply, an airport isn't exactly the right setting for that. (Asashoryu's post-return interviews more often than not have consisted of "get out of my face!" which isn't much better.)

[Treblemaker 254]

He does, but to me this sounds too coreographed and not genuine. I for my part would like to read somewhat more interesting, reflective interviews from the big man. But the Japanese public does not seem to mind..

In fairness - while it's true that in-depth interviews with Hakuho seem to be a bit in short supply, an airport isn't exactly the right setting for that. (Asashoryu's post-return interviews more often than not have consisted of "get out of my face!" which isn't much better.)

This is a smart, poised and intelligent individual. Don't forget, Hak is only 23-24. He's got an awareness (and apparently, good coaching) that he knows how to act and what to say, and what is expected of him in his role as a yok. He's obviously a student of the game, because his technique is almost flawless (if jaw-dropping boring), and his approach to each aspect of his work shows great attention to detail. Expect him to continue to give bland, vague, predictable comments, and be very consistent, if robotic, in his public appearances, as well as on the dohyo. This appeals to the Japanese public, and like any good performer, he's giving the paying folks exactly what they want.

Maybe it's a confirmation that life in the universe is unfolding as it should.

You can't complain because he's working the game to perfection.

Does he make for interesting news? No. Perfection loses its appeal early. A freshly painted wall is at first admired, then totally ignored. The cracks in the wall garner more attention.

If you had a boxer who won each bout, every bout, in his entire career, in the first round with one punch, would people pay to see that after a while? People go to bashos, because there are over 40 men up on the dohyo providing the drama. If Hak's bouts were the only ones staged, would people pay to see them? I suppose they might. Would probably be easier (and cheaper) to just read about it in the paper then next day.

I suppose, if your mindset is one that only accepts perfection, that only accepts exact execution of details according to Hoyle, that the sun always rises in the east, that playing backgammon or checkers with your computer is your way of life, then I guess that's acceptable in your eyes.

I think this would have been a necessary, mandated approach in cultures and civilizations 500-1500 years ago, when the leaders paid homage to the various Gods (be they Aztec, Celtic, Egyptian) in order to ensure good weather for crops, fertility of ground and families, and to nail down the God's acceptance of them as mortals, giving them sustenance and longer lives.

Today, I don't think we live in a stone-age society. The stone-age mentality went out with the industrial revolution, at the very best.

To watch Hakuho in action is like watching the workings of a clock. Fascinating for maybe 5 minutes.

To me, it's predictable. It's an amazingly successful approach, but it's boring.

More power to those who appreciate perfection in something.

[Sokkenaiyama 81]

Nice rant and all, Lex, but you're forgetting one thing. Hakuho is good, but he's still pretty far from perfect. And, don't take this the wrong way, but he's far from boring to watch. He is MORE boring to watch than, say, an Asashoryu in his prime, inventing all sorts of situations and creating fascinating winning techniques, but he's still very entertaining, his technique is damn good. I think even guys like you, who'd quit on watching him after five minutes if he were flawless, probably keep watching all his bouts in the hope of seeing some kind of crack appearing and being exploited by the opponent. And they DO appear at times.

Oh, and doing what's being expected of him isn't being boring, it's being mature. After all, he has a future and a family to look after. In fact, I find it refreshing to see guys like Hakuho still actually exist. Stardom has a way of corrupting people and making them act immaturely and self-destructively (see Asashoryu and countless other examples in other fields).

Edited August 4, 2009 by Sokkenaiyama

[Musashoryu 3]

Agreed- I am a big Asashoryu fan but Hak is a more Yokozuna-like Yok than Asa ever was. Compared to Asa he might seem boring but seen in the light of the art of Sumo and its tradition he is an artist befitting of his rank.

[Treblemaker 254]

Nice rant and all, Lex, but you're forgetting one thing. Hakuho is good, but he's still pretty far from perfect. And, don't take this the wrong way, but he's far from boring to watch. He is MORE boring to watch than, say, an Asashoryu in his prime, inventing all sorts of situations and creating fascinating winning techniques, but he's still very entertaining, his technique is damn good. I think even guys like you, who'd quit on watching him after five minutes if he were flawless, probably keep watching all his bouts in the hope of seeing some kind of crack appearing and being exploited by the opponent. And they DO appear at times.

Oh, and doing what's being expected of him isn't being boring, it's being mature. After all, he has a future and a family to look after. In fact, I find it refreshing to see guys like Hakuho still actually exist. Stardom has a way of corrupting people and making them act immaturely and self-destructively (see Asashoryu and countless other examples in other fields).

Sigh.

I suppose you're right. Well, ok, you are right.

And I did mention his poise and awareness beyond his years. That, I think, is his strength. He understands what he has to do to be successful, and frankly, there aren't too many 23-24 yr olds with that maturity, and the skill set to carry it through. No argument there.

And I suppose watching his bouts will be more like your statement of waiting to see if he cracks, rather than how he'll win this one. Asashoryu has/had a wider array of weapons and a huge arsenal with which to dispose of his competition. Hak relies on a pretty basic move, and the only time he does something different is if he's been neutralized (as in the HF bout with the leg trip).

Still, it's kind of like watching a good accountant at work. Or a master bricklayer.

I just wish there was more competition for him. Bouts between him and, say, Oshu, Asa, HF, even Baruto are sometimes fun to watch. I've said this before about the Ozeki/Yokozuna log-jam: It's not so much that the people at the top are so good - it's that the competition is so inconsistent. Perhaps if Hak was really being pushed by those who are "supposed" to be knocking on the door (Kise, Goeido, Kak, etc) then his bouts might be more interesting.

But he's still boring.

In my (always) humble opinion.