madorosumaru 7 Posted July 29, 2009 (edited) The media are all over Asashoryu again. On senshuraku the yokozuna told everyone that he was not going home to Mongolia. However, two days later, he was aboard a plane headed for Ulaanbaatar. It was a big, fat lie. After missing out on yusho for the third straight basho, Asashoryu said quite clearly in an interview that "I will not be going home. I am going to stay here and give my body a thorough rest." Those close to him explained that he made his decision for the trip on the eve of his departure--a last minute decision. However, he did the same thing in January. After winning the yusho in Hatsu Basho, he said, "I like it here in Japan. I won't be going to Mongolia." Two days later, he was gone. In March, he left Osaka for Tokyo to participate in a fashion show, saying he would be right back. Nope. He stayed in Tokyo that night. The man's lack of truthfulness is simply astounding! Asashoryu shows no sign of urgency. The YDC had advised him to do more keiko. If he wanted to continue on with his career, it would be imperative to dedicate himself to more training. He, obviously, is paying them no mind. His lack of awareness of the position he put himself in can only hasten his retirement. Asashoryu's people said he is going home to recuperate. He is also planning to see his children who are living with his former wife. However, during the basho, the yokozuna complained of pain and numbness from his neck to his elbow. It is truly surprising that therapy was not mentioned as a reason for his trip. Two years ago, he turned in a kyujo notice for summer jungyo and left for Mongolia. That led to a major scandal with the Soccer Incident. This year, he said that he will return on August 6, the day before the jungyo. Let's pray that this trip, which started on a lie, won't be a recurrence of that fiasco. Edited July 29, 2009 by madorosumaru Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chisaiyama 11 Posted July 29, 2009 It's almost as if he is tired of Ozumo, wants to get on with his life, but doesn't want to be seen as a quitter, so he's trying to goad the NSK into doing the deed for him by asking him to retire. He's was and still is a heck of an athlete but a very strange man to try and understand! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ilovesumo 12 Posted July 29, 2009 He knows they still need him...and yes, he is tired of it, no question. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gusoyama 103 Posted July 29, 2009 This lying disgusts me, because it is a slap in the face to anyone that would take him at his word. When a man's word is worth nothing, what is the rest of him worth? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Takamizawa 0 Posted July 29, 2009 He wouldn't have to lie if the Japanese media didn't make such a big deal out of every trip back to Mongolia... Personally I don't see why the media cares so much :-( Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,319 Posted July 29, 2009 (edited) He wouldn't have to lie if the Japanese media didn't make such a big deal out of every trip back to Mongolia... :-( Since they're going to make a big deal out of it anyway, what exactly forced him to "have to lie"? Also, the decision to lie is usually predicated on the idea that you're not going to make a swift U-turn that will be apparent to everyone. Talk about a dumb move in two parts. That said, I can't get all that worked up about "the lie" itself...I agree that it's a total side issue considering he's in Mongolia all the time anyway, and thus most observers probably didn't buy his answer in the first place. (Of course, that itself is an indication of, well, something.) But it's interesting that he's so brazen about it; I'd probably go with Chisaiyama's assessment on the likely reasons. Edited July 29, 2009 by Asashosakari Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
