Rikishi Talk - Day 7 2010 Haru Basho

[Jonosuke 28]

Tokitenku (7-0) over Tamanoshima by katasukashi, 16.2 sec

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(Snatching the victory from the jaws of defeat to record seven straight win.)

"I know I am responding well but I don't feel I am in the best physical condition. But fortunately I am maintaining my winning streak...but you know I will need a shave sooner or later (smiles)."

(On his right foot (big toe) injury)

"I am trying to hit hard at tachiai but it appears that I am just floating out and I can be easily subdued there. I no longer feel any severe pain but when I get pushed hard like today, I can't stop my opponent and I will start moving backward."

(On going on kyujo last basho for the first time since his dohyo debut at the 2002 Nagoya Basho)

"I couldn't stand it. It took me a long time to get used to watching the basho on TV from Makuuchi start. I truly felt the significance of caring for each and every single bout and focusing solely on sumo."

"Well tomorrow, I have my kachikoshi bout so it will be really crucial to stay focused."

(On the yusho)

"No, not yet even think about it. But maybe I can aim for a Sansho."

Okinoumi (3-4) over Bushuyama by tsukiotoshi, 1.0 sec

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(By switching back to his old mawashi to stop his losing streak at 3.)

"Well I just didn't get comfortable with it. But today I was really able to get psyched up for my bout."

Tokusegawa (4-3) over Shimotori by yorikiri, 8.3 sec

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(On receiving his first Kensho money)

"I am wondering if I should send it to my parents in Mongolia....but then again this is my very first so I will keep it as a treasure for long long time."

Kyokutenho (1-6) over Toyohibiki by uwatenage, 1.8 sec

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(Winning his first bout this basho)

"You can't believe how relieved I am. If I lost today, not only it would be seven straight loss but I am facing Baruto tomorrow to boot."

Kakuryu (2-5) losing to Baruto by yorikiri, 4.5 sec

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(Fooling Baruto with a tachiai henka but still losing and making sense of his loss.)

"I could really sense he was tense. I should have tried to keep calm myself though. I let my right arm open to let him get the left in."

Baruto (7-0) over Kakuryu

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(Almost stepping out of the dohyo after Kakuryu's henka but quickly regained composure.)

"I guess I was lucky as I know how close I was to lose it. I really figured he would try to hit me as hard as he could. You never know"

Musashigawa oyakata, Kyokai chairman

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(On Baruto)

"He had rather bad tachiai today but I must admit he did well to recover and stay in."

Toyonoshima (3-4) losing to Harumafuji by yorikiri, 36.2 sec

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(Losing rather messy bout and war of attrition.)

"I guess I let him do whatever he wanted to do."

Harumafuji (7-0) over Toyonoshima

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"I went in but let myself too passive for a while."

(Warned about his extra shove whichi is become his habit after he got Toyonoshima out of the dohyo by the chief dohyo judge, Tomozuna oyakata)

"Well I think I got little too hot at the end (after Toyonoshima staying in the dohyo more than a couple of times). I will try myself not to go overboard and not get carried away from now on. I just couldn't stop myself there."

(In the past Harumafuji has hit Kakuryu wtih his right shoulder after yorikiri last Kyushu Basho as well as he has been seen to resorting to unnecessary extra shoves during hon-basho and training sessions.)

Tomozuna oyakata, Chief Dohyo Judge

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(Specifically calling in Harumafuji to issue a warning after the close of basho.)

"I told him to observe the manners and watch himself from overreacting. His opponent was fully out of the dohyo and was not fighting back. One has to express more respect to the fallen opponent."

Isegahama oyakata (former Yokozuna Asahifuji), Harumafuji's shisho

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(On Harumafuji)

"I believe he had gained a lot of confidence by winning 10 last basho despite that left knee injury and he could not train hard. But he still needs to gain more bulk. He will need more power to overwhelm his opponents from tachiai on. If he is to have any hope of jumping to the next plateau, he will need to equip himself with that kind of power."

Musashigawa oyakata, Kyokai chair

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(On Harumafuji)

"He is moving well. He is looking vital. I am hoping he can go on like this till the very end."

Kotooshu (6-1) over Kisenosato by yoritaoshi, 14.5 sec

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(Preserving his one loss record)

"I was able to go witn my flow. I feel I am moving well."

Kisenosato (2-5) losing to Kotooshu

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(Already losing his fifth, huge disappointment expressed by fans and just about everyone. Asked if he felt his ability was not up to par with Kotooshu)

"Just as you have seen ..." (and looked up the ceiling in silence as if to show his displeasure with gods above.)

Musashigawa oyakata, Kyokai chairman

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(On Kisenosato)

"A total turn-off. How else can you describe his performance up to now. I am sure his fans can't even bear to look at him now."

Tamanoi oyakata (former Ozeki Tochiazuma)

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(On Kisenosato)

"His back is way too high. He doesn't step in hard. But it's getting to be just like business as usual. He leaves so many tasks unfinished. He should remember he is not getting any younger any more."

Naruto oyakata (former Yokozuna Takanosato), Kisenosato's shisho

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(On Kisenosato)

"Right now foreign born rikishi are making things happen in the spring"

Tamawashi (3-4) losing to Kotomitsuki by oshidashi, 4.4 sec

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"I went out of tachiai trying to press hard against the ozeki but I was too tense and I could not extend my arms well. I guess I just should have gone on as I have done always."

Kotomitsuki (5-2) over Tamawashi

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(Winning three straight and appear to get his mojo back)

"I am well satisfied with the bout today. I have never faced him (Tamawashi) even in training sessions. I just tried not to get overpowered at the tachiai as he has good power."

(Winning his fifth and escape from kadoban on horizon)

"I feel as if I am regaining a good flow now."

(On a cold he caught prior to the basho)

"It's getting better every day."

Kaio (5-2) over Aran by uwatenage, 2.3 sec

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(Displaying his favorite power uwatenage move to down Aran)

"I was even amazed at myself how easily I was able to get into my own form. I guess it happens like that once in a while but if I can focus well on tachiai like today, I think I should do well."

Kotoshogiku (5-2) losing to Hakuho by shitatenage, 8.2 sec

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(Another loss and now his record against Hakuho, 1 win against 20 losses)

"He is so flexible. Even if you push him hard at tachiai, you won't be able to get a win out of him unless you make him rush."

Hakuho (7-0) over Kotoshogiku

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(Remaining calm despite failed tachiai the first time)

"I had a good tachiai the second time around and I was able to go without even getting the mawashi. Perhaps it took little too long (8.2 sec) so there is a room for improvement still."

Goeido

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(Breaking a born in his left knee after falling down out of the dohyo in Homasho bout on Day 5)

"I am really disappointed as after all this is my local basho. I will do my best so I can come back in my best conditions once again."

Sakaigawa oyakata (foremr Komusubi Ryogoku) Goeido's shisho

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(On Goeido)

"He has no need for hospitalization or surgery so he will be resting back in the heya for the next little while. We are all hoping he can recover from the injury as quickly as possible."

Records

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Iwakiyama - 600th Makuuchi appearance

Mokonami - 300th career win

[ilovesumo 12]

So glad you are back!

Thank you very much. (And thanks Moti for taking over)

[Takamizawa 0]

Musashigawa oyakata, Kyokai chairman

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(On Kisenosato)

"...I am sure his fans can't even bear to look at him now."

Ouch! That seems a bit harsh..

[Fay 1,677]

Thanks Kintamayama and Jonosuke (Blushing...)