China Cohen

[Kintamayama 45,522]

The China koen is under way. The boys arrived safely, and there was a press conference. 111 -strong delegation. 5th-6th Beijing, 9th-10th in Shanghai. Tomorrow they take a tour of the Great Wall of China and other tourist attractions. I'm pretty sure some members are there as well, so maybe someone can send us some first hand impressions??

Asa and Riji at Pressy:

Asa and Lady in Red (and blue..) from Beijing:

Conference:

Edited June 3, 2004 by Kintamayama

[Zuikakuyama 1]

Here is the chinese website for the Koen.

http://www.sumo2004.cn/

The very best seats are extremely expensive. Over 1200RMB (US$150). That is like a month's salary for a college graduate.

[Elenrian 0]

I visited the web site. Unfortunately, everything is in Chinese! (Laughing...) So I didn't understand anything, but I think they should have showed another photos for the Kensho, because they show Asashoryu, who takes them with his left hand...

[Kashunowaka 300]

Here is the chinese website for the Koen.

http://www.sumo2004.cn/

A whole site made with Macromedia Flash (Shaking head...)

[Zuikakuyama 1]

Oh, they also had lots of stories in the Chinese press about Naminooto, the ethnic Chinese (as opposed to Mongoligans from Inner Mongolia) rikishi who is currently sandamne 13.

And if anyone is interested the Chinese Koen site actually has a very good match bout movies (excellent video quality too) for various sumo techniques. It is located in the top bar, 6th item. Once you get in press the last (5th) submenu, and you can see movies of all the techniques as well as the standard NSY animations.

[Kintamayama 45,522]

Press conference, Chiyotaikai, Asashouryuu and Kitanoumi Rijichou:

Edited June 4, 2004 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,522]

The guys did some sightseeing today, split into two groups, one led by Chiyotaikai and the other by Musouyama.-The Wall, Tienenmen Square, Forbidden city. Today was the 15th anniversary of the T-Square uprising, and the place was packed with tourists and locals- a warning was issued to be alert, but nothing out of the ordinary was reported.

Apparently the PR before the Koen was poor and not many knew about the tour, but since arriving, the guys are making considerable media waves.

We don't need no education? The guys at "The Wall": L to R:

Hokutouriki, Hakuhou (standing next to each other looking pretty calm, so maybe we foreigners tend to over-react a bit???), some guy, Chiyotaikai, and some other guy..

Forbidden City "Musouyama in the Middle"..:

Edited June 5, 2004 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,522]

Oh, they also had lots of stories in the Chinese press about Naminooto, the ethnic Chinese (as opposed to Mongoligans from Inner Mongolia) rikishi who is currently sandamne 13.

Hmm.. Never knew he was ethnic Chinese..thanks for the info. AFAIK, the new giant Ryuutei and Sandanme Nakanokuni are declared ethnic Chinese, as are Sandanme Takamisato and Shoukiryuu, and Jonidan Daishiyama (closet). I'm not sure about the other Chinaman Shoushou, but I'm pretty sure he's for real as well.. But Namiinooto?? Never knew that.

Edited June 4, 2004 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,522]

Makushita 15 West Kitataiki roping in Chinese and Japanese kids:

Chiyotaikai not arrested by Chinese Police Officer (Attica Attica etc..)

[Mark Buckton 1]

I visited the web site. Unfortunately, everything is in Chinese! (Applauding...)

Funny that - wonder why?

On the kensho bit though - good spot - have to remember though that some Chinese media (about 2 months ago) said that about 40 of the top yokozuna would be coming over. Rough and he smooth when travelling - that's what makes it fun.

Probably just don't know that Uchidate even exists.

Anyway - my own poor offering after the work of those above

http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/photojournal/19.html

[Zuikakuyama 1]

Oh, they also had lots of stories in the Chinese press about Naminooto, the ethnic Chinese (as opposed to Mongoligans from Inner Mongolia) rikishi who is currently sandamne 13.

Hmm.. Never knew he was ethnic Chinese..thanks for the info. AFAIK, the new giant Ryuutei and Sandanme Nakanokuni are declared ethnic Chinese, as are Sandanme Takamisato and Shoukiryuu, and Jonidan Daishiyama (closet). I'm not sure about the other Chinaman Shoushou, but I'm pretty sure he's for real as well.. But Namiinooto?? Never knew that.

Hehe, a mistake, I was referring to Nakanokuni, not Naminooto. Got my east and west mixed up.

[Kintamayama 45,522]

Small story, pics of the guys getting off the Kankou Basu:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-06/...ent_1506828.htm

[Kintamayama 45,522]

Asa relaxing:

[Kintamayama 45,522]

The guys who went climbing the Great Wall in their yukatas and settas (leather soled sandals) found it a wee bit testing and after doing their promotional photos, went back down rather quickly. "Man, these stone walkways are killing my feet", groaned Chiyotaikai. OTOH, former Yokozuna and current TV commentator Kitanofuji had no problems and went climbing. "I play golf, so no problems.. I did this 31 years ago with current Sadogatake Oyakata the last time we were here. It brings back memories," he said.

Hakuhou: "If we would have been dressed appropriately, we'd have gone all the way to the top. It was fun anyway, though".

The three H's (Hokutouriki, Hakuhou, and Henka?) before they gave up:

Another group , with Takamisakari and Kotomitsuki among others, went to a school and met 430 pupils, exchanging views and generally mingled. The children asked the guys questions. Takamisakari was asked what he dreamed of becoming when he was 8. "Me, I wanted to beome a seafarer and sail the seas". Later, he added, "The kids were real cute. I hope our coming here will will enhance their interest in Sumo".

Edited June 4, 2004 by Kintamayama

[aderechelsea 125]

it is always nice to hear stories about the rikishis that have nothing to do with sumo.They give them a more humane image....

Take a look in the pics.

Hakuho and Hokutoriki are next to each other all the time and we nearly started a war here on the forums about them.

It is a good lesson that teaches us to relax and don't take these things so seriously.

i sound like someone who is talking to me about football ......... (Applauding...)

(Laughing...)

[Naganoyama 5,947]

The three H's (Hokutouriki, Hakuhou, and Henka?) before they gave up:

They seem to be quite friendly at any rate. Would you choose to spend your time on a foreign trip with someone you disliked/resented? I wouldn't.

[Kintamayama 45,522]

A bigger "Muso in the Middle" photo helps us recognize the others:

Left to right: Asanowaka, ?( looks like the same guy in the rope pulling contest pic above..), Muso, Tosanoumi, and maybe, Tokitenkuu? Someone?

Edited June 5, 2004 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,522]

Some coincidence concerning Hakuhou and former Yokozuna Kitanoumi Rijicho. Hakuhou is 19, as was Riji when the last China Koen was held in 1973. They both climbed the wall at the same age, both the youngest participants.. Papers are speculating if the future holds the same prospects for Hakuhou. Rijichou became Yokozuna a year and three months after his climb at the age of 21 and two months, and was the youngest Yokozuna ever then.

On another note, it seems Hakuhou, in spite of his wrong footwear etc., managed to climb 200 steps, each one around 30 centimeters high. And still, he wanted to get to the top.. "I learned in school that the Wall was built to keep out Mongolian attackers. I was deeply moved by this as I climbed it for the first time", he said.

[Itachiyama 119]

Concerning the picture with Musoyama:

I'm sure the one left to Musoyama is Tokitsuumi. And the Rikishi right from Tosanoumi is Kobo.

[Itachiyama 119]

Kyodo News:

Ozeki Chiyotaikai dispatched yokozuna Asashoryu to claim victory at an exhibition tournament taking place in China on Saturday.

Chiyotaikai, who is among 35 wrestlers participating in the China tour, deployed a right-hand overarm throw to dispose of the fiery grand champion in front of over 10,000 spectators at the Beijing municipal gymnasium.

The wrestlers put on a display of the basic movements of the ancient Japanese sport and received a warm round of applause from the audience in a demonstration between the rikishi and local children.

The last time an exhibition of this kind was held in China was 1973 -- 31 years ago. The final day of the Beijing meet is on Sunday.

[Kintamayama 45,522]

Pics from day 1 tournament::

Asa dohyo iri :

Tosanoumi (Aminishiki in the background) checking kid for Sumo fever:

Aminishiki and kid:

Monoii, regarding the Miyabiyama-Tosanoumi match to determine who fell over who's own feet first:

Kids vs. Ami and Tosa:

Tosa going for a piledriver with kid:

New woman gyoji tries out outfit:

Edited June 5, 2004 by Kintamayama

[Mark Buckton 1]

Pics from day 1 tournament::

Asa dohyo iri :

What's with the Yokozuna's right eye?

Any info Kinta-san?

[Kintamayama 45,522]

Chiyotaikai beats Asa by Kotenage:

Most popular rikishi were Asa and Sakari. A lot of "showy" kimarites and tsuppari made for great entertainment for the audience, but as the evening wore on, many people left, leaving about 50% for the finals. "The shikiris were way too long". "After a while, it became boringly repetitive", were some of the reasons people cited for leaving early. Some complaints were made that there weren't enough explanations concerning the happenings. (kimarite call outs, yobidashi stuff, etc.)

Edited June 5, 2004 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,522]

What's with the Yokozuna's right eye?

Any info Kinta-san?

No idea, though I don't see anything wrong in the pic..

[Kintamayama 45,522]

Chiyo on Asa-now another paper says it was Uwatenage:

Dohyo-iri: