Preparations of the Y/O- Haru 2021

[Raishu 207]

1 hour ago, Kintamayama said:

Kadoban Takakeishou was interviewed today after morning practice. [...]

He now weighs 166 kilos, 4 less than during the last weigh-in. [...]

And 17 kg less than last August ... which is actually a good thing.

Edited March 5, 2021 by Raishu

[Kintamayama 44,658]

Asanoyama trained at home against Makushita and unders, about 25 bouts. “My aim is the yusho. I want to do my sumo all the way. If I intend to climb higher, I need to get the yusho. If I don’t yusho I can’t advance.. It’s a tough road. I’ve already made it to Ozeki so I need to gambarize once more. The virus is bad. Not only the rikishi are suffering, but everyone else is as well.. I hope it will disappear soon and we can get back to normal..” he said.

[Philioyamfugi 378]

On 05/03/2021 at 06:20, Raishu said:

And 17 kg less than last August ... which is actually a good thing.

I really think this is great. I hope he got some speed, power and stamina back. He's got to pay Hakahou back by beating him if he wants to get the rope.

Edited March 10, 2021 by Philioyamfugi

[pricklypomegranate 730]

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210311/k10012909091000.html

Kakuryu is out with a thigh injury. Retirement might be imminent. 

"I've snapped my left leg muscle whilst training. I can't so shiko. Because I'm injured, I want to change my mindset and do my best the next time. Scolding would be unavoidable. It's a shame for me. Frankly, I think I'll be kyujo again. I'm shocked myself. I promised everyone in Japan that I'd be attending this basho. However, my motivation hasn't changed and I have to move on quickly. I will do my best from now to appear in May." said Kakuryu. 

"It seemed like a slight sprain but he was in a situation where he couldn't even do shiko. Only the person would know it. Even if the YDC call for him to retire, he'll still fight on. He's in a tough situation. I'll talk to him again." remarked Michinoku. 

Hakuho better take care of himself - he wouldn't want a sudden mishap like the last time... 

Edited March 11, 2021 by pricklypomegranate

[Shinobi Steve 146]

I guess a thigh injury and inability to do shiko is a better reason to withdraw than the never ending cold he has been afflicted with. 

I would like to see him one last time. I hope he at least enters May before retiring. 

[Kintamayama 44,658]

7 minutes ago, Shinobi Steve said:

 

I would like to see him one last time. I hope he at least enters May before retiring. 

I hope they let him.

[Kintamayama 44,658]

Hakuhou has declared he is in, on his 36th birthday. “It’s been quite a year for me, what with the shock of getting infected with Corona and my various slow-healing injuries. The Corona situation is serious but with the vaccinations it seems we will be able to go places. I feel  I would like to go where the kids mount the dohyo and grow.. I’m thinking I want to teach the children sumo. I will of course be entering Haru. You never know till you lift the lid off day one and see how it’s going but all I can do is just do it.. I will be aiming for the yusho,” he declared. Kakuryuu is out. “Well, it’s up to me now. I’ll be giving it my best and will go the distance, hoping to end the basho with a smile..” he summed.

Edited March 11, 2021 by Kintamayama

[pricklypomegranate 730]

Congratulations to Hakuho for being the oldest modern yokozuna! May he finish his career with a great flourish. The previous holder was Yoshibayama - it seems that Miyagino sure loves a long-lived Yokozuna. 

Edited March 11, 2021 by pricklypomegranate

[Jakusotsu 5,876]

Shonichi's musubi-no-ichiban will be something to look forward to.

[ryafuji 811]

5 hours ago, Kintamayama said:

I hope they let him.

The Kyokai aren't going to expel him for not competing. If Kakuryu and Michinoku are both determined to stick it out till May, they can. 

[Kintamayama 44,658]

32 minutes ago, ryafuji said:

The Kyokai aren't going to expel him for not competing. If Kakuryu and Michinoku are both determined to stick it out till May, they can. 

Nobody needs to be expelled. A short talk will do.

[ryafuji 811]

16 minutes ago, Kintamayama said:

Nobody needs to be expelled. A short talk will do.

I'n struggling to think of a previous occasion where a yokozuna has not been allowed to make one final comeback attempt on the dohyo (outside of scandals of course). 

Edited March 11, 2021 by ryafuji

[Kintamayama 44,658]

18 minutes ago, ryafuji said:

I'n struggling to think of a previous occasion where a yokozuna has not been allowed to make one final comeback attempt on the dohyo (outside of scandals of course). 

I'm pretty sure Kisenosato, for instance, would have loved to go on, but the pressure was there and he didn't. Asashouryuu is saying time and again  he was tricked  into retiring by the Kyokai. The YDC has no real legal power, but they sure have  an influence on the public  They will undoubtedly issue a request to desist after the basho. And reading Michinoku between the lines, he really wants Kakuryuu to retire and save himself the loss of face. "I suggested maybe it's time to retire with all these injuries, but he is adamant in continuing." I'll bet anything that if the old Izutsu was still around, Kakuryuu would be Izutsu Oyakata by now. This banter is fun, but we really don't know what's going to happen, precedents notwithstanding. I'm sure we've seen the last of him, although I'm wrong more times than not. 

Edited March 11, 2021 by Kintamayama

[Eikokurai 3,437]

Kakuryu has really taken to working from home this past year, eh.

[Kintamayama 44,658]

The press is quite fed up with Kakuryuu. "There is no place for extenuating circumstances on this, his fifth straight kyujo. He seems to have injured his foot just before the basho, but it seems getting injured at this stage means he wouldn't have done well even if he had entered. His body is totally worn out, for sure. Sumo is about shingitai (spirit, technique, physique) but the physique isn't there..He's out of Haru and one wonders how much willpower he has left to carry on. Even if he still has the technique, it seems he is not listening to his body.  These repeated last-minute kyujos are meaningless. It's unsightly. Declaring 'I'm entering, I'm entering' and giving  hope to see both Yokozunae participating after a long time has probably caused  many fans to buy tickets in anticipation of this. A last minute kyujo is a betrayal of trust and is immoral! Where is his shisho? Granted, Michinoku did not raise him but his leadership abilities raises questions.  Even if a Yokozuna decides on his own how to proceed, it always ends with a discussion with the Shisho and he has the final word. During difficult times, it's the shisho's duty to talk things out with the Yokozuna, even if it means talking about painful things. The Kyokai, the shisho, the fans- they were all shafted  by Kakuryuu," wrote one reporter today from Sankei Sports.

Edited March 12, 2021 by Kintamayama

[Kaninoyama 1,713]

Looks like a Kakuryu retirement announcement is imminent.