Vegas Day 1

[Jonosuke 28]

Tochiazuma wins the first day.

He beat Asashoryu in the final.

Asashoryu was wearing the gold mawashi - that's the last time Tochiazuma beat him.

Asashoryu threw the salt high up in the air. He commented that that was for another rikishi who did throw the salt hard as he also used to wear the gold or yellow mawashi.

Shoryu said he would come back and tries to win tomorrow.

[Asashosakari 19,320]

One pick correct, two more to go... :-)

[Kintamayama 45,116]

KONISHIKI was explaining the various kimarite after each match. The rikishi were introduced to the crowd wearing their hakama, as can be seen in the picture below.

Edited October 8, 2005 by Kintamayama

[Kaiomitsuki 408]

KONISHIKI was explaining the various kimarite after each match. The rikishi were introduced to the crowd wearing their hakama, as can be seen in the picture below.

Like in Paris 10 years ago....

hope that Sumo will come back in Europe soon

[Kintamayama 45,116]

Tochiazuma wins the first day.

He beat Asashoryu in the final.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He won by uwatenage. He beat Osh in the semifinals with an uwatedashinage.

[Kathy 0]

KONISHIKI was explaining the various kimarite after each match. The rikishi were introduced to the crowd wearing their hakama, as can be seen in the picture below.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Kintamayama and Jonasu,

Are you both here in Las Vegas? My husband Doug and I are in Section 5 and are staying at the Mandalay Bay. I thought it was exciting to watch and makes me want to come to Japan even more for the Basho.

Kathy

[Kintamayama 45,116]

Kintamayama and Jonasu,

Are you both here in Las Vegas?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Joe certainly is, I am sitting in sunny Tel-Aviv, but am there in spirit and buffet.

Edited October 8, 2005 by Kintamayama

[Jejima 1,384]

Asashoryu was wearing the gold mawashi - that's the last time Tochiazuma beat him.

Asashoryu threw the salt high up in the air. He commented that that was for another rikishi who did throw the salt hard as he also used to wear the gold or yellow mawashi.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Surely not in honour of Mitiozumi ? - who used to wear a gold / yellow mawashi (I think), and who also used to throw his salt high - in BIG quantities....

That would be too bizarre.

[Jejima 1,384]

Asashoryu was wearing the gold mawashi - that's the last time Tochiazuma beat him.

Asashoryu threw the salt high up in the air. He commented that that was for another rikishi who did throw the salt hard as he also used to wear the gold or yellow mawashi.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Surely not in honour of Mitiozumi ? - who used to wear a gold / yellow mawashi (I think), and who also used to throw his salt high - in BIG quantities....

That would be too bizarre.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

- or Asanowaka maybe? He used to wear yellow too, and he used to throw the salt 'hard'. He also came from the Yokozuna's heya, and would probably have loved the Las Vegas trip.... (Is he in fact there?)

[sumofan 6]

all going according to plan then  :-)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i thought that Osh was supposed to win over Asa?

at least that's what the concensus was a few days ago.

[Kintamayama 45,116]

"Too bad I lost, but the crowd was fantastic!", said Asashouryuu after losing on day 1 to Tochiazuma. The bout ended with a standing ovation from the 6992 fans ( a little over 50% of the venue). OTOH, Rohou's henka against Kisenosato was loudly booed.

I guess many forum members were there..

Tochiazuma throwing the Golden boy:

Edited October 8, 2005 by Kintamayama

[madorosumaru 7]

Here is a quick summary of the first day as compiled from various sources that were on-site:

The program started at 8 p.m. but the event center was milling with people and lines were forming by 7:15. Prior to the start, the arena was playing a video of the "Hakata Dontaku," a popular festival held near Fukuoka with costumes and parades with marching bands, presumably to get the audience into the proper mood.

Then, with the shrill tones of gyoji Shikimori Kinnosuke, the evening began. First, the opening ceremonies had the delegation marching in--the rikishi, as reported earlier, in their resplendantly formal montsuki hakama.

That was followed by the playing and singing of the national anthemns. By then, the crowd was really ready for action.

Konishiki was the emcee, explaining every move to the minutest detail for the benefit of the philistine audience. One Japanese rikishi-follower was heard to say, "Gimme a break already!!"

As you know, these jungyo/koen events are done in a tournament format, With 38 participants, there were 37 bouts from the first round to the finals. There were plenty of cheering and even foot-stomping. Ryu, Osh, Robocop and the Mongolian contingent got the loudest cheers. Also, as reported earlier, Roho was roundly jeered for pulling a henka in his victory over Kisenosato. The locals may not know much about sumo but they can recognize a dastardly move when they see one.

To no one's surprise, the finals was Yokozuna vs Ozeki on opening night. Also according to form, Tochiazuma beat Osh, the other viable contender, in the semis. Then, somewhat unexpectedly ;-), Azuma won in an upset over Ryu with a dohyo-giwa uwatenage.

The seeming intensity of the final bout surprised even some veteran rikishi-followers. The crowd gave both rikishi a standing ovation at the conclusion of the match. The winner, Azuma, sported a shiner and had a swollen left cheek. Ryu was unscathed but properly disappointed and chagrined.

The stage is set for a Yokozuna Revenge on Day 2 . . . or maybe Day 3. With the probable inclusion of Osh, Las Vegas Koen will conclude Sunday with a crowd-pleasing 3-way ketteisen.

Edited October 8, 2005 by madorosumaru

[Jonosuke 28]

I don't have too much time at the moment though I am using the press room computer and the next to me is a fax the Japanese reporters sent their reports to the head office but right now not even one reporter is around perhaps they went with rikishis with some outings since I am not told I have no idea but there were some rikishis like Takamisakari, Kotonowaka still in the Buffet about twenty minutes ago.

If anyone is here, I am looking forward to meeting 30 odd people at 5:30 PM and just in case anyone is wondering I am in Sec 126, just behind the VIP seats where three rows of tables are. My name is on the table - I am on the third from the right on Row FF so if you are around, say Hello.

[Mark Buckton 1]

I don't have too much time at the moment though I am using the press room computer and the next to me is a fax the Japanese reporters sent their reports to the head office but right now not even one reporter is around perhaps they went with rikishis with some outings since I am not told I have no idea but there were some rikishis like Takamisakari, Kotonowaka still in the Buffet about twenty minutes ago.

If anyone is here, I am looking forward to meeting 30 odd people at 5:30 PM and just in case anyone is wondering I am in Sec 126, just behind the VIP seats where three rows of tables are.  My name is on the table - I am on the third from the right on Row FF so if you are around, say Hello.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Joe - pse check PMs / contact BAK if you would. (and if haven't already) ;-)

[ilovesumo 12]

like in Paris 10 years ago.... 

hope that Sumo will come back in Europe soon

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

THAT would be something............... ;-)

[Mark Buckton 1]

like in Paris 10 years ago....

[Kintamayama 45,116]

like in Paris 10 years ago.... 

hope that Sumo will come back in Europe soon

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

THAT would be something............... ;-)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Rumour is Egypt in 2006- how's that for a scoop??

[Mark Buckton 1]

like in Paris 10 years ago....

[Kintamayama 45,116]

you on the pop K-san?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not at all. Just remember you heard it here first... "Africa is the only continent we haven't been to. There are many Japanese tourists at any given time there".

[Kintamayama 45,116]

"Too bad I lost today, but there's tomorrow and the day after.. I'll be giving Tochiazuma a knock-out!!", said a cheerful Asashouryuu. "I was really delighted by the fans' support and response to the bouts", he added. "The golden mawashi was because it's the 'Las Vegas color'. I wore gold because I'm planning to take the yusho..", he added. Papers say there is a possibility of his donning the gold mawashi for Kyushu, where he intends to break Kitanoumi's record 82 wins in a calendar year. BTW, Asa is now 0-2 against Tochiazuma whilst wearing a golden mawashi.

As for Tochiazuma, the papers say he hasn't hit the casinos at all - just did some training at the hotel gym and on a jogging course. "Well, I did go out to buy some tee-shirts, and intend to do some sightseeing once the tourney is over on the 10th", he said. Serious..

Another pic from today's finals:

Edited October 8, 2005 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,116]

Asashouryuu beating Chiyotaikai in the semis:

[Kintamayama 45,116]

Asashoryu was wearing the gold mawashi - that's the last time Tochiazuma beat him.

Asashoryu threw the salt high up in the air. He commented that that was for another rikishi who did throw the salt hard as he also used to wear the gold or yellow mawashi.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Surely not in honour of Mitiozumi ? - who used to wear a gold / yellow mawashi (I think), and who also used to throw his salt high - in BIG quantities....

That would be too bizarre.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In his own words, yes indeed!!

[Asojima 2,874]

Asa giving Ama a flying lesson. Day 1 - Round 3

[Mmikasazuma 12]

I am in Vegas now too, and this is the first time I can see rikishi so close. (Nodding yes...) I met Kakizoe in the elevator, Takamisakari in the buffet, Chiyotaikai in between. They were friendly but dont speak any english. Some others went by, but I didn't have the chance to talk to them. I saw Asasekiryu gambling, and there were also some rikishi at the slot mashines for example Kotonowaka (A sekitori...)

The first day of the tournament was also very pleasing for me. First of all it was overwhelming to see in America that so many people know about what goes on in sumo and know all the sekitoris, and are as enthusiastic as I were. And it was so good to see the bouts. They looked like real fights. Kisenosato made very good impression, and all the crowd was so angry at Roho becouse of his henka against him. Chiyotaikai fought well, with lots of energy, and only Asa could stop him. Kotooshu was also good, but Tochiazuma even better this time. Azuma's win against Asa came like the crown of the evening. (A yokozuna...)

And my vocabulary is not enough now to describe the feeling to be together with so many people, and love sumo that much together. ;-)

[Kaiomitsuki 408]

write the letters guys - get the NSK noticing you - get old Jaques to put pen to paper too and you may have a chance.  :-D  (Sign of approval)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Jacques Chirac was of course the man who makes all possible

... but when the NSK makes the choice to come in Paris, Chirac was the Mayor of the city....

It's a different story now that he is the president (since 1995)... Now he prefers to make official visit in Japan... just when you have a Basho :-D

But since Paris lost the Olympics this summer (Paris 2012), maybe the current mayor Bertrand Delan