Rikhis Talk Senshuraku Haru Basho 2006

[Jonosuke 28]

Kitazakura 7-8 (losing to Jumonji by hatakikomi) 50.8 seconds

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(Suffering a Makekoshi but being cheered wildly by fans on the way back to the dressing room)

"I appreciate their generosity, showing me their support even after losing. It give me more incentive to continue my work as a sumo evangelist."

Kisenosato 10-5 (over Tochinonada by yorikiri) 20.4 seconds

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(First double digit win record in three bashos but still not happy)

"I cannot be satisfied with those bouts that I lost. Since I wasn't facing the top ranked rikishis, I shoud have done much much better."

Kyokutenho 11-4 (over Tamakasuga by yorikiri) 4.8 seconds

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"My heya mate Kyokushuzan was puttting together a nice winning streak so I worked harder as well so not to get too far behind."

Wakanosato 11-4 (over Kyokushuzan by yorikiri) 5.4 seconds

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"I approached this basho thinking to get back to my former rank. I must say I am not really satisfied with consecutive losses I suffered at the end."

(On missing a Sansho award)

"I know I can't do anything about it. But knowing Kyokushuzan having the same record is getting one while I was bypassed, that makes me rather upset."

Kotooshu 9-6 (losing to Chiyotaikai by tsukidashi) 3.1 seconds

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"Thanks to the doctors at hospital, I have been able to finish the basho. This has been the longest basho I have ever been in."

Chiyotaikai 9-6 (over Kotooshu)

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(Escaping his ninth kadoban)

"In the first stage, I won five straight and it felt like it was going so quick but after I went on a three bout losing streak, it felt so long."

Tochiazuma 12-3 (over Asashoryu by yorikiri) 9.3 seconds

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"I was ready to give up one time but I decided not to get down on myself and keep working hard. I stayed focused and kept a postive attitude."

Kitanoumi oyakata

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(Tochiazuma's Yusho promotion chance)

"If he can win more than 13 bouts and win the Yusho next basho, the issue will be defintiely discussed favorably."

Kaio 8-7 (over Hakuho by yorikiri) 14.9 seconds

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"To be honest, I was thinking I finally came to the end of road. I never got myself pushed to such a limit. But I learned that I have been supported by so many people. It touched me and really moved me to keep going on."

Tomozuna oyakata, Kaio's shisho

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(Could not bear to watch the Kaio bout on TV and moved to a small office next to the officers room where a TV set was showing the day's bouts.)

("Don't worry now, my friend, he won the bout. Everything will be OK now. See, he can be so overpowering if he gets his right in." Kitanoumi oyataka went over to tell Tomozuna oyakata a good news.)

(Tomozuka oyakata, his eyes already turning red, tears welling)

"I really cannot find words to express my feeling...... He has done really well. There is absoultely nothing else to say. Now he can go back and continue to show his best. But if I can, all I can say to him, take a good rest."

Juryo Yusho

Baruto 15-0 (over Takanowaka by uwatenage)

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"Whether I win or lose today, I wanted to show a good sumo. This basho my condition wasn't as good initially but it started getting better about the midway through the basho. "

(Since the 15 days basho system, all rikishis who won Juryo Yusho without a loss all became Ozekis or Yokozuna - Tochihikari, Uchida(later Yutakayama) and Kitanofuji.)

Kanto-sho Award: Kyokushuzan

East 13, Oshima Beya from Ulaanbaatar. 33 years old. Dohyo debut: 1992 Haru Basho. 180 cm, 136 kg.

His second since 2005 Natsu Basho.

Kyokushuzan 11-4 (losing to Wakanosato)

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(With Hakuho and Ama, monopolizing all Sansho awards by Mongolians)

"I am extremely happy to receive the Sansho award with them as I brought them over here. Actually I can't believe such a day would arrive one day. This is like a Mongolia Basho. t's been such a great basho."

Gino-sho Award: Ama

East 2. Ajigawawa Beya from Ulaanbaatar. 21 years old. Dohyou debut: 2001 Hatsu Bsho. 185 cm, 113 kg.

His second since 2005 Natsu Basho.

Ama 8-7 (over Kotomitsuki by okuridashi) 4.7 seconds

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(Earning Gino-sho by winning the today's bout and assuring his promotion to Sanyaku)

"I was really psyched up for it. For me it's all about heart. I am physically small, I don't want to be defeated mentally."

Shukun-sho and Gino-sho Awards: Hakuho

East Sekiwake. Miyagino Beya from Ulaanbaatar. 21 years old. Dohyo debut: 2001 Haru Basho. 192 cm, 152 kg.

Shukun-sho, his third since last basho,

Gino-sho,his second since 2005 Hatsu Basho.

Hakuho 13-2 (losing to Kaio)

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"If I could, I wanted to become an Ozeki by winning the yusho. But not winning does not mean my sumo life hasn't ended right here right now and it doesn't mean I'd never win a yusho again either. I will take it that the Lord just decided that this time around it will be an Ozeki. I am 90% satisfied with my performance this basho."

(On Asashoryu)

"I must admit the yokozuna is well above all of us. He was the great wall. But I want to win the yusho next basho."

Hanaregoma oyakata, Director Judging

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(On Hakuho)

"Personally I feel he is a rikishi who should be aiming higher,"

Makuuchi Yuho: Asashoryu

East Yokozuna. Takasago Beya from Ulaanbaatar. 25 years old. Dohyo debut: 1999 Hatsu Basho. 184 cm, 146 kg.

Asashoryu 13-2 (losing to Tochiazuma)

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(On the Kettei-sen bout)

"As Hakuho's back is real solid, I was waiting for him to step forward and then at that instant I was going to throw him out. In my mind I was thinking there was no way he would beat me."

"By just looking at him, I felt he was getting stronger. But I felt more strongly than ever I did not want to lose to a younger rikishi like him and that helped me keep my intensity level up."

"I realize now a new rival has been born. I will be workind hard to keep on winning and from now on I will be doing the best I can along with him."

"I am really happy I won. As lower ranked rikishis have been making tremendous progress, I have been getting more pressure. I need to work as hard to stay competitve. I want to get stronger and stronger. I am extremely pleased to win the yusho under such a circumstance."

(On all nine Mongolian sekitoris including two in Juryo getting Kachikoshi, and Sansho and Yusho winners all from Mongolia this basho.)

"It's like this is not Osaka Basho but a Mongolia Basho. It will become a great memory for me."

"I feel we are at the dawn of new age. I am still 25 years old. I want to do all I can to pull all those promising youngsters up."

Takasago oyakata (former Ozeki Asashio), Asashoryu's shisho

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"It's becoming evident that younger rikishis have been gaining strength. He won't be able to easily win all six yushos like he has done last year any longer."

As Hanaregoma oyakata, director of Judging, has asked the Rijicho to convene a special directors meeting, for all intents and purposes, Hakuaho's ozkei promotion has been assured. After the Natsu Basho Banzuke Arranging Committee meeting to be held on March 29, Hakuho will be notified by a Kyokai's special envoy Tomozuna oyakata.

"We all acknowledge his strength and superiority through this basho. Compared to his previous bashos. he is more aggressive and going after his opponent well. He remains sharp at the dohyo edge and is displaying a perfectly executed sumo," Hanaregoma oyakata commented.

Note: There was no sekitori on kyujo from Day 1 to the Senshuraku in this Haru Basho. This is the first time since the 1993 Nagoya Basho and the first time since the kosho system was abolished there was no sekitori going on kyujo.

Youngest Ozeki Promoiton Record (since the beginning of Showa Era)

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1. Takanohana - 20 years 5 months

2. Taiho - 20 years 6 months

3. Kitanoumi - 20 years 8 months

4. Hakuho - 21 years 0 month

5. Kashiwado - 21 years 7 months

6. Asashoryu - 21 years 9 months

7. Musashimaru - 21 years 10 months

8, Takanonami - 22 years 2 months

9. Kitao - 22 years 3 months

10. Terukuni - 22 years 4 months.

(Prior to Hakuho, all rikishis who were promoted at 21 years or younger became a yokozuna subsequently.)

[Kintamayama 45,136]

Thank you for your hard work in bringing these tanslations to us. It is greatly appreciated by all forum members, I'm sure.

(Sigh...)

[Blue_Wolf 24]

Yes. (Sigh...)

[Kashunowaka 300]

Wakanosato 11-4 (over Kyokushuzan by yorikiri) 5.4 seconds

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"I approached this basho thinking to get back to my former rank. I must say I am not really satisfied with consecutive losses I suffered at the end."

(On missing a Sansho award)

"I know I can't do anything about it. But knowing Kyokushuzan having the same record is getting one while I was bypassed, that makes me rather upset."

Sorry Wakanosato, but it's not just about the numbers. I think that the decision to award Kyokushuzan a sansho was a good one. Both got 11-4, but Wakanosato is a former sekiwake mainstay who is getting back from injury, while Kyokushuzan has been a maegashira elevator for an incredible nine years. Honour where honour is due.

Kitanoumi oyakata

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(Tochiazuma's Yusho promotion chance)

"If he can win more than 13 bouts and win the Yusho next basho, the issue will be defintiely discussed favorably."

I like this: Kitanoumi doesn't close the door, but he sets the bar so high that it is clear that it will take a really outstanding basho from Tochiazuma to even be considered for promotion.

Thank you for your hard work in bringing these tanslations to us. It is greatly appreciated by all forum members, I'm sure.

(Sigh...)

You bet! (Sign of approval)

[Fukurou 534]

Gino-sho Award: Ama

East 2. Ajigawawa Beya from Ulaanbaatar. 21 years old. Dohyou debut: 2001 Hatsu Bsho. 185 cm, 113 kg.

His second since 2005 Natsu Basho.

Ama 8-7 (over Kotomitsuki by okuridashi) 4.7 seconds

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(Earning Gino-sho by winning the today's bout and assuring his promotion to Sanyaku)

"I was really psyched up for it. For me it's all about heart. I am physically small, I don't want to be defeated mentally."

I don't know if this was surprising to the more knowledgable, but I was really surprised to see any kind of prize awarded to a rikishi with an 8-7 record, let alone one who didn't make it to KK until Day 15. And no, I did not take promotion possibilities into consideration.

[Olenishiki 0]

Thank you for your hard work in bringing these tanslations to us. It is greatly appreciated by all forum members, I'm sure.

(Applauding...)

Absolutely. We who don't speak Japanese are eternally grateful for the translations. (Applauding...)

And can I ask one question for the Japanese speakers who saw the dohyo-side interview of Asashoryu? What were the two loud cries he gave? (Sigh...)

[Asashosakari 19,331]

I don't know if this was surprising to the more knowledgable, but I was really surprised to see any kind of prize awarded to a rikishi with an 8-7 record, let alone one who didn't make it to KK until Day 15. And no, I did not take promotion possibilities into consideration.

It's not so much the fact that he earned a Komusubi promotion, but that he achieved kachi-koshi in his joi-jin debut. That's often rewarded with a sansho, even if the record is just 8-7. Additionally, the sanyaku were very strong this time and Ama ended up being the only joi-jin Maegashira with kachi-koshi altogether.

[Kishinoyama 595]

It's not so much the fact that he earned a Komusubi promotion, but that he achieved kachi-koshi in his joi-jin debut. That's often rewarded with a sansho, even if the record is just 8-7. Additionally, the sanyaku were very strong this time and Ama ended up being the only joi-jin Maegashira with kachi-koshi altogether.

I agree with all of this! To be a small guy and go straight at everyone he sure has earned my (Sigh...) And so has Joe for his translations and frequent posts. (Applauding...)

Edited March 27, 2006 by Kishinoyama Whitney

[Jonosuke 28]

And can I ask one question for the Japanese speakers who saw the dohyo-side interview of Asashoryu? What were the two loud cries he gave? (Sigh...)

Actually I was taping it sort of run out (I think it's time to get rid of vcr) but what I saw from news snippets, you probably mean "Maidoh Osaka".

Nishi san can tell you as well but "Kansai-ben" or Kansai area where Osaka is located has a special dialect of its own and I believe what Asashoryu was trying to say was "Maidoh Oh-kinee" meaning, "Thank you for visiting the store (and buying)".

Osaka is a merchant's town so many greetings are based on. For instance if someone asks you how you are doing, you might say "Pochi pochi desu" (meaning you are not doing so badly or selling little by little".

Asashoryu was trying to say, "Maido Oki-nee" but instead said "Maidoh Osaka" by mistake but it's not wrong either .

Edited March 27, 2006 by Jonosuke

[Olenishiki 0]

And can I ask one question for the Japanese speakers who saw the dohyo-side interview of Asashoryu? What were the two loud cries he gave? :-(

Actually I was taping it sort of run out (I think it's time to get rid of vcr) but what I saw from news snippets, you probably mean "Maidoh Osaka".

Nishi san can tell you as well but "Kansai-ben" or Kansai area where Osaka is located has a special dialect of its own and I believe what Asashoryu was trying to say was "Maidoh Oh-kinee" meaning, "Thank you for visiting the store (and buying)".

Osaka is a merchant's town so many greetings are based on. For instance if someone asks you how you are doing, you might say "Pochi pochi desu" (meaning you are not doing so badly or selling little by little".

Asashoryu was trying to say, "Maido Oki-nee" but instead said "Maidoh Osaka" by mistake but it's not wrong either .

Thanks so much! He said it with delighted gusto and given that it was an effort to relate to the local region, it says something about him that's not often noted. (Clapping wildly...)

[sashimaru 10]

Thank you for your hard work in bringing these tanslations to us. It is greatly appreciated by all forum members, I'm sure.

(Showing respect...)

Yes, thank you very very much. Rikishi Talk is one of my favorites on this forum. :-D

[Kurinoku 0]

Thank you for your hard work in bringing these tanslations to us. It is greatly appreciated by all forum members, I'm sure.

(Showing respect...)

We have a say: abundance does not hurt abundance...

:-D also from me, for the past times as well, and in advance!

Edited March 27, 2006 by Kurinoku

[Manekineko 200]

Kitazakura 7-8 (losing to Jumonji by hatakikomi) 50.8 seconds

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[...] my work as a sumo evangelist."

Oh, this is custom-made for a photoshop job. Please, somebody... :-D

Hakuho 13-2 (losing to Kaio)

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[...] I will take it that the Lord just decided that this time around it will be an Ozeki. [...]

I was a bit suprised by "the Lord" here - for my linguistic curiosity, what was it in Japanese? And for my overall curiosity, any info on Hakuho's religion of choice?

And, of course, many thanks for all the brilliant translations. (Showing respect...)

[Jakusotsu 5,969]

Hakuho 13-2 (losing to Kaio)

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[...] I will take it that the Lord just decided that this time around it will be an Ozeki. [...]

I was a bit suprised by "the Lord" here - for my linguistic curiosity, what was it in Japanese?

According to another popular thread in this forum, the Lord's name is of course Kitanoumi.

[aderechelsea 125]

so according to Kitanoumi Azuma needs a yusho next time to earn his yokozuna promotion. no more "yusho-equivalent" or "more than 13 wins" etc

the bar is a bit higher now.

[Jakusotsu 5,969]

the bar is a bit higher now.

Of course it's higher. He can't possibly make it with a mere "yusho-equivalent" following a "no-yusho-equivalent". Makes perfectly sense for a change.

[Kashunowaka 300]

so according to Kitanoumi Azuma needs a yusho next time to earn his yokozuna promotion. no more "yusho-equivalent" or "more than 13 wins" etc

According to the translation, he does say "more than 13 wins", which would mean 14-1 or 15-0. I think that Tochiazuma would in fact be promoted with a zensho yusho, but not with a 14-1 yusho. So for all practical purposes, I think he is back to square one.

If what he says is actually "13 wins or more", he is not setting the bar high enough IMHO.

[Kintamayama 45,136]

Did you miss this thread?

http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/index.php?...t=0entry80587

[Kashunowaka 300]

Did you miss this thread?

http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/index.php?...t=0entry80587

Saw it later. Well, if he says 13 win yusho, I think that's too low now.

[Doitsuyama 1,185]

Did you miss this thread?

http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/index.php?...t=0entry80587

Saw it later. Well, if he says 13 win yusho, I think that's too low now.

Well, I think 13 win yusho is good enough. Look at the upheavel when Konishiki wasn't promoted, it was a close decision. Now a 13-2 yusho next basho certainly lets Tochiazuma's three basho record compare favourably to Konishiki's three basho record.

[karlsmom 0]

Again, thanks you so much Jonosuke for these translations... (Clapping wildly...) (Sign of approval)

I (and for sure, other non-Japanese speaking forum members) really appreciate your efforts in keeping us informed of how the rikishi feel with each basho.

Thank you thank you!

Edited March 27, 2006 by karlsmom

[Kishinoyama 595]

Well, I think 13 win yusho is good enough. Look at the upheavel when Konishiki wasn't promoted, it was a close decision. Now a 13-2 yusho next basho certainly lets Tochiazuma's three basho record compare favourably to Konishiki's three basho record.

It would actually be one more win than Konishiki and Azuma has been more consistent than Konishiki was. I still don't see a promotion for Azuma without 13 wins AND a yusho next time which is what Kitanoumi said. I hope he is not pressured to lower the bar. (Clapping wildly...)

[Asashosakari 19,331]

Saw it later. Well, if he says 13 win yusho, I think that's too low now.

Well, I think 13 win yusho is good enough. Look at the upheavel when Konishiki wasn't promoted, it was a close decision. Now a 13-2 yusho next basho certainly lets Tochiazuma's three basho record compare favourably to Konishiki's three basho record.

And in the end, the YDC has already stated that they'll even take 13-2J as worthy for consideration. I think I'd personally feel a bit queasy about seeing him promoted with that...14-1D and probably even 13-2D would be aokay with me though. As would be any kind of yusho, quite frankly, even if it's 12-3Y.