Rikishi Talk Day 8 Aki Basho 2003

Rikishi Talk Day 8
==================

Musoyama
--------
(Talking to reporters, appearing with a cast around
his left elbow)
"Fortunately I did not break more cruicial part.  I
intend to come back in the Kyushu (but not this
basho). I am not sure what results I can accomplish
there but all I can do is to go back and find out. 
I'd also like to participate in the Aki Jyungyo tour. 
Initially perhaps just doing the dohyo-iri only. 
Regardless of 'Kosho' or not, I've always targeted for
the next basho whenever I went in 'kyujo'."    

Futeno vs (Tochinohana)
-----------------------
(A former Amateur Yokozuna, at Juryo West 4, now
Makekoshi by losing eight straight after suffering a
39C degree high fever prior to the basho ).
"Sumo is tough, isn't it? I can't sleep thinking about
the losses. But I am losing because I am not
competitive enough. I don't want to make the cold as
an excuse."  

Tosanoumi (vs Kyokutenho)
-------------------------        
"When I stepped on hard, my feet slipped away to the
edge.  If the feet didn't slip I know could have
stayed on."

Chiyotaikai (vs Kotoryu)
------------------------
"I was able to put together a good sumo today. I was
able to get the 'shikiri' in without worrying too
much."

Tochiazuma (vs Miyabiyama)
--------------------------
(Winning by a sudden henka)
"I was thinking of hitting him and then going to right
to do 'inashi' but...I am not sure if I am in a good
or bad condition."

Miyabiyama (vs Tochiazuma)
---------------------------
(Lost by the henka)
"Sure I hate losing that way.  (Getting testy) You
know it's yours truly who is not in a good condition 
but not going out hard is rude to all the people who
came to watch us compete."     

Kakizoe (vs Yotsukasa) 
----------------------
(Losing by attempting a henka)
"When does the challenger start jumping!?!...I've
already lost it mentally (before the bout started)."

Kaio (vs Tochinonada)
----------------------
(Easily gettting pushed out)
"I don't even feel like making any excuse today.  I
usually cannot get the left in to go inside so I may
have been thinking too much about getting the right. 
I don't find him any harder to face than others nor
mind facing him.  Well, anyway, the game is just 
starting now (as if trying to convincing himself of
that)."

Kokonoe oyakata
---------------
(On Kaio's yokozuna promotion possibility)
"With such unstable legs and low back, he is not
competing with the perfect conditioning to aim for the
yokozuna promotion this basho."

Chairman Kitanoumi oyakata
--------------------------
(On Kaio's sumo)
"I cannot say it's at a high level (which he demanded
prior to the basho for the promotion ) or not.  If he
wins 13 bouts, it should lead to the next basho.  The
reason I am not making it clear at this stage is...I
really don't want him to self-destruct after I 
pronounced 'NO'." 

Iwakiyama (vs Asasekiryu)
--------------------------
(On his fifth straight win)
"I think I am moving naturally. It's a good feeling."
(On Asashoryu bout tomorrow) 
"I hope I can can ride on this..."

Asashoryu (vs Takanonami)
-------------------------
"......" (With his eyes closed, not acknowledging any
reporter questions.)

Takanonami (vs Asashoryu)
-------------------------
"I was trying...even if I got into 'morozashi' but he
wouldn't let me get into a 'yotsu'. But you know the
yokozuna's attack is just amazingly quick."

Takasago oyakata
----------------
"Can't say about 15 win Yusho yet but it's not so
farfetched as we only have one yokozuna present." (The
last to do so was Takanohana in 1996, the longest span
without a 15 bout Yusho winner.)

Chairman Kitanoumi oyakata
--------------------------
(On Asashoryu beating Takanonami)
"(Asashoryu is) Pushing his opponent at the ideal
angle.  He doesn't appear to be crumbling anytime
soon."

Kokonoe oyakata (Chief Dohyo Judge this day)
--------------------------------------------
(On Asashoryu) 
"Quickness, Power and Execution. Definetly it's an
exhibition of all around splendid sumo." 

Wakanosato (vs Takamisakari)
----------------------------
(On his eighth victory out of ten meetings with
Takamisakari )
"Unlike the record indicates, he isn't easy to going
against. He creates a unique atmosphere all his own
and the spectators just go wild..." 

Takamisakari (vs Wakanosato)
--------------------------
"He won't let me get into my style. He was the
opponent when I got injured exactly three years ago." 

(Told by reporters there are fans who come to see him
and looking forward to his pre-bout performance. Asked
if he has been really told to stop the pre-bout
'performance' by Chairman Kitanoumi.) 
"...Well you know...you should realize that I am also
a member of the Kyokai..." (Trailing off and speaking
quietly and sounding passive and evasive... Is the
Kyokai killing a goose laying the golden egg?)

======

The Kyokai announced the names of three "Shinjo-
Shusse" rikishis on September 14.

The new Jonokuchi-to-be rikishis are:

- Ishida (from Tokyo, Mihogazeki Beya)
- Sokorai or Shokokurai??? (not sure the reading of
this. From China, Arashio Beya)
- Kimishima (From Hyogo, Takadagawa Beya)
- Hakkenzan (Re-entry. from Chiba, Nakamura Beya, the
first dohyo debut at the Haru Basho, 1997)