Reactions of Musashimaru Retirement

Reactions after the announcement 
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Kitanoumi oyakata, chair of the Kyokai
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"I heard from Musashigawa oyakata that after
discussing with him, Musashimaru himself decided to
retire. I understand it was very difficult decision
for him but I believe he really did his best. He
probably made up his mind after the today's bout.  To
persevere and making it to this point, I believe he
truly has done all he could."

Tanosuke Sawamura, Yokoshin member(Kabuki actor)
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"I am sorry to hear it but there was no alternative.
Once the yokozuna starts losing, we should think about
the prestige. This may be trite and harsh thing to say
but I felt he could have retired after the 
second loss. I'd like to be more sympathetic but I am
sorry yokozunas should be more decisive."


Katsuji Ebisawa, Yokoshi Acting Chair (NHK Chairman) 
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"Up to now this basho, we have not been able to see
what the old Musashimaru was capable of. I was hoping
for strong Musashimaru to return so I am deeply sorry.
I hope he can show his leadership to guide the young
rikishis from now on." 

Takuhiko Tsuruta, Yokoshin member (Nihon Keizai
Shimbun Executive)
--------------------------------
"Currently we have no sekitoris who can compete well
against yokozunas so I was hoping Musashimaru could
have stayed longer. However it's not unreasonable for
him to retire at this stage as he missed so many 
basho due to the injury. I'd like to just express my
appreciation for his long years of service. Now we
only have one yokozuna. It's rather sad. Sumo is
Japan's national sport. I am sorry we don't even have
one Japanese yokozuna. I just hope those Sanyaku and
above ranked rikishis to work much harder now and rise
to the occasion."


Asashoryu
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"I just like to say, thanks for his long years of
contribution. I was really looking forward to facing
the yokozuna again this basho so I am really sorry to
see him leave at this point."

Chiyotaikai
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"I'd like to  realy thank him for all the years for
his contribution. I will miss him but from now I'd
like him to enjoy watching sumo." 

Takanohana oyakata
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"I'd like to express my sincere gratitude for his
contribution. I take a great pride in the fact we have
been able to compete together over many years. I feel
as if we were comrades in war."  


Musoyama
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"I heard of it after I came back to the camp.  I'd
like to thank him for his contribution. I guess there
is not much we could have done as this is something
you decide for yourself. I believe many people were 
looking at it in many different ways.  I have nothing
to say except I am deeply sorry."

Akebono oyataka
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"I'd like to express my appreciation for his
contribution throughout the years. I hope now he will
have the time to recover fully from his injury. 
As well I hope he will think seriously what he wants
to do with his life. It may be a bit arrogant coming
from me but I hope he can contribute in some ways to 
the sumo world."

Miyabiyama
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"We were told from the oyakata that he would be
retiring so we should do our best for him. I feel so
powerless not being able to lend my hand. Buyuzan and
I cried our hearts out today.  The Yokozuna told us he
would be leaving and told us to go out and do our
best."

Azumazeki oyakata
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"I am sorry to hear the news. I guess missing one year
was a little too long. Ever since I stepped on the
dohyo on 1964, we always had Hawaiian rikishis. But
that age has come to pass. He has done his best 
but I will definitely miss him also."