Rikishi Talk Day 10 Kyushu Basho 2003

Rikishi Talk Day 10 Kyushu Basho 
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Asashoryu (vs Kyokushuzan)
--------------------------
(On facing his nemesis)
"All I do is simply sumo..."
-Any reason you did not hit your mawashi with your
hand just prior the tachiai?
"I've totally forgotten it (due to extreme
concentration)".

Kyokushuzan (vs Asashoryu)
--------------------------
"The Yokozuna was watching me intently. He had
overwhelming speed and power. I kind of even feel
refreshed now."

Kitanoumi oyakata, chair of Kyokai
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"I believe the Yokozuna is getting accustomed to his
role little by little. He appears to be more
comfortable now."      

Tochiazuma (vs Musoyama)
------------------------
"As I am moving well, 'Inashi' move is working so
well."
-Last time you won 10 straight was when you won the
Yusho at the Hatsu Basho last year.
"Let's all forget about it now. I just have to go out
one day at a time." 
-Tomorrow's bout is against Asashoryu.
"The opponent is a Yokozuna. I just go out as if to
'borrow the chest'. I don't have any special
concerns."  
　
Kaio (vs Takamisakari)
----------------------
(On getting back to the winning form)
"As I said I have a bitter experience of the last
basho (losing 7 straight in the last half)."   

Wakanosato (vs Tochinonada)
----------------------------
(Winning after a mono-ii, and finally reaching 50-50 
record)
"I can't ride on the wave. Even through the bad
performance as it is, I want to keep winning one bout
after another."

Kyokutenho (vs Kotomitsuki)
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(Already, a Makekoshi)
"Well it's been a while. Obviously this isn't fun.
There is always the next year you know. This year is
done for and over. I just gonna have some fun the last
five days."

Chiyotaikai (vs Aminishiki) 
--------------------------
"My neck is sore but despite that I am not doing badly
at all. But the two losses were painful.  Anyway I am
doing my best. "

Musoyama (vs Kaio)
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(Losing to Ozeki two days in a row)
"I should have put out my hands more. As he was
without a loss, I felt he was more nervous but I
wonder if he was more inspired...He displayed a better
sumo today."
  
Dejima (vs Hokutoriki) 
-------------------
(Need to win one more, seven wins to assure his stay
in Makuuchi)
"All I am thinking about is tomorrow. I can move
forward well so I am having an ideal attack style."

Iwakiyama (vs Asasekiryu)
-------------------------
(Suffering Makekoshi as a rookie Sanyaku)
"I am not sure if I characterized this as just another
learning experience but it was much tougher 
than I imagined. Especially on Day 3 (against
Chiyotaikai), the force of his attack was such a
magnitude, it was totally overwhelming (compared to 
the lower ranked rikishis). One thing, I really regret
is losing to my junior(at his high
school),Takamisakari."     

West Juryo 8 Aogiyama, 32, retiring, 
assuming Edagawa oyakata
-------------------------------------------
"I still had a will to continue but physically I just
reached the limit. When I look back (over 18 years
since the dohyo debut)...sure I wanted to get to a 
Sanyaku but I really have no regret whatsoever."

"The most memorable match for me was at the Nagoya
Basho in 1997 when I beat Takanohana." 

"I started out by losing 10 straight bouts at
Jonokuchi.  I'd like to teach others that even such a
rikichi can make it to Makuuchi by working extremely
hard."
(On assuming Edagawa oyakata)
"It was the name associated with former Ozeki
Kitabayama who used to be with Tokitsukaze 
Beya, teaching us young rikishis.  When I just joined
the heya, I was really encouraged when he told me he
really liked me. I feel so proud to be able to succeed
such a honorable name."    

Note:
Gorojo and Kotonowaka received Kosho status on
November 18.