Re: TIME magazine on Akebono

"mr.sumo snr." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> "Leigh Melton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
> news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > http://www.time.com/time/asia/arts/daily/0,9754,544736,00.html
> >
> > In order to remain in sumo, Akebono would have had to purchase the
> > rights to a permanent stable-master position by the time his five-year
> > retirement grace period expired in 2006. Because there are only 105
> > stable-master slots in all of sumo, the prices for such training
> > rights can easily approach $2 million. Famous retired wrestlers who
> > want to become stable masters usually have a network of patrons to
> > help cover the costs, but Akebono's official supporters' group
> > disbanded in 1998. He cites the poor economy for his lack of
> > assistance, but the group's former head recently told the Sunday
> > Mainichi weekly magazine a different story. In sumo's highly
> > traditional ways, righteous behavior outside the dohyo (or at least
> > the appearance of righteous behavior) matters far more than in other
> > sports, and this former patron claims he disbanded the association
> > because he was unhappy with Akebono's extracurricular activities.
> > These included the very public dumping of a popular TV-personality
> > girlfriend, as well as getting engaged to his wife after she was
> > already pregnant.
> >
>
> I knew about his wife being pregnant before they married - but this is
> pretty common in sumo.  Asashouryu's marriage is the most recent example.
> Wasn't Takanohana's wife pregnant too?  And didn't he also have a very
> public and messy end to his relationship with Rie Miyazawa - Japan's
poster
> girl for bulimia.  Who was the TV 'tarento' Akebono was seeing - I don't
> remember this story.
>
> > But then he relates one bit of fallout from his press conference which
> > clearly still stings. "When I announced my retirement, I got a lot of
> > phone calls from the sumo elders saying, 'Good luck,' or 'Do your
> > best,'" he says. "But not," he adds after a slight pause, "'Please
> > stay.'"
>
> I wonder just how may heads would roll if the same thing happened with
> Takanohana.


sounds like the sport needs reform - you have a legendary fighter, he wants
to continue in the sport, yet having to pay millions for the right to start
a stable - when the rules mean he's never been given the chance to earn that
much during his time in the sport, means he's gone forever.
crazy


--
Gareth
quote of the day
'nostradamus? -sounds like a rock group to me!'