Re: TIME magazine on Akebono

"The dog from that film you saw" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in
message news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> "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
>

The Nihon Sumo Kyokai reform?  Yes, of course they can.  And later on wild
tanuki will fly from my butt (sorry Wayne).

--
jonathan