Rikishi Talk Day 10 Kyushu Basho 2003

Rikishi Talk Day 10 Kyushu Basho
=================================

Dejima (vs Tochisakae)
----------
(Now getting a kachikoshi, ensuring his stay in
Makuuchi)
"After all these bout, I really feel happy (getting
Kachikoshi)."
- Had a sense of crisis?
"Well if I fell then I figured I just had to recover
fully from the injury and come back again strong."

Kyokushuzan (vs Shimotori)
---------------------------
(Getting kachikoshi on Day 11)
"Even whe I got a Kachikoshi, it used to be either on
the Senshuraku or earliest, Friday, so I am definitely
happy about this."
-Aiming for double digit wins?
"If I possibly could..."

Takamisakari (vs Tamanoshima)
-----------------
"My strategy was once I got into my form, I was trying
to get him down but he never let me do that." 

Aminishiki (vs Kyokutenho)
--------------
"I was able to get my right in well. It's been awhile
but I  felt I had a pretty good sumo in today."   

Hokutoriki (vs Tochinonada) 
---------------------------
(Finally getting his kachikoshi after winning 7
straight, followed by three straight losses)
"I was worried I could possibly go lose 8 straight.  I
was able to ge head first today and that led to the
victory."

Musoyama (vs Chiyotaikai) 
-------------------------
(Winning barely at the dohyo ring)
"I had my back against the wall but somehow I had his
arm hooked in. This one was huge. I just want to keep
on winning with reckless abandon now."  

Chiyotaikai (vs Musoyama)
-------------------------
"I had the best hit of this basho. I got him all the
way down to the dohyo ring and figured I won, then I
just relaxed..."

Wakanosato (vs Asashoryu)
-------------------------
(Suffering his sixth loss)
"He showed more spirit...

Asashoryu (vs Wakanosato)
--------------------------
"I got beaten by him last basho, you know.  I was able
to move really well."

Kotomitsuki (vs Kaio)
---------------------
(Beaten Kaio all three times this year)
"I haven't faced him the last basho, right?? Oh I did
and won? I don't remember it at all.  I have no idea I
can beat him so often..." 

Kaio (vs Kotomitsuki) 
---------------------
"I felt badly at the tachiai. From the beginning to
end, I could not do anything today. I really need to
sharpen up as I remember what happened last basho." 
(Kaio is well known for his worrying habit. He worries
so much about everything and almost to an
extraordinary degree.)

Tochiazuma (vs Tosanoumi)
------------------------
(Easily getting pushed out)
"Tachiai is everything. My lower back got too high."
-Now with one loss, tied with Asashoryu.
"I am not taking it as seriously as everyone thinks. 
However you want to put it, a loss is a loss. It won't
come back. Now I can go back and shave. It's been
bothering me (rubbing his unshaven face)"

Tosanoumi (vs Tochiazuma)
-------------------------
(Asked if he was prepared for a possible henka)
"I thought since the Ozeki was doing so well, he
wouldn't do it today. I was just going to hit him so
hard that the Ozeki would remember it long time. 
I am pretty happy thatI've getting so many
opportunities to be written up on papers this 
basho.  From now on, I try to display good sumo rather
than worring too much about winning and losing. If's
far less pressure. "

Kitanoumi oyakata, chair of the Kyokai
--------------------------------------
"A good tachiai is crucial for Tochiazuma. He has been
winning by going offensive, today he didn't hit hard
enough." 

==============

On Russian/Eastern European rikishis, currently
numbering eight including Kazafuzan(Katrina's Tiger)
in Maezumo.

Oitekaze oyakata 
----------------
(On Kokkai)
"He has an exceptional ability to win even from a
disadvantaged position." 

Hatachiyama oyakata
-------------------
(On Hakurozan) 
"Even coming to a strange country where the customs
are so different and can hardly speak the language
well, all he thinks about it is to get stronger.  You
can't hardly compare his dedication to other young
guys his age in Japan."  

Sadogatake oyakata
-------------------
(On rikishis from Russia including Kotooshu)
"I understand as rikishis like Kokkai and Kotooshu get
more and more successes, sumo is getting more
attention.  They are building more dohyos and more
kids are participating." 

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Akebono 
-------
(Seeing a circle of reporters surrounding his open
training at a gym in Tokyo on November 19)
"Wow...I never had this many reporters come see my
sumo training!. I feel lighter. I have a feeling I got
into much better shape now but when you think of Mr.
Sapp, I realize I am not even close." 
(After doing stretching he showed off his newly found
boxing techniques as he says he is working out five
times a week.)