Rikishi Talk Day 15 Kyushu Basho 2003

Rikishi Talk the Senshuraku Kyushu Basho
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Asashoryu (vs Tochiazuma)
-------------------------
(Showing no sign of any disappointment)
"Today I can only praise my opponent. I'd love to have
a real rival someday. Anyway I did help make the basho
more exciting till the Senshuraku and feel I have
fulfilled my responsibility. If my life comes to the
end today, sure I will have regrets but I will have
the next bashso.  I feel like I had 100% Plus and
Minus experiences this year. A lot has happened. But
throughout it's been a great learning experience for
me." 

Tochiazuma (vs Asashoryu)
--------------------------
"The fact that I went straight into the Yokozuna and
won, that is something that gives me the most
accomplishment about the bout today. I simply did not
want to give him his left and I just decided to move
into him." 
-Looking back on the last two years suffering from one
injury after another.
"Every day I thought I was done for. I became so
passive. I was told by the shisho, it would be better
for me to get demoted. So just the fact that I could
appear and compete for the Yusho today was more than I
could have expected."

Kitanoumi oyataka, chair of the Kyokai
--------------------------------------
"As Tochiazuma went in low, the Yokozuna just could
not plant himself firmly." 
(On Tochiazuma's promotion possibility)
"In this basho, Tochiazuma showed his attack by moving
forward. Right now we only have one Yokozuna but
regardless it's up to his record next basho.
13 wins will be the key."

Tamanoii oyakata, Tochiazuma's Shisho
--------------------------------------
"Just like he did today, he kept his own form through
this basho.  He executed his favorite technique of
'Ottsuke' and displayed his strength.  He has overcame
all the other hardships with his hard work and
training.  And that is exactly what is required now to
reach the next plateau."   

Tamanoshima (vs Dejima)
-----------------------
(Close call with a hatakikomi win and Kantosho award)
"I wanted to show a little better quality sumo but the
tenth victory gave me more self-confidence. I
certainly had the bouts that would lead into the next
basho...except today, of course."

Tochinonada (vs Tosanoumi) 
-----------------
(Getting Shukunsho award) 
"Everything changed on Day 2 when I defeated Asashoryu
with quality sumo. I feel I had one magnificent year
this year."

Tosanoumi (vs Tochinonada)
--------------------------
(Getting Shukunsho award)
"I am really happy as it's been a while. The winning
factor was grabbing the mawashi while moving forward.
In the end I was able to put together some impressive
sumo that even surprised myself.  Next year hopefully
I still can keep up with the younger guys by not
forgetting the sumo form I displayed this basho." 

Wakanosato (vs Musoyama)
------------------------
(Suffering a Makekoshi)
"Hmmm....I don't know. I don't know if there was any
undue pressure to go for Ozeki but it's just as you
observed. What else can I say?"

Kitanoumi oyakata, Chair of the Kyokai
--------------------------------------
(On Wakanosato)
"There were too many unrefined techniques and he
depended on too much on brute force. However he 
should get more opportunities in the future. I hope he
would not be defeated by this experience and start
aiming for Ozeki again." 

Kaio (vs Chiyotaikai)
----------
(Beating Chiyotaikai with power and getting his 10th
win)
"At the end my butt hurt like you wouldn't believe but
I persevered. It felt great to be able to compete when
the local fans were cheering for you so loud."
 
Sentoryu 
--------
(As a Makushita West 5 with 2 wins and 5 losses and no
chance at all of getting back to Juryo)
"I felt I simply reached the physical limit. Prior to
the basho, I talked to my wife about retiring if I get
the makekoshi." (Sentoryu will be leaving the Kyokai
and will be working for a company headed by his wife's
father.)  

Dewanoumi oyakata, Director of Kyushu Basho Operations
------------------------------------------------------
(Seeing "Maiin Onrey" banner coming down for the first
time this basho and selling out the arena)
"When I think of how everyone worked so hard to achive
this, I am filled with such emotion that I cannot
express myself."

Taiho oyakata
-------------
(Seeing his heya head recruit Roho winning his fifth
thereby  ensuring his promotion to Juryo.  With his
retiring, putting the end to the 32 years of Taiho
Beya as of this basho)
"Here I was able to give a good bon voyage present to
Otake Beya. It really leaves me speechless."