Rikishi Talk The Morning After Kyushu Basho 2003

The Morning After Senshuraku Kyushu Basho
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Tochiazuma
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"It's as if I am still dreaming, wondering if I
actually won the whole thing. I actually had to ask
someone to slap me. I am really happy to get the
result like this after I told the shisho, I no longer
wanted to continue as I felt I didn't deserve to be an
ozeki.  Bu then he persuaded me to try my best one
more time.  Right now the Yokozuna is still like an
existence above the clouds. I just hope I can finish
the Hatsu Basho with the good results again." 

-Displaying closed fist after the winning yesterday.
"I know that's something I should not have done but it
just came out naturally."

-Fully made a comeback now?
"Yes. I think I can safely say so. I feel OK now if I
can continue with the sumo like I showed this basho." 

Kitanoumi oyakata
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"My view is that he should only be considered if he
wins the Yusho and wins more than 13 bouts next basho.
If he only wins 12, it lacks the dignity even 
if he wins the Yusho. If he wins 13 bouts but loses in
the deciding round, then there should be a due
consideration as an equivalent Yusho."

Yoshio Ishibashi, Chair of Yokoshin
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"I find the record of 13 wins and 2 losses to be a
splendid one. I fully expect him to go for Yokozuna
promotion at the Hatsu Basho. In fact all committee
members agreeed that we want Tochiazuma to win the
Yusho. I like to give him the promotion even if he
does not get the Yusho as long as he wins 13 bouts. I
understand even Asashoryu wants to have a Japanese
Yokozuna. Personally speaking I hope we get several
Japanese Yokozunas."

Yoji Yamada, the newest member but sat in the
committee meeting only as an observer this day
-----------------------------------------------
"The sumo world needs stars. I hope we get a new
Yokozuna as soon as possible. I think we could have a
Yokozuna so powerful that we love to hate. At the same
time we also long for a graceful Yokozuna. We may well
be asked for refinement as well as dignity."         
 
Makiko Uchidate, a lone female Yokoshin member (often
its most knowledgible and logical as well as sane
member)
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"I feel even with 13 wins, it all depends on quality
as if it's just pulling and jumping... 
If we get the 12 win Yusho, this committee will
be no doubt thrown into a total confusion. As he
suffered a makekoshi just in this July, I prefer to
consider this by viewing it in more long term basis."

Hatsu Prediction by Jiji Press
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Yokozuna East Asashoryu
Ozeki East Tochiazuma
Ozeki West Chiyotaikai
Ozeki East Kaio
Ozeki West Musoyama
Sekiwake East Tosanoumi
Sekiwake West Tamanoshima
Komusubi East Toki
Komusubi West Tochinonada
M1 East Wakanosato
M1 West Hokutoriki
M2 East Iwakiyama
M2 West Kyokushuzan
M3 East Kotomitsuki
M3 West Takamisakari
M4 East Tokitsuumi
M4 West Kyokutenho
M5 East Miyabiyama
M5 West Kakizoe