Re: Rikishi Talk The Morning After Kyushu Basho 2003

"Jonosuke" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> The Morning After Senshuraku Kyushu Basho
> =========================================
>
> Tochiazuma
> ----------
> "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
> -----------------
> "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
> -----------------------------------
> "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)
> ----------------------------------------------
> "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."
>

The lady has a point.  Tochiazuma's other yusho came with a 'henka' victory.
Still, business is business, and I'd rather see a flourishing sumo kyokai
after an undeserving yokuzuna promotion than a continuation of the current
malaise.  Who was the last yokuzuna to be promoted with one yusho plus 13-2
wins but no yusho respectively - my wife suggested Hokutoumi?

--
jonathan