[sumo] Asashoryu and Soccer

[John Racine]

Hi Scott,

Emotions are running high now, aren't they.  Maybe the Asa fans should take
a breather before posting.  Those of us who think that his attitude has been
bad for sumo, aren't so shocked.  We've been expecting the Kyokai to do
something about his behaviour for years now.

 
> I woke up this morning to the news, shocked.

You're very clearly a fan, Scott.  I guess all fans of Asashoryu or shocked.

I'm not a fan, but I was a little shocked that the Kyokai was finally
willing to do something about his bad behaviour.  Usually Uchidate or
someone else from the YDC makes a comment, but without any teeth.  

It's about time someone was willing to do something that might actually
curtail his actions.  I think he'll discover now that there are consequences
for what he does.  Too much of his behaviour was ignored, perhaps because he
was inexperienced.  Everyone assumed he'd grow into conducting himself as a
yokozuna rather than someone who thought he was bigger than sumo itself.
(Maybe those of you who love to pull the Race card assumed he was getting
special treatment because he was a foreigner?)

I think two bashos and 30% is just about right.  He will miss all the money,
prestige, etc. that life in ozumo gives him for the next 4 months.  He has
learned that he can't do whatever he wants and expect no consequences.  It's
about time.



> This two basho suspension for Asashoryu has to be up there with the most 
ridiculous decisions ever by a sports governing body.  The fact is that 
in Asashoryu, Japan and the Kyokai have to deal with a yokozuna who is 
revered in his home country of Mongolia, and who is an international 
ambassador of goodwill.

You've lost me here, Scott.  You make it sound like this was a very
important event.  If it were, couldn't he have asked them to attend?  Or
don't you think the Kyokai would have asked him to attend to represent them?
Ah, but he had already told them he was too injured to participate.


> I watched the 6 minute clip with the sound off, since I can't 
understand the language well...

I wouldn't comment on it then, if I were you.



> A two basho suspension for Asashoryu participating at a goodwill event?  

Haha.  If that were the reason, dozens of rikishi would be suspended every
year.



> This reeks of internal power struggles between Asashoryu and the 
Kyokai.

I think this part is true.  Asashoryu, like Keri said, thinks he's bigger
than the sport itself, and has been acting that way for years.  Finally,
they punished him to put him back into his place.  It's more "public" than
"internal", but definitely a struggle.


> I can't disagree more with the notion that Asashoryu should be a humble 
employee.

You're clearly not Japanese.  He owes his fame and fortune to the sumo
world.  Otherwise he would be a (much poorer, much less famous) wrestling
star in Mongolia right now.

I think I better take a break now too.

John Racine




>  The Kyokai takes away his liberty to act as an ambassador of 
Mongolia, and of today's youth?  Had the Kyokai supported this extended 
role for Asashoryu, who as I stated before single handedly rescued sumo 
from the steroid infected Taka-Waka hype, they would have found ways to 
explain Asashoryu's true injuries instead of flaming the xenophobic 
media outcry.  Lest anyone forget that Asashoryu has fought for the 
better part of a year with injuries that would sideline other yokozuna, 
not to mention the hangnails that force current and past ozeki to drop 
out of tournaments.  This is simply a case of the Kyokai humiliating 
Asashoryu in public and their need to show that their mawashi is bigger 
than his.

> Is this worse than Wajima's actions as Yokozuna?  I think not.  And, 
what about the investigation into the death of the young rikishi earlier 
this year.  I'm assuming the Kyokai has fined Asashoryu and his oyakata 
so that they can bribe the family not to pursue manslaughter charges.  
Or has the Japanese media conveniently forgotten about that incident?

> A dark, dark day  for sumo indeed.  I'm not finished, but I need a break 
from this regrettable decision.

> Sukubidubidu