[sumo] Comments on Scott's reaction to Asashoryu's suspension

[Robert Hovestadt]

Suku,
     At the time of my response I did not know what they meant by a
fractured back, I was drawing my own conclusion based on the limited
information I had at the time. It truthfully doesn't change how I,
personally, would have responded to the diagnosis. Any kind of injury to the
back is not something to fool around with. I will take that the information
he was given was enough for him to be comfortable with taking part, even if
"common sense" required otherwise in his position. [Mind you that is my
opinion.]

Bob

     Sumo has certain expectations of a Yokozuna and appartenly [and I am no
expert on this by any means]  he is not living up to those expectations.
Whether there is more to it than that is not for me to decide, I have
painfully little information on  which to make any kind of decision.

On 8/1/07, Scott Kahn <smk1 at columbia.edu> wrote:
>
> Robert,
>
> Stress fractures aren't what you imply.  From what I have read,
> depending on the nature of the stress fracture, yes, Asashoryu could
> have safely participated in the soccer match without further injuring
> himself.  This has to do with the forces and torque on the stress
> fracture and the angle of the fracture.  There is a possiblity that his
> participation could have had no damaging effect at all.  In fact, it is
> my understanding that these could take years to develop from repeated
> stresses to the point that they become painful.
>
> As Lynn said, and I paraphrase in my own words, Japan is Japan.  I've
> been in political situations with cancer researchers in Japan that I did
> not at the time, and still do not understand.  The rules of the Kyokai
> are even more deeply entrenched.  To me, the forces to be in the Kyokai
> are missing a wonderful opportunity to showcase the beauty of sumo
> internationally, especially with Asashoryu as an ambassador.  But they
> don't want that.
>
> Bottom line, it obvioiusly doesn't matter what is right in this case.
> The Kyokai dictates what is right in sumo.  It also doesn't matter which
> is more important, the death of a lowly ranked rikishi or an absent
> Yokozuna, apparently it is how each is perceived and how each affects
> the bottom line.
>
> I wonder whether the Kyokai will now forbid its members and elders from
> frequenting pachinko parlors and associating with less than respectable
> individuals, since such a high value is placed on perception.
>
> Lastly, I bring up for instigating purposes that the four latest
> censures were against Asashoryu, Roho, Kyokutenho, and Kyokushuzan (if
> one assumes a forced retirement).  Hmmmn.
>
> Sukubidubidu
> (and I do love Japan)
>
>
> Robert Hovestadt wrote:
>
> > It would seem to this Sumo follower that the incident of the young
> >wrestlers death has gone to the back burner, but it may be quite
> different
> >for those with access to Japanese publications [and the ability to read
> >them].
> >
> >Question to Sukubidubidu:
> >       {I do not disagree with your assessment of the man, as I have
> never
> >met him.}
> >
> >        Does an intelligent young man [who handed in a medical
> certificate]
> >with a fractured vertebrae in his back [my lay translation of what was
> >meant] go out and play football [soccer] in a very public event? I don't
> >claim to be the most intelligent person in the world, but if I was told i
> >had a 'fractured back' I would not even run much less play football
> >[soccer].
> >
> >
> >I agree with Lynn's assessment of why Sumo will not change. Sumo is what
> it
> >is and if you want to be a part of it you must accept that.
> >
> >Bob
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> >
> >
>
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