Fw: [sumo] asashoryu and SUMO reality

[Jeanne Hedge]

Scott Kahn <smk1 at columbia.edu> wrote:
>Takanomizu wrote:
>
>>
>> If Sumo became a free-for-all, like other sports, would it still be 
>> the Sumo we love?
>>
>> Irene
>> Takanomizu 
>
>Free-for-all is a bit dramatic, but that raises an interesting 
>question.  Why is Takamisakari so adored and promoted?  Would such 
>antics be accepted, were Takamisakari ever to rise to Yokozuna?  If not, 
>wouldn't that be hypocritical?

Let me say upfront, I don't research sumo. But I did remember this comment from the chairman of the Kyokai, after the Takamisakari-Asashoryu match on day 8 (from the Rikishi Talk posting):

Kitanoumi oyakata, chairman of the Kyokai
---------------------------------------------------
(On Takamisakari-Asashoryu bout)
"If I were going against a yokozuna, I would never
attempt the gesture (Takamisakari's performance) like
that against the yokozuna. It's really insulting to
the yokozuna. If I were the yokozuna, indeed I would
have been really angry."


I guess he's not a Takamisakari fan.