[sumo] Suspension

[Charles Beauchamp]

--- Pierre Wohlleben <Pierre.Wohlleben at gmx.net> wrote:
>
> In fact, many of your posts have an undercurrent of
> "what Asashoryu thinks is best for sumo is in fact
> what's best for sumo". From there it's only a short
> hop to "Asashoryu is bigger than sumo", as some
> others have asserted in roundabout ways (e.g.
> Charles Beauchamp and his claim that "without the
> stars there would be no sport at all [...]  The #1
> man in the sport is bigger [than the Kyokai]", which
> can only originate from a wholesale ignorance of
> sumo history, and that's my most charitable
> interpretation).
> 

It is always curious to me how certain people will
pile into one camp and then assume they have the only
valid opinion. To put it mildly..I will hold my
knowledge of Sumo up against any poster in this forum
and generally hold my own.  You are no one I need feel
inferior to.  As to the point you are presuming...I
have the balance of all of sports history on the
planet on my side.  The stars of any sport are more
important then the crazy old men that run it 100 times
out of 100.  It has always been this way (yes even in
the sport you are presuming to know so much more
about) and always will be.  And when those crazy old
men refuse to change..or uphold absurd tradition for
the sake of tradition..the sport suffers.  

In the case of Asashoryu there seems to be some sort
of piling on as if someone wants the Yokozuna to go
away.  He comes frmo an entirely different culture. 
He has adjusted and seems to get little credit from
his detractors regarding this.  It is a shame.  We may
well be speaking of the greatest Rikishi of the past
30 years here.  But I will leave it to you self
appointed experts to argue over that.

Is he above the sport or the rules?  Of course not. 
Does the punishment fit the "crime."  Absolutely not. 
It is completely silly and does nothing to ensure
participation either way.  

It is rather curious though to see all of the comments
about tradition, honor etc.. in a sport that has had
steady rumors about match fixing...a recent family
dominating the sport in Japan while the better of the
two brothers was likely drugged up for much of his run
and these Jungyos which are more like exhibitions then
actual sport.  But..whatever makes you feel comfy!


       
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