[sumo] August 17th-Asa awaits treament

[Barbara]

Paolo Viel wrote:
> solve by itself is childish ? Question 4: do the NSK understand that they
> couldn't any more ask Asashoryu to go intai now without losing their (not
> his ) face? 

I think we (this discussion) has not stated the obvious yet.

Asashoryuu seems set on a path which will likely prevent him from 
entering his next scheduled basho in champion condition.  As a result he 
will probably not win enough bouts to do well.  There will be too much 
damage to his physical condition, sharpness of his reflexes, and his spirit.

What then?

Normally, a yokozuna is expected to retire when he can no longer win 
reliably.

Asashoryuu then, to avoid retirement, might then have to take the tactic 
of withdrawing if he is losing (claiming injury?), to avoid having to 
retire. But in the long run, I think retirement will be likely.

So, in a sense we may have seen the last of the reign of Asashoryuu, 
even if he returns. That's sad.

Barbara Murasakihana