[sumo] [spoilers]Asashoryu's open armed and beloved return.

[Moti]

----- Original Message ----
From: Scott M. Kahn <smk1 at columbia.edu>

<<<The impression that I received from what had been posted on the
mailing list was that, although there was an appreciation for
Asashoryu's fighting through injury, that there was still a large
push for him to be forced to retire due to nonsensical issues. >>

I don't know where you got that impression from. The only person to openly call for his retirement was Ms. Uchidate, and even she was appeased after his "show" at the YDC special meeting. No serious newspaper (other than the usual very yellow tabloids) report has called for his resignation either. Some public figures  have openly called for that, but they are very, very few, as I wrote before. I feel you are bursting through an open door here-there is no great conspiracy to oust Asa from the sumo world, just a simple, (what you call traditionalist), wish fro him to act like a Yokozuna-no more, no less.

<<During my recent trip to Japan, everyone, yes everyone who I spoke
with thought that the suspension of Asashoryu was ridiculous and
overly harsh and embarrassing for the Kyokai.  From Tokyo down to
Kobe. >>
Then either you've spoken only to foreigners who aren't very familiar with the inner workings of Sumo, or your Japanese friends are special. Everyone I know who is a fan, Japanese or otherwise, said otherwise. 

<< Perhaps I travel in different circles, but it sounds like
after some reflection, the average person in Japan wasn't going to
be forced to swallow the nonsense being proffered by the tabloid
and mainstream press.>>

Not "after some reflection"- after the apology. The "average" Japanese wanted some sort of sign that Asa understood he was wrong, and when they got that , they just naturally moved on. Like most of us, BTW.

<<<As for being wrong on my call for Kyokai reform, I think not, and I
beg to respectfully disagree with you.  I've been outspoken for the
need for Kyokai reform, and for an investigation into the
manslaughter, before it was labeled as such.  With the latter, I
was right, and you will see that if the Kyokai adopts more
constructive reforms, it will regain the trust of the public.>>

I don't thing you're wrong or right in your call for reform. I just think it won't happen. It's very simple. I  think that the way it is is OK, there just has to be closer control and supervision of things, but if they decide to do away with hitting guys on the head with a bamboo stick for instance, I wouldn't complain.

<<<As for Asashoryu's impact, if, as you say he was the reason for
large turnouts, that only goes to show how the public would respond
to him if the Kyokai promoted him in a positive manner.  This may go
against your traditionalist beliefs, but tradition is such only
until new tradition takes over.  And, again, in no way does sumo
need to lose its heritage to embrace the new world.>>

Again, point missed. HE first has to relate to the "rules" in a positive manner, then I'm pretty sure the Kyokai will promote him in a positive manner.
Not to tread water-Asa works for THEM, not the other way around, regardless of how strong he is and how he helps sell tickets and how the basho is more exciting with two Yokozunas etc.. etc..Here comes the eternal cliche- no athlete is bigger than the sport. 

<<As for Takanohana, I also disagree with you.  He missed tournaments
and Jungyo because of the effects of steroid abuse, selfish. >>

No. He missed the tournaments because of a career ending knee injury. All the rest is speculation. And let's not get started with steroids and Asa , shall we..It's all speculation. Takanohana didn't fly to Paris to get his knee operated because of steroids. And even if for argument's sake he was on steroids, it was the knee that ended his career.

<<Asashoryu transgressed by participating in a charity soccer game
and missing a Jungyo.  I agree that there is no comparison. >>

Again, let's stick to the facts here. Even the most ardent xenophobe and Asa fan will not buy this theory.

<< If you state that Asashoryu is being welcomed back with the same enthusiasm
as Takanohana, the annointed prince of sumo at that time, then I am
impressed at how the public has changed.  Somehow, I doubt this is
the case.>>
I never said that. Taka was a beloved wrestler, while Asa was never well- liked, even before the last scandal, as I have said in my former post. In spite of this, he was welcomed warmly by the jungyo crowd. Asa, regretfully, will never be accepted like Takanohana, for  reasons we seem to disagree upon.

Cheers!
Kintamayama






      ____________________________________________________________________________________
Be a better friend, newshound, and 
know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile.  Try it now.  http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ