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

[Moti]

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

>>In case you forget, Asashoryu returned to Japan soon after the
incident and was quoted as apologizing for what happened. <<

No and no. In case YOU forgot, he returned 5 days later and half-apologized to Kitanoumi.
He was asked to return at once, and didn't.
 
<<<Following the manslaughter charges that soon followed, the public
and press were able to put this into a more proper perspective, and
Asashoryu was welcomed back.>>>

He was welcomed back because he apologized and did it the "right" way-nothing to do with the manslaughter charges. He played the game, albeit 4 months too late.

<<And, in case you forget, I posted soon after the incident, a list of
steps that I predicted would be adapted for Asashoryu's
rehabilitation into sumo.  Including a Kyokai-sanctioned apology.>>

And including other steps which never happened. Everyone and his sister said all he had to do was apologize, so nothing major there.

<< In the same manner, there is no way that Asashoryu was
presented his freedom to travel prior to the soccer incident
without the behind the scenes blessings of the Kyokai.  Period. 
They knew.  The major point with the soccer incident was that the
Kyokai was embarrassed, and it was Asashoryu's fault for doing so.>>

Again, unsubstantiated allegations which you are in no position to ascertain. He never asked permission period. He flew many times to Mongolia, without permission, period. Once, twice, thrice--finally, he overdid it.
It was overlooked by his Oyakata who has no leadership qualities, period. 

<<<You will be force fed more public displays of Asashoryu's obedience
to the Kyokai, and the Kyokai will tolerate Asashoryu's need for
freedom.  This is the rehabilitation of Asashoryu's image at work. 
If the Kyokai is smart, they will raise it to a level at which the
public embraces Asashoryu, leading to cash infusion into the
Kyokai.  But don't think this is the result of anything other than
behind the scenes negotiations and mediation.>>>

What is your point? It's totally obvious. Whatever has been done behind the scenes was done later, and not before. Of course everyone wants this all put behind them, including the Kyokai.

<As for your continued thesis that the Kyokai "owns" its wrestlers, I
am not close enough to sumo to personally tell if the Kyokai is run
like an army or whether those wrestlers from Juryo on up are
allowed their independence.  In a case like Asashoryu, who has
responsibilities as a Mongolian citizen of great stature, the
Kyokai should, in my opinion, allow him the freedom to fulfil such
responsibilities.>>

They pay his salary=they "own" him, for good or bad. The rest is moot. They are his employers, he works for them, As for what you think "should" happen, it is exactly that- your private hopes. I agree with you in some cases, in others I don't.

<<<And as for my comments that Asashoryu has revolutionized sumo on the
dohyo, this speaks for itself.  Asashoryu has brought a style of
wrestling to sumo that is quick, talented, smart, and talented
beyond what was previously displayed on the dohyo.  The only
wrestler who I have seen that comes close in performance was
Chiyonofuji.  This new style has left the Japanese wrestlers in
need of changing their approach to sumo, I think there was a recent
interview with Musoyama that spoke to this very clearly.>>

I totally disagree-he invented nothing and revolutionized nothing. This is the first time I've heard anyone make this kind of assessment.. He's a great rikishi with great speed, but it's only sumo he's doing-don't do a disservice to sumo's history.

<<I find it ironic that you choose not to speculate on whether
Takanohana was a steroid abuser, however you are quick to criticize
Asashoryu for not obeying the perceived rules of the Kyokai without
first hand knowledge of the agreements that Asashoryu and the
Kyokai had behind the scenes regarding his independence and
reporting of his injuries. >>
You have no knowledge of any such agreements. Asashouryuu disobeyed the basic rules, You agreed with that. You just said he screwed up in your last post. If you don't agree, where exactly did he screw up? I, as opposed to you, don't speculate on cheap gossip about rikishi's personal stuff because they are irrelevant. Asa is rumored to be a rampant roid user yet I don't speculate on that since it has nothing to do with anything. You conveniently disregard that over and over again. 

<<< I think Asashoryu is due the same
respectful consideration from you in lieu of this knowledge that
you afford Takanohana.  This was my point when all of this
overreaction first came out, and still is.>>

What has Takanohana got to do with all of this?  I never brought him up in any arguement, so why are you constantly bringing him up??
I am an Asa fan, and have been for a long time, way before you even heard of him. I don't disrespect him. I don't have to give him any consideration either. He screwed up, got busted, he apologized, he's back. It's as simple as that.

I fear I have lost all interest in this discussion as we are treading water and it is increasingly becoming one which I don't understand anymore. You seem to think Asa is above anything and has agreements and whatever while I think he just made a dumb mistake. You even go as far as to turn a dai-yokozuna like Takanohana to trash on the way which is totally uncalled for.
Let's call it a day. 

Kintamayama over and out.




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