[sumo] Day 9 videos & torchbearer results [spoiler]

[Barbara]

Thank you so much for the kind words!

I bet I can guess the exact point of my recent commentary with which you 
have a disagreement (as you imply). That would be the Homasho-Kotooushu 
bout on day 3 in which I more-or-less accuse the shimpan of using their 
option to ignore a close call as a way to punish Kotooushu for his 
henkas. Am I right? As I say in the web site, one reason for its 
existence is so that I have a place to rant.  But ranters can expose 
uncomfortable truths sometimes.  So, do you favor one of these 
viewpoints?...

1. The judges thought Kotooushu clearly touched down first and the 
gyoji's call was correct. (seems to conflict with the replay)

2. The judges were more reluctant than usual to call a mono-ii because 
of the bad gyoji call they reversed the previous day - it would have 
made the gyojis look bad to have two serious errors in a row. (I'm 
willing to consider this possibility.)

3. The judges weren't too anxious to do any favors for Kotooushu because 
of his recent behavior -- in effect, the many henkas he is doing. (The 
theory I put on my website.)

4. The judges considered Kotooushu to be the passive and Homashou to be 
the active wrestler, so a simultaneous fall goes in favor of Homashou. 
(I don't see how this could be a factor unless decided during a mono-ii.)

The video in question can be found here: http://www.zyvid.com/sumo/#day03

Barbara Murasakihana


Barbara Ann Klein wrote:
> I may not agree with all of Barbara's commentary, but I must say that the
> quality and range of the videos is exceptional. Having been, literally, up
> in the air traveling to a few places, I was not able to catch the sumo this
> basho on at least three occasions.  Barbara's choice of videos pretty much
> showed me what I wanted - and needed - to know, complete with the
> English-language reporting.
> 
> I can also vouch for the excellent quality and value of the DVDs that she
> produces.
> 
> BRTK