[sumo] [Spoiler] Rikishi Talk Day 10 Hatsu Basho 2007

[Joe Kuroda]

 Tamakasuga (7-3) losing to Ushiomaru by oshidashi,
13.0 seconds
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I was going around and around to nowhere. A losing
streak feels much longer than a winning streak. I must
be really getting overanxious. I wonder if I am
thinking too much about Kachikoshi."

Tamanoshima (7-3) losing to Toyonoshima by hatakikomi.
2.0 seconds
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Finding himself having all kinds of trouble against
an opponent 20cm shorter)
"He is too tiny to do anything. It's so difficult
chasing after a little target. I thought of going into
him eventually but I was afraid he would sneek inside
of me."

Toyonoshima (8-2) over Tamanoshima
----------------------------------------------
(The first hiramaku to notch Kachikoshi)
"My body responded naturally. I wanted to win
desparately and get Kachikoshi today. I am moving
extremely well this basho."
"I am not thinking about the yusho or antything like
that but I am happy that I am winning. I hope to get
to a double digit level."

Tochinonada (4-6) over Futeno by yorikiri, 3.3 seconds
---------------------------------------------------------------
(Not only finally winning against Futeno to whom he
was winless in the last four encounters but also
escaping five bout losing streak)
"I felt like I was in the longest tunnel in Japan. I
hope this will be a start of more success this basho."

Takamisakari (6-4) losing to Ama by uchimuso, 18.6
seconds
---------------------------------------------------------------------
"I was looking out for throws and leg hooks but I
never figured he would come with an Uchimuso. I can
tell you I am the one most upset about losing by
Uchimuso. You must believe me even if my face is
looking like this. "

Ama (7-3) over Takamisakari
-----------------------------------
(On Uchimuso)
"Well, his feet were so close."
"You know he is so different when you face him in a
real basho. Totally different from training sessions.
It's like night and day."

Homasho (5-5) losing to Tokitenku by hikiotoshi, 11.7
seconds
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Losing at the dohyo edge)
"I ended up stepping out first. I had all kinds of
chance to win it but lost."

Toketenku (5-5) over Homasho
-------------------------------------
(Hardly a pretty win as he tried to kick Homasho's leg
twice but failed and was pushed to the edge but then
had enough sense to stay behind. Nonethless it was a
win)
"I had to laugh at myself (about failed leg kick). If
I executed it good and got the win with the leg kig,
then it would have been totally cool. But the opponent
recovered nicely. At the end I could see his foot
clearly going out before I was out."

Aminishiki (2-8) losing to Kisenosato by yorikiri, 5.4
seconds
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(Now having the second consecutive Makekoshi basho in
a row)
"So, I've already arrived to this point (losing his
eighth bout). But it's understandable. Lately I have
not been showing any decent sumo at all. I gather this
is just about all I can expect from me now....."

Kisenosato (5-5) over Aminishiki
---------------------------------------
(Executing a quick sumo, asked if everything went
according to his strategy)
"That's right. I was able to see my opponent's moves
so well. Once you'd start fidgeting around at the
dohyo edge, he can be a real stickler. I was able to
finish him off clean today."
(Doing rigorous morning training sessions even during
the basho)
"Because I feel good physically and I am in a pretty
good condition. Now that we've come this far. Now the
real basho starts ."

Kyokutenho (5-5) over Kaio by yorikiri, 4.3 seconds
---------------------------------------------------------------
(With his 3 win and 23 loss record against Kaio to
this point, he decided to radically change his usual
strategy by grabbing the right uwate first after a
henka like move to the right.)
"I knew I haven't done it before but like I thought
I'd go out with a bit of henka. You know if he got the
right uwate first, then there would be no contest. I
migh as well say 'Excuse me' and walk right back out
of the dohyo all by myself (laughs)"
(On marking 700th Makuuchi consecutive appearance
today)
"The trick is this - if you feel you may about to get
injured, you will put your foot out quickly (laughs)."

Kaio (5-5) losing to Kyokutenho
-------------------------------------
"I got pushed over to the dohyo edge and my foot
slipped. I am well aware of what I need to do in my
head but my body does not respond. I tend to just go
with my left half so I will try to use more of my
right side."

Miyabiyama (2-8) losing to Kotooshu by uwatenage, 8.4
seconds
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Suffering his first Makekoshi in eight bashos after
getttiing Kachikoshi every basho last year. Now likely
to be demoted from sekiwake rank)
"I am not extending my arms well for tsupparis. I
wonder if I am thinking too much. I have been losing
huge in a last little while. Somehow I cannot get into
my right rhythm. Before I can figure out what
happened, the bout is usually over."
"Generally even if I have not done well in the first
half, I could come back strong in the second half but
that's not happening this basho. I just can't get into
my sumo style. And this is after trying to get myself
more motivated during the new year holiday by doing
shikos and stuff, so what gives?"

Kotooshu (7-3) over Miyabiyama
--------------------------------------
"I tried to throw him as hard as I could to get him
off balance. Man, he was heavy."

Tochiazuma (4-6) losing to Chiyotaikai by tsukidashi,
6.1 seconds
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"His push was too heavy to do anything. All I keep
thinking about is the knee I had a surgery on. Even a
little push I take, that will do it for me and it's
game over. Once I get in that position, I can't do
anything. Obviously I was prepared for all this before
that basho. That it would unravel like this but still
I wanted to enter the basho. I just try to display my
sumo as much as possible till the end."

Chiyotaikai (8-2) over Tochiazuma
------------------------------------------
(Figuring if he kept moving forward, injured
Tochiazuma could not withstand the pressure)
"He came in attacking from below and his Ottsuke was
something else but I got down lower than him and
didn't attempt to pull him down. "
(Been told he has been losing a lot of bouts in the
last five days, winning only 5 and losing 18 matchups
in the last five bashos)
"Well, I am going with one bout at a time now. I
really cannot afford to think about anything else as I
am already doing as much as I can and nothing left to
think about anything else."
(Chiyotaikai has been suffering from rash every basho
and it was so bad this morning that he could not even
eat breakfast but mentally he wants to stay strong and
sharp to be in the yusho race to the end)
"For sometime now I've been thinking 10 wins was just
about my limit so this basho..."

Kokonoe oyakata, Choyotaikai's shisho
-----------------------------------------------
(As Chief dohyou judge, seeing Chiyotaikai close)
"You say he is only loss away away from Asashoryu but
there is a huge difference between his and the
yokozuna's sumo."

Kitanoumi oyakata, chair of the Kyokai
-----------------------------------------------
"Chiyotaikai always does well earlier on so from this
point on is when his mettle as an ozeki is to be
questioned and tested."

Hakuho (7-3) over Kotoshogiku by shitatenage, 5.4
seconds
--------------------------------------------------------------------
(Beating a young turk, Kotoshogiku with moro-zashi and
shitate-nage, one more win away to get Kachikoshi and
escape Kadoban trap)
"I hope things keep going my way like today. I realize
again it's so hard to win eight bouts. Especially so
since I have missed the whole 15 days last basho, I
need to get accustomed once againt to go a full 15 day
schedule. I no longer feel any pain in my left big toe
so I finally feel I can move as freely as before. "
(Facing Asashoryu tomorrow)
"I am hoping I can go the same way as today. I had a
good sumo today."

Kotoshogiku (5-5) losing to Hakuho
-----------------------------------------
"I keep counting my wins and losses. Somewhere in my
head, I must be thinking I only need three more (for
kachikoshi)."

Asashoryu (9-1) over Kotomitsuki by yoritaoshi, 23.0
seconds
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Placing third in all time consecutive win record
against the same opponent by beating Kotomitsuki 24
times, the record is Kitanoumi beating Tochihikar 29
time.)
'He move to a side so I did panic a bit. It was a
mistake. You tend to get an odd feeling against an
opponent you won so many times before. Like finally
something unexpected might happen."
"You know I don't like Tuesdays. Last week I lost to
Dejima and today I had a back spasm before I went out
to the dohyo."

Kotomitsuki (5-5) losing to Asashoryu
--------------------------------------------
(Establishing 24 consecutive loss record against
Asashoryu, negative thinking and passive actions
leading to the loss)
"I had the right uwate first too...but I thought if I
moved forward with it, I'd get thrown out by
sukuinage. I decided to stay patient and wait for my
chance."
"When you are going against an opponent you have been
losing so many times, even if you get in a good
position, your body doesn't respond. I am well aware I
have to do something about this soon."

Kitanoumi oyakata, chair of the Kyokai
-----------------------------------------------
(On Kotomitsuki)
"He moved into a pretty good position. So even with a
possiblity of getting thrown out, he should have
forced himself to keep moving forward. "
(On Asashoryu)
"A step by step, he is getting closer to the goal."

Yusho races
---------------
Makuuchi
1 loss - Asashoryu
2 losses - Chiyotaikai, Toyonoshima

Juryo
2 losses - Kobo

Record
---------
Kyokutenho - 700th consecutive Makuuchi appearance (46
bashos and 10 days. the most among active rikishis.
Among active ranks, Tosanoumi is second with 600th but
his consecutive streak ended a while back. The next
rikishi with the consecutive streak going is
Takamisakari with 445.)
Otsukasa - Makuuchi 400th appearance

+++++++++++

Former yokozuna Musashimaru has been chosen as a
goodwill ambassador for American Football's third
Annual World Cup to be held in Kawasaki City near
Tokyo.

Growing up in Hawaii, Musashimaru oyakata played
American Football as a defensive end in high school
prior to joining Ozumo. He is a good friend of Japan's
semi-pro X-League team coach and has been to their
games frequently.

"I am happy to be selected as the ambassador but I'd
rather want to play football myself as a player. I
really love football. I'd love to stay and watch all
three days but I don't think they will let me, "
Musashimaru oyakata joked.

The three day tournament starts on July 7 this year
with Japan's game and the organizers are hoping the
oyakata can participate in the opening day ceremony
though the Nagoya basho starts on the next day.


.....Jonosuke 
  <  Heart  Technique  Physique      &#24515;&#12288;&#25216;&#12288;&#20307;&#12288;>

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