[sumo] YS article - Sumo Preview

[Barbara]

(from http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/20070310TDY26006.htm)
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SUMO PREVIEW: Kotoshogiku brings game to sanyaku

James Hardy / Daily Yomiuri Sportswriter

When Kotoshogiku leapfrogged from No. 1 maegashira into sekiwake--sumo's 
third highest rank--in the rankings for the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament 
starting Sunday in Osaka, some were surprised.

Sure, the then 22-year-old had done well in January, chalking up a 9-6 
record that included defeats of ozeki Tochiazuma and Kaio, but was he 
really ready for the step up to a sanyaku rank?

As far as Kotoshogiku is concerned, it is a fair reward for being 
overlooked in November.

In Kyushu, the Fukuoka native finished as a No. 2 maegashira with a 10-5 
record--good enough most of the time for promotion to komusubi--but was 
rewarded with a measly promotion to No. 1 maegashira (by comparison, new 
komusubi Tokitenku was moved up after posting an 8-7 record as a No. 2 
maegashira).

"I was really disappointed after the Kyushu basho," Kotoshogiku was 
quoted as saying by Jiji Press this week. "So I took that feeling with 
me into the New Year Tournament as a motivation."

Now he is in the sanyaku, Kotoshogiku is looking to have some fun.

"My image of sekiwake is of a rank from where you can influence the 
tournament," he said, repeating comments he made on his promotion. "It's 
nice to be the center of attention."

To keep it that way, Koto will be relying on his gaburi-style attack, 
which involves getting a belt grip and then bellying his opponent over 
the bales.

It is a technique that relies on a big stomach, strong thighs and a 
tentacular grip. After the New Year tournament, Kotoshogiku began doing 
more than 200 leg stamps a day, and also watched video of ozeki Kotokaze 
(now Oguruma oyakata), a legendary proponent of the technique.

"If you want to be successful at gaburi- yori, it's important to move 
forward," he said. "I always think about being aggressive at the 
tachiai, and that kind of attitude led to me using that technique a lot."

===

Wrestler previews

Asashoryu

Age: 26, from Mongolia

Height: 1.84 m, Weight: 146 kg

Prev. rank, record: Yokozuna, 14-1 (Champion).

Although he was photographed in Paris last month hobnobbing with French 
President Jacques Chirac, the news is that Asashoryu is taking practice 
more seriously than usual going into this tournament.

This includes some away days at other stables, including a couple of 
sessions at Sadogatake. According to reports, in one he took the stick 
to new sekiwake Kotoshogiku, forcing the 23-year-old to push himself to 
the absolute limit.

The other big questions are how his performance is affected by the 
accusations of match-fixing, and whether the fans in Osaka have been 
keeping up with the story.

As far as the first issue is concerned, the clutch wrestler of his 
generation undoubtedly has mental strength in spades.

As for the fans' response, nobody knows. The sumo association's vigorous 
defense and the unanimous rejection of any wrongdoing by all wrestlers 
questioned has given them the best chance possible of neutralizing any 
trouble. However, if any city can produce a heckling display that could 
intimidate a yokozuna, it's Osaka.

===

Ozeki

Chiyotaikai

Age: 30, from Oita

Height: 1.80 m, Weight: 160 kg

Previous rank, record: Ozeki, 10-5.

Firing on most cylinders, Chiyotaikai is closing in on the late 
Takanohana's record of 50 tournaments as an ozeki.

Kotooshu

Age: 24, from Bulgaria

Height: 2.03 m, Weight: 152 kg

Previous rank, record: Ozeki, 9-6.

He seems to have picked up Kotomitsuki's infuriating inconsistency, but 
is due an Emperor's Cup.

Hakuho

Age: 21, from Mongolia

Height: 1.92 m, Weight: 154 kg

Previous rank, record: Ozeki, 10-5.

A reasonably successful comeback for the next big thing, who still has 
to turn hard work in practice into championships.

Kaio

Age: 34, from Fukuoka

Height: 1.85 m, Weight: 175 kg

Previous rank, record: Ozeki, 8-7.

Another majority record, another lumbering performance. It is hard to 
get excited, but the old man is still there.

Tochiazuma

Age: 30, from Tokyo

Height: 1.80 m, Weight: 155 kg

Previous rank, record: Ozeki, 5-10.

Wrestling on a dodgy knee was never going to be a good idea, and Tochi 
got burnt in Tokyo.

===

Sekiwake

Kotomitsuki Age 30, 1.82 m, 158 kg, sekiwake, 8-7.

He's the senior wrestler from Sadogatake stable, but is in danger of 
being eclipsed by the young guns. Can Koto turn it around and fufill his 
potential?

Kotoshogiku Age 23, 1.78 m, 154 kg, No. 1 maegashira, 9-6.

Apparently too good for komusubi, the Fukuoka native has plenty to prove 
following his surprise promotion.

@:

===

Komusubi

Ama Age 22, 1.86 m, 124 kg, No. 4 maegashira, 10-5.

Back in the sanyaku, the Mongolian will need to replicate January's heroics.

Tokitenku Age 27, 1.86 m, 149 kg, No. 2 maegashira, 8-7.

It has taken the Mongolian a surprisingly long time to get this far.

===

Rank-and-file roundup: Wakanosato returns, and hopefully will fire his 
way back to the top. Baruto is out, which means juryo demotion, a fate 
that will be playing on the minds of Tochinohana and Jumonji. At the top 
of the rank, all eyes will be on Toyonoshima, who could either be the 
next big Japanese thing, or just another Hokutoriki. Here's hoping it is 
the former.
(Mar. 10, 2007)