[sumo] GOAT in sumo?

[Jiji]

Well, its without a doubt that journalists such as this are less informed about sports like Sumo than we are (in general).  But personally, I think that recent events always play too heavily in lists such as these.  More recent althletes are more accessible.  Every time there is some kind of list like this, whether it's "greatest" movies or "greatest" athletes, there are too many recent things on it, regardless of actual merit.  I always feel that it takes time to gain perspective on such things.  

Be that as it may, one thing I would like to throw out for consideration is: don't you all think that *staying power* or length of career at the top levels is an important consideration for "greatest"?  On that basis, I might quibble over Nadia or even Phelps. 

--- On Sat, 8/16/08, Magnus Berg <magnus.rie at comhem.se> wrote:
From: Magnus Berg <magnus.rie at comhem.se>
Subject: [sumo] GOAT in sumo?
To: "Sumo List" <sumo at webtrek.com>
Date: Saturday, August 16, 2008, 4:57 PM

Yes, the list HAS been very quiet, so I thought I should throw in a 
potential thread for someone to reply to.

The other day, as Michael Phelps became the most olympic gold medal 
winner ever, Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter published their list of 
the greatest athletes of all time (hence the goat in the subject line). 
While such a list is near impossible, it is always fun and a good topic 
for discussion. The top of the list (1. Pelé, 2. Carl Lewis, 3. Michael 
Jordan, 4. Jesse Owens, 5. Nadia Comaneci. Phelps? #12) could be 
debated elsewhere, but what I thought was interesting was the only sumo 
rikishi on the list, #77, Takanohana. Good that they acknowledge sumo, 
but shouldn't it have been Taiho, Futabayama or Chiyonofuji? Or can 
anyone find a good argument why Takanohana should be regarded as the 
GOAT in sumo? If media interest is put into the mix, he might be, but I 
don't really see how that makes him a greater athlete. Sure, it could 
possibly be argued that he had a stronger rival in Akebono than either 
Taiho or Chiyo had, bu he is still 10 yusho behind Taiho and 9 behind 
Chiyo. Futabayama would likely have won over 30 had he competed in the 
6 basho-a-year-era. Of course, there's also Asashoryu... at least in a 
few years?

So, are Dagens Nyheter just semi-ignorant of things sumoan or are there 
any objective arguments for placing Taka as the sole sumo on the list? 
What do you think?

Maguroyama

Ps. The whole list: http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?a=814864


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