[sumo] Hakuho Training News

[Jeanne Hedge]

At 04:43 PM 1/1/08, you wrote:
>Dec 16 - 21 training bouts vs Ryuo
>
>Dec 22 - 17 bouts against Ama (7-2, losing the first 2, and then 
>winning 7 straight), Aminishiki (3-0), Kyokutenho (2-0), and Kasugao (2-1)
>
>Dec 30 - Hakuho has no keiko (apparently, he's not been training 
>very hard), and spends the day playing catch and did some 
>mochi-tsuki (and joking around with the younger deshi).
>
>Hakuho is quoted as saying "Two Yokozuna... that sounds great. I 
>hope we both reach senshuraku with a zensho, and I know I have to be 
>careful not to lose easily."  Kumegatani-Oyakata warns "The pace is 
>a bit too slow. The other side looks to be in great shape and has 
>built up confidence. Our side should start upping the pace rather urgently..."



some additional info about Hakuho and his keiko (and his even more 
irritated-sounding Oyakata). This info is a couple day's old:

Not to be outdone by Asashouryuu, Hakuhou had 30 training bouts today 
at home. "A third straight yusho is my main objective. This year, I 
would like to leave a bigger mark as a yokozuna!", he declared. 
Yesterday, he didn't show up for the opening of the heya's keiko, 
causing some people in the press and at the heya to question his 
action. It was the opening of the new year's keiko, and the whole 
heya was there. It is a tradition thingy. Nobody knew why he was 
away.. "He musta been sleepin'.", drawled Kumegatani Oyakata mentor. 
"I have no idea where he is", said Miyagino Oyakata. A Yokozuna 
missing keiko without permission.. Now why does that sound familiar??

"I thought soken was tomorrow so I really went all the way in 
keiko..'.Hakuhou thought the soken was tomorrow, but he was wrong. 
All 30 bouts were against Juryo Ryuuou of course.

He is planning on starting degeiko tomorrow. "As usual, I'll be 
gradually upping the pace", he said. As for Asa: "I'll be borrowing 
his chest..", summed Hakuhou, implying his wish to train with the 
other Yokozuna.



Hakuho explains himself (from the same day as above):

"Huh? Keiko started yesterday? I did not know that.. I myself planned 
on starting today..", explained Hakuhou why he was absent without 
permission yesterday.

"Everyone is expecting you to do well so you have to get serious with 
the keiko. If you don't do it like you should, it's no good", said an 
angry Kumegatani.



And from Sunday, Japan time:

Hakuhou is planning to go for degeiko either at Isegahama or 
Dewanoumi beya today. Guess who has the same plans. Will we see a 
double Yokozuna degeiko and some subsequent skirmishes? We'll know in 
a few hours. "If he meets up with Asa, he has orders to do sanban 
geiko with him.. It's imperative Hakuhou has a chance to size up the 
opposition!", promised Kumagatani Mentor. The last time they met up 
in keiko was at Naruto beya before last July, and they ended up 5-5-1.

"I'm in good condition. Degeiko? I intend to go tomorrow, maybe to 
Dewanoumi", he said earlier today.

Seeing all the reporters: "Asashouryuu was resting so it seems they 
all came here today. I wonder where they would have gone if I were 
resting as well.. Going to a gym? No, I am not. I believe in doing 
keiko on the dohyo. When I go for degeiko, I don't need to check with 
anyone", he said. "It seems that he may be going at it at his own 
pace, but he says he knows what he's doing, and he has been doing 
more serious keiko these last days, so I'm not worried", said 
Kumagatani about Hakuhou.



thanks to Kintamayama for all of the above!

Jeanne