[sumo] (SPOILER) The final match

[Joe Petrow]

Really?  I had imagined the match quite differently:

At the final faceoff, Asashoryu and Hakuho gazed longingly into each
others eyes, the half year of forced separation clearly taking its
toll on their aching hearts.  When the gyoji finally set them free,
Hakuho gently caressed the Blue Dragon's cheek before releasing six
months of tension in a powerful embrace.  Both men struggled mightily
to try and express their true feelings for each other.  Finally, in a
powerful explosion of emotion, Asashoryu picked the white ho clear off
his feet, as if to say "I wish I knew how to quit you."

Then Hakuho threw him down to the dirt, as if to say, "I just did, bitch."

Watching in silence as another man claimed the giant fish that was
rightfully his, Asashoryu's gaze pierced through the floors of the
hanamitchi, as if to say "As God is my witness, as God is my witness
they're not going to lick me. I'm going to live through this and when
it's all over, I'll never be fishless again!"

  - Peterao

On 1/30/08, Paolo Viel <paolo.viel at iol.it> wrote:
> Scott, you almost moved me to tears....  Well done !!!
> Paolo Viel
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Scott M. Kahn" <smk1 at columbia.edu>
> To: "Sumo Mailing List" <sumo at webtrek.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 12:17 AM
> Subject: Re: [sumo] (SPOILER) The final match
>
>
> > I want to reserve comment on Mark's article for a later time, but
> > since the final match has not been discussed here, I wanted to give
> > my impressions.
> >
> >
> >
> > Spoiler space
> >
> > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > I thought the bout between Hakuho and Asashoryu was one for the
> > ages, a commensurate Yokozuna-Yokozuna matchup.  Starting from the
> > anticipation as they climbed up the ring.  The unfamiliar scene of
> > Asashoryu ascending the ring from the West side for the final match
> > on the final day.  And to some, at least on this day, a pretender
> > rising from the East.  The piercing glare of Hakuho, as to say "I
> > missed you but I would have taken you anyway during the last two
> > basho", and "how dare 75% of you not recognize me as a favored East
> > Yokozuna".  The unflinching, goosebump-evoking staredowns, as only
> > opposing Yokozuna are entitled and expected to have.  The
> > thundering slap of the mawashi by Asashoryu as he shuffled to towel
> > off for a final time, as if to defiantly announce his return, and to
> > say to the Kyokai, "Take that!  I'm back and nothing that you could
> > do over the past four months could keep me away!!"  Then, one final
> > chilling staredown that seemed an eternity.
> >
> > The tachi-ai.  Henka, schmenka.  A Yokozuna-like crash that
> > certainly awoke and stirred all spirits surrounding the dohyo.
> > Every move flowing from the combating Yokozuna, as if they were in
> > slow motion, each thinking five steps ahead.  Muscles bulging from
> > both, as counters to counters to counters were calculated and
> > executed.  The larger Hakuho pushing the smaller Asashoryu, but
> > only so far.  Asashoryu lifting Hakuho, and the weight of his
> > suspension, above the dohyo.  But unable to turn and twist either
> > around.  Both Yokozuna displaying the stubborn determination of Dr.
> > Seuss's North-Going and South-Going Zax.
> >
> > Until, THE THROW.  In a sweeping motion that seemed to take as long
> > as the past four months, all muscles on both Yokozuna tensed.
> > Hakuho willed Asashoryu with the force of a Yokozuna demanding
> > respect, to his left.  Slowly.  But surely.  Asashoryu fighting to
> > counter.  Hakuho, patient and strong, gaining torque.  Asashoryu
> > mustering up all of his talent, but alas, slipping past the point
> > of no return.  A perceivable gasp.  Anticipation rising.  Elation
> > and disbelief.  Vindication and disappointment.  Then, the
> > inevitable meeting of the clay with Asashoryu.  At that fleeting
> > moment, a verdict was decided on the dohyo.  With the subheadline
> > declaring Hakuho the winner.  A verdict on sumo's trials and
> > tribulations and its future-
> >
> > Sumo is back.
> >
> > Sukubidubidu
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