[sumo] (SPOILER) The final match

[Kaiopectate!]

Two questions:  Will Paolo be crying after Asashoryu trounces Hakuho handily
in March?  And, can anyone suggest a recipe for their dinner date which will
follow, when Hakuho brings the fish and Asashoryu brings the mushrooms?

On 1/30/08, Joe Petrow <joepetrow at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> 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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