[sumo] Day 5 Quotes

[Jeanne Hedge]

from MADOROSUMARU

*******************

Asashoryu: (Bulldozing pesky Toyonoshima to remain undefeated) I 
watched his moves closely as I attacked. I tried not to think of 
anything extraneous. I was calm and collected throughout.

More Ryu: (Talking about having gone to a Celine Dion concert) We did 
sumo in her dressing room. She won by oshi-dashi. I'm a big fan of hers.

Even more Ryu: (On his great start) It's only been five days. I think 
I'll be moving even better as we go along.

Toyonoshima: (Not putting up much of a battle against the yokozuna) 
There was nothing good about today. I couldn't even give the yokozuna 
a little scare.

Hakuho: (Not too pleased despite defeating Miyabiyama) [My opponent] 
has a tsuppari attack, so I wanted to grab him [and get into a yotsu 
position]. [Instead] I ended up pulling at him.

More Hakuho: (Looking for something positive) Well, at least, I 
didn't lose two in a row.

Kumagatani Oyakata, Hakuho's mentor: (Discussing possible cause of 
his deshi's lower back pains) The reason is the bed [he is sleeping 
on at the hotel]. I know because I sleep in a similar bed [in my 
room]. If it's that soft, even someone without back problems will 
develop one. He should send his wife home to Tokyo and move back and 
sleep at the heya. However, now that he knows about the warmth of a 
family, I doubt he would do that.

Kaio: (Overwhelming Kotoshogiku for his fourth consecutive victory) I 
was able to force him back without hesitating. This was my best bout so far.

More Kaio: (Asked whether sumo was becoming fun again) I'm not yet in 
position to say that I'm enjoying it.

Kotoshogiku: (After a bad loss to Kaio) I've been doing a lot of 
thinking, but my body is moving out of synch. I need to find a way to 
get into a different flow.

Tomozuna Oyakata, Kaio's shisho: (Discussing his deshi's current 
tendency for high tachi-ai) As a rikishi gets older, he develops a 
fear for toppling forward. They all become afraid of getting into a 
forward leaning stance.

Chiyotaikai: (A good rush results in his fourth win) It's been a 
while since I've done good sumo.
Compared to last basho, I've gotten back to the point where I can 
give it a good fight. I feel like, "Let's do it!"

More Taikai: (Sounding a lot like Kaio) That was my best sumo. I 
think I'm off to a good start.

Aminishiki: (Getting Kotooshu off his pace at tachi-ai) I wanted him 
to think a little bit.

More Ami: (Two ozeki and a yokozuna on his early basho victim list) 
That feels real good. I think I may suffer a "burn out" in the first 
half. (Laugh)

Kotomitsuki: (Rebounding with two straight wins) It's not ideal sumo 
yet, but, at least, there is beginning to be some semblance of [good] 
sumo. I feel a lot more relaxed [after the win yesterday].

Takamisakari: (Asked whether he slipped in losing to Goeido) A 
little. But, that would sound like an excuse. My feet are moving well 
so I should be okay. I just want to keep on doing my own sumo.

Goeido: (Stopping Takamisakari winning streak) What do I think of his 
performance routine? I really didn't pay much attention. I don't find 
it difficult to face him.

Ama: (Not a great interview even after an one-sided win over 
Kisenosato) I am glad I won. I'm in pretty good shape.

Homasho: (Toppling Otsukasa in a zensho face-off) [The nage] worked 
because I was moving forward. Everything's great.

More Homey: (Explaining how ill health had caused his poor 
performance in recent basho) I lost a lot of weight and wasn't able 
to do proper keiko. Right now, everything that I have put my mind to 
has improved.

Even more Homey: (A good start deserves a reward) [I rarely go out 
during the basho but] I think I'll go somewhere tonight. I'm up for 
something delicious.

Tochiozan: (Young hope is back on track) I feel I am moving really 
well. I am able to do the sumo I want without confusion or indecision.

Hokutoriki: (Are we seeing a new, improved . . .) It is my ideal to 
maximize my strength while not allowing my opponent to do the same. I 
think I still need to speed up my attack.

Asahimaru: (A pair of detached retinae results in his becoming the 
first amateur yokozuna not to make sekitori) Today was the end. If I 
continue doing sumo, there is a chance I would lose my sight. I have 
regrets, but I still have the rest of my life to live.



Quote of the Day

Kokkai: (Off to one of his finest starts) My best in makuuchi is six 
in a row? I don't remember. I only remember the bad things.
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