[sumo] Quotes from Day 9

[Jeanne Hedge]

as always, reported and translated by MADOROSUMARU:
********************

Asashoryu: (Treating teenager Wakanoho like a kid that he is) I felt 
he would be vulnerable to morozashi. [After getting that position] I 
lifted him to get him off balance. I didn't force things. I was cool 
and composed throughout.

More Ryu: (On leading the pack again) I don't really think about 
that. It does make me feel good, though. [grin]

Wakanoho: (No match for the yokozuna) I thought I had my arms tight 
to my side but he still got morozashi easily. The yokozuna's tachi-ai 
is really quick and he is very strong. Once he got hold of me, I 
couldn't exert myself even though I was eager and willing.

Magaki Oyakata, Wakanoho's shisho: (On why his deshi didn't attempt 
the notorious "Jack in the Box" move) I told him if he did it again I 
would can him. I'd send him straight back to Russia to work in a 
caviar factory.

Kokonoe Oyakata: (Commentating on TV about the difference between the 
two yokozuna) It's the speed and quickness. Asashoryu had morozashi 
right off the tachi-ai.. . . [And did you see how] he finished off 
the bout with a "Howd'ya like them apples" look on his face.

Hakuho: (Describing his long bout against Tokitenku) Just as I was 
about to make my move, he managed to do a makikai change. So, I ended 
up going slowly and carefully.

More Hakuho: (elaborating some more) It's been quite a while since I 
had a long bout like this. My opponent has those leg tricks of his 
and he's awfully tenacious around the edge of the dohyo. I felt 
discretion is the better part of valor.

Even more Hakuho: (On the concerns for his aching back) If I remain 
in the same position, it bothers me, but when I'm doing sumo, I don't 
feel any pain.

Yet more Hakuho: (On his current place on the leaderboard) To tell 
you the truth, I would have preferred to have achieved kachi-koshi 
today. That one [against Aminishiki] sure was a waste.

Kotooshu: (Glum as can be after losing to Toyonoshima) [ . . . ]

Toyonoshima: (Happy as can be after getting his first win by 
defeating hapless Kotooshu) Geez. It sure took a long time. I feel 
happier than getting a kachi-koshi. Even though my opponent is not in 
good form, he is still an ozeki. I also like the fact that I won not 
by nage but by pushing him out. It's a win like this that can really 
lift a guy's spirit.

Sadogatake Oyakata, Kotooshu's shisho: (Having had a long chat with 
his underachieving deshi) He told me he hurt his biceps area in the 
Kakuryu bout. That [and the losing] seem to be really bothering him.

Kaio: (Getting his sixth win by pushing out woeful Kotomitsuki) We 
got into his favored migi-yotsu, so I attacked without hesitating. I 
am moving well.

Kotomitsuki: (Falling victim to Kaio for his sixth loss) I didn't 
want to get into yotsu [with him]. The flow wasn't that bad though.

More Sadogatake: (Regarding the other sad sack ozeki, Kotomitsuki) He 
was raring to go before the basho. But, now, he just can't seem to 
put any effort in his mid-section. I don't know. Maybe, it's from the 
operation he had.

Chiyotaikai: (Pushed out by little Ama) He whupped me. Simple as 
that. For those watching, it may not have seemed like much of a 
battle, but that little guy is very skilled technically.

Ama: (Not satisfied despite pushing out oshi expert Chiyotaikai) I am 
moving well enough and I am able to press my attack forward. But 
there is still something missing.

More Ama: (Watching 19-year-old Wakanoho challenge the yokozuna) It's 
nice to be young.

Kyokutenho: (Beating push expert Hokutoriki at his own game) Maybe, I 
should convert to an oshi specialist. [wry grin]

More Tenho: (Having his second straight good basho) Everybody is 
telling me that the geezer is gambarizing. [big grin]

Homasho: (Put on the defensive by Kasugao's harite) I allowed him to 
get on the attack from the start. I intend to refocus and begin doing 
aggressive forward-moving sumo again tomorrow.

Tochiozan: (Also losing his first when forced out by Baruto) My 
tachi-ai was bad. I wanted to thrust and force him upright but he got 
a hold of my mawashi.

Takamisakari: (Managing to push down Kakizoe after withstanding a 
furious assault) I was beaten at the tachi-ai. Somehow, I was able to 
survive the attack. Even I can't believe I did it.

More Robo: (Asked if he and his sumo have been rejuvenated) I'll be 
32 this year. I get out-of-breath during keiko and I can no longer 
hold my liquor. What's so youthful about that.

Even more Robo: (Told that he would set a personal speed record if he 
reaches kachi-koshi today) If I get too greedy, something terrible 
will happen to me.

Toyohibiki: (Getting his first win in a walkover) It was first time, 
so I was a bit nervous. It will reverse the bad flow? I suppose so.



Quote of the Day


Asahoryu: (Recalling that he had met Wakanoho before the latter 
joined ozumo) He was just a boy doing sumo exercises wearing a 
warm-up suit. I helped him do matawari by pressing down on his back. 
It's hard to believe that kid is already appearing in 
mushibi-no-ichiban. I must be getting old.
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