[sumo] [Spoiler]Day 13 hoshitori

[Scott M. Kahn]

I've wondered the opposite about Takanohana, whether his "upsets"
were not always a surprise, or whether steroids may have been the
real culprit...

>From all accounts, Barbara spends much time with and does a nice job
with these DVDs.  During the tournament, through the postings of
others, I've found the French site to be a great summary of daily
Juryo and Makunouchi matches.  As admirable as the Yokozuna upsets
have been, I was particularly impressed with the strategy involved
in Futeno's quick victory over Roho on Day 13.

While not the fleetest of foot, Tochinonada and Miyabiyama have put
together remarkable strings of victories that have them on the
brink of winning records (Ama might have something to say about
Miyabiyama on day 14).  Kotomitsuki looked like he had eaten too
much bad tofu during the first week, his transformation in week 2
and victory over Asashoryu has him close to a winning record. 
Baruto's knee is heavily taped, but has anyone ever seen a kinder
victor in the way he handles opposing wrestlers at the edge?

With all the attention on Asashoryu's behavior, Hakuho has had his
bad boy moments, he lost his composure after he was henka'd for his
first loss, and he gave Wakanoho an unnecessary slap after their
bout.  Look for a longer stare down next time these two meet. 
Hakuho has appeared vulnerable to a quick tachi-ai, he is very
strong on the mawashi but receiving a good thrusting tsuppari
attack is not to his liking.  To me at least, Asashoryu was playing
his bad boy image in a cartoon like manner, his victories followed
with pushes and shoves that seemed like an indignant response to
what has transpired over the last half year.  His Day 12 and 13
performances left much to be desired from him specifically. 
Against Kotoshogiku, his his tachi-ai was smothered and he lacked
the quickness to turn himself away from Kotoshogiku's charge. 
Miyabiyama on day 13 did a much better tippie toe job vs.
Kotoshogiku.  And against Kotomitsuki, Asashoryu appeared to me to
tire or give up, or both.  In any event, the two Yokozuna will face
each other with the Yusho on the line on Day 15, either to win
outright or to force a playoff.  Hakuho needs to do what he did
last tournament.  Asashoryu needs to use his quickness at the
tachi-ai to keep Hakuho off balance, since I think the stronger
Hakuho is likely to win a belt tussle.

In any event, sumo is back and exciting as ever...

Sukubidubidu

>
> Watching the faces of the Yokozuna-tachi after their losses
> reminded me
> of the contrast with magnificent impassiveness as expressed by
> Takanohana.  When he lost an upset match, he would often show
> nothing
> but a kind of detached Buddha-like equanimity with perhaps the
> tiniest
> trace of bemusement.  I've often wondered if he ever talked about
> his
> own inner discipline and dispassion publicly.  It was so evident
> from
> watching him that he had strength well beyond the physical,
> possibly
> strength born of more than one demon he had to subdue.  No wonder
> the
> Japanese adored him.
>
> Barbara Murasakihana
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