[sumo] [spoiler] Rikishi Talk Day 11 Natsu Basho 2008

[Barbara]

  Quotes from Day 11 (Madorosumaru)


Asashoryu: (A poor tachi-ai was his undoing) I screwed up. I didn't 
expect him to come hitting with his head. I got flustered.

More Ryu: (Breaking down his defeat further) He is tall and has a long 
reach. It was bad to get into yotsu like that.

Hakuho: (Having no problem in forcing out broken-down Chiyotaikai) The 
flow was good and I was able to move well.

More Hakuho: (On the injured ankle suffered in the loss to Ama) I was 
fully concentrated so it didn't bother me at all. There is a sumo 
saying, "Heal your wounds on the dohyo." This is precisely what that means.

Even more Hakuho: (On facing undefeated Kotooshu next) Having gotten 
this far, all I can do is believe in myself. I will be gambarizing to 
the very end.

Chiyotaikai: (Deja vu all over again with 12th kadoban in Nagoya) This 
is what happens when your work tools (elbow etc.) are in need of repair. 
I've used up all the strength that I possessed.

More Taikai: (On his immediate future) I am not going to go kyujo. I 
intend to keep going.

Even more Taikai: (On his intermediate future) I am going to approach 
Nagoya with the resolve to intai immediately if I cannot overcome kadoban.

Kaio: (Not quite satisfied despite giving the juvenile delinquent a sumo 
lesson) There is too much of a difference between the sumo when I win 
and when I lose. Things are not always going the way I want.

Kotooshu: (As articulate in victory as in defeat) [. . .]

More Osh: (Please, just a few words) OK. My knee doesn't hurt so I can 
step in aggressively. The hard hit at tachi-ai created the [good] flow 
that followed.

Kitanoumi Rijicho: (On an apparently new, improved Osh) I can't believe 
it's the same guy.

More Rijicho: (Not totally convinced yet) He is the type that can get 
nervous . . .

Sadogatake Oyakata: (Observed singing "I'm a believer" in the bathroom) 
If he engages in this kind of sumo, he can very well be the strongest in 
makuuchi.

Encore Osh: (This may explain it all) I am not cognizant of anything. 
Nada. I try not to think of anything.

Kotomitsuki: (Blowing a sure win with an inadvertent step-out) I did 
have a feeling that my foot may have been out. I was in such an 
advantageous position.

Kakuryu: (Getting a gift in return after the bad luck in Wakanoho bout) 
I was really surprised. I went, "What the . . .," when the oyakata came 
onto the dohyo for mono-ii. It's a weird feeling.

Ama: (Needing one more win for a certain sansho) All I can do is my very 
best. Of course, I will aim for double-digit wins.

Kisenosato: (Extra-motivated after three losses in previous four bouts) 
I felt I couldn't lose any more. I am really glad I won. Starting 
tomorrow, it will be back to business as usual.

Kotoshogiku: (Seeing his winning streak over rival Kisenosato end at 
five) I especially hate to lose to Kisenosato. Darn it. I was all 
pumped-up and ready for him, too.

Tochinoshin: (Feeling the effects of the makuuchi wall) I am not able to 
get hold of the mawashi. I can't do anything. I don't know what to do.

Hokutoriki: (Enjoying a nice eight-bout win streak after a stumbling 
start) If I agonized over every defeat, my body wouldn't last. [On the 
other hand] I can't remain euphoric forever when I win. So, I don't feel 
anything in particular [about this win streak].

Homasho: (Winning his seventh with some forceful sumo) Ideally, I would 
have preferred to go with an oshi attack. Rather than just the number of 
wins, I am more concerned about winning with good quality sumo.


Quote of the Day

Toyonoshima: (Marching mammoth Iwakiyama straight out of the ring) It 
even surprised me how smoothly I got the moro-zashi hold. Maybe, I am 
getting better compared to before. [Hey, guys] that has to be considered 
technical skill, right? That's what I would call good sumo technique 
[worthy of Gino-Sho].


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