[sumo] [spoiler] Re: Kotooushuu owes it all to a woman

[Barbara]

Jim Bitgood wrote:
> This lady sounds like a pretty decent talent scout. Although, from the 
> story, it seems that Kotooushuu is her only success so far.
> On a slightly different tack, are we now seeing the Kotooushuu that 
> everyone expected when he was promoted to Ozeki?

Expectations are a funny thing.  When someone is on a hot streak, there 
is a tendency to think "can anyone beat him?"  When they are on a sloppy 
losing streak, expectations plummet.

Right now, the talk about Kotooushuu is mostly split into "I'll believe 
it when  I see it." and "He hasn't a chance because he will revert to 
bad sumo."  I think too many have been disappointed with him in the past.

After his incredible feat this basho, defeating two yokozunas in a row, 
a rare accomplishment in itself, and in a kadoban basho too (possibly 
the first time in history a kadoban ozeki defeated two Yokozunas in a 
row - someone will have to peruse the databases to confirm that) - 
anyway, I think even his fans are in shock.  No one is quite sure what 
to expect. Some in the Sumoforum are calling his most recent win a 
"henka".  That makes me annoyed and I have to ask, "How do you define 
Henka?"  I define it as a sideways leap to avoid contact at the tachiai, 
with the object that the opponent is off balance and is easier to slap 
down or some other easy move.  But K.'s sideways movement in day 12 and 
day 10 were both tight circling motions intended to allow him to reach 
the belt on his opponent's weak side.  There was no avoidance of contact 
at all, quite the opposite actually.  That's not henka, that's called 
smart, aggressive sumo.

As far as I'm concerned, the title is practically his already.  The BIG 
question is - will he win the title with a perfect record?  It almost 
seems outrageous to suggest it, but the very real possibility is here.

Zensho (unbeaten) or not, it leads to a tsunatori basho (a basho which 
could fulfill requirements for yokozuna promotion). If it is zensho this 
time, it will be very hard for his detractors to deny him the promotion 
if he wins a title next time, even if the next win is not zensho.

No wonder the recent days have been sold out!  This has got to be the 
most interesting basho of the past couple of years. Imagine too, 
Asashouryuu is not a factor in the title contest! (Yes no need to email 
me, I am making the video set as usual, and will put an announcement up 
tomorrow or the next day.)

Barbara Murasakihana