[sumo]The times they are a changin

[Harold Shaver]

Moti's report on the change of command:

 

Musashigawa oyakata intends to "remind " all the Oyakata and rikishi as to
what the sumo ways are. The new rijicho says he will be taking a firm stand
against any irregular behavior by the rikishi, and used Asashouryuu as an
example. "Regarding the latest scandals the Kyokai has gone through, I would
like to apologize to all the fans for causing them trouble and worry", he
said today. It's probably the first time ever that a new rijicho in his
inaugural speech bows his head in apology, before anything else. That was
the first vision of a Kyokai going in the direction of change.
So, how did things pan out in the rijikai assembly? It commenced at 11:06.
Kitanoumi announced his intention to resign, and then the decision to
dismiss the brothers was reached. At 12:05, the election of the new rijicho
began. Only the riji have a vote, so the 5 yakuin left their seats. 4 were
nominated-Hanaregoma, Isenoumi, Kokonoe, and Musashigawa. At 13:00, the
elections were interrupted because the hyogiin-kai was to be held. At this
time, Hanaregoma and Isenoumi withdrew their candidacy citing health
reasons. Musashigawa was chosen (what happened to Kokonoe??). "I look
forward to working with you", he said, and immediately "jumped into the deep
end" by demanding that the riji cooperate with him in rejuvenating the
Kyokai. He has declared he will mobilize all the oyakata and rikishi in
bringing back the fans' trust in sumo by holding a short course to remind
them what's what. He intends to do it during Aki basho. "I will assemble all
Kyokai members and ask them what we can do so that this will never happen
again. I'd like to hold a frank discussion with everyone", he said. This
being said, he could not escape the fact that most of the problems caused
these past years were caused by foreign rikishi." I'd like the new rijicho
to implement my idea of putting all new foreign rikishi through a crash
course in the ways of sumo before they enter formally", repeated Tomozuna
Oyakata. Regarding Asashouryuu : "He should not be allowed to go to Mongolia
as much as he has in the past. Musashigawa will be very strict with that",
Tomozuna warned . Musashigawa was the most vocal critic of Takasago
Oyakata's leadership during last year's Asashouryuu story. "I'll be keeping
a closer eye on all the rikishi", confirmed Musashigawa rijicho. No more
disobedience - the new rijicho intends to get tough with the "rowdy
Yokozuna", sums the article.

 

 

Hal "Chisaiyama" Shaver