June 2003

Asashoryu Bounces Back in Tokyo

"Giant Killer" Calls It A Career

  
Asashoryu Bounces Back in Tokyo
Wins First Eight On Way to Third Cup
by “Yukikaze” for SUMO SHIMPO

With the Haru Basho wrapped up and the jungyo series completed, the men who comprise the Nihon Sumo Kyokai returned to Tokyo to prepare for the Natsu contest.  Two questions seemed to hang unspoken like a fogbank obscuring Mount Fuji, waiting expectantly for answers.

The first question was:  did the Yokozuna Deliberation Council make a mistake by promoting ASASHORYU to the sport’s pinnacle?  Based on the performance the highest-ranking member of the Mongolian contingent put on, the answer was a definite NO!  He came a-charging out of the yokozuna-East slot with eight consecutive wins to become the first top-division rikishi to make kachi.  Day 9 saw his rensho broken by maegashira #3-East KYOKUSHUZAN in a ‘disputed’ call (he has now given a kinboshi to each of his pioneering countrymen), but then he won four in a row against the heart of the sanyaku lineup.  Ozeki #1-West KAIO pulled out an uwatenage win on day 14 to set up a mathematical playoff possibility; however, when the “Human Juicer” lost to ozeki #2-East MUSOYAMA on senshuraku, the matter was mathematically settled.  Even with the Tenno-Hai technically in his hands SHORYU did not let up, but went hard at ozeki #1-East CHIYOTAIKAI and drove him over the bales.   Takasago Beya’s heyagashira finished with a strong 13-2 for his third championship in the last four tournaments, and his first as a yokozuna.  Meanwhile, with his injured wrist mending slowly, MUSASHIMARU was still on the Public Injury shelf for the fourth consecutive tournament.  As a result, the Hawaiian was relegated to the yokozuna-West position.

Second question:  could CHIYOTAIKAI follow his Haru triumph with another championship to keep the possibility of promotion open?  The no answer came early.  Kokonoe’s top deshi fell behind ASASHORYU’s pace early with a loss to maegashira #1-West TAKAMISAKARI on day 3.  On the eighth day he was pushed out by sekiwake-East WAKANOSATO, to put him two losses back.  Day 13 through senshuraku saw the nails driven into his yokozuna hopes with consecutive losses to KAIO, MUSOYAMA and ASASHORYU.  His final mark was an ozeki-acceptable 10-5:  however, his drive for a tsuna and gohei has been reset and must start over again.

For the first time this year (and going back into the previous year) all four ozeki started the basho.  All four finished, and – amazingly enough – all four managed to reach kachi-koshi.  KAIO started poorly with two defeats, but then strung ten victories in the next eleven days.  He got a piece of SHORYU, but needed help on senshuraku to force a playoff.  It became moot, however, when MUSOYAMA twisted him down.  This left the Tomozuna strongman with an 11-4 mark to lead the quartet.  Ozeki #2-West TOCHIAZUMA blew hot and cold, struggling to stay even, until he won his eighth on day 14 to relieve him of any relegation worries for at least a couple of months.  MUSOYAMA had been in many kadoban situations before, and had once even extracted himself after demotion by gutting out ten wins.  His situation here was not quite as perilous, but he still needed to go kachi to keep his parking spot under the Kokugikan.  It took five wins in the last six days – including victories over WAKANOSATO, CHIYOTAIKAI and KAIO – but when the fire and salt had cleared away, the senior ozeki (in terms of time at rank) had his eight.  The upshot is that no ozeki will be vulnerable in Nagoya.

In the lower sanyaku, WAKANOSATO got a strong game going to stand at 7-2 after the 9th day.  Four consecutive kuroboshi, however, ended his yusho chances and may have damaged his ozeki promotion prospects as he posted a 9-6.  Across the way sekiwake-West DEJIMA opened with four straight wins before stumbling with eight losses in the last eleven, including four in a row to finish up with a 7-8.  Komusubi-West KYOKUTENHO did a very creditable job of holding his own against the joi-jin in the first few days, at one point winning seven straight bouts to pound out a strong 10-5 and win the Kanto-Sho (Fighting Spirit Prize).  The really weak performance in the batch came from komusubi-East TOSANOUMI.  The former college champion was never able to get dug in and was pushed around hard, at one point losing seven consecutive matches, to end up with a 4-11 mark and a pass back to the hiramaku (where he will have a chance to add to his standing as the new ‘kinboshi king’).

The top score in the maegashira ranks was posted by #7-West AMINISHIKI, who went 11-4 and won the Gino-Sho (Technique Prize).  #5-East MIYABIYAMA and #11-East TOKI both went 10-5, while #10-East KOTORYU and #12-East BUYUZAN posted 9-6 efforts.  KYOKUSHUZAN managed an 8-7 in addition to the only kinboshi of the tournament, making him the Shukun-Sho (Outstanding Performance Prize) winner.

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"Giant Killer" Calls It A Career
Kinboshi Leader, Facing Demotion, Retires
by “Yukikaze” for SUMO SHIMPO

What might be the longest chapter in the Futagoyama Beya story came to an end on day 14 of the 2003 Natsu Basho, when maegashira #15-West Akinoshima was beaten by maegashira #9-West IWAKIYAMA.  This was his eighth loss in the tournament, which meant certain relegation to Juryo for the 2003 Nagoya Basho.  Many previous Makunouchi rikishi –  including many of Akinoshima’s former stablemates – have accepted that demotion and continued to draw smaller paychecks as they dropped through the second division on a one-way ride to eventual retirement.  But the man known as the “Giant Killer” – the sumotori this writer considers to be the toughest man in the game – chose instead to close a sumo career that had spanned more than two decades, almost 1600 official combats, and an unknown (but probably very high) number of heya practice battles. Katsumi Yamanaka was born March 16, 1967 in Hiroshima.  His desire to become a champion rikishi came early in life:  he entered the world of sumo as soon as legally able, when he

celebrated his 15th birthday in 1982.  It took him 32 basho to reach the sekitori in July of 1987.  After winning one Juryo yusho he was shin-nyumaku in March of 1988 – the first of 91consecutive tournaments in which his shikona would be writ large on the banzuke’s top row.  He made his sanyaku debut in May of 1989 for what would be the first of 28 basho ranked among the elite:  13 at sekiwake, 15 at komusubi.  His best Makunouchi performance was a 12-3 at the 1992 Haru Basho, in which he defeated eventual yusho winner Konishiki while ranked at maegashira #2-West.  He posted 11-4 outings six times and went 10-5 seven times.  He went 43-17 over a stretch of four basho in 1994-95; but was never able to string records of that kind while ranked at sekiwake, which would have earned him ozeki rank.  He was never able to win a yusho for himself; but his strength and ‘hardguy’ attitude made him a formidable obstacle to those challenging his Futagoyama brethren Takanohana, Wakanohana, Takatoriki and TAKANONAMI for the Emperor’s Cup.

Even as a privileged sekitori Akinoshima maintained a very strong work ethic:  he set himself a quota of 100 practice matches per day, and adhered to it with vigor.  Fortunately, the large size of Futagoyama Beya – and of the Nishonoseki Ichimon – provided him with more than enough other sumotori to meet that quota with little difficulty.  This mindset gave him a toughness and determination that stood out even among men in whom these qualities are highly developed by necessity.  This writer recalls a match against Akebono in which, after considerable struggle, the mammoth Hawaiian had Akinoshima at the edge of the ring.  But the smaller man had his hands firmly locked on the yokozuna’s mawashi, and refused to yield even as Akebono was literally bending him back on himself like an overdrawn bow.  It finally took both of Akebono’s huge hands slamming Akinoshima’s chest and face to pry him loose and send him flying headfirst to the concrete.  The rikishi from the “City of the Sun Fire” picked himself up, dusted off, bowed out and went back to the shitakubeya without so much as a wince.

Akinoshima’s sobriquet of “Giant Killer” stemmed from his successes against high-ranked rikishi.  He was the de facto ‘king of the kinboshi’ on the strength of an NSK-record 16 triumphs over yokozuna while ranked as a maegashira.  He earned his first gold star at the 1989 Hatsu contest by besting the legendary Chiyonofuji:  his last one came at Nagoya in 1999 over MUSASHIMARU.  He also amassed 23 hiramaku wins over ozeki (the ‘ginboshi’ or silver star is no longer an official statistic, however).  And this does not include wins over high-rankers he posted while himself in the joi-jin.

Akinoshima finishes with an aggregate record of 822 wins, 757 losses and 78 absences.  His Makunouchi record is 647-640-78.  He has 19 sansho:  eight Shukun-Sho (Outstanding Performance), nine Kanto-Sho (Fighting Spirit) and four Gino-Sho (Technique).

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Kokkai Makes Juryo
First European Sekitori
by “Yukikaze” for SUMO SHIMPO

Another huge step in the globalization of sumo took place this basho as Juryo #10-West KOKKAI became the first native European to reach the sekitori ranks.

Levan Tsaguria was born on March 10, 1981 in the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic (now the Republic of Georgia) and entered the sumo world in May 2001 as a member of Oitekaze Beya.  His rise through the lower portion of the banzuke was meteoric:  he won the yusho in the Jonokuchi, Jonidan and Sandanme divisions in consecutive tournaments to compile an astounding 27-1 win-loss record prior to entering the Makushita Division.  However, competing ‘below the curtain’ proved to be a challenge for the 6’2”, 352-pound Georgian.  It took seven tournaments, and a 30-19 record, for him to finally push through into the ranks of the guys who get paychecks.  He went 8-7 in his first 15-day outing:  his career record now stands at 65-27.

It took KOKKAI twelve tournaments to go from debut to sekitori promotion. This puts him in good company:  former yokozuna Akebono and Wakanohana both were shin-Juryo in their twelfth pro basho.

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The 600-Win Club (updated after Natsu 2003)
(Info from the NSK and Stefan Gelow web sites)

* Non-Japanese

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JUNIOR DIVISION YUSHO WINNERS

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JSA Warns Yokozuna Over Bad Behavior
Japan Times: May 22, 2003

Yokozuna Asashoryu has been given a stiff warning about his recent disreputable behavior in the sacred ring, Japan Sumo Association officials said Wednesday.

The 22-year-old Mongolian native, known for his often truculent and stormy nature, was issued a warning by former Yokozuna council chief Tsuneo Watanabe after glaring at countryman Kyokushuzan and trying to contest a loss on Monday at Ryogoku Kokugikan.  "His actions were lacking in the decent attitude of a grand champion," said Watanabe. "If he continues to do such things in the ring, I will have to advise the council chief. He must be warned."

After Kyokushuzan was named the winner of the bout, Asashoryu pointed outside the ring, suggesting the third-ranked maegashira had stepped out of bounds and apparently bumped the shoulder of his compatriot when exiting. 

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Indoor Sumo Event “Rained Out”(?)
by “Yukikaze” for SUMO SHIMPO

A sumo tournament had been scheduled to take place at UCLA’s John Wooden Center over the Memorial Day weekend.  However, a freak accident resulted in the UCLA Sumo Open being cancelled…due to “rain”.

According to reports at the scene, protective wrestling mats located in the upstairs “Blue Room” were being rolled up and carried downstairs to the Collins Basketball Court:  the indoor dohyo would be placed on top of them.  The first mat was moved without a problem; but while the second mat was being portaged on the shoulders of several people, it struck a fire sprinkler head and broke it off.  The sprinkler water poured from the broken head with considerable force and volume, quickly flooding a large part of the building.

The LA Fire Department responded quickly to the emergency.  Soon pumps and hoses were at work ejecting very stale sprinkler-system water into nearby planters while members of “LA’s Bravest” used big squeegees to push water out the front doors.  Collins Court was not itself flooded, but after considerable discussion between Center staff, LAFD and the tournament organizers, the Wooden Center was closed and the tournament “postponed”.

ARE WE HAVING FUN OR WHAT? – A group shot taken after the SCSK’s May Fun Tournament on the “Dohyo of Dreams”.  Top row (l to r):  Jim, Buddy, Richard, Jeff, Harry and James.  Bottom row (l to r):  Trent, Brad, Kurt and Hiroshi.   (Photo:  “Harukaze” for SUMO SHIMPO)

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Trent Sabo’s Excellent German Adventure
Gets to Within One Win of Bronze Medal
by "Tonkatsu" for SUMO SHIMPO

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Results of the Sumo World Masters Tournament
April 26, 2003:  Braunschweig (Brunswick), Germany

2003 Natsu Basho
by “Zenrikikuma” for SUMO SHIMPO

Well, everybody, let’s start with this:  I picked MUSASHIMARU to take the Yusho prior to him bowing out of this basho because of slow recovery to the surgery he had on his wrist.  Ask “Yukikaze”; I told him that I thought it would be KAIO who would take the Yusho.  Well, as you can see, I was wrong but not far off.  ASASHORYU took the Yusho but KAIO was runner-up.

That said, I just want to say what an exciting basho we had.  ASASHORYU started off 8-0 until he met his fellow countryman KYOKUSHUZAN.  ASASHORYU did a false start in which he knocked SHUZAN right on his butt, but then SHUZAN got up and messed up all of ASA’s concentration and came out fighting and got ASA to fall face first into the ground.  SHUZAN then proceeded to bump ASA, which ASA stared SHUZAN down and did not even bow to show his respect for the victor.  ASA even pointed to the dirt trying to protest the ref’s call.  Kokonoe Oyakata protested to the NSK and ASA was given a warning that he did not show the dignity becoming a Yokozuna.

Besides that controversy, it was still a basho to remember.  KAIO was impressive all basho and also with his win over ASASHORYU, but fell to MUSOYAMA on Day 15 to get out of contention for the yusho.  KAIO will turn it around next basho.  CHIYOTAIKAI was a disappointment this basho:  he almost always doesn’t perform well after a yusho.  Just think:  he has three yusho and ASA has three, he just doesn’t get two in a row.  MUSOYAMA and TOCHIAZUMA both survived demotion with 8-7 records.  MUSO really looked bad the first half of the basho but turned it up the last half with wins over KAIO, CHIYOTAIKAI, WAKANOSATO and KOTONOWAKA.  TOCHIAZUMA took a cheap win over MIYABIYAMA on day 14 to get his Kachi-Kochi, but he may have trouble in the basho to come.

Now DEJIMA started this basho on fire but fell in the second half and had a lackluster 7-8 record. I hope he only gets demoted to komusubi.  WAKANOSATO had a very good basho but he must win more than nine bouts if he ever wants to make it to the rank of OZEKI.  As for the Komusubi, TOSANOUMI had a terrible basho with a 4-11 record, but KYOKUTENHO had a terrific basho with a 10-5 record.  Look to see him at sekiwake next basho.

TAKAMISAKARI was a disappointment this basho but I have to hand it to him he really gives exciting matches such as on day 15 when he totally reversed positions with DEJIMA and pushed the sekiwake out.  TAKAMISAKARI will be demoted but he should improve on his 6-9 mark next basho.  KYOKUSHUZAN was once one of my favorite rikishi, but now he fights like he is afraid of everybody.  He was timid off the tachi-ai, but somehow was able to get the Shukun-Sho (outstanding performance award) because of his win over ASASHORYU.  In Juryo, KOKKAI (from the Republic of Georgia) was able to compile a 8-7 record so he should move up:  hopefully we will see him soon in the Makunouchi.

MUSASHIMARU!!! We need you to be healthy next basho because ASASHORYU needs more competition.

See you at the basho!!!!!!!

NHK Marks 50 Years of Sumo
by "Tonkatsu" for SUMO SHIMPO

People who saw NHK's broadcast of the Natsu Basho got an extra bonus.  NHK is celebrating 50 years of covering sumo this year.  In addition to the Natsu coverage, they showed clips of their favorite matches from the last 50 years.  These ranged from black and white clips from the fifties and sixties, to such recent torikumi as Takanohana's win over MUSASHIMARU for his 22nd and last yusho.

We saw many familiar matches and even more from before we started watching sumo.  One of our favorites was Kyokodozan's acrobatic leap over ASANOWAKA.

NHK also recently broadcast a Yoko Shin Soken, keiko in front of the Yokozuna Shingi Kai, for the first time.  This writer particularly likes shots from keiko and this was a real treat.  After the deshi had done keiko, Yokozuna ASASHORYU and Ozeki CHIYOTAIKAI did a series of ten matches.  One suspects that the result, eight wins for ASASHORYU, could have served as a clue to the outcome of the Natsu Basho.

On other notes from Natsu Basho, TAKAMISAKARI was seen in a royal blue keshomawashi with the Lions Club International emblem in gold embroidery.  Also priceless, was the look on TAKAMISIKARI's face after he beat CHIYOTAIKAI by hatakikomi on day three.  There he stood over the fallen TAIKAI, mouth agape, with an expression that seemed to say, "Did I do that?"

Why I’m Not Going to the US Sumo Open




by Harry Dudrow, Trustee (Area 2), United States Sumo Federation

The third annual US Sumo Open, featuring former yokozuna AKEBONO, is scheduled for Sunday, August 3rd.  
I would have liked to have competed and of course have met AKEBONO, but I can't for two reasons.  First and 
foremost, because the organizer Andrew Freund refuses to apply for a USSF sanction.  As a Trustee of the Federation, 
I feel that it would be wrong for me to support or participate in an unsanctioned event.

The second reason is because of the statement on the flyer that the event is hosted by the "California Sumo Association."  
Both the name "California Sumo Association" itself and the way it has been presented in previous advertising and on the 
web site www.usasumo.com give the false impression that it is fact a club.  What the "CSA" (as Mr. Freund likes to call 
it for short) really is, is his private business, a Nevada for-profit corporation called the "Superama Corporation" DBA 
"California Sumo Association."  We know this because Mr. Freund filed a fictitious business name (FBN) statement with 
the Los Angeles County recorder on July 14, 2000, under the California Business & Professions Code.  If the "CSA" 
were really a club he would have registered the name with the California Secretary of under the Corporate Code instead, 
because non-profit corporations and associations are exempt from the Business & Professions Code.

Since fictitious business names are only good in the county in which they are filed, a real non-profit association called the 
"California Sumo Association" was formed in August of last year and registered the name with the Secretary of State.  
It now owns the name.  In addition, Mr. Freund's "Superama Corporation" was revoked by the state of Nevada on 
January 1, 2003.  Mr. Freund's FBN expired on that date.  In spite of that, he has continued to unlawfully and fraudulently 
do business under the FBN "California Sumo Association."  He has been served with a notice to CEASE AND DESIST 
but has yet to comply.  If he does not, litigation will be filed.

If Mr. Freund wants to be in the business of sumo promoter, he should be honest about it and not masquerade as a club!  
In the meantime, I don't want to give him any of my money.

Those are the reasons why I won't be at the US Sumo Open.  If you support the United States Sumo Federation, not to 
mention honesty and fair dealing, you won't be there either!

Top SoCal Sumotori Seriously Ill
by “Yukikaze” for SUMO SHIMPO