SUMO: Itai & Yaocho

[Masumi Abe <abe@accesscom.com>]

Former Sekiwake Itai came back to Foreign Press Center in Tokyo and
talked about yaocho in Ozumo the second time. He insisted that his story
is the truth. He said all his three matches against Takamiyama, current
Azumazeki Oyakata, and all four matches against Kotonishiki.

Itai's List of Yaocho Rikishi as of Kyushu-basho in 1999
Akebono, Chiyotaikai, Kotonowaka, Kotonishiki, Hamanoshima, Kyokushuzan,
Terao, Kaiho, Minatofuji, Asanowaka, Higonoumi, Shikishima, Aogiyama,
Asanosho, Otsukasa, Tokitsuumi, Ohinode.

According to him, Tokitsuumi is converted from Yaocho Rikishi to
Gachinko Rikishi this Hatsu-basho. Other possible (not too sure) Yaocho
candidates are Toki and Kaio during Hatsu-basho.

Yaocho is only possible between Yaocho rikishi, since Gachinko rikishi
won't accept any Yaocho offer from Yaocho rikishi.

The following matches were suspicious ones according to Itai.
Day 5: Kyokushuzan - Hamanoshima, Chiyotaikai - Toki
Day 6: Kyokushuzan - Hamanoshima, Akebono - Kotonowaka
Day 9: Chiyotaikai - Kotonishiki

Jan. 31 issue of Weekly Post has a new article about Itai's comment.
See the WeeklyPost.html page in my Web site.

-Toshiyori Masumiriki
--
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* Masumi Abe (aka Masumiriki / Imanonami)
* mailto: abe@accesscom.com
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* from Sapporo through Tokyo to Palo Alto, California
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