Re: "hapless yokozuna"

["Maximilian T. H. Suchy" <max@anasuya.com>]

I also want to put in a strong word FOR Musashimaru!

Give the guy a break!  He has won 2 of the last 3 Yusho, and was the hands-down
favorite to win the last one as well.  Becaue of his neck injury he was taken out
of contention the last few days, unfortunately.  Don't tell me the he lacks
pride!  He still stepped in the ring injured, knowing very well that he could
aggrevate his injury against the toughest opponents he still had to face.  But he
still showed up, when he could have called it quits.  It is well known that he
takes his Yokozuna role VERY seriously!

So he lost on his final day both times he won the two recent Yusho... so what!  In
this day and age of a dozen rikishi out with injuries, why the heck would he risk
it all against the toughest opponent on the last day, when he has nothing to win
or lose?  That is just plain smart.  Michael Schumacher doesn't set the fastest
lap in the last lap of a race when he's 50 seconds ahead of everyone else... he
coasts to the win!  Does it make him any less of a champion?  Certainly not!  It's
called common sense.  He knows that he is the only Yokozuna around at the moment,
and part of his pride and responsibility is, to make sure that he shows up and
represents the sport as often as he can, and the only way to do that is by taking
calculated risks when necessary, and using his head as well.  I didn't see him
dodge his opponents at tachiai when his neck was hurting!  I didn't see him tell
his Oyakata "geez, my neck hurts, and I am 2 wins behind, I'm gonna pull out the
last two days, cause I won't win this one, no matter what" - he still came to
compete, and took his opponents' best shot.  

My hat is off to the guy, and I hope he will be 100% fit for Aki 2002... cause if
he is, watch out!  Who's gonna beat him?

Cheers
Makususuchi

Charles Beauchamp wrote:
> 
> Let's see, Maru has what...11 yusho?  He is generally
> either the winner or jun yusho every basho.  He has
> had one basho where he withdrew.  Taka on the other
> hand has a yusho in the last 2 years and 7 absences in
> a row.  Taka should have already been asked to retire.
>  Maru is definitely head and shoulders above the crowd
> and has already put together a resume that makes him a
> great Yokozuna in my view one of the top 10 since
> WWII.
> 
> If anyone thinks Musashimaru doesn't deserve to be a
> Yokozuna then NO ONE deserves to be a Yokozuna.  I
> mean that exactly as it is written.
> 
> Hapless Yokozuna Musashimaru?  A great Yokozuna.
-- 
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'Makususuchi'  - Rijicho of the Sekitori-Toto Kyokai
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