Re: "hapless yokozuna"

[Osaka692@cs.com]

In a message dated 8/4/2002 1:39:57 PM Pacific Daylight Time, max@anasuya.com 
writes:
      "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!"

      Why is it that the following two statements are apparently true?
1. When Musashimaru competes while injured (and loses) some people say he 
should retire because he is not performing up to Yokozuna standards.
2. When Takanohana competes (and wins one bout at the cost of missing the 
next 105 bouts) he is hailed as a great Yokozuna and is what others should 
aspire to.

      Something else which I think may be of interest is this ... way back 
when Musashimaru was just starting out and Akebono was not yet an ozeki and 
Konishiki was, there were already reports on television and in the newspapers 
that Musashimaru would be the best of the three.  As I recall it was around 
the time of the Kamehameha Day parade (June 11) in 1989, 1990 or 1991 when 
the three of them came home for the parade.  I think it was Musashigawa 
oyakata who said it in an interview while visiting Hawaii. - Owen


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