[some spoilers] Random thoughts

[John McTague <tableslam17@yahoo.com>]

Just purging my memory banks...

- Takanohana looked good at the start, but lost
(__________) around Day 4 or 5. Multiple choice:

A) use of his right knee
B) a step or two
C) confidence in remaining Yokozuna
D) his mind for going to France for his knee operation
and subsequently his hope of staying competitive
during Hatsu '03
E) All of the above

- Toki will most likely meet up with his dopplegänger,
Takanotsuru next basho in what Don King might hype as
"The Muttonchop Mash" or "Elvispalooza I". I like
"King of the Ring", but that one's taken.

- Is Musoyama the Most Consistently Mediocre Ozeki in
history? Has he even been in a yusho race on Day 10
since becoming ozeki? Maybe he needs a mawashi color
change. It's done wonders for Dejima, who might
actually be close to Muso for MCMO. Speaking of
whom...

- Dejima needs a tan. I was temporarily blinded by the
lights of Ryogoku Kokugikan shining off of his
lily-white derrière. Ahhh, my eyes!!

- Takamisakari is getting very popular. His
pre-tachi-ai warm-up (face-slapping,
shoulder-shrugging and other hyphenates) is getting a
big pop from the crowd. I've said this before, but I
think one of these days he's goung pull those arms out
of their sockets. Anyway, since he is now tsuyuharai
for Asashoryu, he'll get even more exposure. The crowd
loves him. So do I.

- Last night, on WWE's Confidential news magazine-type
show, footage was shown from the Federation's trip to
Seoul and Tokyo. One of the side trips had HHH
(current champion) visiting Kokonoe-beya. There were a
few quick glimpses of rikishi and an interview with
oyakata. I'll have to re-watch to get more details,
but HHH then chatted, through an interpreter, with
Chiyotaikai. He had a smile on his face and looked to
be in good spirits. I think he told the joke about the
guy walking into the bar with a monkey on his
shoulder. HAHA! What a joker!

- This could be an oppurtunity for the 3 Sekiwake
(assuming the inevitable promotion of Wakanosato) to
garner enough wins for ozeki promotion. Up to 3 ozeki
could drop out of the rank by this time next basho. I
like Takanowaka's chances. Kotomitsuki hasn't been
consistent enough. Wakanosato just needs to beat more
sanyaku; I think he has the stuff. 

- Could the Kyokai make a new Takanohana rule for
Yokozuna demotion to ozeki? Too late? Oh, well.

- Asashoryu will have the weight of the world on him
for Haru. I hope he can keep up his pace for a long
time. Ozumo needs a strong champion. My guess is that
there may be more foreigners in the seats of the arena
because of his promotion. Makuuchi will have 4
Mongolians and a Korean along with a Samoan/Hawaiian.
Kokkai could be the the first Caucasian to reach
Sekitori after next basho.

- It has been reported to me, by an unnamed source,
that Takanonami has given up his search for the man
who hit him in the face with a frying pan.

That's all/enough for now.

Unagiyutaka



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