To: "'Sumo mail list'" <sumo@sun01pt2-1523.statgen.ncsu.edu>
Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 6:52 PM
Subject: Re: [sumo] more on the 1-day Nagoya tournament
> I recorded the tournament and then watched it late last night. It was
> rather theatrical. I've never thought much about staging fights or
taking
> falls, but a lot of the bouts looked rather staged. In particular,
> Chiyotaikai's loss to Toki looked particularly intentional. I am
certain
> there was some sort of arrangement there. Also, in Takamisakari's match
> against Wakatoba, they gave each other a really intense/hilarious look
> before the bout. (Wakatoba did a yakuza impression and Takamizakari did
his
> own best impression of a tough guy, which was cute..) The audience
erupted
> into a mixture of laughter and applause. The only bout that looked
really
> sincere and was impressive to watch was Asashoryu against Asasekiryu.
If
I
> had some way of digitizing video I'd post that bout to show, because it
> really was excellent.
> I thought even Asashoryu looked rather relaxed through most of the
> tournament, and wouldn't say that he went all out or used any sort of
> violent techniques. This whole tournament was basically meant as
> entertainment as far as I understand, and so the results seem to have
been
> predetermined. And it was fun to watch from the perspective of
observing
> interpersonal relations through facial expressions etc.
>
> Quinlan
========
Thanks Quinlan, for an honest post.
I've been to JUNGYO where KONISHKI spat water at the referees.
He then carried a (mock)-terrified GYOJI out of the ring and dumped him
into
a SHIMPAN'S lap.
Other RIKISHI boxed, pulled hair and made various hilarious gestures.
The crowd ate it up.
SUMO fans want to be entertained.
SUMO is a picnic and brawl rolled into one.
If any of you are against entertainment you are against SUMO.
[EndPost by "Stephan Dulka" <dulka@alpha.ocn.ne.jp>]