Reply-To: <rpardoe@pacbell.net>
To: <sumo@statgen.ncsu.edu>
Subject: RE: [sumo] Kokkai - maybe the next Yokozuna?
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2003 09:57:57 -0800
>>So, to really make my point: does Kokkai really looks promising,
>>or his achievements are "usual" for lower-level rikishi? (and in
>>this case, he would not be *so* sucessful, when fighting against the
>>best rikishi out there)
>>
>IMHO Kokkai's Kyushu result came as somewhat of a break-through. So
>far he had scored good, but not outstanding. But a 14-1 Juryo Yusho
>is rather remarkable.
Further to Lukas' response to Rodrigo's question.
Watching Kokkai's style (the few times I could see it during the Juryo
replies on TV Japan), I think that the "strange and unknown" style is
still a bit of a factor for other wrestlers facing Kokkai. If I am
thinking correctly, Kokkai has a very unique style that still combines
wrestling (Kokkai's background) with sumo. As a result, he is using
his long arms and a (ot my eyes) pronounced squat to push/tsuppari
opponents resulting in oshi-dashi & yorikiri as his most popular
winning kimarite.
However, I don't know how solid this style will be in the upper ranks
as he starts to face the opponents a second or third time. In other
words, as opponents adapt to his style, will he still be as
dominating. If forced to go to the belt, can he still win?
I may sound like a nay-sayer, but I'm was excited about Kokkai's
achievements to date, so look forward to his Makuuchi debut and how
well he does.
Rich
[EndPost by "Richard Pardoe" <rpardoe@pacbell.net>]