Re: [sumo] kaio chances

[Moti <sumo@dichne.com>]

Stephen wrote:

> You know, my feeling is that the "best" is not possible to state easily, if
> at all. It's kind of pointless. Some amazing chess players must surely have
> thought there was no point in struggling so much for ego's sake...but they
> were able to take on the other top people and maybe / most likely win. I
> think it's like this in many sports. Some sportspeople know they are top
> dogs but can't be bothered to struggle so much (they don't have the need for
> public recognition) and are happy enough to KNOW they are darned good at
> what they do. No need to go head to head with anyone to "prove" anything. It
> takes a certain kind of person to need to "prove" this, but it doesn't
> always mean they are "the best". 
snip

By that rote, let's do away with counting real wins in all sports, and 
award wins to the guy who "deserved" it more. If you don't want to 
"prove" anything, if you are a top sportsperson but can't be bothered to 
struggle(????), go work in a bank.
Regrettable as it may be, rankings and results and who is best etc are 
decided by wins. Nice guy doesn't get you anywhere, except maybe into 
fans' hearts. Being really good at what you do but thinking "there was 
no point in struggling so much for ego's sake" will get you nowhere 
either. KaioU is a really nice guy, but till the last Basho, completely 
fell apart when it really counted, injured or healthy. Last Basho, he 
went 12-3 and fell apart again when it counted, though on a smaller 
scale. If he gets his 13 next Basho, good. If not, he'll be a great 
Ozeki till he retires.
He himself, a dedicated, well liked Sumotori, has openly stated he 
doesn't want any "presents". His dignity won't live with it.
And there is no comparing Sumo to Western sports (chess???) in any way, 
when it comes to the dignity factor. I feel that if you don't get that, 
you are missing the whole essence of Sumo.
KaioU participates in a sport that has certain standards for promotion, 
which are being bent in his honor. Those standards were centered around 
two straight yushos or the equivalent, like it or not. And if he can't 
cross the lowered threshold, forget it.

Kintamayama
[EndPost by Moti <sumo@dichne.com>]