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[sumo] Musoyama Retirement Press Conference
I don't remember if I posted this here but if I did,
my apology.
Musoyama Retirement Press Conference in Fukuoka
November 17
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Musoyama:
I always have been known for an energetic forward move
but yesterday I suffered a truly one sided loss
(against Kokkai). I felt then that I have reached my
physical limit and decided to retire. From this moment
on I will be instructing
younger rikishis on what I have been told over the
years.
Musashigawa oyakata:
I did ask him to reconsider first. But his resolve was
firm and he has a pride as well so in the end I
accepted his decision. He had an ability to be an
Yokozuna. But he suffered too many injuries and could
not reach the plateau but he did all his best.
+++++++++++
Reporter (to Musoyama) : Your current thought.
Musoyama: For this basho I was able to do good
training sessions prior to the basho and I was in a
good condition. As it was my Kadoban basho, I
approached it (always with retirement in mind) and
prepared for it accordingly. But with three straight
losses and such a dismal performance, I came to a
conclusion that I could no longer continue.
Rather than tough times, I remember more about happier
occasions - like when I won the Yusho (the 2000 Hatsu
Basho), when I went drinking together with guys and
went swimming with them, onlyl happy times.
Reporter : On suffering so many injuries.
Musoyama: Lower back, dislocation, left big toe...I
had quite a lot. But I think the toe affected me the
most as I did not have any real feeling (it's been
reported that his toe ligaments were permanently
damaged and he could not move the toe at all.) In the
last couple of years or so, I could not move in the
way I really wanted. I couldn't push my opponents off
nor I could stay inside while on the edge.
I have no regrets whatsoever about my sumo life as I
feel I did accomplish what I had to do. But I do have
some regret over not being able to fulfill the
responsibility as an Ozeki to win Yushos or be
involved in Yusho races.
Reporter: Your memorable bouts.
Musoyama: Obviuously I remember the time when I won
the Yusho most. As well the first day as a new Juryo
rikishi (the 1993 Natsu Basho) and when I won 10 bouts
(on the 2000 Aki Basho Senshuraku) after I was demoted
from Ozeki in the previous basho.
Reporter: Have you talked to your father yet?
Musoyama: I have contacted him after I had the talk
with the shisho. He asked me if I really could not
continue for a while longer, but he did understand in
the end.
(Musoyama's father is the head of Ibaraki Prefecture
Sumo Union and was Musoyama's stern sumo coach in his
youth.)
+++++++++
More words for Musoyama:
Masato Oso (Musoyama's father)
--------------------------------------
"I got a call from him last night and learned about
his retirement. I haven't been able to talk to him
much on phone. He has been going through so much
trying times lately so I feel relieved about 30% and
but at the same time his sumo power has not
deteriorated significantly and feeling if not for
injuries, he could have
become a Yokozuna so I have 70% regret. As he has
labored so much, I believe he would make a great
leader."
Yousuke Nakamura (Sumo coach at Musoyama's high school
Mito Nogyu High)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"This is so sudden I am really surprised. In the last
few years he has been
suffering such serious injuries that I think he has
endured so well to reach this point. In a way I do
feel a regret but I am also relieved. During his high
school years, he had such a powerful tachiai that he
left an impression of his left big toe on the dohyo.
Once he couldn't do that any longer, he had to cover
it with something else and I think, that in turn, put
more undue stress to elsewhere. I just hope he will
rest well and put his energy to guiding junior
rikishis."
Takanohana Oyakata (former Yokozuna)
-----------------------------------------------
"I'd like to express my appreciation for his service
and dedication. It may still be fresh in your memory
but I was injured in a Musoyama bout. You won't find
such a powerful rikishi around so often. I had tough
time withstanding his power."
Ozeki Chiyotaikai
---------------------
"The first time my name was listed on the Banzuke and
won Jonokuchi Yusho, he won Makushita Yusho. I always
had him as my goal. We even had brutal blood gushing
"hari" bout. I was taught the meaning of "fighting
spirits" from him. An Ozeki who is constantly
conscious of not being able to afford a loss cannot
compete with a good frame of mind. This morning I was
asked by my shisho if I was gonna be the next and that
got me more motivated.
Ozeki Tochiazuma
----------------------
"He has been lending me his chest when I went on
de-gekeiko since I was in Makushita. I am where I am
now because of a person like him. I believe he has
exhausted all his energy reaching the limit.
Tosanoumi
------------
(Their birthdays are two days apart and were the great
rivals during their college days.)
"I've faced several times while I was in high school
and then obviously once we turned pro. His push had
such a great force.
Miyabiyama
--------------
(Musashigawa Beya Makuuchi rikishis losing all their
bout today.)
"Muso-zeki was my senior since my middle school days.
This morning I saw him wearing kimono and sitting on
the mat and I figured he decided to retire. Including
myself we all wanted to show him our respect by
winning our bout."
Musashigawa Oyakata (former Yokozuna Mienoumi)
------------------------------------------------------------
"His sumo was compelling, power driven sumo. Even as
his shisho, the fact that he always faced his oppoent
right on and never tried to run away was impressive
and admirable (Musoyama never did a henka at tachiai).
I really wanted him to become a Yokozuna. He possessed
the stuff to be a Yokozuna."
Musashimaru Oyakata (former Yokozuna)
------------------------------------------------
"My memory with him is at the training dohyo. After
Musoyama joined the heya, we used to do 20 or 30 bouts
every day. Broke a bone in my side, that's really
painful you know. I was able to become a Yokozuna
because I was lucky enough to be blessed with such a
great training partner. I just want to say, 'Thanks'.
Because I am too shy to tell him in person."
=====
.....Jonosuke
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