Re: [sumo] Wakanosato

[GenjiBunch@aol.com]

Thanks to Josh, Yuko and others for explaining their personal passions for 
Wakanosato.   Of course you are right that possibility for promotion is not the 
only reason to cheer for someone.   Otherwise, Mainoumi, Kyokudouzan, 
Tomonohana and others would never have had their legions of supporters.   If I think 
back to the first rikishi that I ever rooted for, even I have to admit that he 
was a strange choice if you just look at his numbers.   I started watching 
Ozumo one fall in the late 80's when I stayed with my aunt in Amagasaki 
(Hyogo-ken) for a few weeks, and for some reason I was taken with a plodding, sad-faced 
giant named Onokuni.   He was a yokozuna at the time, but probably on the 
downside of his career and completely overshadowed by Chiyonofuji.  All the same, 
I cheered like mad when he beat Chiyonofuji on the last day of the tournament 
ending a 53-match winning streak.   Chiyonofuji was just too strong and 
arrogant-looking for me at the time, and I greatly enjoyed watching the underdog 
triumph against him, even if he did go on to have a rather Wakanohana-like 
Yokozuna career. 

Of my other favorites, some have been very successful in terms of winning 
(Akebono, Kaio and Asashoryu), while others less so (my all time favorite - 
Kirishima and Tochiazuma), and still others hardly at all (Sentoryu, Mainoumi and 
Hayateumi).   In other sports, I cheer for Newcastle United, the Portland Trail 
Blazers and the Dallas Cowboys, so there's a mix of success and mediocrity 
there, too.  I guess what bothers me about Wakanosato is that I don't see in him 
the will to change in order to get better.   Certainly, he deserves praise 
for his gutsy comeback from injury and the great power he occasionally displays, 
but it's too frustrating for me to watch a guy make the same mistakes over 
and over again.   I guess it's the same reason I haven't been able to muster 
much enthusiasm for my hometown Blazers over the last 5 years or so.   

Anyway, I can certainly understand if your reasons for liking Wakanosato are 
more emotional and personal than technical or statistical. Thanks again for 
your responses. I wish Wakanosato and his fans all the best - except when he 
fights Tochiazuma, that is.


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[EndPost by GenjiBunch@aol.com]