Introductions!

["Martin Hughes (Biochem)" <mjgh@mbfs.bio.cam.ac.uk>]

> <p-kaub@possum.murdoch.edu.au>>
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> Dear sumo newsgroup, as Martin suggested how about some personal intro's
> so, to get the ball rolling here's mine.  I've recently returned to Perth,
 
Right, my turn.  
Firstly, a big thanks to Pete for getting this up and running, and
to Tony for posting the results to s.c.j. and then via that to this ML.
Like Pete, I have recently returned home to the UK from Japan (in
May).  I had had a small exposure to Sumo prior to going (is it 
possible to have a SMALL exposure to Sumo??? :-) ) courtesy of
Channel 4 TV which single handedly promoted the sport over
here to the point that there was an exhibition Basho in London
a couple of years ago.  However, I wasn't really that interested until
I went to Japan and got hooked.  
I was able to go to the Kokugikan at least 20 times over the 2.5 years
I was in Japan, and loved every minute of it.  I was lucky enough to
be actually there for Chiyonfujis last ever bout (loosing to Takatoriki),
and also for sen-shu-raku of the New Year Basho, when Akebono beat
Takanohana to take the Yusho and get promotion to Yokazuna.  If
anyone has a copy to peruse, they will also see my photo in Sumo World (!!)
in the issue with the Takanohana/Rie engagement photo on - in the 
Banzuke section (!!!!!) there is a photo of me with a couple of others
who had queued for tickets for the January Basho.
Fave Rikihsi?  A bit of a strange mix I'm afraid.  Kotoinazuma has
to be my number 1, although I imagine he will not last too much longer.
The reason is that when I first went to see Sumo, I really did not
have much of an idea of looking at technique, and so latched on to
other things to cheer on.  Now, Kotoinazuma is, like me, "follicularly
challenged" or bald, for the non-PC guys.  I consequently had
something of a soft spot for him, and have been cheering him on
ever since.  
The other 2 I really shout for are Tokitsunada and Tatsuhikari.  Again
a reason associated with when I started to watch.  These were 2 rikishi
I noticed in the lower ranks who seemed to be doing REALLY well, and
beating their opponenets with seeming ease.  I started to follow them
from then.  I now recon Tatsuhikari does not stand much of a chance
at the big time, but I still believe that if Tokitsunada could just
improve his speed he could be a real contender.
As for the rest - well, I just love the sport and don't really support
any of the headlining guys.
OK - thats me.  Now over to someone else!

Martin

Martin Hughes
Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge
Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, UK.  Email mjgh@mbfs.bio.cam.ac.uk