Re: Day 6

[Riley@hachi.hi-tech.ac.jp]

>For the traditional sumo, it will be a big change for Sumo Kyoukai to make
>an ozeki of losing record in one of last three basho to be a yokozuna.
 
It has gone political, basically, and wants to promote Takanohana just
because 95% of the public wants him to be Yokozuna.  They're catering
to the public because they've encountered a huge increase in popularity
since Taka/Waka hit the scene and want to cash in on a good thing.  The
promotion could be a bit of reward to someone who has helped make the
sport so profitable of late, also.
 
These are just my ideas, but wouldn't be at all surprised if there's
quite a bit of truth in them.  Personally, I'll be really happy if
Takanohana loses a lot more, cuz I'm quite sick of seeing him on the
TV more than anyone else.  He's the Yomiuri Giants of sumo, and it's
taking away from other rikishi, IMO.  While Taka is a really good
rikishi, I just think he should be promoted by the guidelines which
all the others are subjected to, not just because everyone loves
him.  To promote someone to Yokozuna who was _kadoban_ the last
basho is bullshit and bad for the whole game, IMO.  It just degrades
the process into a popularity game.

Mata nee....

David
riley@hachi.hi-tech.ac.jp