A heavy subject

[Richard Webb <webb@phys3.physics.wsu.edu>]

I think most of us have noticed that Akebono's performance has
lagged a little in the past two basho.  Being the weight-conscious
soul that I am I checked up on the mass-histories of some rikishi
over the past six basho (masses for first five from Sumo World,
last one from Daily Yomuri), listed in order starting with Nagoya in 1993.

Akebono       Konishiki       Takanohana     Wakanohana     Musashimaru
212 [13-2]    261 [7-8]       133 [14-1Y]    124 [10-5]     180 [9-6]
212 [13-2Y]   260 [9-6]       134 [13-2]     118 [13-2]     182 [8-7]
215 [14-1Y]   258 [0-2-13]    142 [12-3]     117 [9-6]      183 [8-7]
215 [13-2Y]   258 [6-9]       142 [7-8]      117 [12-3]     183 [13-2]
224 [11-4]    264 [2-13]      143 [14-1Y]    118 [11-4]     187 [12-3]
227 [12-3Y]   262 [8-7]       140 [11-4]     122 [3-3-9]    188 [9-6]

It is at least obvious to me that Akebono's performance dropped when he
added the weight.  Even though he got the yusho this basho, he should have
done better being the yokozuna and all.  I think if the trend of weight
gain in the past two bashos continues, we can't look forward to the string
of three consecutive yushos we saw last year.  Konishiki has been talking
weight loss since Nagoya in '92, but it doesn't seem to show.  If he can
start losing weight, we might see some good things out of him for another
year or so (but I doubt he will lose the weight).  Somehow you would think
that these fellows would look at the success of some such as Taka and Waka
who are slimmer and realize that weight isn't everything.

BTW, for those thinking about Takanohana's prospects for promotion to
yokozuna, it is apparent from the records in the last six basho that he is
the dominant rikishi next to Akebono.  The maki-koshi stands out as his
lone bad performance in the past year and I think that a 13 victory
yusho next basho should make it a no-brainer because the 7-8 was
injury-induced (despite the god-stature thing).


Richard Webb
webb@phys3.physics.wsu.edu

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