More on Ake's knees

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

Akebono is already back at work, training to prepare for the upcoming
Nagoya Basho.  After leaving the Century City Hospital on Thursday, he
is working out with his personal trainer Jeff Libengood (if you haven't
seen any pics, this dude looks like he could bench press Akebono with
no problem).  Akebono had some minor torn cartilage removed from both
knees.  Libengood won't make any predictions about Nagoya, saying they
would wait til 2 days before the basho to decide.  If the Yokozuna is
not completely 100%, he won't be competing, as there are no plans to
risk further damage.  Jeff says, "We would wait until the next basho.
We won't do what everybody wants to do, but what's best for him."
Another immediate goal is to trim down Akebono by 3-4 kg now, and to
eventually keep him down to a consistent weight of 200-205 kg.

Libengood has been working with Akebono for some time now, and many
analysts have noticed the increase in Ake's leg strength and agility,
which are attributed to the trainer's skills.  In the future, they
want to build up this lower-body strength even more.  Akebono and
Libengood will return to Tokyo on Monday to continue preparations 
for Nagoya.

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