2 day Ozumo Tournament

[ROMSON@AppleLink.Apple.COM (Romson, Ed)]

Minna-san,
 
I had a chance to see the Ozumo Tournament broadcast yesterday and today on TBS
(Tokyo Broadcasting not Turner) here in Tokyo. Akebono won the 2 day event in a
playoff with Musashimaru. I'm sorry I'm not as dedicated as some here or I
would have thought to write down the best 4 each day. I'm still learning to be
a Sumo Otaku. Suffice it to say that Akebono won yesterday (2/11) and
Musashimaru won today (2/12). Then Akebono took the yusho in the playoff.
 
I have to tell you that Akebono was awsome both days. He used one shoulder
blast at tachiai to get rid of Kotobeppu and the same tactic to win another
match. I think it was against Kaio (I just caught the replay). He sent
Kotobeppu into the sand seats with one blast. He also was great on the mawashi,
beating Kotonowaka yesterday on the belt for the day one win. Today he lost
because Naminohana used henka on him. The playoff was also a belt battle and
Musashimaru was not up to the strength of Akebono.
 
Takanohana looked lack luster at best. Strong yes, but there appeared to be no
real power in his sumo.
 
Once again, as someone pointed out here in the discussion about Musashimaru as
the next Yokozuna, he (Musashimaru) looked strong when using oshi, but when he
got in trouble, yesterday, he looked like he just gave up. Not quite Yokozuna
style.
 
Perhaps one of the other local residents has the details of the matches. I'll
try to be a more diligent reporter in the future.
 
BTW, I have a recipe for Mizutaki that I have tried and really like. It's like
Chankonabe but uses chicken. I've had Chanko several times at places around the
Kokugikan after the matches, great stuff but after all the food at the
Kokugikan during the day, it almost hurts to eat it all. The Mizutaki is not as
rich but you can "bulk it up" by adding soba at the end. If anyone is
interested I'll copy it out of the cookbook and post it (with proper citation,
of course).
 
Jya mata,
Ed