Takanohana gossip (more!)

[Riley@hachi.hi-tech.ac.jp (Totoro)]

I saw in this morning's paper that Taka's wedding plans were announced
yesterday (2/24 in Japan).  He may have a party in June, but the rumors
are that his lady is with child, and the actual plans seem to be hinging
on this issue.  So, maybe we have another "jikan-mae."  I guess that Taka
has been working too hard on NOT doing "matta," and it may have worked
to his disadvantage in this case.  ;-)

Anyhow, Taka is on the tube a lot right now, as you would imagine.  He was
at a facility for the handicapped yesterday, giving them the car he won as
a prize for his last yusho.  It seems to me that since he has made Yokozuna,
Taka is much warmer than before, likely due to the pressure he was under.
In the past, he didn't even smile after winning a yusho.  Yesterday, though,
he was all smiles in front of the camera, and really seemed to enjoy being
with some of the children there.  I'm impressed with his changes lately,
as he has been very generous in donating to the Kobe victims and others
who are not so fortunate.  Much as I might've disliked him in the past, I
find myself becoming more of a fan of Takanohana.  I think it's good for the
whole of sumo to have a Yokozuna who's shown in this light.  Akebono also
donates to charities, but lately he's been very quiet.

Sore ja...

David
riley@hachi.hi-tech.ac.jp
Hachinohe Institute of Technology