Re: konishiki

[maertens@msai.com (Jim Maertens)]

>
>Well, since the the end of the basho, the postings have dried up so 
>I'll throw this one in for comment.
>
>How much longer will Konishiki keep going and should he quit now?
>
>I reckon he should seriously think about giving it away. I mean, he 
>has Japanese citizenship now and wouldn't it be better for him to be 
>remembered as a rikishi who held the rank of ozeki for a good few 
>years and came within a whisker of yokozuna, than to see him to 
>start to really slide down the banzuke?
>
>Ben.

IMHO, I think Konishiki should stay in Sumo as long as he wants.
He has nothing to prove, as he was Ozeki for so long.  So, as long
as he is enjoying himself, I say stay with it.  If he drops, to
Juryo, I doubt he will continue with sumo.

Also, look at Kirishima.  He used to be Ozeki, but has hung in there
for the "love of sumo".  Both Kirishima and Konishiki have gained
a lot of respect from the public for their tenacity and attitude
towards sumo.  I don't see that changing anytime soon.

To sum up my opinions, I think Konishiki should retire when he
wants to, not when others think he should.  
But, I've been wrong before...  :-)

Jim

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