Re: Akebono vs. other Konishiki + Musashimaru

[stevea@PrimeNet.Com (Steve Allanson)]

Martin Hughes wrote:

>A couple of days ago, someone posted a message re. Akebono's match vs.
>Konishiki, saying it was rather lame.

IMO Konishiki tries his best against the high rankers because of some sort
a macho - I can do that, too - type of attitude.  IMHO Konishiki's biggest
problem seems to be that he keeps adding a few kilo each basho, he really
is losing a lot of mobility, I know what mobility ;-) but the guy does
weigh quite a bit and can move around pretty good for such a big guy.
Maybe the weight will eventually force his retirement rather than lack of
skill or desire, I wonder if he has thought of losing some of it.  Maybe
kawika-san can add some insight to what Konishiki is up to concerning his
weight.  Also, Akebono should be very careful and concerned with his
weight.

>
>Apologies to whoever it was for paraphrasing, and not quoting, but I have
>deleted the message!
>
>Upon reflection, it seems to me that all the matches I saw between the 3
>major gaijin were somewhat lame.  The winner always seemed to be
>'predictable'.

I agree, a few years ago some of the matches were rather lame when it came
to Konishiki, Akebono and Musashimaru - I think some of that was the
closeness of the Beya grouping and also the fact that Konishiki was Sempai
to both of the others.  However, it appears that since they are equals, so
to speak, the matches are for the most part, at least better looking.  I
believe if it came down to Akebono or Musashimaru in the lead for the
yuusho, the one in the lead would win.  The other would not want to be the
party pooper so to speak.  But maybe I'm wrong and the Yokozuna honor would
not allow Akebono to do that.

>By this I mean that if it looked as if Konishiki may have been promoted to
>Yokazuna, then Akebono and Musashimaru seemed to fall over.  Akebono's
>promotion, and over went Konishiki and Musashimaru etc. etc.  Now, (a)
>maybe my memory is selective, (b) I havn't seen a match for a couple of
>years, and (c) I am certainly not suggesting that
>any underhand stuff went on, but I do wonder if the matches are so built up
>in the minds of the rikishi that the fights never turn out to be the classics
>which one would like.

I have heard rumors to theat affect.  Several years ago it was almost
unheard of for a rikishi with a 7-7 record on senshuraku to lose.  However,
lately things have changed and it isn't so obvious at least.  I think there
were threats of fines and the like for not giving it your all.

>
>Now, to follow this thread of though a bit, I wonder if (at least to
>start with) such a problem would exist if you removed the 'same heya' rule.
>Would Tak vs. Wak matches be limp squids (limp ika?) to start off with (I
>don't count the exhibition matches as being a true reflection of what would
>happen) because of exadurated expectations?
>
>Martin Hughes
>Department of Biochemistry
>McMaster University
>Hamilton, ONTARIO, Canada.

Well, that's it from the desert.



        Genki de !!! Have a nice day!!!
        Steve Allanson
        Sierra Vista, Arizona
        stevea@primenet.com