Re: Akebono vs. other Konishiki + Musashimaru

[mabe@netcom.com (Masumi Abe)]

I don't see any "questionable" match among Hawaiian rikishi. I remember that 
Akebono was the one gave Konishiki the eighth loss to lose Ozeki rank, and
Akebono was the one very upset. He told reporters that as rikishi, he could 
not give a questionable performance and he was taught by Konishiki that 
rikishi should always put 100% effort into the given match, and he did against
Konishiki.

I think these three great Hawaiian rikishi are basically great in offence,
but not so great in defence. None of then are great defenders particularly 
when they could utilize the edge of dohyo ring. Among these three only Akebono
is decent in this category.

It is true that weight is a factor. According to the recent TV show, Mrs. 
Konishiki advice him to lose weight. So far, Konishiki has not following
her advice. It seems his knees getting worse and worse. Musashimaru in 
constrast, is controling his weight very reasonably. But again according to
the TV show, his problem could be the fact that he hates eating vegitable.
When he eats a lot of vegitable and master how to use the edge of dohyo,
he will be the next yokozuna. For now, the impression from his winning 
matches is very impressive, but the way he loses matches is the one
keeping him from yokozuna.

-Masumi