Re: Akebono vs. other Konishiki + Musashimaru

[stevea@PrimeNet.Com (Steve Allanson)]

Masumi-san wrote:

>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.

>-Masumi

I don't think that recently there have been 'questionable' bouts.  However,
during the early times of Akebono moving up the ranks with his record
breaking string of kachi koshi basho, his efforts against Konishiki were
sometimes (IMHO) not his best efforts.  Lately, the efforts of these three
sumo superstars has been exemplary.  I also saw the match where Akebono
sent Konishiki down to Sekiwake and agree that it was probably more
difficult for Akebono to take than for Konishiki.  But we must remember
that at the time Akebono was Yokozuna and the Yokozuna ia a different breed
of cat and has a lot of responsibility.  If he would have lost to Konishiki
his integrity definitly would have been called out.

As a note, during the basho where Konishiki was demoted from Ozeki, Kyushu
basho 1993, he fought no one lower than M 4 E, ex-Ozeki Kirishima.  Compare
that to the current crop of Ozeki.  Also, during his basho at Sekiwake,
Hatsu basho 1994, Konishiki fought no one lower than M 5 E, Oginishiki.

By the way Masumi-san, it's good to have you back on line.







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