Aki Basho Preview [LONG]

[k.coller@genie.geis.com]

 1995 Aki Basho Preview
  by Ken Coller <k.coller@genie.geis.com>
     Seattle WA USA
 
 With two young Yokozuna in Akebono and Takanohana, it is no surprise
 that so far in 1995, Akebono has one yusho (tournament victory) and
 Takanohana all the rest. In January, Takanohana won the basho
 (tournament) with a 13-2 record, with Musashimaru (who has been top
 Ozeki since that basho) taking the runner up position. Next, in Osaka,
 Takanohana's 13-2 score was only good enough for a runner-up, with
 Akebono's 14-1 (the only loss being to Ozeki Wakanohana) taking the
 Emperor's Cup. Back in Tokyo for the Natsu basho in May, Ake and Taka
 switched places from Osaka, with Taka's 14-1 record being good enough to
 take the title, and Akebono's 13-2 being second best. That basho was
 particularly exciting, with the two Yokozuna meeting on senshuraku (the
 fifteenth and last day of the basho) to decide the championship. In
 Nagoya, where the outcome of the basho has been unpredictable in the
 last decade, Takanohana came out on top, losing only to Kotonishiki and
 a very determined Akebono. Hawaiian Musashimaru was only one win behind
 the pace and finished as runner-up. For this upcoming basho, 12 to 26
 September 1995 in Tokyo, the rankings of the champion level wrestlers
 (rikishi, or sekitori) are the same as in Nagoya: Takanohana and Akebono
 are the East and West Yokozuna, respectively; and Musashimaru,
 Wakanohana and Takanonami fill out the Ozeki slots.
 
 
 The Yokozuna
 
 Takan yusho race by
 the end of the first week, after back-to-back losses to Kenko and
 Musoyama. He has proven that when he goes to the mawashi (belt) he can
 be a formidable foe, but perhaps it is a mistake to ictory. His only losses so far thislapping the victim silly. In any case, it seemed that
 Akebono was experimenting in the ring, which is a bad idea; there's
 plenty of time between basho for that. Akebono fights with such
 determination and intensity that he too cannot be counted out of ansumo kyokai
 (association, organization) do not give points for passion.
 
 
 The Ozeki and Sanyaku (upper 3 ranks below Yokozuna) Rikishi
 
 An interesting dynamic has taken shape with the maturation of Musoyama
 (born 2/14/72) as he is stab are both from Musashigawa-beya (a heya, or sumo-beya, is a stable of
 rikishi) and have displaced Sadogatake-beya (the stable whose rikishi
 all have names beginning with Koto-) as a power in determining who wins
 the yusho. Musoyama seems tan in sumo. Depending on the condition of his back, he is a
 dark horse for the yusho: in Nagoya he kept pace with his brother until
 late in the race, prompting the Japanese press to clamor about the
 possibility of an historic playoff betwee beginning of a
 bout) artist seems to be trying to change his basic style of sumo to a
 less passive one that will better please the sumo powers that be. He's
 still the youngest Ozeki (born 10/27/71) and so there's plenty of time
 for Taka Kotoinazuma is senior deshi (rikishi of any level) at Sadogatake. With
 40 basho in the top division under his belt, the balding 33 year old
 sekitori must be an inspiration to the two heya-gashira (highest ranked
 deshi in the heya) Kotonismpai
 (senior, or elder) Kotoinazuma.
 
 Komusubi Akinoshima, "the giant killer," had the tables turned on him as
 he was crushed out by giant Akebono on the second day of the Nagoya
 basho, and will not compete in Tokyo's Aki basho. Kenko, wcaliber and will have to sharpen his technique and diversify his "bag of
 tricks" to survive. Musoyama, for one, will have to watch for Kenko:
 "the Moose" (in Japan, his nickname is "The Bear" or "Monster") has yet
 to beat Kenko this year! chasing him. Owner of the slowest tachi-ai (initial jump-off
 of a sumo match) amongst his peers, it's always sink-or-swim for Kaio.
 
 
 Maegashira and the Rest
 
 Takatoriki, with 9 wins at M3-W, is still the meanest man in a mawashi,
 the to the Hawaiians. Newcomer Tosanoumi, who
 in the last basho was promoted from the top of Juryo to M7-W (the second
 highest debut in postwar history) will fall slightly with a 7-8
 make-koshi (majority of losses) record. Tosa was impressive i, will
 meet for the 35th time in the ring. Although it has been awhile since
 these two were fighting for the title, they are both very popular and
 well thought of by their fans, who can see their love of the sport of
 sumo. Speaking of su against the highest ranking rikishi from Futagoyama-beya. It appears
 that there will be no rikishi making the transition from Juryo to
 Makunouchi or vice versa. Mongolian sekitori (professional sumo
 wrestler) Kyokushuzan merits watching,  out to take his ninth yusho, to stay just one behind the junior
 Yokozuna. If the Musashigawa-beya rikishi are hot, look for it to be a
 real barn burner.
 highest debut in postwar history) will fall slightly with a 7-8
 make-koshi (majority of losses) record. Tosa was impressive i, will
 meet for the 35th time in the ring. Although it has been awhile since
 these two were fighting for the title, they are both very popular and
 well thought of by their fans, who can see their love of the sport of
 sumo. Speaking of su against the highest ranking rikishi from Futagoyama-beya. It appears
 that there will be no rikishi making the transition from Juryo to
 Makunouchi or vice versa. Mongolian sekitori (professional sumo
 wrestler) Kyokushuzan merits watching,  out to take his ninth yusho, to stay just one behind the junior
 Yokozuna. If the Musashigawa-beya rikishi are hot, look for it to be a
 real barn burner.