Ake, Waka, hoshitori (chat)

[guje@nmr.phys.chem.ethz.ch]

Being sleepy at the begin of the new year, I missed the hoshitori deadline.
Maybe this was a wise decision of my subconcious ;-) since I would have had
Waka quite high in my hoshitori.

Ivar wrote:
> In my opionion both Wakanohana and Akebobo have behaved poorly:  If they had
> health problems preventing them from performing to their respective required
> level they should have withdrawn BEFORE the basho started.

I share Ivar's opinion on bad behaviour. And when Taka had a 7:8
basho slightly more than two years ago, didn't they also speak about liver
problems. What's wrong with the Futagoyama diet? And shouldn't Waka be kadoban
next time anyway, if he withdraws?

So, what's left? We can only hope for a good performance by Kaio and in 
particular by Musashimaru or the yusho race will be boring indeed. In addition
I don't really believe in a comeback of Akebono in the future. I guess part
of the story is psychological, his feeling that he is only number two and has
no recipe to change that. I he cannot overcome this deadlock it might well
end with his retirement in 1996. That would be very sad, since he *has* the
potential to fight with Taka for the East yokozuna slot. I hope he can build
up his fighting spirit again.

Some words about juryo. Wakanojo had an exceptionally good basho four months
ago and began with a 4:0 or even 5:0 in the previous basho only to falter then.
This time he is close to the top of juryo but it looks he might still have
problems to earn promotion. Does anyone on the list have a look on him? How
is he fighting? Do you think he can earn promotion or has he reached his level
near the top of juryo/bottom of makuuchi?

Hope this basho doesn't turn even sourer 8-(

Gunnar