Re: A couple of observations

[poza@gol.com (Tito Poza and Shari Custer-Poza)]

>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level they should have withdrawn BEFORE the basho started.  With their
>experience they could certainly ascertain this during pre-basho training.  Now

I see what you mean, but I think this is more the fault of the oyakata
rather than the rikishi themselves.  Most athletes of any kind share a
strong desire to compete even if not 100%, and I think no rikishi would
voluntarily remove himself from a basho (it would be seen as showing a lack
of heart or desire); the oyakata has to do it for him.  Even if the oyakata
goes to the rikishi and asks if he's well enough to compete, the oyakata
(IMHO) is abdicating his responsibility, since he knows the rikishi will
say "yes."  Also, there may be a cultural work-ethic aspect involved: I've
seen and heard of many salarymen who go to work even if they're sick as a
dog.  Even if they don't get any work done, or their boss tells them to go
home, at least they toughed it out, gave it their best, and were seen to do
so.  I do actually agree with the above-quoted comment, in theory, but I
think it's a rather Western perspective.

>what it looks like is them saying: "Well, I'll have a go and maybe I'm lucky
>and win the first few...".   Either they are fit to fight or they are not

Well, yes, but there are grey areas too, I think.  Injuries and fitness are
not exact, quantifiable things, and it's not impossible that one's
condition might improve as the basho progresses.  And in the case of
Akebono, we all know that once a yokozuna loses 2 or 3 early, they very
frequently drop out, to avoid the disgrace of make-koshi.

Now, if only Takanohana would drop out, Musashimaru would have a real shot
at the yusho!

---Tito