Keikoba Soken

[abe@zoom.com (Masumi Abe)]

from Asahi Shimbun:

Keikoba Soken

Akebono did not attend Soken. He has sore left shoulder and left ancle.
Wakanohana attended but did not participate the actual practice. 
He has uneasy lower back.

Yokozuna Takanohana was the best, as usual. He did not wait till the end, 
but entered the dohyo even before two Ozeki, Takanonami and Musashimaru.
Takanonami's sumo was his usual style, not so impressive or well thought.
Musashimaru seemed to try to concentrate on Yotsu-zumo rather that 
Tsuki-Oshi-zumo which is his trademark.

Kaio did 19 matches as practice and he was strong when he hold on to his
opponents' mawashi, but his tachiai was not his best and not impressive.

-Masumiriki