RE: More aggressive Sumo style

["Pardoe, Richard (prdr)" <PRDR@chevron.com>]

My two cents worth -

Sumo doesn't really want a more agressive style.  Look at Kyokushuzan.
He had a very unique style of Sumo when he first started, but such style
is often referred to as "circus sumo".  In addition as complaints that
this style was injuring others, he seems to have backed off of using
more creative kimarite.

As for call for a more aggressive style of sumo - I had alwys thought
that this was the polite way to call for a reduction in the number of
fixed bouts (yaocho?).  SInce the loser in these bouts often does little
more than take three steps backward for the loss, he looks like he is
not being very aggressive.  As a result, people can call for more
"aggression" in sumo technique, without actually admitting that there is
a problem with fixed bouts.  (Don't know to what extent fixed bouts
exist, but it does seem that an awfully high percentage of 7-7 rikishki
win on the last day.)

Would be interested in hearing other comments.

R.Pardoe

> ----------
> From: 	David Turkington[SMTP:dturk@uic.edu]
> Sent: 	Thursday, October 02, 1997 6:53 AM
> To: 	sumo@brooks.statgen.ncsu.edu
> Subject: 	Japan sumo chief says some still oppose foreigners
> 
> 
> Ivar posted a Reuters article that, in part, said:
> 
> <SNIP>
> .... and there are calls for more aggressive styles of fighting to
> create a
> greater spectacle.
> <SNIP>
> 
> Can anyone comment on this?
> 
> Does "and there are calls...." means that one or two people have made
> comments or that there is a general growing sentiment in Japan for
> this.
> And, just what exactly does "more agressive" mean.
> 
> I, for one, would hate to see it drift even one centimeter towards the
> WWF
> style. I like it, for example, when the winner holds the loser so that
> he
> doesn't fall (needlessly) off the dohyo and get hurt. I even have to
> admit
> that i'm not a great lover of some of the tsuppari that goes on now,
> but
> accept it as part of the sport.
> 
> 
> ------------------
> David Turkington
> dturk@uic.edu
>