Rikishi of the Year

[Joe Kuroda <joe_kuroda@yahoo.com>]

At this time of year, as people often do, I did a bit of naval gazing
- actually my ever expanding rikishi-like girth was all I could manage
to gaze so I decided to think more pleasant thought (remembering Power
of Positive Thinking - or failing that the "Way of Tomita").  

I guess there is no question this has been the year of Wakanohana.  He
won the championships and got promoted to Yokozuna. He also endured
the brunt of the family squabbles. He won more matches than any other
rikishi.  As a small soldier in the ever increasing "Size Matters"
world of sumo, he has done more than anyone expected of, save his mom
and dad.  Many thought he has achieved his pinnacle by not falling off
the Ozeki rank.  For "Rikishi of the Year", I don't think any other
rikishi came close to Waka whether he turns out to be a great Yokozuna
or not, this was his year.  

The runnerup should go to Chiyotaikai.  This year he has improved in
every aspect of the game.   Without the injury (which prevented him
from full workouts) prior to the Kyushu, he may have made an Ozeki
this basho as he seems to thrive on "keiko".  And the dream continues
as he still is the closest guy to Ozekidom. 

I guess one cannot dismiss Takanohana though this year he has made
more headlines "off-dohyo"  than "on".  But somo-wise even though he
did struggle both physically and mentally, he still fullfilled his
responsibility as Yokozuna and won the championships.

As for Akebono, Musashimaru and Takanonami, again they can be
charitably described as nothing but Gozilla size unadulterated flops. 
                  

As an aging babyboomer with ever diminishing greying hair and
aforementioned girth, I definitely enjoyed watching Kotonishiki kick
some bigger and younger butts in the Kyushu.  I even did one extra set
of bench press for 'Nishiki zeki the morning after his victory. An
honorable mention goes to Kotonishiki as "Comeback Kid of the Year". 

O.K. I had my say...now it's yours.

Jonosuke Shirimochi
(Jyonokuchi)

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