Sumo has been criticized in many a corner for being 'fixed' and not being a sport anymore then pro-wrestling is. If that is the case why should we get so upset if they give the paying customers (who are 95% Japanese)what they want?

yeah lets put a cap on the japs getting into US baseball!!

see what the racist two faced cunts say then.....lol

blackcat wrote:yeah lets put a cap on the japs getting into US baseball!!

see what the racist two faced cunts say then.....lol

Well, American baseball wants the best players in the world... Japanese sumo fans, however...

cstaylor wrote:Well, American baseball wants the best players in the world... Japanese sumo fans, however...

I don't think it's the fans in so much as it is the bureaucracy behind one of Japan's most traditional sports. The fans seem to respect anyone that can hold their own in the ring. Especially if they are the underdog.
I mean, who after all changed the rule from 2 gaijin to 1. Not the fans.



S

Spidey wrote:

cstaylor wrote:Well, American baseball wants the best players in the world... Japanese sumo fans, however...

I don't think it's the fans in so much as it is the bureaucracy behind one of Japan's most traditional sports. The fans seem to respect anyone that can hold their own in the ring. Especially if they are the underdog.
I mean, who after all changed the rule from 2 gaijin to 1. Not the fans.



S

Let me change my comment: "paying Japanese sumo fans".

" 7 Mongolians, 2 Russians, 1 South Korean, 1 Georgian & 1 Estonian make up over a quarter of the wrestlers in sumo's higher divisions."


Adoring Japanese hail 'European prince of sumo'
Telegraph | 21 Sept 2005
the ancient sport's image has been revolutionised by a new hero, who makes the Japanese swoon and now stands on the verge of becoming the country's first European champion.
The Bulgarian Koto-oshu, real name Kaloyan Mahlyanov, has been called the "Beckham of sumo" because his looks have won him admiring fans among those who have never followed the sport. At six foot eight, he towers above most of his rivals and his lean, muscular body is almost unique in sumo.
The "European Prince", 22, won his tenth bout out of 10 yesterday and is now favourite to win the autumn tournament, which concludes this weekend]....more....

Taro Toporific wrote:

I don't know what the hell that costume is supposed to be, it makes him look like a little doll sticking out of a jar of yogurt.

Sorry Mr. Bulgarian, you just do not belong in sumo, you have a waistline.

The Telegraph wrote:The "European Prince", 22, won his tenth bout out of 10 yesterday and is now favourite to win the autumn tournament, which concludes this weekend

I went along to the Basho last week and it is certainly striking to see so many foreign wrestlers in all the divisions. The Bulgarian has looked good but I haven't heard him called the "favourite" since he still has to beat Asashoryu. Then again, if they both win all their remaining matches, Asashoryu has to beat him twice so I suppose he is in the stronger position - especially since Kaio has dropped out and the other ozeki are inconsistent.

In a match the other day, Kotooshu's opponent tried some gamesmanship by delaying at the tachiai. The Bulgarian responded by standing up and resetting which won him applause from the crowd. The NHK commentators also said after he won that his opponent could have "no complaints".

Charles wrote:Sorry Mr. Bulgarian, you just do not belong in sumo, you have a waistline.

Neither did Chiyonofuji.

I'm watching NHK and some FG just LOST a 3 minute looooong match. Who was the FG?

Kotooshu, the "European Prince," just LOST! against Kotonishiki by falling on his face at the start.

Different guy...Kotooshu hasn't fought yet

He's just beaten Tochiazuma

Mulboyne wrote:Different guy...Kotooshu hasn't fought yet

Right! Now he won! :P

Mulboyne wrote:Different guy...Kotooshu hasn't fought yet

All the FG look the same. Asshoyru just lost! The crowd is very happy he lost.

(Kotooshu won against Tochiazuma by a very spirited push out.
I would NOT say the crowd was "adoring" today---the NHK commentator is still grumbling about the win.)

Asashoryu just lost again! So the advantage is definitely with Kotooshu now,

Mulboyne wrote:He's just beaten Tochiazuma

According to the Kyodo News:
"Bulgarian sekiwake Kotooshu dispatched Tamanoshima to maintain the sole lead with a spotless record at the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday. Kotooshu used his 204-centimeter frame to perfection, wrapping his long arms around his opponent's belt before dumping him over the edge with a trademark overarm throw."

He beat Tamanoshima on Tuesday.

Just spotted GuyJean's comment on an earlier Kotooshu thread

GuyJean wrote:I saw this guy at a Roppongi bar.. He's really tall!.. Definitely over 2 meters. He has a great smile.. Little boyish..

GJ

cstaylor wrote:

Charles wrote:Sorry Mr. Bulgarian, you just do not belong in sumo, you have a waistline.

Neither did Chiyonofuji.

I don't see any. That's a fine belly with no sign of a waistline.

Charles wrote:I don't see any. That's a fine belly with no sign of a waistline.

Here's how he looked in his early career

Mulboyne wrote:

Charles wrote:I don't see any. That's a fine belly with no sign of a waistline.

Here's how he looked in his early career

Jeez, I dunno, there is just something wrong with a ripped sumoutori.

The weight gain is not really a part of sumo culture. Sure, the wrestlers do it so they can get leverage on a lighter wrestler, but all that matters are the wins.

It's like basketball: you don't have to be tall to play in the NBA, but it can help a hell of a lot.

cstaylor wrote:The weight gain is not really a part of sumo culture. Sure, the wrestlers do it so they can get leverage on a lighter wrestler, but all that matters are the wins.

It's like basketball: you don't have to be tall to play in the NBA, but it can help a hell of a lot.

Out of curiousity, I checked, and it appears you pretty much have to be tall to be in the NBA. According to the NBA 2004-05 Player Height Survey, there are 47 NBA players over 7 ft, but only 10 players under 6 ft, and only one of them is what you'd really call short. And I am sure that anyone who sees 5'5" Earl Boykins on the court just thinks one thing, "that is so wrong."

Kotooshu won again against Tochisakae by hikiotoshi frontal pull-down. Wo0t!

Taro Toporific wrote:Kotooshu won again against Tochisakae by hikiotoshi frontal pull-down. Wo0t!

He wins tomorrow, Saturday and goes 1-1 with the Yokozuna on Sunday. I read the script already!

gboothe wrote:

Taro Toporific wrote:Kotooshu won again against Tochisakae by hikiotoshi frontal pull-down. Wo0t!

He wins tomorrow, Saturday and goes 1-1 with the Yokozuna on Sunday. I read the script already!

Damn, you're right.... Everyone hates Asshoyru.

Now about those "scripts" you have. Could you pretty please give me the scripts for this weekend's horse races?

BUT I thought all Eastern European wrestlers are supposed to be heels.

Taro Toporific wrote:

gboothe wrote:

Taro Toporific wrote:Kotooshu won again against Tochisakae by hikiotoshi frontal pull-down. Wo0t!

He wins tomorrow, Saturday and goes 1-1 with the Yokozuna on Sunday. I read the script already!

Damn, you're right.... Everyone hates Asshoyru.

Now about those "scripts" you have. Could you pretty please give me the scripts for this weekend's horse races?

Don't bet on the one with three legs!