I absolutely love three days weekends in the middle of a basho! But for this three day weekend in July where it’s too damn hot to do anything, my daily routine consisted of watching the NSK internet feed from 8:30 to 15:00, then NHK 15:00 to 18:00. It was wise to stock up on ice cubes as the whisky is well to warm to drink straight at this time of year. Continue reading
Oh, JSA, oh JSA. There I was back in January, wishing 2011 would be a better year in sumo than the previous year. Oh, how you never fail to continue failing. I’ve been with you for many years, if anything, for the love of the sport, and I’m still here today. I’ve been with you through the good times, the bad times, the awful times, and then there’s now. Is it fair to say things can only get better at this point? Or, am I jumping the gun with this presumption? Continue reading
Posted in Hon Basho, Technical Examination Basho May 2011
Tagged Aran, Baruto, bout fixing, Gagamaru, giryo shinsa basho, Hakuho, harumafuji, jsa racism, junseki, kaio, kaisei, Kisenosato, Kotooshu, may 2011 shonichi, okinoumi, takamisakari, Takekaze, technical examination tournament, Tochinoshin, Virgil Valentine, Yaocho
So it appears 3 rikishi have come clean and admitted to yaocho (bout fixing). Chiyohakuho (who has been involved in pretty much every scandal in recent memory), Takenawa-Oyakata (former Kasguanishiki) and sandanme Enatsukasa. What’s worse two TV networks have refused to broadcast the March Tournament, and NHK has said they are thinking about doing the same if this scandal goes any further, on top of that Nagatanien, a sponsor who provides more than 200 prize envelopes ber basho is considering walking sideways.
The next logical question is: What does this mean for sumo. Continue reading
Posted in Scandal
Tagged bout fixing, chiyohakuho, enatsukasa, Hanaregoma, kasuganishiki, march basho, NHK sumo, osaka basho, shotenro, Sumo Bout Fixing, sumo broadcast, sumo NHK, sumo scandal, takenawa, yamamotoyama, Yaocho
It appears that Miyagino-Oyakata will step down from his post, as a tape has surfaced, supposedly provided by one of the Oyakata’s mistresses, on which the stable master admits that he threw out some money to insure that the bout between Asashoryu and Hakuho in Nagoya 2006 was thrown for Hakuho. Miyagino-oyakata will be demonted to toshi-yori status, and will possibly be asked to resign, and control of the heya will be passed to Kumagatani-oyakata.
Personally, I see this as something that will not blow over soon. Lets face it we all know this stuff was happening, but to have it finally confirmed bodes ill for things to come, as well as for attendance and viewership during the hatsu basho. This is going to have a lasting effect on the sport, and, unfortunately, the way in which Hakuho’s amazing achievements are viewed. I would hate to see someone put an asterisk next to Hakuho’s 63 win streak, or number of career yusho.
More on this as it develops.
Sumo & Stogies 