Day 5

A lot of pretty standard matches today... I'll just give some highlights.

Kotonowaka vs. Kyokushuuzan (琴ノ若ー旭鷲山) This was quite a long match by sumo standards, but the best part was that the two wrestlers in trying to get a decent grip on each other's belts spun around in a circle about 3 or 4 times almost like a dog getting ready to sit down for a nap... It was very funny.

Kyokutenhou vs. Kakizoe (旭天鵬ー垣添) This was a quick match, and at first it seemed that Kakizoe had won, but then there was a monoii (refs conference) and they disqualified him because he grabbed Kyokutenhou's hair, which is a big sumo no-no.

Tamanoshima vs. Kaiou (玉乃島ー魁皇) An embarrassing defeat for Kaiou on his home territory, and when he was doing so well too. I expect him to announce his retirement in the next bashou or so... (There was a nice interview with Tamanoshima [nickname: The Weird Boobs Guy] afterwards though, and he was surprisingly lucid. I think I'm developing a bit of a soft spot for Tamanoshima to tell the truth. I love his pre-faceoff routine; especially the vigor with which he thumps himself on the chest.)

Asashouryuu vs. Miyabiyama (朝青龍ー雅山) Asa showed us once again why he is the only Yokozuna, by deftly avoiding Miyabiyama's bearhug then picking up the larger wrestler (Asa is 6'1", 315 lbs, Miyabiyama is 6'2", 392 lbs.) and manhandling him over the edge. You can love him or hate him, but you have to give the man credit, he really has it all : strength, speed, technique and a winning smile...

Also for anyone who's interested there is an English version of the Sumo Association web page

here

Goog Niter.

PS Tomorrow I should have a post up about some of the nicknames I have for the various (!) sumos.