Kaio retires & other Sumo news - Day 11 - Nagoya - July 20, 2011

I update you on the first 11 days of the 2011 Nagoya basho.

Ozeki Harumafuji is in hunt for his 2nd Emperor's Cup, while Yokozuna Hakuho wants his 20th, and his 8th in a row.

But the big news on Day 12 (before the action took place) was the announcement of veteran Ozeki Kaio's retirement from Sumo.

-Jason

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[JasonsinJapan]

Will post a final update later today after final day's matches or tomorrow. Congrats to Harumafuji on his 2nd Emperor's Cup!!!

[tomson600]

Hi Jason,

So what are your final thoughts about the match rigging scandal? Do you think that any of the matches in this basho were rigged? I hate to say it but after all that was alleged I now wonder...

thanks for posting...

[JasonsinJapan]

@tomson600 match-rigging seemed to involve guys mostly in juyro, and I really only watch the upper-division. Will it still go on - probably. Will it involve the sanyaku rikishi - I hope not and I don't think it will.

[MeRMental]

さようなら、魁皇ー関。

I've been waiting to hear of a Kaio retirement for a while now, but its still hard to believe when it finally happens. Sad to see him go, because there won't be another like him- More titles than any non-Yokozuna (5), most career wins, most wins in the top division.

How long until he is eligible for Rijicho? He seems like a person both rikishi and the Japanese people would easily trust, which is what sumo needs right now.

[JasonsinJapan]

@MeRMental he said he wants to become a coach in his stable, and my guess is he'll eventually become a stable master

[Searching4Truth1]

@JasonsinJapan

uh, you haven't acquired a new TV that is now required or a box?

Kaio of course was hanging in to beat that record and also to enlarge his bank account for retirement since it would appear that he has no future in much of anything

He 'does' deserve kudos for what he's been able to accomplish for himself tho

At least Kaio never begged to be able to win that cup in Fukuoka next time out - as a couple of others have

Very informative - Domo

Staying tuned

[JasonsinJapan]

@Searching4Truth1 I have a very nice new TV - it's not a digital/analog thing. It's some quirk with NHK-G and where I live. I get most other channels, including NHK-BS1 which used to show sumo until this basho.

[goodboy20022002]

I hope harumafuji would continue winning and we ll have 2 yokozunas... last time harumafuji was so close becoming yokozuna ... unfortunately at that time he messed it.... all the best to him.

[babablowfish]

Great report Jason. Thanks for posting all of this for us.

[JasonsinJapan]

@kaishaku83 ahh - was it 5? OK - thanks for the update.

[SquashyJohnson]

Takamisakari is great. He puts so much effort into his fights then looks sooo depressed when he loses. I keep missing his matches though so I've only seen a few matches from this tournament.

If you haven't already, try making a bookmark that goes directly to the stream sumo.goo.ne.jp/hon_basho/torik­umi/eizo_haishin/asx/sumolive.­asx the only trouble I've had is the stream freezing once or twice an hour (right when a fight starts :( )

[skulduggerous]

Hey Jason, thanks for the update :) It's a shame it's so hard for you to watch the matches this time, I think it's a real exciting basho for a change!

If you (or any other) is interested, check my blog, I'm updating it every day with the most interesting matches and a ranking :) skuldomg(DOT)wordpress(DOT)com

[kaishaku83]

well, kaio's won 5 yusho.... also fun fact: he started his career at the same basho as takanohana 2, akebono and wakanohana 3... so yeah, he's been around a while ^^