Asashoryu pulls out of tournament due to injury

Tuesday 23rd September, 10:22 AM JST

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chibaman at 10:09 AM JST - 23rd September

Yeah thanks Sarge. I'd just like to take this opportunity to mention that I, yes me, wrote it here on the pages of JT first. Please think of me as some kind of big man. It's in stark contrast to the pathetic existence I live offline.

Asa's elbow is not at full strength, and it's unlikely he was wearing the strapping as pretty decoration. Even his opponents have remarked on his left arm.

His fourth (Sarge) loss yesterday was a gift to Ama before he rightfully took the rest of the tournament off, which is fair given the robbery that went down on day 8. That judge should have had his eyes actually on the ringside rather than broadside. Please refer to my rant in yesterday's coverage. What a joke.
TeruSensei at 10:28 AM JST - 23rd September

How depressing.
flawlex at 12:13 PM JST - 23rd September

I also belive that Asashoryu is injured. He really does not look the same!! His movement and even his gestures are not the same. I do not think that a healthy Asashoryu (as I know him) would have lost so easily in some of the bouts.
timeon at 12:35 PM JST - 23rd September

if you're injured you say so from the beginning, take some time to recover and them show 'em. It seems that this guy, when he doesn't like the situation, takes his toys and goes home. Reminds me of Eric Cartman: "**** you guys, I'm going home"
neverknow2 at 01:14 PM JST - 23rd September

Healthy and sumo are two words that dont go well together.
Sarge at 01:27 PM JST - 23rd September

Asa is sick in the head. He could have finished this basho with an 11-4 record ( my mistake earlier ). If he's going to do another kyujyo, his salary should be docked proportionately. If he doesn't want to perform, he should't get paid. Heck, if I don't perform, I don't get paid!
chibaman at 01:31 PM JST - 23rd September

Umm Sarge they're not going to post him those fat envelopes from the ring.
lordomni at 01:37 PM JST - 23rd September

I saw the match yesterday and was surprised. I hadn't been following this tourny until I went, and recall last time seeing his record at only 1 loss. I was shocked to see so many on him this time. I think this explains why a bit. The man has many faults, but he is a very good wrestler.
maninjapan79 at 01:40 PM JST - 23rd September

Fella's, while I cant argue with his timing looking pretty suspicious it WAS pretty well documented that he was carrying an injury coming into the tournament. Im pretty sure if it had been any other wrestler it would have been more like 'oh well at least he came in and took it as far as he could...' same as Im pretty sure that dope who called him out so confidently may have not made the same call on any other wrestler.
chibaman at 01:46 PM JST - 23rd September

Just a word on two of those losses if I may, one of them was a judging farce which effectively ended his chances right there, and the other yesterday was a clear gift to Ama. Numerous replays have shown that Asa made no move other than to put himself forward, then the show of the struggle on the way out and the disappointment at the end. Well executed and only became obvious after they replayed it two dozen times. The non-slapping of his belt/fire-up just before the bout was a bit noticeable though, he didn't need to do that.
Ochiroo at 06:39 PM JST - 23rd September

I will miss Asashoryu. Hopefully he takes care of his injured elbow and come back as ASASHORYU. He is the most decorated sumo wrestler in my opinion. I think it is okay for him to miss this basho because I can recall Takanohana missed like 6 consecutive bashos. Good luck for him. Sorry about this basho.
Sarge at 10:05 PM JST - 23rd September

chibaman - He's still going to get most of his yokozuna salary, isn't he?
chibaman at 10:20 PM JST - 23rd September

Probably! I don't really know what I'm talking about. But apparently as of July 2006, the monthly salaries go like this

Yokozuna 2,820,000 yen Ozeki 2,350,000 yen Sekiwake 1,700,000 yen Komusubi 1,300,000 yen Maegashira 1,030,000 yen

So minus the fat envelopes he should still be alright! Maybe you're right, money for nothing and his checks for free.
dennis0bauer at 01:00 PM JST - 24th September

i think is is more mental than physical
Blue_Tiger at 11:23 PM JST - 27th September

I B'lieve Asa will be back and be stronger than before. He's had a horrible year, I'll admit, but if he can put this year behind him with a strong showing in November, 2009 will be a good one for him....