Fri, Jan 30, 2004 page23

• Musashimaru chides Japanese

  SUMO Japan's national sport hasn't had a local grand champion since Takanohana retired in January 2003

  • AP
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  Retired sumo grand champion Musashimaru says Japanese wrestlers lack the confidence to reach the sport's highest rank.

  Samoan-born Musashimaru, the most successful foreign-born wrestler in sumo, retired in November after failing to recover from a wrist injury. His departure left the sport with only one yokozuna -- Mongolian Asashoryu.

  

  Retired sumo grand champion Musashimaru, from Hawaii, speaks at a press luncheon in Tokyo Thursday. Musashimaru, the most-successful foreign-born wrestler in sumo, retired in November after failing to recover from a wrist injury.

  PHOTO: AP

  "Right now, they lack the confidence," Musashimaru told reporters Thursday at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan. "I think Tochiazuma is the closest, but he will have to work harder, as will all the others including Kaio and Chiyotaikai."

  Ozeki Tochiazuma finished last week's New Year Grand Sumo Tournament with a disappointing 9-6 record, well short of the 13 wins he needed to be promoted to yokozuna.

  Sumo's popularity in Japan has been waning of late and Musashimaru thinks the lack of a Japanese grand champion is a contributing factor.

  "There is no Japanese yokozuna on the horizon and I think it's a problem for the sport," said Musashimaru.

  Musashimaru, who was born in Samoa and grew up in Hawaii, won 12 Emperor's Cups over 12 years in Japan's ancient sport, one more than Hawaiian Akebono, the first foreigner to reach the rank of grand champion.

  As a former football player and wrestler in Hawaii, Musashimaru had the athletic ability to become a sumo wrestler but wasn't sure if he had the mental fortitude.

  "When my football coach suggested I try sumo I wasn't sure," said Musashimaru. "I didn't want to leave home and was afraid to show my behind in public."

  He came to Japan intending to give sumo a three-month trial and ended up becoming one of the sport's all-time greats.

  Born Fiamalu Penitani, Musashimaru joined sumo as a new wrestler at the age of 18. He attained the yokozuna rank after the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in 1999 and his 12 titles are sixth-best on the all-time list.

  After breaking into sumo in 1991, Musashimaru made steady progress in moving up the ranks and was promoted to the second highest rank of ozeki in 1994.

  The 237km Musashimaru dominated opponents with a thrusting style and a right-handed belt grip that he used to perfection.

  Now that he's retired, the 32-year-old Musashimaru said his goals are to lose weight and to help younger wrestlers achieve their dreams of one day becoming a yokozuna.

  Among his achievements was a string of 55 consecutive tournaments with eight or more wins. His last Emperor's Cup was at the 2002 Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.

  As for Mongolian Asashoryu, who has been criticized by sumo's hierarchy for unruly behavior -- including hair pulling in the ring -- Musashimaru says the sport needs more people like him.

  "I think we need guys like Asashoryu," said Musashimaru. "We need people like him from all over the world."
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