Chiyotaikai stormed onto the sumo scene in the late nineties, a media darling whose previous membership in a motorcycle gang provided an easy tale of redemption. Just shy of 23, he achieved sumo's second highest rank of ozeki in March 1999. This also happened to coincide with my final months of living in Japan. Never having been to a sumo tournament, I hastened to Narita-san's annual bean throwing festival in early February to see him and soon to be yokozuna, Musashimaru, in person. Watching these men come down the stairs, the intimidating size of them was unmistakable. Little did I know that Chiyo would spend the next ten years stalled at ozeki, never able to make the final ascent to yokozuna.
The reason for his failure has been clear to sumo observers for so long that the only question is why he never found a way to improve his situation. Whether by lack of effort or ability, he was unable to acquire the skill of winning with a grip on the belt to his limited repertoire of thrusts to the neck and pushes to the chest of his opponent. Thus, it seems only fitting that his ten year streak at second fiddle was ended by Asashoryu today, who manhandled Chiyo by lifting him up and out of the ring without his feet even touching the rope.
Retirement beckons.
The reason for his failure has been clear to sumo observers for so long that the only question is why he never found a way to improve his situation. Whether by lack of effort or ability, he was unable to acquire the skill of winning with a grip on the belt to his limited repertoire of thrusts to the neck and pushes to the chest of his opponent. Thus, it seems only fitting that his ten year streak at second fiddle was ended by Asashoryu today, who manhandled Chiyo by lifting him up and out of the ring without his feet even touching the rope.
Retirement beckons.
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