Shin-Sasuke's First Stage=6, Katsumi Yamada=0

[yamfriend]

Okay, we all know that Katsumi Yamada, aka "Mr. Sasuke", has had a lot (and I mean A LOT) of trouble with Stage 1 lately. This has only escalated during the Shin-Sasuke era, where he is yet to complete the First Stage. Does anybody think that he'll finally be able to complete Stage 1 in Sasuke 24 (considering that the Jumping Spider doesn't throw him off yet again)?

I honesty think that Yamada probably won't ever be able to complete Stage 1 of Sasuke again (which would be a shame), though I hope that he does at least once more and feel that, as slim as it may be, "Mr. Sasuke" still has a chance of doing so. Any other opinions on this?

[Deleted]

I think he can beat the first stage. He needs to train harder for the warped wall. That's what really slowed him down this time. He did end up failing the slider jump, but he made the same mistake Nagano did in 22, so next time he'll know better. The wall is what really gave him trouble. He showed that he can go fast enough. He had a good pace and was making good time until he got to the wall. In 24 if he can beat the wall in time, like on his first or second attempt, then he can beat the stage. I don't think he'll have any trouble with the slider jump. I REALLY want to see him beat the first stage again. Actually, I want to see him and Shingo beat the entire course. If anyone deserves kanzen seiha, it's Yamada and Shingo. They've both been there since the very first tournament. Shingo has been in every tournament and Yamada has been in all but one. I really hope they both achieve kanzen seiha in Sasuke 24. I'll be cheering for them.

[arsenette]

I honestly don't believe he will ever beat the first stage again (no I'm not calling it.. as soon as I do I'll lose something.. LOL ) But his problem is not at all physical. It's mental. I think he wants it too much and just psyches himself out. He's the opposite of Yamamoto's problem. Shingo goes full boar and does silly mistakes trying to hurry (ever notice that right before he fails he's going faster than anyone else before him? and .. by alot!) .. Katsumi is the complete opposite. He's deliberately slow as to mitigate any major problems. The major problem with that though is that you can't go that slow anymore. Shin- Sasuke demands a lot of speed of people and I have a strong suspicion they are going to make the timer even shorter this time. If Sasuke 24 is indeed his last tournament as he's threatened to do.. I suspect the personal pressure to succeed is going to psyche him out even more.

[VenusHeadTrap]

I felt, out of this new era, that 18 20 and 23 were his best chances to complete stage 1. He was experiencing no injuries, and none of the obstacles were artificially hard like the jumping spider in 19 and 22.

Yeah having 5 seconds under two minutes instead of the full two would be interestingly a lot like the past, the 19 era. However Katsumi needs all the time he can get. I just feel he won't be overcoming the time limit in any of his future attempts but have confidence in 24 that he'll stay out of the water and pass the slider jump.

edit: holy crap my post count.

[scopedknife]

I agree with arsenette. Although he has been suffering injuries, I think it's more of a mental thing. Imagine the bugbears the First Stage must bring with it.

You can see it in the difference in how he acts before he attempts Stage 1 in 23. He used to show off his muscles etc., now he just stands there quietly, almost timid of the course.

Put yourself in his shoes for a second - you were, some years ago, on top of the world, the favourite to beat the course: Mr SASUKE. Now you aren't even good enough to beat the 1st Stage, in your mind.

I reckon getting to the Slider Jump in 23 will be a turning point for him. He'll, in his mind, feel comparable to the other All-Stars (Nagano failed the Slider Jump in 22), and will be spurred to have more confidence.

I'm not saying he'll beat the 1st Stage - the chances are still slimmer. But they grow ever larger, and it would make me so happy to see Mr SASUKE beat Stage 1 at least one last time.

Oh, and about his self-announced 'retirement'... well, need I say?

[RiderLeangle]

Nov 7, 2009 4:41:14 GMT -5 scopedknife said:

Oh, and about his self-announced 'retirement'... well, need I say?

Like his retirement after 8 and his retirement after 17?

[rcplanes59]

Nov 6, 2009 22:57:51 GMT -5 @tigerofhaughton said:

If anyone deserves kanzen seiha, it's Yamada and Shingo. They've both been there since the very first tournament. Shingo has been in every tournament and Yamada has been in all but one. I really hope they both achieve kanzen seiha in Sasuke 24.

If that happens, I'll... well I don't know right now but something absurdly ridiculous.

[scnoi1217]

He definitely had a good time up to the Warped Wall. If he could have kept up that pace (or even gone slightly slower) for the remaining obstacles, he would have finished in time granted he beat the obstacles on the first try.

He still CAN do it. But will he? I doubt it.

Jumping Spider fail in 24 unfortunately.

[Gavo]

I think Yamada made it over the warped wall for the last time.

I agree with scnoi he will fail the jumping spider sadly. If he beats it then If the hpa is gone new obstacle will take him out if not warped wall.

[FAMAS]

I don't think he will ever pass Stage 1 again. But I'll be happy for him if he did.

[scopedknife]

Nov 8, 2009 2:47:42 GMT -5 RiderLeangle said:

Nov 7, 2009 4:41:14 GMT -5 scopedknife said:

Oh, and about his self-announced 'retirement'... well, need I say?

Like his retirement after 8 and his retirement after 17?

Yes. The closest thing he's ever had to one was his little break for 13. I think some people may have actually thought he retired! But no. He came back for 14. He'll come back again, whether he fails or not, and that's what I like about Katsumi Yamada - he's got the guts to come back. I know I wouldn't.

[Badalight]

Yall are jerks.

[scopedknife]

How so? I'm not in any way disrespecting Yamada, if that's what you're implying, Bada. In fact I said explicitly that I respect him and that I think he can beat the First Stage again...

[Badalight]

Yall are jerks.

Minus Scoped.

Oh and Tiger.

[yamfriend]

Nov 8, 2009 17:45:06 GMT -5 Badalight said:

Yall are jerks.

Minus Scoped.

Oh and Tiger.

Thanks, Badalight.

[scnoi1217]

While I'd love to see him clear bada, I'm just being realistic.

[Badalight]

Maybe if more people had faith in him, it'd give him a boost of confidence and he'd start clearing.

[yamfriend]

Badalight, just keep in mind that few competitors in their 40s have ever been able to clear Stage 1, and with the course continuing to become harder and harder and Yamada continuing to become older and older, he'll need more than a boost of confidence to clear Shin-Sasuke's First Stage.

[davidyko]

TBS really isn't helping matters though, with talk in 23 of giving the Mr Sasuke title to Nagano, and suggesting that Yamada is basically obsolete...I mean, I think he can still do it, but I doubt he will.

[Deleted]

Thanks, Bada. I like Yamada. Shingo is my favorite, but Yamada comes close. I can empathize with him. I've been doing martial arts since Feb. 2006 and I compete in tournaments. I competed in one yesterday, in fact. In seven tournaments I have not won a first place trophy. Yesterday was my best tournament so far. I got 4th place in the weapons kata and 2nd place in the empty-hand kata. That's certainly better than I did in the tournament back in April, but I still didn't get first place. I know what it's like to train for a competition and then not do well. It's frustrating. But should I just give up because I haven't won first place? I don't think so. These tournaments are my version of Sasuke. I'm aiming for my own kanzen seiha. I'll keep competing in martial arts tournaments, and I hope that Yamada will keep competing in Sasuke. I do think he can beat the first stage and even achieve kanzen seiha.

Here's something for other Yamada fans who keep cheering for him. And for those of you who have given up on him. I made a tribute for him and put it on YouTube.



Enjoy.