With the 11th week of M-League finished, we are essentially halfway through the season. Progress has been made, close calls were seen and incredible hands were seen. And all of those were seen every week, and this week was no different.
In this 11th week, we saw not one, not two, but THREE yakuman tenpai hands! We also saw a record-breaking game, a tragic 4th and a surprise win, and saw more traps laid. With all that, let’s get to the news, shall we?
Hiyoshi’s Temporary Break From M-League
On Monday, December 14, it was announced that Hiyoshi Tatsuya’s last day of commentary for the year would be on December 15th and would be taking a break because of throat surgery. Hiyoshi Tatsuya is one of the most well-loved commentators in the Mahjong world, is known for adding extra excitement and exuberance to any situation. Some of his well-known commentary includes Asakura’s 2019 Finals Daisangen, Kayamori’s Chankan and, my personal favourite outside of M-League, “Kan, kan, kan“.
In a tweet, Hiyoshi wrote the following (translated by M-League Watch writer Ozball):
Last year in the beginning of September, suddenly my voice wouldn’t come out.
It was just before the 10dan broadcast, and just after an M-League broadcast, I was very upset.
My vocal cords had pus on them and sudden swelling caused them to close up, which was the cause for me losing my voice. I took medicine and the swelling subsided in about three weeks, and I was able to make it for the M-League opening ceremony.After that, I went to the doctor about once a month and the pus disappeared after about half a year. Surgical scars can change one’s voice, so the state was closely monitored. (TL: I believe this is implying that he wanted to avoid surgery as the scars could affect the voice long term)
Then, during a live broadcast, my throat began to hurt and I felt faint. So I went to the doctor, and the root cause was not yet solved. With unease and anxiety about my future, in October I consulted with another doctor, and they said “If you want to keep doing live broadcasts, then surgery would be a good idea.”
Even after surgery, the pain and faintness could come back with overuse. However, even with my unease about surgery, continuing to work would likely cause trouble to the people I work with, so I decided to move ahead with the surgery.
For about 1 month after surgery, I won’t be doing live broadcasts. Leaving the M-League when it is in such an exciting place grieves me greatly. We apologise for the inconvenience caused to all parties involved. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation despite my poor management of my health.
To everyone who always looks forward to my broadcasts. The Nihon Series on the 19th of December will be my last broadcast before surgery.
Goodbye for a while.
Hiyoshi Tatsuya (@tty_hiyoshi), December 14, 2020
It’s a simple operation.
I’ll be back soon. Please don’t worry. Let’s meet again!
From everyone at M-League Watch, we wish him good health and a speedy recovery so he come commentate again soon.
Intro | Highlights | Results | Standings
M-League Watch 