Sumo

statfreak · 03-05-2019, 12:03 PM

ConnChris and I enjoy an affinity for Sumo and with the March Basho set to kick off on Sunday, it seemed like a good time to start this thread. Last Basho we had a small thread in the Off Topic Debates forum, but that hardly seemed the appropriate place.

I know most people in the West don't have an appreciation for the sport and I respect that. I have been a Sumo fan since the early 1990s with my interest in the sport coinciding with Akebono's ascension to the top and Yokozuna status.

If you care to learn more about Sumo, there is a very nice introduction to Sumo thread over on the Sherdog forums. There are a lot of ads and annoyances at that forum, but the Sumo introduction is very good IMO.

There are also several very good YouTube channels where you can watch each day's matches and/or highlights.

There is some intrigue with this Basho with only two Yokozuna now that the former Kisenosato retired mid-January Basho. Looking forward to those chasing Ozeki status and seeing if Tochinoshin is healthy enough to retain his Ozeki status in March.

rudel.dietrich · 03-05-2019, 05:48 PM

Why has Mongolia for the last 20 years been producing far more top sumo athletes than Japan itself?
Is it socio economic?
Or something else?

statfreak · 03-06-2019, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudel.dietrich

Why has Mongolia for the last 20 years been producing far more top sumo athletes than Japan itself?
Is it socio economic?
Or something else?

I don't know the answers. One of the reasons mongolians may be so good in Sumo is related to the mongolian wrestling art of Bokh which is similar in that a wrestler loses when anything but his feet tough the ground, but they don't wear a mawashi so mongolians learn other techniques rather than relying on grabbing a big belt on their opponent. That answer is from a google search. I wasn't aware of Bokh before today.

CONN CHRIS · 03-08-2019, 06:53 AM

Rooting for a big tournament out of Tochinoshin and Mitekiumi. Although I am eager to see the new blood turnover, I can always get excited seeing Hakkuho dominate.

RchW · 03-08-2019, 06:56 AM

I enjoyed the last round of fights. Glad there is more to see

statfreak · 03-08-2019, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

Rooting for a big tournament out of Tochinoshin and Mitekiumi. Although I am eager to see the new blood turnover, I can always get excited seeing Hakkuho dominate.

I would like to see Takayasu take the next step and be on the verge of Yokozuna promotion by July. Also excited to see what Takakeishō has in store for us.

statfreak · 03-08-2019, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RchW

I enjoyed the last round of fights. Glad there is more to see

The major tournaments are every odd month (January, March, May, July, September, November). Those are the ones that are easy to watch on YouTube.

They have one day tournaments and other exhibitions in between the major tournaments (Bashos). I haven't been able to find these on YouTube, but would be interested in seeing a one day knockout tournament.

CONN CHRIS · 03-08-2019, 02:17 PM

That is a very good intro to Sumo in the first post Joe - Highly recommended for anyone that wants to understand the structure and what's at stake in these tournaments. Watch out, you may get hooked! :-)

CONN CHRIS · 03-10-2019, 05:11 AM

Day 1 highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhiGWT4FNAw

CONN CHRIS · 03-11-2019, 05:14 AM

Day 2. Mitekiumi - Takayasu was great though my favorites took it on the nose today. I'll post a link to that full bout later when Jason uploads

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWYe42YRO1A

CONN CHRIS · 03-11-2019, 10:33 AM

Mitakeumi v. Takayasu full match with the banner procession and rituals. Great match even though my favorite lost. Mitakeumi might have had it if he had gotten a little upward thrust off the rope with his toes but Takayasu was pushing too hard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qXaN5RFq9A

CONN CHRIS · 03-12-2019, 07:27 AM

Day three action

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAkXimiIAKk

CONN CHRIS · 03-13-2019, 05:38 AM

Day four. I always overlook and dismiss Gouiedou because I still have his days of constant flirting with demotion stuck in my head but he looks very sharp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3wZNLcXjio

CONN CHRIS · 03-14-2019, 08:54 AM

Day 5 highlights. Tochinoshin's knee was good enough today to let him get in one of his patented power lifts!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9fMXT8ye8k

CONN CHRIS · 03-15-2019, 07:13 AM

Day 6 of 15 highlights

Touchioshin is trying hard to save his rank.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0QcFQE_t4M

CONN CHRIS · 03-16-2019, 07:38 AM

Day 7/15. My favorite Mitekiumi is losing ground fast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SWRS0_Vqh8

CONN CHRIS · 03-17-2019, 09:19 AM

Day eight - Mitekiumi looks like his legs are shot Takakeisho just blew Endo away today - very strong move

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN8OehpG5zo

CONN CHRIS · 03-17-2019, 09:25 AM

Goueidou may have a shot at this. He looks stronger and more focused than he's been in a while.

CONN CHRIS · 03-18-2019, 05:34 AM

Day 9 - Awesome win by Tochinoshin today after giving up a double inside grip early which is often the kiss of death. Hakuhou rolls on

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf-puSTFGKU

statfreak · 03-18-2019, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

Day 9 - Awesome win by Tochinoshin today after giving up a double inside grip early which is often the kiss of death. Hakuhou rolls on

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf-puSTFGKU

That performance by Tochinoshin was a reminder what he can accomplish when he is healthy, though I don't believe he is 100% at the moment. To dig deep and manage to win that match was fantastic. He should have no problem getting to 8 wins and keeping his Ozeki (Champion) status.

Ichinojo beating Goeido was a pleasant surprise as I am still a sucker for thinking Ichinojo can be a dominant force when he wants to be. He'll probably get to 9 wins and settle for that which means he will go 1-5 over the next six days. I hope not and he challenges for the yusho (tournament win), but I've seen his act too many times. He has Takayasu on day 10. Since January 2018, Ichinojo is 4-2 against the Ozeki.

Mitakeumi is still feeling the effects of that knee injury from the January Basho. Probably would have been better served to sit this one out and come back healthy and strong in May.

Hakuho will try to go 10-0 when he faces Tamawashi on day 10. Hakuho was also 10-0 after 10 days in January before losing 3 straight days and withdrawing.

Can't believe 9 days are done already. The tournaments go too fast and take too long to get to the next one.

03-05-2019, 12:03 PM	#1
statfreak Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 2,434	Sumo ConnChris and I enjoy an affinity for Sumo and with the March Basho set to kick off on Sunday, it seemed like a good time to start this thread. Last Basho we had a small thread in the Off Topic Debates forum, but that hardly seemed the appropriate place. I know most people in the West don't have an appreciation for the sport and I respect that. I have been a Sumo fan since the early 1990s with my interest in the sport coinciding with Akebono's ascension to the top and Yokozuna status. If you care to learn more about Sumo, there is a very nice introduction to Sumo thread over on the Sherdog forums. There are a lot of ads and annoyances at that forum, but the Sumo introduction is very good IMO. There are also several very good YouTube channels where you can watch each day's matches and/or highlights. There is some intrigue with this Basho with only two Yokozuna now that the former Kisenosato retired mid-January Basho. Looking forward to those chasing Ozeki status and seeing if Tochinoshin is healthy enough to retain his Ozeki status in March. __________________ Roll out the barrel!

03-08-2019, 06:53 AM	#4
CONN CHRIS Global Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 29,002	Rooting for a big tournament out of Tochinoshin and Mitekiumi. Although I am eager to see the new blood turnover, I can always get excited seeing Hakkuho dominate. __________________ Check Out My Cards!

03-08-2019, 06:56 AM	#5
RchW Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Toronto ON by way of Glasgow UK Posts: 15,629	I enjoyed the last round of fights. Glad there is more to see __________________ Cheers RichW If you’re looking for a good cause to donate money to please consider a Donation to Parkinson’s Canada. It may help me have a better future and if not me, someone else. Thanks. “Conservatism consists of exactly one proposition …There must be in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, alongside out-groups whom the law binds but does not protect.” Frank Wilhoit

03-08-2019, 02:17 PM	#8
CONN CHRIS Global Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 29,002	That is a very good intro to Sumo in the first post Joe - Highly recommended for anyone that wants to understand the structure and what's at stake in these tournaments. Watch out, you may get hooked! :-) __________________ Check Out My Cards!

03-10-2019, 05:11 AM	#9
CONN CHRIS Global Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 29,002	Day 1 highlights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhiGWT4FNAw __________________ Check Out My Cards!

03-05-2019, 05:48 PM	#2
rudel.dietrich Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Zürich, Switzerland Posts: 8,608	Why has Mongolia for the last 20 years been producing far more top sumo athletes than Japan itself? Is it socio economic? Or something else?

03-11-2019, 05:14 AM	#10
CONN CHRIS Global Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 29,002	Day 2. Mitekiumi - Takayasu was great though my favorites took it on the nose today. I'll post a link to that full bout later when Jason uploads https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWYe42YRO1A __________________ Check Out My Cards!

03-11-2019, 10:33 AM	#11
CONN CHRIS Global Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 29,002	Mitakeumi v. Takayasu full match with the banner procession and rituals. Great match even though my favorite lost. Mitakeumi might have had it if he had gotten a little upward thrust off the rope with his toes but Takayasu was pushing too hard. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qXaN5RFq9A __________________ Check Out My Cards! Last edited by CONN CHRIS; 03-11-2019 at 10:40 AM.

03-12-2019, 07:27 AM	#12
CONN CHRIS Global Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 29,002	Day three action https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAkXimiIAKk __________________ Check Out My Cards!

03-13-2019, 05:38 AM	#13
CONN CHRIS Global Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 29,002	Day four. I always overlook and dismiss Gouiedou because I still have his days of constant flirting with demotion stuck in my head but he looks very sharp. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3wZNLcXjio __________________ Check Out My Cards!

03-14-2019, 08:54 AM	#14
CONN CHRIS Global Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 29,002	Day 5 highlights. Tochinoshin's knee was good enough today to let him get in one of his patented power lifts! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9fMXT8ye8k __________________ Check Out My Cards!

03-15-2019, 07:13 AM	#15
CONN CHRIS Global Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 29,002	Day 6 of 15 highlights Touchioshin is trying hard to save his rank. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0QcFQE_t4M __________________ Check Out My Cards!

03-16-2019, 07:38 AM	#16
CONN CHRIS Global Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 29,002	Day 7/15. My favorite Mitekiumi is losing ground fast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SWRS0_Vqh8 __________________ Check Out My Cards!

03-17-2019, 09:19 AM	#17
CONN CHRIS Global Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 29,002	Day eight - Mitekiumi looks like his legs are shot Takakeisho just blew Endo away today - very strong move https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN8OehpG5zo __________________ Check Out My Cards!

03-17-2019, 09:25 AM	#18
CONN CHRIS Global Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 29,002	Goueidou may have a shot at this. He looks stronger and more focused than he's been in a while. __________________ Check Out My Cards!

03-18-2019, 05:34 AM	#19
CONN CHRIS Global Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 29,002	Day 9 - Awesome win by Tochinoshin today after giving up a double inside grip early which is often the kiss of death. Hakuhou rolls on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf-puSTFGKU __________________ Check Out My Cards!