Sumo

[Magus978]

I finally have time to sit down and watch some matches. Day 15. Senshuraku.

- Ichinojo (9-5) has a chance to get involved in the big Juryo playoff. To do that, he must beat a struggling Shohozan (4-10). Ichinojo seems to get off well, but Shohozan reverses the situation with his footwork and is able to push him out. No playoff for Snorlax.

- Sadanoumi (7-7) needs to defeat a likely doomed Nishikigi (6-8) to obtain his kachikoshi. Seems like motivation is lacking with Nishikigi, who doesn't seem to put in any real effort to move forward, and instead is pushed out with ease.

- It's been awhile since Tochinoshin (9-5) had a 10-win basho. In fact, you have to go back to Natsu 2019 for that. Kotoshoho (8-6) stands in his way. Strong sumo from Tochinoshin, who takes down Kotoshoho and gets his 10 wins.

- It's not been a good tournament for a pair of 5-9 rikishi in Kaisei & Shimanoumi. Avoiding the 10th loss is key in minimizing rank loss. Kaisei has control in this one, and it looks like Shimanoumi just gives up pretty quickly. Kaisei avoids 10 losses.

- Ishiura (4-10) will be glad to see the back of this basho. He's probably carrying an injury, so he'll want to get that looked at ASAP. Before he can though, he has to face a motivated Wakatakakage (9-5). This isn't a contest. Ishiura's ankle lets him down and Wakatakakage has it all too easy to shove him out. Ishiura was in full protection mode, while Wakatakakage gets his 10th win in an impressive return to Makuuchi.

- Terutsuyoshi (8-6) and Kotoeko (9-5) have both had successful tournaments and will move up a few places in the banzuke. Terutsuyoshi tries to go low off the tachi-ai, but Kotoeko is wise to the trick and asserts the advantage, eventually slapping him down. A largely successful Makuuchi return for Kotoeko, who finishes with 10 wins.

- I have no idea why Kotonowaka (4-5-5) decided to come back and finish the tournament. This is essentially a bad makekoshi for him. Regardless, he faces Ryuden (6-8) today. Not a lot of resistance from Kotonowaka here, as he was on the backfoot the entire match. Ryuden wins and will probably suffer a minor rank deduction as a result of his 7-8 makekoshi.

- Kotoshogiku (8-6) showed he isn't quite done yet at 36. The former Ozeki steps in against former Komusubi Hokutofuji (8-6). This time, Kotoshogiku's aggression seems to get the better of him, as Hokutofuji makes him fall forward. Victory for the younger Hokutofuji.

- After a resurgence in the March tournament, Aoiyama (5-9) once again looks cooked. Today he draws fellow 5-9 rikishi Chiyotairyu. Aoiyama looks good off the tachi-ai, but Chiyotairyu is able to pull him down and out of the dohyo.

- Another battle of rikishi who have had a lousy tournament. Kagayaki (5-9) steps in against woeful Ikioi (2-12), who has lost 9 straight bouts.The effort's still there from Ikioi, however, as these two go back and forth, and with a toss, Ikioi's work is rewarded with a win to end his 9 match slump. Regardless, both will be looking over their shoulders in September with an eye to staying in Makuuchi.

- Do I really have to cover this one? It's another clash of 5-9 rikishi in Takarafuji and Kiribayama. This is a career high rank for Kiribayama, but he'll be tumbling down again. This is actually a pretty good battle on the belt, neither fighter giving an inch, but it's Kiribayama who wins after turning Takarafuji around and down.

- Onosho (1-13) has been very sad this tournament. He finally got his first win yesterday, and today faces an equally sad performer in Chiyomaru (4-10). We'll see Chiyomaru in Juryo in September. Chiyomaru got the upper hand off the tachi-ai, but Onosho was more motivated and turned things around quickly. Onosho should be safe despite a terrible basho, probably drop into the double digit maegashira.

- Takanosho (8-6) was wrestling at his highest ever rank of Maegashira 2, and he should be that rank again when we meet in September. He faces former Ozeki Takayasu (9-5). This battle of red mawashi is fast and furious, but it's Takayasu who grabs the win when Takanosho stumbles.

- You have to feel for Enho (5-9). This is by far his worst tournament in Makuuchi, and perhaps everyone is now too wise to his tricks. Today he's up against Yutakayama (4-10). After a false start, Enho tries to find a way inside, but Yutakayama thwarts him at every opportunity. Enho finally gets to the leg, but it was a weak attempt at best, as Yutakayama is able to counter and keep up his slap attack en route to shoving Enho out. This is probably the little big man's ceiling unless he starts to bulk up.

- A kachikoshi is on the line in this next bout, as Endo (7-7) faces Hatsu 2020 champion Tokushoryu (7-7). Endo takes the advantage off the tachi-ai and doesn't look back, as Tokushoryu plants his back foot out of the ring.

- Okinoumi (9-5) has had a nice run of form lately, and he looks to finish with 10 wins against Tamawashi (9-5). This one was back and forth, but Okinoumi may have gotten too aggressive and his shoulder attempt was met with a counter turn which takes him out of the ring.

- Daieisho & Myogiryu (both 10-4) interjected themselves into the yusho race late in the running, but neither can win it now. Myogiryu gets aggressive off the tachi-ai, but Daieisho decides to sidestep him and let him fall down. Daieisho's got his 11th win, and potentially a good case to promote to Sekiwake.

- This is the big one. Terunofuji (12-2) can clinch the yusho with a victory over Mitakeumi (11-3). If Mitakeumi wins, we'll have a guaranteed playoff. Too bad this isn't musubi no ichiban, but muh tradition. Terunofuji goes for it from the start, gets the belt of Mitakeumi, and takes him out of the ring! Terunofuji clinches the yusho! It's his second yusho win at Makuuchi, and the second yusho for a Maegashira 17!

- Terunofuji's win kinda' takes the starch out of this bout, sadly. It's today's musubi no ichiban between Shodai (11-3) and Asanoyama (11-3). They fight hard in the middle, but Asanoyama gets the advantage and shoves Shodai out. 12-3 usually gives you a chance to win a yusho, but not in this case. Shodai is heartbroken after a chance at the yusho is ripped from him on the final day yet again. He's due for a yusho win at some point

That does it for this tournament. Terunofuji completes the feel good story of coming all the way back from a bad injury and being dropped down to Jondian, coming all the way back to Makuuchi and winning a championship in his first tournament back. Some things we can take away from this tournament.

- Terunofuji should experience a similar jump in rank Tokushoryu did when he won in January. Expect him to be anywhere in the M2-M5 range.

- Shodai's off to a good start in his Ozeki run. He's got 32 wins in his last 3 tournaments, 13 of those wins coming in January as a M4, so this won't gain him Ozeki consideration this time around. However, with 11 wins it's a good start to a fresh run. Remember, the criteria is 33 wins in 3 tournaments and it's discretionary.

- Daieisho makes a good case for Sekiwake promotion with a 11-4 record. He beat Hakuho in this tournament, and got a fusen win over Kakuryu. The last one to promote to Sekiwake with 11 wins was Tochiozan in 2014.

- Coming up from Juryo should be Meisei (J1 10-5, yusho), Tobizaru (J2 9-6), Kyokutaisei (J5, 10-5), and Ichinojo (J5, 9-6). Hoshoryu (J6, 10-5) could promote under an interesting circumstance. Going down will be Kotoyuki (M17, 6-8-1), Nishikigi (M16, 6-9), Chiyomaru (M15, 4-11), possibly Kotonowaka (M13, 4-6-5), and Abi *if he is forced to retire due to his Covid-19 cocking about* (M5, 3-4-8).

That'll do it kids. See you in September. Hakkeyoi!!!

[rudel.dietrich]

Do you have to copy and paste those names, or because you have been living there so long does it come natural at this point?
And forgive me if your native Japanese, but I thought at some point you had said you have moved to Japan from somewhere else many years ago.

[Magus978]

Originally Posted by rudel.dietrich

Do you have to copy and paste those names, or because you have been living there so long does it come natural at this point?
And forgive me if your native Japanese, but I thought at some point you had said you have moved to Japan from somewhere else many years ago.

Nope on all accounts.

I'm just a sumo fan going back to the early 90's, during the rise of Akebono, Takanohana, Wakanohana, and Musashimaru. Also, I've done my research on the great yokozuna of the past, like Chiyonofuji, the first sumo wrestler to integrate weightlifting into his training regimen, thus giving him a body that stood out from all the other sumo wrestlers at the time.

[rudel.dietrich]

Originally Posted by Magus978

Nope on all accounts.

I'm just a sumo fan going back to the early 90's, during the rise of Akebono, Takanohana, Wakanohana, and Musashimaru. Also, I've done my research on the great yokozuna of the past, like Chiyonofuji, the first sumo wrestler to integrate weightlifting into his training regimen, thus giving him a body that stood out from all the other sumo wrestlers at the time.

I have no idea why I thought that then.

[CONN CHRIS]

I seem to always misspell names; mixing up 's' and 'c' and adding or dropping vowels. :-)

[CONN CHRIS]

I missed the last few due to my schedule but it's a new year! January Basho starts on the 10th.

Here is a link to the banzuke and Jason's preview video.

Of note (to me anyway):

- Terunofuji (the guy that dropped all the way to near bottom level after having been an Ozeki three years ago) is a Sekiwake*
- Mitekiumi is a Komusub1*
- Tochinoshin is at Maegashira 4*
- Hakuho should wrestle this time but Kakuryu is undecided and may be asked to retire

http://www.sumo.or.jp/EnHonbashoBanzuke/index/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd5mupWwxnM

[CONN CHRIS]

Hakuho tested positive for Corona Virus earlier today. He will be out and may take a lot of other competitors with him.

Hope for a speedy recovery and wise choices for the federation - may be prudent to simply wait for the March Basho.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy342lfWJH8

[Magus978]

Also, the NSK is insisting on holding the basho despite the possibility of Japan going back into a State of Emergency. They are 5.5 BILLION yen in the hole, which equates to 53.5 million US$.

https://twitter.com/SumoFollower/sta...71812520517633

[CONN CHRIS]

Advance ticket sales have been discontinued. With the outbreak though, they may not even be able to run this with no fans.

[Magus978]

The sumo association are pushing on...but the roster has taken a huge hit...

- Hakuho & Kakuryu both out. Hakuho has COVID-19, Kakuryu still not fit to fight due to injuries. YSK may force Kakuryu to retire after he defied their demand that he compete in January, even though Kakuryu's stablemaster has now insisted that March is do-or-die.

- Wakatakakage, Chiyonokuni, Chiyotairyu, Chiyoshoma, and Kaisei also out among top division rikishi (all COVID-19 related).

- Ishiura, Chiyomaru, Chiyonoo, Enho, Kyokushuho, Wakamotoharu, Chiyootori, Kyokutaisei, and Chiyonoumi all out in Juryo.

- 5th division rikishi Kotokantetsu has RETIRED in protest of having to compete in these conditions, after his request to drop out due to COVID-19 fears was dismissed.

[CONN CHRIS]

Originally Posted by Magus978

- 5th division rikishi Kotokantetsu has RETIRED in protest of having to compete in these conditions, after his request to drop out due to COVID-19 fears was dismissed.

What a shameful move.

I am not sure how much I'll watch this basho. My excitement over this and other things has waned with recent events.

Day one Highlights for any interested:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33nK9GybCN0

[CONN CHRIS]

January Basho, Day 2 Juryo highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bl4LcBeql0

[CONN CHRIS]

Is it my imagination or has Ura bulked up quite a bit?

[CONN CHRIS]

Day 2 from the top division

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yixv43ljkU8

[CONN CHRIS]

So much for Takakeishou being a new Yokozuna

[CONN CHRIS]

Day three starts with only two in the Sanyaku at 2-0

Mikekiumi with a powerful win in the final match

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0rEjhBptUI

[rudel.dietrich]

When you say retire, do you mean retire form the current basho and try again at the next one, or retire from the sport alotgether?

[CONN CHRIS]

Quit period. This article does not mention it but with the structure of Sumo, a poor showing drops you to a lower level. If he was in the bottom tier and had an unexcused absence he would be out (sort of like washing out of Rookie league ball)

This says that he has a prior heart issue. Unbelievable that the Sumo Association wouldn't grant a waiver.

https://japantoday.com/category/spor...-fears-ignored

[G-Force]

Looking forward to Out of the Ring Sumo, coming soon

GH

[CONN CHRIS]

Day four Highlights

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