Sumo

[Magus978]

Heartbreaking for Takayasu. Hopefully that isn't gonna be a career-ender.

[Magus978]

Day 6 action.

Hakuho looks unbeatable. Early signs point to this being his yusho to lose.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2kQX1u7keo

[CONN CHRIS]

Days 5 and 6

Takayasu is out after that nasty fall on day 4.
Mitakeumi is looking tough to beat!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czizKfqzs9M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI3IfLLJcS4


Edit - oops, day 6 also above.

[statfreak]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

My worthless predictions:

1. Kakuryu will drop out by day five.
2.Takakeisho will flop at 9-6 maybe 10-5 and not be in contention the last few days
3. Tochinoshin will drop out again and be contemplating Juryo or retirement
4.Shodai and Mitekiumi will contend but Hakuho will run away with it.

Hakuho did run away with it.

I sort of forgot about this thread until just now. Glad to see there was some talk of the March Basho.

It definitely was different to watch with no crowd.

[statfreak]

Originally Posted by Magus978

Day 1 is underway...we've had all the bouts except Makuuchi, but this is a surreal environment. No fans, stone silence...a bit unsettling for me.

It was difficult to watch, but was glad there was sumo.

Originally Posted by Magus978

While I wait for the bouts to begin, gives me a chance to throw some predictions out here. Some are more bold than others.

- Both Hakuho and Kakuryu will finish all 15 days. Hakuho will be a factor for the yusho late, but somehow won't get it done. I say 11-4 for Hakuho, and 10-5 for Kakuryu.

They both did finish all 15 days and represented as Yokozunas. Very satisfying to see them contending until the final day.

Originally Posted by Magus978

- Asanoyama continues his Ozeki push with 11 wins. May get promoted only because of the current opening at the Ozeki rank.

spot on, good call. I understand why he was promoted, but think he should have earned it with the 12 wins rather than being awarded the rank. I mean, he will likely be a good Ozeki, just wasn't a fan of him falling short (albeit by 1 win) and still being promoted.

Originally Posted by Magus978

- Tokushoryu has a chance to prove that he isn't a one hit wonder, and will do so with a 9-6 record to put himself in the discussion for promotion to Komusubi.

Nope, he couldn't handle the pressure or better competition. I was pulling for him to do well, thought he could get 8 wins, but it didn't happen.

Originally Posted by Magus978

- We will once again have at least one low-maegashira in contention in the final days of the tournament. I'm not sure who it'll be though.

Aoiyama of all people was the one that stayed in contention the longest. I enjoy watching him and Kaisei, especially when they are healthy and competitive.

Originally Posted by Magus978

- Tochinoshin will complete all 15 days, but with his knees so wrecked he will finish 4-11 and retire as soon as his relegation to juryo is confirmed.

6-9 isn't too far off. He actually looked good in a couple of matches. I don't think he'll fall to Juryo in May.

Originally Posted by Magus978

- The yusho race will come down to the final day, and there will be at least three contenders.

Close, it was the final day, but only two contenders.

Overall, it was a good basho.

I didn't realize Ichinojo was competing in Juryo after his injuries and have gone back to watch the Juryo bouts. Terunofuji should be back in Makuuchi in May. Ichinojo, assuming he stays healthy, is probably at least another basho away before rejoining the top ranks.

[statfreak]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

Day four matches - ticket sales remain low :-)

I laughed out loud when I read that. Just thought you should know.

[Magus978]

Sumo is back! 2020 Nagoya Basho, a bit late in the making, but we're underway! Sandanme matches going on right now.

[CONN CHRIS]

I understand that there will be some limited fans as well unlike March.

[CONN CHRIS]

Day 1 highlights.

Terunofuji is back for the first time in forever (2, 3? years) - he was once an Ozeki

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kvm5rGfJu5E

[Magus978]

I'll have my take on day 1 later when it's cooler and I can have enough time to properly sit through the matches.

Juryo reports will come on day 8 and day 13.

[Magus978]

Sorry for not getting around to watching day 1's action, but we have some late breaking news.

Kakuryu (Y1E) is kyujo! He apparently injured his left elbow when he fell during his day 1 defeat.

[CONN CHRIS]

Day 2 highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaivVXQ1il8

As mentioned, Kakuryu is out. Terunofuji looking good in his return to the top division.

[CONN CHRIS]

I had hoped that the layoff would help Tochinoshin but he's bumming me out again.

[CONN CHRIS]

Day 3 highlights:

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

Go Terunofuji! (for the non-Sumo fans, what this guy has done is somewhat like an MVP falling all the way down to playing in the Gulf Coast League and fighting his way back up to earning a spot on an MLB roster again.

[CONN CHRIS]

Day 4 Highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aPICBFBMKg

I don't believe that I've ever seen such a small stack of envelopes on the final match - paid banners must be at all time lows. I am really enjoying this Terunofuji renaissance.

[CONN CHRIS]

Terunofuji is the first match in this highlight and what he does is really interesting.

He lets his opponent get the inside arm position which is favored by most because it affords a huge advantage in getting two hands on the belt which is the control point most wrestlers want. However, Terunofuji uses this seeming disadvantage as a way to capitalize on his size and strength. He lets the opponent take what he wants and then pinches the guy's elbows in (pain!) with those tree trunk arms and lifts - easy push out.

I am thrilled to have Terunofuji back in the Makuuchi.

[CONN CHRIS]

Day 5 Highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aEFTA2mObk

[CONN CHRIS]

Day 6 highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0it7_6DKYpM

My old favorite Mikekiumi is looking great and Terunofuji is still looking strong with only one loss. Hakkuho is of course Hakkuho.

[Magus978]

I've been a stranger, I know...but I do have news before today's Makuuchi action.

Hakuho (10-2) is kyujo. This makes the battle between Asanoyama (11-1) and Terunofuji (11-1) pretty much for the yusho, unless both fall apart on days 14 and 15, which would potentially give Shodai (9-3) a chance.

https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/...310000081.html

[CONN CHRIS]

I have been too busy to watch but it's been an eventful week. Terunofuji (the former Ozeki that has taken about three years to get back to the top division) is leading with only one loss! Mitekiumi is still somewhat in the race, Tochinoshin has a kachikoshi for the first time in over a year and Hakuho damaged his knee yesterday and is out. Wild.
Day 13: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd8gCPNidzM