Yangnomazuma

I've seen pictures of a big guy from Tonga that's supposed to be in Musashigawa Beya. I think his name is Minaminoshima. Anyone know where he was on the last banzuke? How's he looking? Is he going to be a contender?

I went with Osh...if this kid ever puts on a little weight, he'll be the better of Hakuho. I give him a couple years to get some weight and he'll be pushing for some serious promotions.

Allow me to be the first to admit I haven't (Blushing...) . Perhaps someone might not mind filling me in?

OK..you got me. I'll finally break down and show how BAD I am at this. To prove it, I'll hold off until the very end and lose any chance at a tiebreaker (Blushing...)

My $0.02 is: I REALLY don't believe that the majority of Sumo participants in the US choose the "why not" path. Especially if they really expect to be competitive. You've got to understand that Sumo is an ATHLETIC event. Those people who are grossly overweight will not have much if any background in athletics and thus would have a VERY difficult time of learning the discipline required to be competitive in athletics, not to mention the acquiring the strength, speed and agility to be anything more than a blob. For that matter, I'd tend to believe that ATHLETES who are inclined to gain weight or are mildly overweight already would be the "pool" from which American amateur sumo draws from, not the obese slob who says, "why not". That all being said, Yarborough is a sloppy excuse of a rikishi who, in my opinion, couldn't last 15 days in Makunouchi but runs roughshod over the majority of amateur sumo. I'd fully imagine HE was from the small group of "why not".

Actually, the home plate umpire must ask the base umpire to make the call which under the rules is the responsibility of the base umpire. The players DO routinely "ask" for a call, but the base umpire is not required to make a call unless asked to do so by the home plate umpire.

Well, doesn't that mean that he is a very consistent Ozeki? Some aren't meant for yokozuna. He is always there or there abouts right until the end of the basho, putting pressure on the yokozuna and yusho candidates (at least recently). You'll never hear me complaining about the quality of his Ozeki career. If he never makes Yokozuna, he'll be one of the best Ozeki ever...can't say that's bad now can we?

An admission of his goof the day before? And his goof on day 4 against Hayateumi. He had him all but beat and failed that time as well to continue the pressure until victory was secured. In all rights, he COULD be 8-0 and KK, but like he pointed out -- he still has much to learn.

Whether it was a correct call or not, this is a prime example to those out there who say practicioners of Sumo are nothing but fat men in diapers. How many heavy men outside the world of Sumo could execute a bridge in that manner. That took incredible athleticism...the kind of athleticism that most people out there would be very surprised to see of a man that size.

Could Chiyotaikai be a WHOLE lot better at anything closely resembling the belt? Of course. Is he boring? About as boring as the Atlanta Braves of American baseball. Those folks have won their division like 12 years in a row, but have only 2 (??) world series titles to show for it. What that means is they win all year but can't beat the hot team in the end. Kind of like 'Taikai. Wins 10 or 11 of the first twelve then from there can be pretty dang ugly in losses. I still love to watch him...

Two rikishi who have the opportunity to step up to the next level. Frankly, Kokkai would dominate as long as he keeps his feet underneath him. However, he seems to be making some silly mistakes so far this basho. Hakuho, likewise, has now cost himself two wins and any chance at all for a yusho this time out. He really needs to keep up the intensity until it's over cuz afterall, "It's not over until it's over."

Frankly folks, he has every right to come on here and say what he wants...it's still HIS forum until someone else takes the financial responsibility and ownership of it. So, go take an iron to you crumpled undergarments and either pony up to the ownership table (as Rijicho II apparently is...) or chill and let this all smooth itself out. It is woefully clear that there are folks aplenty (myself included) who would be willing to help out. That being said, the man just wants some peace love and understanding. Until he can quietly remove himself, please give him the respect he deserves for all he has provided us.

I'm in the military. A linguist and instructor. Finishing up my Bachelors in Computer Science for my second career in a few years.

Yeah, but I remember a guy with as much skill and promise and a bigger body going to a great team who would have IMHO rivaled if not surpassed the, unquestionably, great Jordan. RIP Len Bias. With him joining the Celtics, Detroit never would have happened [despite the Hall-of-Fame front line, the loss of Cornbread Maxwell was probably the most damaging when it came to beating Detroit/Chicago in the late 80's], LA would have been less of a "dynasty" and the first few Bull championships would have been MUCH more difficult to come by. Yoavashimaru said: "You better pray indeed I really dislike the Lakers, but I voted for Hell-A anyways after their 1st game win at Minneapolis. Either West team will beat either East term. It's a travesty Detroit is even still alive, they're terrible to watch" Terrible to watch? [despite your later change of heart :-P ] Perhaps, but in my mind watching a "travesty" beat LA is that much more enjoyable. No fan of Detroit by any stretch either, but LA is deplorable.

In true Massashigawa form, Sam Adams' Boston Lager no doubt...

Checked out Musoyama's efforts on day 1 in effort to find his "new resolve" to Ozeki-like sumo. He looked good in the first two (downloadable through banzuke.com) bouts; strong opening and comfortable move to the belt. Even looked good fending off 'Taikai's thrusts early in the semifinal, but got caught leaning by a much quicker opponent. Musoyama was never the fast agile type, but that seems a source of his problems quite often against the current crop of Makuuchi.

Thanks for the welcome. This basho I found the fickleness of Bench Sumo while performing somewhat lower than my first basho, received much better results. By all reports, this happens. Hopefully the training under my new Oyakata will allow me to both perform and SCORE well.

BenchSumo - I was 10-5 (almost the Yaocho Bum award...) Incredibly lucky on two of those wins (5-2 and 4-3). Between my luck and Jesinofuji's high scores but no wins to show for it, we'd be ONE heck of a BS Rikishi!

Never really thought this out to the point of the quoted post, but it is a valid concern. Meaning no ill respect to any of the current rikishi, but it must be kept in mind. I don't recall any match between Ake-Konishiki/Ake-Moose that would reek of Yaocho, and I am NOT saying that the current topic does, but I DO agree that it should be guarded against at all costs.

That being said....I'd be happy to join SFI. Guess someone has to uphold the Sandanme honor against the ruling French. (Blinking...)

It seems I'm unable to find any list of rules that isn't a dead link. Would someone here have the list of Yusho tiebreakers off the top of their heads?

Thanks! Guess if I looked at BenchSumo.net instead of BenchSumo.com I might have better luck... (Oops! )

I'm not sure what you're meaning to say about Sekiwake promotions here...could you elaborate? I think he's saying that since there are already two who have, or soon will have, secured Sekiwake (one by KK at Sekiwake and another by demotion) that it might well take a few more wins to secure a Sekiwake promotion from the Maegashira ranks.

Except that the rule for qualification for batting titles is that a player have 3.1 plate appearances per game. Total official at bats do not matter.

I actually thought it was part of the JOKE. I think it added to the humor of the cartoon. Nice mistake!