Gottsueekaze

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/sumo/news/f-sp-tp3-20130123-1075672.html Takamisakari Loss - Fall to Juryo "Matta Nashi" East Juryo 12 position Takamisakari (36 - Azumazeki) losing to East Makushita 2nd position Senshou (29 - Shikihide) falls to 3 wins 8 loses and clinches his losing record. In the initial charge getting his left arm under but unable to overcome his opponent's pressure, smashed into the dohyou. A win-or-lose tournament, resolves to retire if demoted to Makushita. 7 wins is behind the quota - 4 days are left. At last, with no way out, Takamisakari as if talking to himself explained: "So, I still have some sumo left. I have to compete."

Shimpan raised his hand immediately after the 1st bout started - I don't think this had anything to do with orchestrating a Takanoiwa win. Maybe they just wanted to teach him how to correctly Tachi-ai before he moves up. :) *Edit hahaha that Okinoumi bout was hilarious! Did he think he was getting a matta or something?

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/sumo/news/f-sp-tp3-20130123-1075590.html *Edit Luckily this doesn't sound too serious - although it can't be fun. :(

Juryo Shironoryu Withdraws On January 23rd, 11th day of the New Year's Tournament, west Juryo 13 position Shironoryu (29 - Sakaigawa) has withdrawn, filing medical papers to the Japan Sumo Association that read: "with a central spinal cord injury it is expected that around 1 month of quiet outpatient treatment is needed." Shironoryuu has been absent 4 days since the 2011 New Year's Tournament. His 11th day bout opponent, Homarefuji, gets an automatic win. http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/sumo/news/f-sp-tp3-20130123-1075590.html

Some thoughts on the "?"s. I had to look up 注文にはまる - saw it used in chess articles and other sports. Basically means your opponent set a trap, and then you tripped into it exactly how he wished you would. There is probably an appropriate English idiom but nothing specific came to mind. the day after getting stuck [in a trap] just as [his opponent] wanted the day after getting caught in a henka. "Well, this is about how it usually goes." (being a shin-komisubi) *Edit, new info: http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%89%E5%8C%96_(%E7%9B%B8%E6%92%B2) Henka is also called a 注文 sometimes! 注文にはまる still seems like stock sports idiom, but in this case I think replacing the euphemism with the correct word makes more sense.

「横綱は元気だな。胸で当たって、突き放したかった。しょっぱいな、自分」とがっくり。大関復帰条件の１０勝まで、残り６日で５勝がノルマ。「迷わないようにいきたい」と話した。 Baruto crestfallen: "Man, the Yokuzuna is full of energy. I hit him with my chest and wanted to thrust him away. It stings, personally." Of the 10 wins needed to return to Ozeki, the quota is 5 wins out of the remaining 6 days. "I want to continue without wavering," he commented..

Great little spot on Miyabiyama. Osumo-sans are people too! http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/sumo/news/p-sp-tp3-20130122-1075153.html Miyabiyama Weeps at 9th contest 1st Win On his 9th bout, 35 yr old veteran Maegashira 16th position, Miyabiyama (Fujishima) cried at finally picking up this year's first win. After defeating Tamawashi by pull down, leaving through the hanamichi he was unable to hold back the tears. "Because I'm starting a family, all kinds of people are worried about me every day. The applause at the moment I won was warm and loud, so.."　 Having a losing record would certainly drop him to the Juyro rank but, "my resolve is unbroken". With a tearful win, his bad luck is also washed away, showing his former Ozeki spirit.

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/sumo/news/f-sp-tp3-20130120-1074550.html Baruto, 10 Wins to Return to Ozeki, 5 Wins Left West Sekiwake Baruto (28 Onoe) with a powerful pushing technique, has netted 5 wins back-to-back. From the hit of the initial charge, forces east Maegashira leader Aminishiki (34 Isegahama) low, afterward pushing with both hands 2 times to force him out. On the satisfactory sumo of the previous 7th day bout with Tochiouzan, saying "I looked well to make sure I didn't fall during the initial attack". A diverse opponent but "It was good he came straight on" he smiled. Still only halfway to the 10 wins required to return to Ozeki. As yet an unforgiving situation but, "I'm getting a little better each time. It's tiring to think too much about it. One day, one match." said Baruto, the 9th day he will challenge Hakuhou.

Short one on Takamisakari, took me a bit to pick the right phrase to translate ボロ負け. :) http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/sumo/news/f-sp-tp3-20130120-1074508.html Takamisakari loss: "It was a shellacking" East Juryo 12th position Takamisakari (36 - Azumazeki) losing to Houchiyama (30), fell to 3 wins and 5 loses. From the initial charge giving away a double-handed grip on the front of his mawashi, is forced out in one go. "When I went for the mawashi, I lifted up my chin, sadly. I can't even think of being worn out after coming this far, nor do I even want to. It's regrettable, because it was a shellacking." he said letting out a large sigh. On the passing of Mr. Naya, former Yokozuna Taihou, on the previous day the 19th, he said "It was in the middle of the Juryou bouts, wasn't it. Hearing the news, I'm speechless."

Some thoughts on the ? marks. Not claiming to be 100% correct! :) "at 5 wins 3 loses transitions to the 2nd week". The turn (ターン）is the transition from week 1 to week 2 of the tournament. I read this as "Every day is a match" or "Every day I'm in the running", i.e. I am not getting my ass handed to me, but I'm obviously not overpowering the competition. I could be wrong though, with something this short it's hard to catch the nuance. "Losing a national treasure is a sad event, but inheriting that (his final wishes) I want to do steady, well put together [sumo]." *edit - spacing

Have you seen this one? http://www.youtube.com/embed/czARaoONQQI?start=99&autoplay=1 Takanoyama reminds me of Mainoumi, probably not ever going to be the greatest but really fun to watch. Anyone that runs head first at him with their eyes closed deserves to be in the stands.

A little rough, but a nice long article on one of my favorite rikishi. Japanese link at the bottom. Harumafuji stands alone! Straight wins on way to first Yokozuna "V" Yokozuna Harumafuji (28 - Isegahama) forced new Komisumi Shuhouzan (28) out of the ring. Protecting his all-win streak, as quickly as the 6th day, is alone at the top of the championship race. From Isegahama Oyakata (52 - retired Yokozuna Asahifuji), suggesting a way to reduce the burden on his ankle at the Yokozuna's entrance ceremony, his injury also healed. The lifeline of his quick initial charge has revived as well, building momentum to his first championship since promotion to Yokozuna. Yokozuna Hakuhou (27) is at one loss, 5 others in chase spread out after him. His opponent was unable to do anything. Getting hit with the head of his rival, Harumafuji choked with his right, while unleashing a slap with his left. As if burrowing in from underneath when he gets both hands on the belt, the game is on. With a flawless approach he drove away the newly promoted Sanyaku wrestler. "He was ridiculously fast. Up until today, this was the fastest." said an astonished Shouhouzan. And from opening day he keeps winning. Harumafuji standing at the top alone on the 6th day will be the first time in 7 years, ever since the 2006 fall tournament. "I only wanted to do my own sumo", according to the Yokozuna, lightest member of the Makuuchi at 133kg (293lbs), the speed of his initial charge is his greatest weapon. "I continue winning so, I think I'm getting better day by day." he said, talking about how he feels about his improving condition. The cause of his Kyuushuu tournament slump, the rehabilitation for the pain in both ankles also main cause behind his good shape this tournament. Coming into this year, he went to 3 temples to offer an entrance ceremony - Izumo Temple, Meiji Shrine, Nominosukune Shrine. Every one, on top of stone pavement, would be hard on his feet. To Harumaji worrying "Why do [my ankles] hurt this bad?", Isegahama okayata gave this instruction. "Because you're hurting your feet on the stone paving, [when you stomp you leg] step down from you toe, I told him". On stone pavement, stomping down on you foot with all of your body weight at once is bad for your ankle. The way he was instructed was to touch down on your toe and land as if scrubbing the sole of the foot. This also became the main cause of his recovery, and connected to the revival of his quick initial charge. Asking about Shouhouzan's gold mawashi, he answered "Isn't it a nice color?", his easy-going attitude reemerging as well. Within the Sanyaku, only Hakuhou has just 1 loss. On his awareness of the lead of the championship race line, he said: "If I said none, it'd be a lie, you know". "1 day, 1 bout at a time. Just concentrate and try hard." This script, on this one day said 4 times since the morning, repeated like a magic charm. In a tournament to regain his honor, his sumo up to the 6th day is cast-iron. http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/sumo/news/p-sp-tp3-20130119-1073871.html

Japanese talent Hayashiya Pe- and Pa-ko. http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9E%97%E5%AE%B6%E3%83%9A%E3%83%BC http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9E%97%E5%AE%B6%E3%83%91%E3%83%BC%E5%AD%90 Edit: HayashiYA

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/sumo/news/p-sp-tp3-20130118-1073524.html Goueidou come from behind to 7 Win Ozeki Streak Sekiwake Goueidou (26, Sakaigawa) showed some brilliant come-from-behind technique. Attacked by Kotooushu, at the edge of the ring hooked his right foot on the thigh of his opponent, winning by beltless arm throw (sukuinage). "I thought, I'll go as hard as I can and try whatever it takes. It was nice to have somehow won". In this step-up tournament on his way to Oozeki promotion, keeping his record at one loss is a relief. "Hmm, well, my luck continues" he said with a reserved laugh on his streak of beating 7 Oozeki in a row since last tournament. The standard of promotion is 33 wins in 3 tournaments Last tournament for the first time as Sekiwake he put up 11 wins, if in this tournament he wins in double digits, in the spring tournament at his hometown Osaka expectations will be high. Focusing his energies, Goueidou replied "I'm not even going to think about that, only tomorrow for now"

Thought I would translate some Japanese news articles for practice, since I'm watching the tournament this year more intently then usual. I'm trying to do these fast, so there may be some mistakes. If people want the Japanese inline I can provide that instead. http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/sumo/news/p-sp-tp3-20130118-1073525.html Hakuhou Passes Akebone, 6th best in history with 433 Wins Yokozuna Hakuhou (27, Miyagino beya) defeats Tochiouzan, number of wins as Yokozuna reaches 433, surpassing Akebono with 6th most in history. Smiling he said: "To pass someone who led the Waka-Taka era makes me happy. There sure are a bunch of different records, aren't there?" Facing the same opponent he lost to by dodge and slap down (hatakikomi) at last year's fall tournement, today's juking (inashi) was cooly delt with. "My body reacted and stuck with him" he said, and forced him out (yorikiri) with composure.