Adoptee Reports - Haru 08

[Asojima 2,873]

Hitachigo (Sd46e) pulled off his 3rd consecutive 4-3 KK. His first day loss was to the yusho winner, Masunoyama, and then he won his next 4. In the past, most of his wins were by yori, but we are now seeing an equal mix of yori and oshi wins. He should be close to his all-time high of Sd23 in May.

Homarefuji (Jk27e) came away from his first full hon-basho with an impressive 5-2 record. His first loss was also to the eventual yusho winner, Fukao. Four of his wins were by oshidashi. He had a 3-2 maezumo record in January.

[Fay 1,677]

My favourite rikishi from the lower divisions. Every basho it seems I add some more, so when I'm 80, I have them all ;-):

Kihonoumi, Dewanoumi Beya, my first elected adoptee was absent this basho. I have no idea what happened to him, perhaps his old injury from Kyushu basho. I hope Doreen will know more.

Takakiho, Takanohana Beya. He managed a 4-3, will be in upper Sandanme again and maybe he can make the step to makushita after Natsu Basho.

Kotomisen, Sadogatake Beya, got a 5-2 (Blushing...) . I don't know if this will be enough for makushita promotion (he is now SD 25) - but maybe one of the banzuke experts knows better. Kotootori could get a KK too, but my Kotomyozan ................ 2-5.

Brasilian Kainohama from Tomozuna Beya returned after injury and finished with 4-3. The result should have been a bit better but probably he prefered to fight a little more carefully to prevent his knee from another damage.

Kainowaka started strong with 3 wins and in the end he wnet 4-3.

Mongolian Arawashi from Araiso Beya had another good basho with 6-1 in mid Sandanme.

Hokazan from Miyagino Beya, only a 2-5, but I am sure he will make it to sekitori.

Shin deshi Kei from Onomatsu Beya had a very good start in his sumo life 6-1, he only lost to Fukao.

Kairyu, Tagonoura Beya, 3-4. I'm still not so sure about him.

And last but not least - and I'm really thrilled about it: 16 years old Watanabe, Kokonoe Beya - 6-1 :-) , he only lost to jonidan yusho winner Terukaze. He will go up to mid Sandanme and I guess it will be hard for him next basho. (And he will for sure climb up the ranks of my inofficial "Spatzl list" ;-).)

Of all my "adoptees" I'm sure Arawashi (if his shoulder is really ok), Hokazan and Watanabe will make it to sekitori, maybe Takakiho. But I wish all of them luck and cross my fingers.

[Danjinoumi 9]

My adopted rikishi Shiratsuka (backstory here) recorded his third consecutive 6-1 record, this time from ms46w. Every rikishi he faced this basho ended up either 4-3 or 5-2, so no slouches in this group. His sole loss was a Day 6 yorikiri loss to Kitazono. This was only the second career loss (of eight total) by a non-nage. Otherwise, Shiratsuka pretty much continued with his forward-moving sumo, notching three wins by oshidashi (including one over ex-sekitori Furuichi), one by yorikiri, and one by tsukitaoshi. His other winning kimarite was by tsukiotoshi, generally used when on the tawara to snatch a win from the jaws of defeat.

Historically, we can expect Shiratsuka to be at about ms19 - ms21 for the Natsu Basho. It does not appear that even a perfect 7-0 yusho from this position will get him into Juryo, so sekitorihood will have to wait until at least the Aki Basho. Not to jinx him or anything ... :-)

Kotomisen, Sadogatake Beya, got a 5-2 (Blushing...) . I don't know if this will be enough for makushita promotion (he is now SD 25) - but maybe one of the banzuke experts knows better.

I doubt he will make it to makushita with a 5-2 from sd25. Shiratsuka was at sd25 last basho and I did some database searching to see where he might be for this basho. IIRC, a 5-2 record from sd25 historically means a banzuke position close to the top of sandanme for the following basho.

[Asashosakari 19,038]

New rikishi and likely Kyokutenho recruit Kyokutaisei had a great start into his career, going 6-1 with the only loss coming against collegiate Yamashita. However, in the interest of full disclosure I'll mention that he faced one former and three current persistence watchers.

My older adoptee Koryu, on the other hand, pretty much fell apart this basho, finishing only 5-10. That's the first "big" makekoshi (worse than 3-4/6-9) in his career, and hopefully he can bounce back strongly in May.

I doubt he will make it to makushita with a 5-2 from sd25. Shiratsuka was at sd25 last basho and I did some database searching to see where he might be for this basho. IIRC, a 5-2 record from sd25 historically means a banzuke position close to the top of sandanme for the following basho.

Sd25 is indeed right on the border, but for what it's worth, the last time a 5-2 rikishi in the upper 25 ranks was denied promotion to makushita was nearly 15 years ago. And with (at least) three retirements in juryo and makushita opening spots, there shouldn't be any reason to deviate from that procedure.

[Danjinoumi 9]

I doubt he will make it to makushita with a 5-2 from sd25. Shiratsuka was at sd25 last basho and I did some database searching to see where he might be for this basho. IIRC, a 5-2 record from sd25 historically means a banzuke position close to the top of sandanme for the following basho.

Sd25 is indeed right on the border, but for what it's worth, the last time a 5-2 rikishi in the upper 25 ranks was denied promotion to makushita was nearly 15 years ago. And with (at least) three retirements in juryo and makushita opening spots, there shouldn't be any reason to deviate from that procedure.

Clearly, I did not recall correctly (IDNRC?). I did a simple query that reflects the exact situation described by Fay, and indeed every sd25 rikishi with 5 wins managed to eke their way to the very bottom of the makushita division. This does not take into account intais, as Asashosakari so aptly pointed out, so I agree that the trend should continue next basho.

As often happens in this forum, I stand corrected! (Blushing...)

Edited March 24, 2008 by Danjinoumi

[messi19 0]

Masunoyama (Sd46w) bounced back spectacularly from two consecutive MK with the Haru Basho sandanme yusho. (Blushing...) He had to overcome some strong competition as he handed Asanotosa, Ginkakuzan and Wakainami their only losses and Hamauzu was the only opponent who ended up MK.

Obviously, Masunoyama is in for a tough challenge in Natsu as he will be ranked mid-makushita and a KK would be truly amazing considering his age and lack of experience with opponents of that level.

My other adoptee Kitasatsuma (also from Chiganoura beya) was ranked Jk15w this basho following a kyujo from a career high jonidan rank in January, but did an acceptable job as he ended up with a 5-2 record which is one win better than he managed in his only other jonokuchi basho in Natsu 2007. KK will not be an easy task in Natsu, but he's got Masunoyama (with whom he seems to get along very well) to do keiko with so anything can happen!

[Azumashida 1]

After his 1-6 (and 0-5 start) last basho, Masunofuji started this basho terribly again, with a 0-3 at Sd73e. Fortunately, he then had a winning streak of 4, and a well-deserved kachikoshi.

[Raishu 207]

Minami (Makushita 12 East): 4-3. This KK moves him closer to Juryo, but I'm not sure if he can become sekitori within the next bashos. I hope he keeps training intensively.

Shibuya (Makushita 53 East): 4-3. The first time he gets two KK in a row since september 2006. The restart was successful!! His goal schould be reaching upper Makushita until the end of the year.

Takanomiya (East Jonidan 59): 0-0-7. He was kyujo this basho. I couldn't find any reasons on the internet, but he probably has an injury. Hopefully, he can participtate in May.

Kainomiya (West Jonidan 118): 5-2. Once again, he achieved KK at the bottom of Jonidan. Now, he has to proove that he is able to compete in lower Jonidan as well . I wish him the best!

Edited March 25, 2008 by Raishu

[Manekineko 200]

Back in jonokuchi (but on the very top of it) my adoptee Kotokonjo (formerly known as Kotokaneko) is mk again: 2-5. Shikona change wasn't lucky for him at all: all mks. Well, since he only had 7 kks in his 6 year career so far, I suppose that is not strange. Let's see how he does against all the rookies in May. Maybe I'll be able to see him live!

[Gusoyama 99]

3-4 for both of my adoptees.

Takanoyama's skill seems to be on the decline, a few years ago, he was steadily in the mid 20s-30s in makushita, but now it seems that upper Sandanme is his level.

Funakoshi did not fare well in his first basho, starting off 0-3, then put together 3 wins against the cellar dwellars of Jonokuchi, and dropped his final bout to go 3-4. At least he beat Morikawa and Ono.

[aderechelsea 124]

Super Basho !!!

Daiyubu got the Makushita Yusho and he will be my second adopted rikishi to become a sekitori. I cannot even express my happiness and my pride for him ...

Hoshihikari had a really bad basho in top Juryo managing only 5 wins and showing a rather spiritless sumo. I was expecting a Juryo MK for some time now and it was not that surprising. His body is not in makuuchi level yet (both in size and strength) and it will actually help him to stay in Juryo for some time more. He will bounce back eventually.

The only thing that bothers me is that my 2 boys will probably face each other some time soon.

[Taizeniki 0]

Kazafuzan finally made it out of the 4-3/3-4 doldrums to make a KK of 5-2.... back up the ladder we go! Go, Tiger! Go!