Ozeki Back-Scratchers' Club

[Jejima 1,357]

Did anyone (other than me) think that today's Taikai vs Kotomitsuki bout was slightly iffy? I was watching it from the rafters, but before it happened I called how I thought it 'could' go before it happened. (Taikai's trademark tsuppari from days of yore followed by a mawashi pull down by Miki.)

I was stood next to the Higashi Hana-michi rikishi in the tunnel before their dohyo-iri, during which Taikai was in a very chatty, jocular mode. (Unlike the lower ranked guys who were mostly very focused, apart from Takamisakari who kept on pretending to elbow his neighbour in the face.)

I don't think a bout between those two 'could' go in any different way-of course Taikai would come out with a tsuppari attack and Mickey would try for the belt leaving a good chance for a mawashi pulldown. No way in hell Taikai would drop this one. The fact he isn't kadoban is not relevant-he will be next basho at this rate, as I don't see Harumafuji or the two yokozuna handing him a freebie this time around. I'm not even sure U can give him one this time either..

But, we shall see.

Points very well made sir. (I am not worthy...)

It will be good for gate receipts if Kotomitsuki remains in the yusho race, as he is the local favourite. On Thursday and Friday, the place was pretty empty. I was able to get some nice masu-seki boxes all to myself on both days - having paid for cheap seats - the weekend has been full, and I expect today to be packed too as it is a holiday. But if Kotomitsuki manages to keep on winning, perhaps that may encourage a few more punters to turn up for days Tues - Fri?

[Shomishuu 0]

It might still be uncertain as to whether Harumafuji is a club member but Kaio sent him a clear invitation today. He (Kaio) has always been unapologetic about his kotenage which has injured a number of rikishi, saying that he needed to do it to win certain matches. Today (Day 10), he was certain to lose without it and certain to win if he let it fly. Of course the expected reciprocation would apply to all ozeki and not just to him, so we may start getting clues about HMFJ sooner than expected.

Edited July 21, 2009 by Shomishuu

[kaiguma 0]

It might still be uncertain as to whether Harumafuji is a club member but Kaio sent him a clear invitation today. He (Kaio) has always been unapologetic about his kotenage which has injured a number of rikishi, saying that he needed to do it to win certain matches. Today (Day 10), he was certain to lose without it and certain to win if he let it fly. Of course the expected reciprocation would apply to all ozeki and not just to him, so we may start getting clues about HMFJ sooner than expected.

Without this kind of dirty territory on my mind, I was really wondering how he avoided the dreaded Kaionage, but had an inkling that skill was involved. though I may be biased, I really thought the replay was bearing through that theory. Harumafuji seemed to be pouring the power of every ounce of his soul into leveraging against Kaio's force in the same direction, essentially equaling Kaio's body mass and torque power, or nearly anyway.

Of course that last part is probably made up gibberish to make me sound intelligent. I dunno, ask him <---

(Jumping in ecstasy...)

[Shomishuu 0]

Of course that last part is probably made up gibberish to make me sound intelligent.

(Clapping wildly...)

And it worked very well, actually. ;-)

[Kintamayama 44,667]

First, I'd like to say how happy I am this thread was relatively quiet this basho. Second, I see a problem. Chiyotaikai needs another win tomorrow, but he faces Kakuryuu, who we have labeled as a non-player. KaioU should have lost to Taikai today and faced club member Kotomitsuki tomorrow for a win. But a small hitch-Mickey is still mathematically in the yusho race, at least for the next ten minutes.

So Taikai has to win it tomorrow for real. This is going to be fun.

[Sokkenaiyama 80]

I was thinking the same thing. Chiyotaikai must have pissed Kaio off or something, because I don't see him taking Kakuryu down. Henka anyone?

[Peterao 3]

I was thinking the same thing. Chiyotaikai must have pissed Kaio off or something, because I don't see him taking Kakuryu down. Henka anyone?

So Chiyo is capable of beating Asashoryu but not Kakuryu? Hmmm...

[Sokkenaiyama 80]

Yeah, it seems he's capable of taking Asashoryu and Kotooshu, but somehow has trouble beating old man Kaio and Iwakiyama. That's sumo for ya.

http://sumodb.sumogames.com/Rikishi_opp.aspx?r=8&r2=1219

Edited July 25, 2009 by Sokkenaiyama

[Asashosakari 19,030]

Deservedly I lost 5 points in Tipspiel today by placing Chiyotaikai there, thinking there's no way they'll risk putting off his KK until tomorrow after the mess with Baruto last time, even with the miniscule yusho implications for Mickey that existed at the time. Eh, Kakuryu's not looking especially sharp this basho.

[Kintamayama 44,667]

So Chiyo is capable of beating Asashoryu but not Kakuryu? Hmmm...

Chiyo is incapable of beating anyone of high rank at this juncture. Beating Asa on an off day means nothing. I suggest you check his last few bashos and see who he beats, who beats him, and WHEN he manages to get his wins. No brainer- him and his cohort the elbow-breaker would have been long gone if it weren't for the backy scratchy. Ad no, I have no proof, but I do have eyes.

[Jejima 1,357]

I guess that OBSC conspirators could say that Miki was still in with a yusho chance before today's bouts. Therefore Kaio needs to lose tomorrow - and so needed to get his KK today (and therefore also allow him to make it to November basho, whatever happens next basho, so claim the makunouchi longevity record in his home-town.)

Chiyotaikai will just have to take this chances against an MK Kakuryu tomorrow (I am not worthy...)

[Chisaiyama 11]

Not too big of a chance actually as he has only beaten Taikai once when he (Kakuryu) had a losing record. And that was a tournament in which both he and Taikai had losing records and in fact both ended up 5-10 so the match meant nothing to either of them. In all their other meetings if Kakuryu had a losing record and Taikai was needy he got the win, so Senshuraku should be no exception. IMHOOC

[Asashosakari 19,030]

Not too big of a chance actually as he has only beaten Taikai once when he (Kakuryu) had a losing record. And that was a tournament in which both he and Taikai had losing records and in fact both ended up 5-10 so the match meant nothing to either of them. In all their other meetings if Kakuryu had a losing record and Taikai was needy he got the win, so Senshuraku should be no exception. IMHOOC

Haven't all but two of their matches been in the first week? (I am not worthy...)

[maxim 0]

Day 15 will be a meeting point between the Ozeki back-scratchers theory, the Mongolian back-scratchers theory and the Yokozuna back-scratchers theory.

[Jejima 1,357]

Personally, I think Asashoryu would want just about anyone else other than Hakuho to win the yusho. I expect him to play the part of spoiler to the fulll - especially if Osh has defeated Harry in the previous bout. Even if Osh loses to Harry, I still expect Asashoryu to spoil Hakuho's celebration a little, by showing who is 'top-dog' amongst the Yokozunas....

Should be an interesting day! In fact, this whole basho has been very interesting. (I am not worthy...)

[Sokkenaiyama 80]

I honestly don't think Asashoryu has much of a chance in tomorrow's bout, desire or not. Hakuho is just too good right now. I hope I'm wrong, though...

[Kintamayama 44,667]

I honestly don't think Asashoryu has much of a chance in tomorrow's bout, desire or not. Hakuho is just too good right now. I hope I'm wrong, though...

Put me down for Asa, definitely.

[Harry 67]

Honestly I thought Taikai was going to win, hadn't thought about Kaio possibly needing to lose on senshuraku. Watching the match there was a point where I thought Kaio was going to go down but he didn't. The tsuppari attack just isn't ferocious enough anymore.

[Sashohitowa 6]

Re Chiyotaikai-Kaio:

I have made my Seki-toto pick quite easily: Chiyo's tsupari are in such a bad shape that he won't be able to keep Kaio away from his mawashi. => Win for Kaio.

Quite more realistic than some "Mitsuki is in the yusho race still, so he needs the favor, therefore Chiyo will give the KK to Kaio" stuff, isn't it?

Every good conspiracy theory can absorb any results after they happen - so true. But sometimes the reality can prove even the best theory - just you have the eyes to see it.

[Sokkenaiyama 80]

It's that time again. Kaio vs Harumafuji tomorrow - what would you say the odds are Kaio wins in a straight up fight?

/tinfoil

Edited May 19, 2010 by Sokkenaiyama

[Kintamayama 44,667]

My highly deflated money is on Harumafuji.

[Randomitsuki 2,813]

It's that time again. Kaio vs Harumafuji tomorrow - what would you say the odds are Kaio wins in a straight up fight?

38.6% (says my algorithm)

[Asashosakari 19,030]

I already nearly outwitted myself on the Kaio-Kotomitsuki bout - had Kaio at 4 points in Tipspiel, then got scared by the possibility that Kaio might lose there and then beat Kotooshu instead, and so dropped the old guy to the zero slot to be safe. Bah, two points wasted. (At least I didn't overturn my Toto pick altogether.) In other words, straight conspiracy picks again from now on.

Edited May 19, 2010 by Asashosakari

[Sokkenaiyama 80]

Does it also say what the chances are we'll see a straight up fight?

[Randomitsuki 2,813]

Does it also say what the chances are we'll see a straight up fight?

I am currently revising my formulas, and from Nagoya on even these things will be automatically factored in. As for tomorrow, I decided to add 15% to Kaio's winning probability.