Suppose Baruto....

[Kuroyama 715]

One of the biggest mistakes the opponents of Asashoryu make is "not keeping up the offensive."

When you are up to your ass in alligators, it is difficult to remember that you started out to drain the swamp. (Sign of approval...)

Still, Baruto had a good chance to take the initiative. From that position, he should have flung open Asa's right hand for a diversion. Then right foothold inside. twist to the left and at the same time raising and hurling Asa forward by his left shoulder over the right foothold. And then left hand on the neck to finish.

Yeah, right. Give it a try and let us know how it goes.

[Treblemaker 254]

One of the biggest mistakes the opponents of Asashoryu make is "not keeping up the offensive."

When you are up to your ass in alligators, it is difficult to remember that you started out to drain the swamp. (Sign of approval...)

Still, Baruto had a good chance to take the initiative. From that position, he should have flung open Asa's right hand for a diversion. Then right foothold inside. twist to the left and at the same time raising and hurling Asa forward by his left shoulder over the right foothold. And then left hand on the neck to finish.

Yeah, right. Give it a try and let us know how it goes.

Baruto's going to be able to think those things through? HF, maybe. Aminishiki, maybe. Baruto? His only thought in the middle of the bout was how to safely and quietly let go of the bag of Rattlesnakes, Recluse Spiders and Scorpions he'd inadvertantly picked up.

K, let's put things in prespective. Asa thinks fast, moves fast, has incredible insticts and an arsenal of weapons that are normally associated with an Apache Longbow. Baruto has size, weight, arms that only a gorilla would appreciate, but isn't necessarily the brightest light on the tree... This was simply a fight between Rambo and a Mastodon. Not unlike the bout with Kise, or Kakezoe, Baruto probably never knew what hit him.

Interesting. The guy who takes Hakuho apart, beats HF, Oshu and Kaio, then stung by Toyonoshima and then gets royally pounded by Asa. You'd think the intensity would be there, but apparently, the Ozeki run waits for a while. I figure that, all going well, he should have concrete claims on the rank by July.

[Takamizawa 0]

The sad part in all of this is that even if he isn't promoted, if he wins out now Baruto will have performed better over these three tournaments (Aki-present) than really all of the other ozeki. He obviously still has some major flaws, but he is still of similar (if not greater in some cases) caliber to the ozeki we have now. I'm not saying he should be promoted, but it just kinda reflects on the sad state of the current ozeki =/.

[madorosumaru 7]

Bart Sez

Baruto: (Flung ignominiously to the dohyo by the yokozuna) Sigh . . . sigh . . . I guess I've been a bit nervous and tense since yesterday. Sigh . . . Maybe, it's the pressure. Sigh . . . If I could have gotten hold of the mawashi . . . with either hand. Sigh . . . Just couldn't do it. Sigh.

More Bart: (After giving it some more thought) My tachiai wasn't that bad. The yokozuna is just so darn quick. Once he got his head against my chest, there was nothing I could do. Sigh . . .

[Vikanohara 171]

Oh well, we could be losing Ozeki quickly now. So as long as Baruto manages to hang in there, he finally will get his promotion. At the moment it's still too soon, especially if he would lose from Goeido today. But he sure still has enough time remaining. He's still only 25, not even 6 full years into ozumo and lost quite some time recovering from that injury in 2007 and having to climb up again. So no need to rush now.

[paolo 0]

The sad part in all of this is that even if he isn't promoted, if he wins out now Baruto will have performed better over these three tournaments (Aki-present) than really all of the other ozeki. He obviously still has some major flaws, but he is still of similar (if not greater in some cases) caliber to the ozeki we have now. I'm not saying he should be promoted, but it just kinda reflects on the sad state of the current ozeki =/.

You are right. If the standings were absolute and did not have to necessarily have the Ozeki's in front of all the others (Sekiwake, Komusubi and Maegashira), Baruto would be at the third place, not at the seventh. He must still learn some sumo, though ... His fantastic power is not always enough to win. Anyway current ozeki's performances are so erratic that he should have no problem to make 11/12 wins consistently and become an ozeki soon.

[Jakusotsu 5,969]

Quite funny. Five days ago, Baruto won his first bout against a Yokozuna in 17 attempts, and now it's all for the birds because he couldn't follow through with the other?

[Asameshimae 220]

Let's call it manhandled. I know Asashoryu probably felt like he wanted to prove something, but to see him flop Baruto to the dirt like a bale of hay (almost literally!), it is hard to think of someone looking less like Ozeki material, at least today.

I disagree. Baruto looked very much Ozeki material for the most part of the bout. To keep Asashoryu in check for that long is not an easy feat.

True of course. Which is why the bale of hay at the end came as even more of a surprise.

[wanderer 159]

Baruto's sumo is not where Osh's sumo is yet. So, don't expect Baruto threatening the two yokozuna on a regular basis any time soon. What he is doing right now is discovering himself one by one. If he gives up that over the shoulder attempt and just attack forward, knees bent, and two elbows pressed to his body, his sheer size alone will be enough to incite fear in anybody. Well, easier said than done I guess.

Another thing in Baruto is he never trusts in himself. When Hakuho was up and coming, he always came up with all the agenda to destroy Asashoryu. I wonder why such powerful people like Baruto and Kotooshu can not have such determinations? Imagine Kotooshu coming with all his guns blazing, and Baruto raging like a bull. No one can stop them.

[HenryK 38]

The sad part in all of this is that even if he isn't promoted, if he wins out now Baruto will have performed better over these three tournaments (Aki-present) than really all of the other ozeki. He obviously still has some major flaws, but he is still of similar (if not greater in some cases) caliber to the ozeki we have now. I'm not saying he should be promoted, but it just kinda reflects on the sad state of the current ozeki =/.

You are right. If the standings were absolute and did not have to necessarily have the Ozeki's in front of all the others (Sekiwake, Komusubi and Maegashira), Baruto would be at the third place, not at the seventh. He must still learn some sumo, though ... His fantastic power is not always enough to win. Anyway current ozeki's performances are so erratic that he should have no problem to make 11/12 wins consistently and become an ozeki soon.

I for my part think Baruto still ranks behind Harumafuji and Kotooshu--notwithstanding the head-to-head victories at this basho--in particular as regards their ability to put pressure on the Yokozuna. I'm not even sure whether I'd consider Baruto having bypassed Kotomitsuki. It's not that Baruto is winning regulalary against these guys.

This said, I agree Baruto would, by now, make a fine Ozeki.

Edited January 21, 2010 by HenryK

[paolo 0]

... If the standings were absolute and did not have to necessarily have the Ozeki's in front of all the others (Sekiwake, Komusubi and Maegashira), Baruto would be at the third place, not at the seventh...

I for my part think Baruto still ranks behind Harumafuji and Kotooshu--notwithstanding the head-to-head victories at this basho--in particular as regards their ability to put pressure on the Yokozuna. I'm not even sure whether I'd consider Baruto having bypassed Kotomitsuki. It's not that Baruto is winning regulalary against these guys.

...

I must admit that perhaps I was taken by too much enthusiasm seeing Baruto execute a technical move (makke-kae) against Hakuho .... Kotooshu's technical ability even if not big is still greater than Baruto's, and Harumafuji's technical and tactical ones are much much greater. Baruto has still a lot (or two lots) to learn. But curiously, this notwithstanding, there are some interesting points:

Considering the results of the last three basho (their opponents are about the same), the four are very close (I hope I am counting correctly...):

Kotooshu 32/45

Harumafuji 27/45

Kotomitzuki 29/45

Baruto 32/45

including the current one (this line and the 4 lines that follow amended at the end of the basho)

Kotooshu 41/60

Harumafuji 37/60

Kotomitzuki 30/53

Baruto 44/60

direct meetings including current basho:

Kotooshu-Baruto 2-2

Kotooshu-Harumafuji 3-1 (line amended at the end of the basho)

Kotooshu-Kotomitzuki 0-0

Harumafuji-Kotomitzuki 2-1

Baruto-Harumafuji 3-1

Baruto-Kotomitzuki 2-1

From numbers above one could think that there is a certain balance between Baruto, Kotooshu, Harumafuji in this order, while Kotomitzuki stands clearly below. If and when Baruto learns some technique and some more intelligent tactics, he could become a stronger rikishi than the other two. An Ozeki for sure...

Edited January 24, 2010 by paolo

[Treblemaker 254]

A match between Baruto and Oshu always reminds me of a bout between a hippo and a giraffe... don't know why...

Interesting stats. I've always wondered just what the Sanyaku landscape would look like if the Koto's were able to go head-to-head with each other. What would the record have been between Mitsuki and Oshu? Would Geekoo factor into things? Won't happen, of course, but it's always a "what if.." thought.

[Barang 0]

Good tournament for Baruto 12-3 and Shukun-Sho. Fifty-fifty change for promotion?

[kozlodoev 0]

I asked him and he said he hasn't heard anything about it.

Frankly, I'd be surprised if he does get the nod. He went 12-3, but in a basho where two of the four ozeki left early (as a matter of fact, Bart got a no contest win against one of them, too).

[Frinkanohana 13]

Frankly, I'd be surprised if he does get the nod. He went 12-3, but in a basho where two of the four ozeki left early (as a matter of fact, Bart got a no contest win against one of them, too).

Only one Ozeki left early (Kotomitsuki) and Baruto got a no contest win against Sekiwake Chiyotaikai.

[Asashosakari 19,319]

As usual, a quick reminder of Asashoryu's ozeki promotion basho.

[madorosumaru 7]

There is zero percent chance of promotion right now but Haru will very likely be his first ozeki-tori basho.

According to the media, Hanaregoma Oyakata, chief shimpan, the group that would recommend the promotion, said, "It would all depend on the [quantity and quality of the] wins and the prevailing 'mood' at that time but there is a growing feeling for that now."

He added, "He needs to improve the quality of his wins and we will have to see if the shimpan group will get excited [by the prospect]."

Musashigawa Rijicho commented, "The mental aspect would be a key, but he just needs to continue to do the kind of sumo he does best."

I think there is no doubt in anyone's mind that he is the leading candidate for ozeki. It is just a matter of time and "timing."

[ilovesumo 12]

"He needs to improve the quality of his wins and we will have to see if the shimpan group will get excited [by the prospect]."

To me that means "and the few he looses must not look as stupid as the loss to Toyonoshima" (I am not worthy...)

[Jakusotsu 5,969]

...and some wins not as stupid as against Kakizoe. (I am not worthy...)

[Gusoyama 103]

As usual, a quick reminder of Asashoryu's ozeki promotion basho.

Wow, 8 of the top 18 out with an injury. 7 KK in the top HALF of Makuuchi. I had forgotten this.

[ilovesumo 12]

But Shoryu was like a storm, unstopable, boosting to the top. Well developed, power-sumo plus he had more skills.

Bart already had to change his Sumo due to his bad knee. He was at least slowed down. "fix the guy and carry him out". He cannot win from any position (I believed Shoryu could).

[Gusoyama 103]

Bart already had to change his Sumo due to his bad knee. He was at least slowed down. "fix the guy and carry him out". He cannot win from any position (I believed Shoryu could).

But that perhaps is the difference between an Ozeki and a Yokozuna, no? And no ordinary Yokozuna at that. I see Baruto's sumo right now being as good as Kotooshu's and Ama's sumo at the time of their promotions.

[ilovesumo 12]

That was about Asa's Ozeki promotion, not about him becoming Yokozuna.

[Asashosakari 19,319]

That was about Asa's Ozeki promotion, not about him becoming Yokozuna.

And he still finished "only" 12-3 in that basho despite the massively reduced level of competition, but of course they didn't deny him the ozeki promotion because of that, which was kinda my point in response to kozlodoev's comment.

[wanderer 159]

Bart already had to change his Sumo due to his bad knee. He was at least slowed down. "fix the guy and carry him out". He cannot win from any position (I believed Shoryu could).

But that perhaps is the difference between an Ozeki and a Yokozuna, no? And no ordinary Yokozuna at that. I see Baruto's sumo right now being as good as Kotooshu's and Ama's sumo at the time of their promotions.

Baruto's sumo is nowhere near the level of Kotooshu's/Ama's sumo at their time of promotions. His enormous size and strength amplifies greatly whatever skills he has. We would be talking about something entirely different if he even had just 10% of what Ama had in terms of skills: Perfect Yokozuna, capable of reaching 100 yusho mark.

But Baruto is showing a better ability than Kotooshu's to change his sumo, and will make it to Ozeki in no time.