The new Kotomitsuki

[Sashohitowa 6]

Kotomitsuki's situation is somehow so far not discussed here. But he is kadoban, and his sumo is not good... Today versus Goiedo he was clearly overpowered. My impression is that he simply lacks the minimum force, needed by every Ozeki who wants to maintain his rank. Yes, he got two wins - over Kyokutenho, who is somehow waiting for the first part of the basho to be over, and versus Aran who, well, still lacks abilities to be competitive in joi-jin.

So we will see a New Kotomitsuki at the end of the basho - either a Kotomitsuki who is capable of showing a strong second-half of the basho with wins over Y/O/S -- or just a demoted Kotomitsuki.

[Takamizawa 0]

(A fearful rikishi...)

[Washuyama 641]

Goeido has had Mickey's number for the past year. I think he needs to find that Kotomitsuki from two years ago complete with the "invincible" attitude on the dohyo!

[Kintamayama 45,111]

I think Kotomitsuki is still injured. That's what I was reading between the lines of the keiko articles.

[Asashosakari 19,319]

I must say I was surprised to see so many people pick a double-digit record in Guess the Kotomitsuki...beforehand this basho had all the markings of a typical post-injury kadoban basho to me, i.e. struggling to put the necessary 8 wins together. So, so far he's doing pretty much what I expected to see. Luckily for him he's likely still going to get matches against Tamawashi, Tosayutaka and Toyohibiki thanks to his heya advantage, so there are still enough wins up for grabs that he won't need a hugely miraculous finish against the higher-rankers. (Although, who would really bet against that if it's necessary, either?)

And yeah, it doesn't help his current record that he's already had to face Kisenosato (now 3-8 since 2008) and Goeido (1-5 in the last year). Still lots of time...

I think Kotomitsuki is still injured. That's what I was reading between the lines of the keiko articles.

Yep, same here.

Edited March 17, 2010 by Asashosakari

[Sokkenaiyama 81]

I'm gonna go Kozaru for a minute here and bet Kotomitsuki gets another 8-7. Any suckers takers?

[Kintamayama 45,111]

I'm gonna go Kozaru for a minute here and bet Kotomitsuki gets another 8-7. Any suckers takers?

Could be, but I don't see many gift-bearers this time. Osh is not on the agenda, U is on a 2-2 tear of his own, Harumafuji is in the running, Hakuhou doesn't play, Baruto has a goal, Chiyotaikai isn't playing anymore. That's five potential presents out the window. He needs to win his next three without a doubt. Tomorrow - re-surging Kakuryuu..

We shall see.

[Sokkenaiyama 81]

U > Mitsuki

Giku/Oshu > U

That's one possible trade. And who said Hak doesn't play?

[Kintamayama 45,111]

U > Mitsuki

Giku/Oshu > U

That's one possible trade. And who said Hak doesn't play?

I says. And he sure won't give up a win when he's running for the yusho. If he gets Mickey, he'll get him first of the Ozekis, around day 11-12 or so - way too early for gimmes.

Edited March 17, 2010 by Kintamayama

[sekihiryu 51]

I went to see a bit of sadisticgatake keiko the other day ( shogiku was really working one poor kid so much my friend who I took along look horrified - I told him you should have seen it a few years back when shinai, 2 x 4's, shovels were still in vogue)

Mitsuki and Oshu both did"Sweet FA" is the session. Only shogiku was doing anything of the big three.

[Sokkenaiyama 81]

I says. And he sure won't give up a win when he's running for the yusho. If he gets Mickey, he'll get him first of the Ozekis, around day 11-12 or so - way too early for gimmes.

If he gets him, he should get him on day 12. And by that time he might just be 2 wins or so ahead of the nearest contender. As you say, we shall see.

[Gusoyama 103]

I says. And he sure won't give up a win when he's running for the yusho. If he gets Mickey, he'll get him first of the Ozekis, around day 11-12 or so - way too early for gimmes.

If he gets him, he should get him on day 12. And by that time he might just be 2 wins or so ahead of the nearest contender. As you say, we shall see.

I'm thinking that anyone that goes 177-18 since the beginning of 2008 is not giving away too many wins. Thats a 93% win percentage. Being 2 wins ahead won't stop him. He may not be as outward about his drive as Asa was, but a jun-yusho or yusho in every single one of his Yokozuna bashos save his first shows that he clearly has the killer instinct. So to answer your "who says Hakuho doesn't play", I say "The numbers."

And here's another piece of evidence, which I know is the bane of all conspiracy theorists: http://www.sumoreference.com/Query_bout.as...&winsopt2=2

Its a query of Hakuho's bouts as a Yokozuna against Ozeki who have ended up 8-7. He's 21-3, with 1 loss on day 12 to an already KK Chiyotaikai, and another on Day 10 to a 4-6 Harumafuji, his first and only loss of the basho. The only one that MIGHT fit the bill is a 10-3 day 13 loss to Kotomitsuki who needed the win. But if you look more closely at that basho, Hakuho was still in the race on day 13, so it doesn't fit.

Edited March 17, 2010 by Gusoyama

[Sokkenaiyama 81]

Hey, I was just sayin'. No need to bite my head off.

[Sashohitowa 6]

Hey, I was just sayin'. No need to bite my head off.

Suckers strike back. (Applauding...) (Applauding...)

[Gusoyama 103]

Hey, I was just sayin'. No need to bite my head off.

I wanted to squash any rumors or insinuations that might gain steam. There are reasonable claims in the OBSC, but Hakuho's inclusion is not one.

[Vikanohara 171]

I must say I was surprised to see so many people pick a double-digit record in Guess the Kotomitsuki...beforehand this basho had all the markings of a typical post-injury kadoban basho to me, i.e. struggling to put the necessary 8 wins together. So, so far he's doing pretty much what I expected to see.

I first wanted to put 4-11, but as almost everyone had a KK for him in mind, I was thinking of putting 6-9. In the end, I went in between, betting 5-10.

Luckily for him he's likely still going to get matches against Tamawashi, Tosayutaka and Toyohibiki thanks to his heya advantage, so there are still enough wins up for grabs that he won't need a hugely miraculous finish against the higher-rankers.

That's true. And he also gets a possible victory from Kaio if that one would already be KK or MK by the time they meet. So in fact, he could still easily finish KK from here. Though he can't afford to lose from 2 out of the 3 you named here.

[Treblemaker 254]

Mitsuki is not 100%. You can see it right from the tachi-ai. Normally, he's got one of the quickest starts - usually over the opponent's line before the other guy has time to react. That right leg is his push-off leg. If it's giving him problems, he'll be slow off the draw. So, his nornal agility isn't there, especially during the bout.

Any mawashi work (or any in-close stuff, for that matter) requires that the power comes from the legs. Upper body strength alone won't do it. And unlike Baruto, Homasho, Kaio, Giku, etc, Mitz is slightly more top-heavy, with slimmer legs. If his leg is really bothering him, his stability will not be there. And I'm thinking his basho is going to run in this theme.

I hope I'm wrong. He's easily one of my favourite guys, and I hope he can turn it around, but as we all know, the tough stuff is coming up next week.

Which brings me to my next point - footing.

Is it just me, or is that dohyo more slippery than the one in Tokyo? People are sliding left and right, and for someone with a bum leg (see above) the lack of traction can cause even more damage.

[Kotononami 86]

He avoids kadoban today with a good win against ozeki Harumafuji (Sign of approval...)

[Takamizawa 0]

He avoids kadoban today with a good win against ozeki Harumafuji (Sign of approval...)

Hell ya! That was some sick hip action shaking off Haru's grip too!

[Pippooshu 1]

Very good defense against Haruma's nage and good reaction after the flex...I think has been a pride's affair.