Ozumo is indestructable

[HenryK 38]

Before this basho I feared I might gradually lose interest in ozumo, with scandal after scandal pestering the Kyokai, entertaining characters like Asashoryu and Kotomitsuki out of the sport, and (partly as a consequence) Hakuho dominating the competition at will.

But then I didn't, even though Hakuho dominated by the numbers as expected. Especially the second week carried both interest and entertainment, with the Ozeki giving Hakuho value for his money. Kotooshu, Baruto and Harumafuji are a competitive bunch with upwards potential, imo the generational changeover does the Ozeki rank a whole lot of good.

Further down, Aran--who I had categorized as middle-to-upper rank maegashira with at best occasional, losing spells in the joi-jin ranks--surpised greatly on the upside. Also Tochiozan put in a fine performance, and Tochinoshin, inspite of a 6-9 record, showed that he is there to stay as a joi-jin regular.

Good basho.

Edited July 26, 2010 by HenryK

[Tamaikazuchi 4]

I agree. My interest remains very high. Even if Hakuho dominates, there are still a bunch of other storylines going on as each basho progresses. Plus, I love watching Hakuho dominate. The gambling scandal got very tiring leading up to the basho, but once it started I was able to mostly forget all the negatives and focus on what was in front of me. So yeah, I'm still loving it. :D

[Harry 67]

I watched the stream. The bit rate and quality seems higher though early on in the night it seems the resolution is higher, then they drop it I guess due to increased demand which is too bad but still it is better than it used to be and in some ways nicer than NHK, no Diet interruptions at least!

But I didn't watch it as much and didn't follow it as much as before. 3 zensho yushos in a row makes Hakuho's matches suspenseful to see when he'll lose but it seems there should be more competition at the highest level.

Edited July 26, 2010 by Harry

[Takamizawa 0]

3 zensho yushos in a row makes Hakuho's matches suspenseful to see when he'll lose but it seems there should be more competition at the highest level.

Yes! I find myself sitting at the edge of my seat during most of his matches just on the off chance that someone can finally topple him! I honestly thought his dominace would be boring, but with the winning streak it's actually become more interesting personally. While I may not be a huge Hakuho fan, he is still always amazing to watch; he's really the perfect combination of speed, strength, and skill.

[Asashosakari 19,667]

I watched the stream. The bit rate and quality seems higher though early on in the night it seems the resolution is higher, then they drop it I guess due to increased demand which is too bad but still it is better than it used to be and in some ways nicer than NHK, no Diet interruptions at least!

The bitrate drops automatically if the connection cannot keep up; I haven't noticed anything like that in my recorded streams so it's (probably) not a problem on the Japanese end. Just try reconnecting when it happens, you should be returned to the maximum quality stream.

I'm happy to see this thread. (Shaking head...) I never have much trouble finding lots of things that will maintain my interest beyond the makuuchi yusho race, but sometimes it seems that I'm in an extreme minority with that. And who knows, maybe the most recent scandal will finally light a fire under some of these notorious underachievers, now that it can't be dismissed as "just a bunch of foreigners" or "just a few rotten apples". The proverbial "interesting times" are ahead, perhaps. (I am not worthy...)

[Vikanohara 171]

It has been going on long before we were born and will survive us all by lightyears.

[Kotoviki 16]

It has been going on long before we were born and will survive us all by lightyears.

Agree!!!!

[bredoumi 0]

good basho. A little shock helps to find new forms even for old things. And, I agree, sumo is very old and definitely will survive.

[Manekineko 200]

[...] by lightyears.

By lots and lots of kilometers? (Being unsure...)

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

[Vikanohara 171]

[...] by lightyears.

By lots and lots of kilometers? :-O

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

Nerd ! :-) :-)

[Kuroyama 715]

[...] by lightyears.

By lots and lots of kilometers? :-O

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

Nerd ! :-P :-)

You don't have to be a nerd to find "lightyears" in this context nonsensical.

...

Well. Not a TOTAL nerd, anyway.

:-)

[ilovesumo 12]

The problems are obvious. Number of active Rikishi is sinking. This happened before those booms in the 70s, 80s and early 90s. Now we are back to "normal".

Look what happened to Kabuki. The government had to help out cause there had been less and less actors.

Sumo is loosing importance for years. Youth doesn't care like the former generations who also cared less then those before them.

Maybe Sumo will go on forever, but existing on a level like in the old days, with some 150-200 active Rikishi who do more or less ritual hanazumo.

Who knows...but stopping the TV-broadcast is some terrible kick in the butt and won't help to keep Sumo alive.

[Gusoyama 104]

They need to give the lower ranks salary. Period. Why on earth should Hiro Farmboy enter the harsh world of ozumo if all he can look forward to is hazing, hard work, and punishing his own body for 3 years, minimum, to MAYBE get paid? $10,000/year + free room and board makes things look interesting for a dumb as rocks teenager with no future in business.

[Asashosakari 19,667]

$10,000/year + free room and board makes things look interesting for a dumb as rocks teenager with no future in business.

As well as for no-hope 35-year-olds who don't mind "competing" in sandanme or jonidan 42 times per year for that type of deal. "Just throw more money at it" is generally not a sufficient platform for change.

Also, makushita rikishi receive 150,000 yen every two months which just so happens to equate to about $10,000 annually...

[Kintamayama 45,530]

They need to give the lower ranks salary. Period. Why on earth should Hiro Farmboy enter the harsh world of ozumo if all he can look forward to is hazing, hard work, and punishing his own body for 3 years, minimum, to MAYBE get paid?

And lives in a Kibbutz where he has no expenses whatsoever and all his basic hunting needs are taken care for in the cave. Let's not forget that..