Kyushu Basho 2012 Discussion Thread

[Igordemorais 75]

As usual here's the discussion thread so we can discuss what's going on.

I`ll kick it off with some observations:

The highlight of the day for me was Goeido beating Kakuryu with an outside leg sweep. I never get tired of saying just how much I like this guy and I like his fights, just because of how sneaky and unpredictable he is. Kakuryu is no joke, he is technically sound so this was great.

I fully expected the H-bomb to slap the shit out of his opponent and he did. He displayed some Yokozuna dominance today, which I like. Maybe living up to the title?

.Baruto's knee is taped to hell but he dominated Kaisei, to my chagrin. Let's see how he behaves. Meanwhile, I was surprised by Kotooshu`s defeat. This does not bode well man...

I got pissed that Lungie lost but Aoiyama is huge, there wasn't really much to be done there. Fight on Masunoyama!

And 2 kadoban Ozeki starting off with 0-1 !

Edited November 11, 2012 by Igordemorais

[yorikiried by fate 2,028]

Baruto's movement looked really bad. Osh and Geek also didn't come across as pro-active. If this will continue, we either will see a couple of extra Sekiwake in January, or some farcical travesties in week two.

[Washuyama 641]

or some farcical travesties...

I first read that as "transvestites" and had some mental images I don't ever want to see again!! :-S

[krindel 671]

I got pissed that Lungie lost but Aoiyama is huge, there wasn't really much to be done there. Fight on Masunoyama!

My impression was that he didn't lose because of Aoiyama's size, but because of poor footwork, his legs were way far behind from his body...

Kotooshu gave a really bad performance today, and it is really possible that he'll be looking for a new hairdresser in a few months... Then again, everyone has been saying that for the last two years, and he's still here, so who knows?

Kotoshogiku also faltered, but I have to notice the fact that Tochiozan is a rikishi against who he always has troubles (note their 8-7 record head to head). I'll reserve judgement on him till I see a couple more bouts, but I think it is more than likely that he'll get his 8 in the end.

Baruto was the only kadoban winning, but Kaisei is the kind of opponent that shouldn't give him trouble, even with a taped knee, he's still strong as a bear. His trouble should start with smaller / faster rikishi, beginning with Shohozan tomorrow. It'll be interesting to see how much chase he can give if Shohozan starts moving fast laterally.

I was also surprised by Myogiryu's loss, which goes to show that experience counts for a lot that high in the banzuke... I hope he'll bounce back. Besides, I am sure he can see that it is more than likely that the immediate future will contain room in the Ozeki ranks for him to make a push.

Lastly, Jokoryu looked like he belongs in Makuuchi, in which he will be a very welcome addition. Hope he can keep this up!

[Igordemorais 75]

A good first basho in Makuuchi is like standard for these promising guys. I want to see him at M6+, then we will see. But Jokoryu is definitely something.

Myogiryu losing was surprising

[Mukonoso 273]

I've never been one to jump on a bandwagon but I'm hoping for big things from Jokoryu. He might replace Kotooshu and Takanoyama as my favorite rikishi.

[Igordemorais 75]

I've never been one to jump on a bandwagon but I'm hoping for big things from Jokoryu. He might replace Kotooshu and Takanoyama as my favorite rikishi.

Takanoyama

Takanoyama

Takanoyama

[Bugman 384]

.Baruto's knee is taped to hell but he dominated Kaisei, to my chagrin.

Best thing i like about kaisei apart from his humble attitude is his balance, when he does good Sumo he is really hard to shift and he gave Baruto a lot of trouble, i hope he becomes consistent with that balance and then goes up another gear by using his considerable strength to more effect.

I may be completely wrong on this, (wouldn't surprise me, i usually am :-)) but he seems to be a rikishi who's success comes more from intelligently putting what he has learnt into practice, rather than just from natural talent, i wish him the best.

Edited November 11, 2012 by Bugman

[shumitto 418]

I may be completely wrong on this, (wouldn't surprise me, i usually am :-)) but he seems to be a rikishi who's success comes more from intelligently putting what he has learnt into practice, rather than just from natural talent, i wish him the best.

Curious your impression. Before turning pro Kaisei was known for being very, very strong but not highly talented . If you happen to come across a video of his early pro days, you will find a rikishi very prone to some 'silly' mistakes.

Edited November 11, 2012 by shumitto

[Pandaazuma 1,310]

Bugman...agreed on Kaisei. He seems to have done a good job on himself. The word 'journeyman' always springs to mind when I watch him, for some reason, but not in any negative way.

Mukonoso...Jokoryu is a future ozeki or better. Tachiai is much improved over the last couple of basho although can still be a little high. Still quite rough sometimes but it's going to be one long improvement arc, I reckon.

The kadoban ozeki-tachi all looked a bit rusty...let's see how they fare over days 1-5. Kotooshu/Giku in particular need to get five or six in the first week or it could well be curtains for them.

[ronnie 221]

Well, it looks like Baruto is gonna have to get 10 in Hatsu.

Wasn't it strange not to see any zabutons flying for Okinoumi? Or are the spectators merely not used to Harumafuji's yokozuna status?

[Kuroyama 715]

Dammit. I said after Baruto's injury that it would have been better to take this basho off and heal completely. Sure, he'd had dropped a rank, but if healthy he should have little trouble getting 10 wins as sekiwake. Now he's probably going to drop down anyway, and with an aggravated injury.

[Morty 1,496]

Baruto looked really bad. That's one Ozeki down maybe?

[Fay 1,677]

Wasn't it strange not to see any zabutons flying for Okinoumi? Or are the spectators merely not used to Harumafuji's yokozuna status?

The zabutons in Fukuoka are bound together, so they can't be thrown so easily. And the tamari seki zabutons seldom fly, also not in the Kokugikan.

[Igordemorais 75]

Baruto`s knee looked bad, I saw the torsion on his knee and immediately knew he was in trouble. Good bye Ozeki rank.

it was strange not seeing the pillows thrown when Harumafuji lost but I guess the expectations still aren't there yet.

Takekaze`s gosh darning henka, what a piece of slime, I will forever root against him.

I fully expected Myogiryu to beat Kotooshu... it seems to me like what he is lacking is raw physical strength at this point.

And Takanoyama won!

War Tak!!!!!!!!!

Edited November 12, 2012 by Igordemorais

[Senkoho 552]

let's try to keep this forum a curse-free environment, please. do you really think it looks right here? (i didn't like the henka either and i understand your anger, but still...) forums like this one are a rare habitat, let's protect them. (nothing personal, etc)

[krindel 671]

Well, sadly, my concerns about Baruto's ability to move sideways on that knee of his proved correct :-( . I hope he doesn't make the mistake of continuing to try to win his 8 on a busted knee, unless he's REALLY sure it will survive the full 15 days. Right now, it looks as if he'll have his hands real full in January from a Sekiwake spot.

Myogiryu didn't look good as well, really disappointed with his first two bouts this basho. Like I said in another thread, my expectation of him is to KK at Sekiwake for a few basho straight, which I expect he'll manage to do in the end, but I don't like his sumo in the first couple of days, its not just the loses, but he looks hesitant.

Did anyone notice if the bow twirling guy tried to enter the ring before the Okinoumi - Harumafuji fight :-) ? It looked real strange to me to have another fight after Hakuho, its been quite a while (unless one counts the Kyokutenho - Tochiozan playoff). In any case Okinoumi was really good and spirited. It seems to me that the maegashira jo'i might have realized already that their chances of getting that lucrative Gold Star might have increased dramatically and we'll see more of this kind of fighting...

On the lower-ranked fights, I was once more impressed by Kyokutenho's fighting spirit. Yorikiri-ing Gagamaru in such a dominating fashion makes me want to tip my hat to the oldest guy in the division, who really is a credit to the spirit of sumo, and should be a real role model for all the younger rikishi.

P.S. Takekaze is really someone who deserves no comment on the quality of his sumo. If you want to demonstrate what lack of "on-the-dohyo" hinkaku is, he's a prime example... I just hope that his relative success does not inspire followers

[Ajisen 15]

One rikishi that impressed me today was Daikiho. He was sharp and aggressive moving forward all the way.

Hakuho was majestic during his doyho-iri, it was a privilege for me to get to watch.

Am rooting for Harumafuji tomorrow, the poor chap looked quite non-plussed, shaking his head in disbelief even before the mono-ii was called.

As an aside did NHK show the Scarlet Geisha? She was stunning!

[yorikiried by fate 2,028]

I would have thought that giving away a kinboshi so early in a Yokozuna career must be quite special.

Surprisingly, there have been quite a few even on Day1 of certain Yokozuna debut basho.

Here's a query.

[Akinomaki 40,643]

Could Harumafuji's loss be blamed on the oyakata's demand ? Before the basho it was reported that he wants Harumafuji to win at the mawashi, fitting for a yokozuna, but especially by grabbing the front and moving forward. On the degeiko day he tried that with Kisenosato he lost mostly.

On day 1 he followed the advice of former Asashoryu to rely on speed and won. This day he took a left grip, didn't move forward but tried a throw and got a bout with a mono-ii against the same opponent as last basho, only this time Okinoumi was better.

Edited November 12, 2012 by Akinomaki

[Yubinhaad 11,723]

I wasn't all that surprised by Harumafuji's defeat today, given that Okinoumi came so close to beating him in the Aki basho. It won't be a cakewalk for the new Yokozuna tomorrow either, facing Tochiozan with a 6-6 head-to-head record so far (although Harumafuji has won the last three).

Wakanosato's 2-0 start has moved him onto 807 career wins, tied for 10th place on the all-time list alongside Mitoizumi. (I am not worthy...)

Chiyonokuni's oichomage really spoiling his day:

[botev1921 33]

What on Earth happened to Miogiryu? I know Kotooshu has been dominating him every basho, but he looks totally uninspired. We have a saying - "simulating activity" and that's exactly what he does - moves a lot with his legs but gets outplayed completely. If losing to the Ozeki is expected, losing against Tochinoshin was a disgrace. I was so sure he will make a push for Ozeki with that solid 10-win basho, but unless he rediscovers his mojo again, he might be rather pushing for Maegashira.

[Kintamayama 45,299]

Could Harumafuji's loss be blamed on the oyakata's demand ?

I'd say his first ever musubi no ichiban as the boss made him nervous.

[Igordemorais 75]

Did anyone else notice that Hakuho threw his forearm against the jaw like he did last tournament?

[yorikiried by fate 2,028]

Short announcement: Lowest number of foreigners on the banzuke (43) since March 2002.

In other news: If Miyabiyama loses two of the next three, my money is on him retiring due to demotion.