Haru Basho 2013 - Discussion Thread

[Morty 1,505]

Hakuho's late shove of Myogiryu was utter bull-crap.

At least it wasn't dangerous. Shotenro's late shove on Yosh on the other hand...

[Andreas21 188]

Today Hakuho started his tachi-ai again from that point far away from the middle (couldn't watch it yesterday). Are there any reasons behind that new tachi-ai? Or does he just try to make sure to avoid henkas (and a possible loss) in the first week?

Just a theory, but maybe it's to let the opponent have to come forward a bit more and get their momentum going forward so they can't get a strong base when the two collide.

I have seen Hakuho set up far away before. Only he knows for sure what it's about.

Apparently, he prefers to have more speed at the clash to get an advantage of his higher weight and his explosive strength. Normally, this tactics is very vulnerable to Henkas. But who is bold enough to pull a Henka to the Yokozuna? Still, he has shown that he is able to recover, turn around near the edge and be fast enough to escape from the chaser.

Why does he do this? Obviously, to make the bout shorter. This is kind of strange as he is by far the best belt fighter but not as superior in Oshi Sumo.

As I recall he started this kind of tactics when his finger was reported to be injured (left hand/right hand). My theory is that he has still a minor injury which makes Yotsu Sumo uncomfortable to him.

[Mark.Buckton 68]

Hakuho's late shove of Myogiryu was utter bull-crap.

unavoidable - that's all. No ill feeling as we so often saw with his predecessor - and sometimes his successor.

[Bugman 384]

Harumafuji is very tactical and maybe he just guessed wrongly in thinking that Chiyotairyu would not try his trademark Hikiotoshi, i'm sure Haru knows about Chiyotairyu's generous use of that move, i'm sure he knows all his opponents so i'm thinking he guessed wrongly, sometimes when thinking so many moves ahead you can end up outsmarting yourself, yesterday's loss may have affected his confidence too, the picture i get from reading various articles about him is that he seems to be quite superstitious, good news for Hakuho though.

Edited March 13, 2013 by Bugman

[Igordemorais 75]

Harumafuji took a nice elbow to the face there

Meanwhile Takanoyama 3-1 woooooooooooo

[Yubinhaad 11,761]

First time since 2004 Aki that the same Yokozuna has given up a kinboshi on consecutive days. Then, it was Asashoryu who lost to Tochinonada and Iwakiyama on Days 4 and 5.

[Treblemaker 254]

Not that it really matters in the whole scope of things, but isn't that the 3rd henka Sagat's thrown in 4 days? Masunoyama either saw it coming, or recovered quickly enough. Didn't even work up a sweat, and wasn't out of breath for once.

How is Gaga still up at this level? Against Toyonoshima (which looked like a bout between Dr Evil and Mini-Me), it should have been no contest. But Gaga rolls good. He has the steerability of a cow.

How can Goeido look so lame one day, and out-wit Aminishiki the next?

Kakuryu's kick to the back of Barutos bad knee... Not sure if it was planned, but was an excellent move - something Aminishiki would do, and Tenho would fail at. Hate to see either guy lose.

How does Kise lose to Tochiozan? I went back and watched some of Kise's matches from a few years ago, when he was young, more mobile and more aggressive/reckless. There's no comparison to today's model. And this match was just ugly. I could suggest that maybe this one was "prepared", but there's no reason for it. Ugly, just ugly.

And for the last two matches, I go back to my prediction that this Yusho is Hakuho's come hell or high water. It's gonna happen, because it has to. Either Chiyotairyu (One of the young Giant-Killers) is that good (and he is) or HF is following a plan, because this match was odorous. And it stunk, too.

Myogiryu (the other of the Two Giant-Killers), was just outclassed today. Hakuho looks to be in better shape than in recent bashos, and this is his basho to lose. I don't see that happening.

For other conspiracy advocates, the Kise for King, or Goeido for Greatness plans just aren't happening. Not this basho, anyway. And we're only in early week 1! The only way either of these two clowns wins this is if the Kyokai gives Moses a call, and waters get parted. And locusts descend. And there's frogs everywhere.

[iron bug 8]

How can Goeido look so lame one day, and out-wit Aminishiki the next?

This is one of those sports in which anyone can beat anyone, which we all know. It's what makes it exciting. You truly never know what will happen.

[ronnie 221]

First time since 2004 Aki that the same Yokozuna has given up a kinboshi on consecutive days. Then, it was Asashoryu who lost to Tochinonada and Iwakiyama on Days 4 and 5.

During his time, I had the impression that Asashoryu was giving away so many kinboshi's just to spite the NSK.

[yorikiried by fate 2,029]

You truly never know what will happen.

Except on Day 15, when a 7-7 Ozeki...never mind...

[Mukonoso 273]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu6UevG4ZJ0

Is it my imagination or is the shinpan glaring at Takanoyama after the match (around :46 point)

[Kuroyama 715]

But who is bold enough to pull a Henka to the Yokozuna?

I can never avoid remarking on the irony whenever someone says anything like this in relation to Hakuho.

[aderechelsea 125]

glad to see Tosayutaka getting back to his fighting form and by the looks of it he can cruise to a 7-0. Nothing spectacular but he is getting the job done and he is far too good for Sandanme.

Wakamisho was also splendid today ... important win against Osunaarashi and he got it through hard work in the ring.

[shumitto 418]

You truly never know what will happen.

Except on Day 15, when a 7-7 Ozeki...never mind...

when a 7-7 Ozeki is more motivated than his foe and that leads him to kachi-koshi. You are welcome. :)

glad to see Tosayutaka getting back ...

On that page, Hitenryu was surprisingly defeated by 20 year-old Kawashita. Amuru is having some difficulties despite his low rank but so far he's managed to stay undefeated; Masutoo is back on track to his (presumed) level of makushita for that matter.

[Nabuko 11]

upper half of makushita was very exciting today. Kotoshou seems again Kadoban in May.

[Tsubame 368]

Kotooshu is now in his eighth year as ozeki. The decline is inevitable. I guess he will not ending this year as active sumotori.

Edited March 14, 2013 by Tsubame

[Koorifuu 1,020]

Is it just me or was it a clear hansoku by Kotoshogiku?...

[Gernobono 467]

Is it just me or was it a clear hansoku by Kotoshogiku?...

it is just you

[Treblemaker 254]

Day 5:

Henkas bin flyin', bellies bin floppin', Gaga's bin rollin', Tenku's belt's bin loosenin', Gyoji's bin dressin', Giku's bin throwin', Baruto's bin pushin', Hakuho's bin henkain', HF's bin recoverin'...

Bin a good day.

Except for the Has-Bin's.

[Shiro 13]

I think Chiyotairyu may be the best hope for a Japanese Yokozuna. Maybe it's to soon to make a statement like that but I have really been impressed by him. He is moving up fast. But has anyone else noticed his slap down tactic? It seems most of his bouts are won in this manner. I haven't noticed a lot of belt work.

Also Baruto seems to be on the right track this tournament. Hope his knee holds up.

[Jakusotsu 6,049]

But has anyone else noticed his slap down tactic? It seems most of his bouts are won in this manner. I haven't noticed a lot of belt work.

Belt work isn't exactly the trademark technique of Kokonoe-beya.

Edit: But then again, against the blind men even a one-eyed can shine:

http://youtu.be/gZsT5B_dsLY

Edited March 14, 2013 by Jakusotsu

[Randomitsuki 2,843]

I think Chiyotairyu may be the best hope for a Japanese Yokozuna. Maybe it's to soon to make a statement like that but I have really been impressed by him. He is moving up fast. But has anyone else noticed his slap down tactic? It seems most of his bouts are won in this manner. I haven't noticed a lot of belt work.

Chiyotairyu's ludicrously and obscenely high amount of cheap slapdown wins indicates (at least to me) that he is a one-trick pony. Like Roho with a little more brains. Soon, the top rikishi will find ways to adapt to this. That's the reason why I think Chiyotairyu will never make it past Sekiwake.

[Asashosakari 19,655]

Chiyotairyu's ludicrously and obscenely high amount of cheap slapdown wins indicates (at least to me) that he is a one-trick pony. Like Roho with a little more brains. Soon, the top rikishi will find ways to adapt to this. That's the reason why I think Chiyotairyu will never make it past Sekiwake.

I don't think he's a one-trick pony, and neither was Roho IMHO. But at some point both seem to have learned that there are a lot of bouts you can win with low-effort slapdown tactics, and the only tradeoff - at their overall performance level, not in general - is that you're going to be found out by the high-rankers. If you have no ambition to go beyond sekiwake that's not a big issue.

Tairyu's mawashi work actually seems very good to me when he goes for it, he just doesn't seem to have much trust in it. I think it's more a self-confidence issue with him than one of outright laziness. (Which is what it often looked like with Roho, although his chronic back issues probably also played a role.)

[Igordemorais 75]

Chiyotairyu.... I really really like this guy

my hopes for Myogiryu are fading

[iron bug 8]

Anyone else sick of seeing Kisenosato try to have a staring contest with his opponent? He is going overboard with it.

And, yes, Myogiryu seems to not be ready for the top ranks as I once thought/hoped also.