Basho Talk Haru 2015

[Mongolith 51]

Shozan is finding even more creative ways to lose than toyohibiki. Starting to feel bad for him even though he looks tough as nails.

Ikoi is making getting his KK way too hard, got slapped down too easily. Oh well hope he gets it.

Edited March 20, 2015 by Mongolith

[Asashosakari 19,651]

Shohozan is still on course for his 'zensho yusho'. Will he 'succeed' in accomplishing what Daido 'failed' to accomplish in Nagoya 2013?

He's already one-upped Daido in that he's now on 15 straight losses.

[ALAKTORN 346]

Oh my God, Terunofuji.

[Asashosakari 19,651]

Of course every prediction must have the caveat "barring serious injury," but given that, I think Goeido's tenure at the ozeki rank, though not the longest since he was last to arrive, will at least still be running when the other two incumbents have left the rank.

Unless you believe that Kise will become yokozuna one of these days, I'd be curious to know why you expect Goeido to outlast him at the ozeki rank. It's not like age is on his side.

[alaninjapan 18]

Today Shohozan, in danger of 0-15, lost to Sadanoumi, whose father, also Sadanoumi, went 0-15 in the Osaka basho of 1988. Call Mulder and Scully,

[Gurowake 4,100]

Hakuho didn't know who Jeter was:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2015/03/19/derek-jeter-shook-hands-with-a-top-sumo-wrestler-who-had-no-idea-who-jeter-was/

The article says that it was Chiyomaru that had no clue who he was, and that Tochiozan had only a vague idea he was a baseball player. I as an American who doesn't follow American sports would probably be the same boat as Tochiozan, only knowing that his name was that of a rather famous baseball player (I doubt I'd recognize him without being told his name) and probably wouldn't have been able to say what team he was on or what position he played (although I'd probably be aware it wasn't Catcher, I wouldn't know infielder vs. outfielder). I didn't even know he had retired, and I'm sure that was quite a deal whenever it was that it happened.

Edited March 20, 2015 by Gurowake

[CT3* 331]

Really enjoyable bout between Hakuho and Terunofuji! Hakuho got the right inner but was unable to get his favored left outer grip and that made all the difference, imo.

[Pandaazuma 1,310]

Hakuho didn't know who Jeter was:http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2015/03/19/derek-jeter-shook-hands-with-a-top-sumo-wrestler-who-had-no-idea-who-jeter-was/

The article says that it was Chiyomaru that had no clue who he was, and that Tochiozan had only a vague idea he was a baseball player. I as an American who doesn't follow American sports would probably be the same boat as Tochiozan, only knowing that his name was that of a rather famous baseball player (I doubt I'd recognize him without being told his name) and probably wouldn't have been able to say what team he was on or what position he played (although I'd probably be aware it wasn't Catcher, I wouldn't know infielder vs. outfielder). I didn't even know he had retired, and I'm sure that was quite a deal whenever it was that it happened.

I was just looking at the person next to him!

[Pandaazuma 1,310]

Shohozan today was incredible...how many times this tournament has he lost like that?? But today really took the cake.

1-14 with a senshuraku win?

[dingo 1,294]

Hakuho didn't know who Jeter was:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2015/03/19/derek-jeter-shook-hands-with-a-top-sumo-wrestler-who-had-no-idea-who-jeter-was/

The article says that it was Chiyomaru that had no clue who he was, and that Tochiozan had only a vague idea he was a baseball player. I as an American who doesn't follow American sports would probably be the same boat as Tochiozan, only knowing that his name was that of a rather famous baseball player (I doubt I'd recognize him without being told his name) and probably wouldn't have been able to say what team he was on or what position he played (although I'd probably be aware it wasn't Catcher, I wouldn't know infielder vs. outfielder). I didn't even know he had retired, and I'm sure that was quite a deal whenever it was that it happened.

If it wasn't for the posts in this forum, I'd have no idea who he is either.

And Hakuho's face after the loss was something else. He really couldn't believe it!

[kuroimori 1,634]

Shohozan today was incredible...how many times this tournament has he lost like that?? But today really took the cake.

1-14 with a senshuraku win?

If he keeps trying too hard like he did so far, I am afraid he won't even get the senshuraku shiroboshi relieve.

[Tsubame 368]

Sadanoumi's chonmage vanished again in his bout against Shohozan. The second time this basho, so I guess his tokoyama didn't committed seppuko (at least until now).

Edited March 20, 2015 by Tsubame

[Kintamayama 45,522]

Kintamayama thinks Osunaarashi is underestimated, but it's more that he hasn't met the expectations set when he was widely overestimated on first climbing up the ranks. Today he faced Kyokushuhou, a man willing to trade him slap for slap, and it was when Osuna decided to go for the belt that he won the match. He could learn from that and make further progress. We will see.

The expectations were set amidst a flurry of other views, some being that he has no chance. Those expectations were set when he was relatively healthy. Today he is a walking injury. He didn't train at all before the basho. Yet he is 9-4 at M11. I'd say that is totally impressive.

And he didn't use the elbow even once. Personally I think he should go back to working the belt much more, where he is at his best.

[Pandaazuma 1,310]

Yeah, I have been thinking (and saying to the poor bastards who politely humour me) for a year or more that Osunaarashi needs to focus on belt fighting...not only because it is safer injury-wise, but because he has enormous potential as a yotsu rikishi.

If you are reading, Osunaarashi...you know it is the right thing to do!! :) The tsuppari attack is awesome...and a handy fall-back option.

[orandashoho 720]

I for one like what I have seen this basho. He is much less predictable, more reactive, changes technique, and going for the belt The results should encourage him to develop further.

[shumitto 418]

Shohozan is still on course for his 'zensho yusho'. Will he 'succeed' in accomplishing what Daido 'failed' to accomplish in Nagoya 2013?

That is called zenpai. I hope he doesn't, but after failing again to capitalize on such a good opportunity...

I had to read it in the Japanese online papers to believe this Terunofuji story. Better to leave that beautiful image than let people think I would lose to Kaisei on a normal day. That is what Terunofuji must have thought.

That (with Hakuho) was his best bout so far, not only because he defeated the best, but also for bringing to the dohyo that agressiveness that was lacking and whose absence put him on the back foot more than once this basho.

Homarefuji is having some odd basho. 5-8 was exactly what I would expect from him, but not in the mode it happened - a very solid start followed by very one-sided losses.

Two rikishi in great shape are Tokushoryu and Takarafuji. They will possibly look back to this basho as the best in their careers; Tokushoryu is doing quite well at Maegashira 7 after being schooled not a long ago at Maegashira 9. Takarafuji is also showing good sumo and has his second kachi-koshi in the joi-territory within reach. A promotion to san'yaku will not come to pass though with Myogiryu so close to his own kachi-koshi.

Edited March 20, 2015 by shumitto

[Highway 46]

Amazing. What a feat by Terunofuji. He has often hinted that he is capable of achieving something special, today he did that.

[yorikiried by fate 2,029]

Many comments on Terunofuji already. What stands out for me:

• He entered the bout unimpressed, obviously believing in his own skills.
• The game plan: While others either rush through or wait for a chance that never comes (or comes only to be exposed as a trap), he kept Hakuho busy right from the start. Watch how after his initial pushout fails, he instantly employs a foot technique to counter any initiative Hakuho may have gained. Ten seconds in, Hakuho must have had thoughts racing through his head he hadn't met since Asashoryu left the boat. In the end: Totally out-manoeuvered.
• He's a mean MF.

[Yubinhaad 11,761]

This is a bit of a ramble, but I enjoyed writing it after seeing comments about Sadanoumi's mage. Adapted from a series of articles I saw last year.

When a jungyo event was held in his hometown, 15-year-old Yasushi Nishimura was introduced to Yokozuna Sadanoyama by his school principal, who was a member of Sadanoyama's koenkai. Despite opposition from his parents, Nishimura agreed to join Dewanoumi-beya as a rikishi as soon as he had graduated from junior high school. However, in those days the minimum weight for shindeshi was 75kg, and Nishimura was simply unable to eat enough to get above 70kg.

Dewanoumi-oyakata (former Maegashira Dewanohana) suggested he become a tokoyama instead. Another problem - Nishimura was naturally left-handed, and all of the tokoyama who would be instructing him were right-handed. Nishimura persevered and learned to do the work right-handed, and at last he officially joined Dewanoumi-beya as a tokoyama in September 1966, with the name Tokoyasu.

Dewanoumi-beya had three high-ranking tokoyama already, so Tokoyasu had to wait eight years before he could start preparing the oichomage of the heya's sekitori. Instead he would take younger rikishi up to the roof of the heya building and practice on them.

During his long career, Tokoyasu was responsible for the oichomage of more than 20 sekitori in Dewanoumi-beya, among them former Komusubi Sadanoumi, father of the current rikishi of the same name. Another member of the heya back then was former Komusubi Ryogoku, now Sakaigawa-oyakata and the shisho of the current Sadanoumi. When Sadanoumi reached Makuuchi, Sakaigawa personally called Tokoyasu and asked him to make his oichomage. It's a rare example of the long career of a tokoyama spanning generations of a family, and a cool link to the past.

Now, whether the occasional unraveling of Sadanoumi's mage is a result of Tokoyasu's style or the personal preference of the rikishi himself (or just random chance), I have no idea.

Tokoyasu with Sadanoumi the Younger:

First time I've ever applauded a Terunofuji win. Hakuho had it coming, too many close calls and lucky escapes recently. He had the same dumbfounded look on his face when Kisenosato stopped his 63-bout rensho all those years ago.

Terunofuji vs Ichinojo tomorrow. Might be a good time to start my new game, Mizu-iri Misery. (Sigh...)

Edited March 20, 2015 by Yubinhaad

[chishafuwaku 476]

Let's see if the celebrations of victory over Hakuho do not lead to an easy victory for Ichinojo :-D

chishafuwaku

[inhashi 2,363]

Also, Gagamaru is the next yokozuna! You heard it here first!

Gagamaru's sumo is good. Always moving forward. Let's see if he wins yusho first before yokozuna discussion. Oh yeah, and a very kind and sweet young man too. Loves his ill mom ❤

Edited March 21, 2015 by inhashi

[Masumasumasu 902]

Henka-ho.

[kuroimori 1,634]

Henka-ho.

Kise-no-memory ;-)

That was clear payback to the Kyokai as he still holds a grudge over the mono-ii issue and he knew he could use Kise for that.

Edited March 21, 2015 by kuroimori

[Tsubame 368]

But it also was weak by Kisenosato: head down, eyes closes... what does he expect?

edit:

I am a little bit amused, by the idea of Gagamaru becoming yokozuna or wininng a yusho. Sorry guys, but Gagamaru isn't good enough to be more than one basho in the joi-jin.

Edited March 21, 2015 by Tsubame

[Kotoshoumi 31]

Although I like Hakuho, I couldn't help being totally excited when Terunofuji beat him. Yelling loudly: JAAAAA!!! (wich means 'yes' in Dutch ;)). It's really a curse being as good as Hakuho is, everybody just wants to see you lose. Tomorrow Hak goes up against Kise, who has beat him on a couple seperate occasions in the past. We might have a yusho after all.

Edit: I saw day thirtheen today, this morning. That's why I talked about Hak facing Kise 'tomorrow', wich is actually today. :)

Edited March 21, 2015 by Kotoshoumi