Basho Talk - Kyushu Basho 2015 +++ Spoiler Alert! +++

[Treblemaker 254]

Something I noticed today, and I'm not sure if this is usual... When Kise is backed up against the rails, he seems to panic. I think I've seen this before, but I'm not sure. Is this a trait of his?

[rzombie1988 159]

Some thoughts:

- I give Hak credit for being able to pull off what he did, but I still feel thats below him and an insult. He better win the tournament or he can expect a lot of flak for it.

- Harumafuji is arguably the most likeable Yok at the moment with the other two resorting to Henka's.

- Ichinojo used the belt and won again! It's like getting a good grip and not being passive helps you win, who knew...

- Osuna is looking good, but I dunno if he can hold off for the KK.

- Ikioi continues to be unpredictable. He wins and loses when I don't expect him to.

- Kyokutaisei is down to 4-6 in Juryo. He's J7 so he likely won't go back to Ms, but I dunno if he can go 4 straight without a loss.

[808morgan 814]

Thanks for the footage Moti, I only had time for this one. Funny pat.

Edited November 18, 2015 by 808morgan

[inhashi 2,363]

I will be interested to hear what Mainoumi thought of this...

In the news ex-Mainoumi seems to have a more neutral view if not forgiving and says that Hakuho's nekodamashi was more for a show of fan service and not to purposely insult or be funny. Views on that attempt will differ from enjoyed entertainment to outrageous and unthinkable for Yokozuna. What is unique to sumo is that for a less popular wrestler to pull off something unordinary would be applauded. In contrast, one of higher rank like yokozuna or ozeki to do something unconventional would be criticized.

When I saw the footage I have to admit that it did make me laugh and I was impressed that Hakuho would have the balls to do such a thing. When Mainoumi would do it, it would be against a much larger opponent and of one where he knew he had a very slim chance of defeating by ordinary means. Hakuho being as strong and large as he is in comparison to Tochiozan was in a completely different circumstance. 29 wins and 2 losses in Hakuho's favor (Tochiozan's hatakikomi for the win in their previous meeting) really doesn't make sense to use against Tochiozan. But as a spectator it was definitely an interesting watch.

Edited November 18, 2015 by inhashi

[Rob S. 42]

NHK's broadcast of the Hakuho neko-damashi bout in full HD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWB_wIerlvU

Oh my god, he did it twice! I didnt even notice!

Hak knows how much better he is than most of his opponents and I think he wanted to show that Tochiozan's win last basho was a fluke rather than the norm.

In other words, a sore loser with a huge ego who went out of his way to embarrass his opponent. Childish antics at best.

[hamcornheinz 839]

NHK's broadcast of the Hakuho neko-damashi bout in full HD

Oh my god, he did it twice! I didnt even notice!

Hak knows how much better he is than most of his opponents and I think he wanted to show that Tochiozan's win last basho was a fluke rather than the norm.

In other words, a sore loser with a huge ego who went out of his way to embarrass his opponent. Childish antics at best.

thats a pretty harsh accusation considering no one really knows why he did it.... he fought okinoumi straight and he was defeated by him last time

[grigorian 10]

I think the last Kotoshoguiku bouts are going to be Kisenosato , Myoguiryu and Ichinojo.

What do you think, Guiku Kadoban in 2016?

At the same time, Goeido should face Yosikaze, Tociouzan and Myoguiryu and win two of them.

Things are pretty tenses as I see. Two Ozekis in danger.

Edited November 18, 2015 by grigorian

[XiaoTan 93]

I can't see Goeido facing Myogiryu - but I may be mistaken of course

[luispereira 383]

I can't see Goeido facing Myogiryu - but I may be mistaken of course

he can't they're from the same heya (Sakaigawa)

Edited November 18, 2015 by luispereira7cv

[gijo 27]

Everybody reads the Hak's henkas as a funny and creative way to win. I see only fear... Yoshikaze was dangerous enough to him, as well as Tochiozan, that defeated Kakuryu the day before.. Am I the only one to read it as a sign of weakness and fear from Hakuho's side? (Maybe I'm just too newby to sumo..)

[Morty 1,505]

Everybody reads the Hak's henkas as a funny and creative way to win. I see only fear... Yoshikaze was dangerous enough to him, as well as Tochiozan, that defeated Kakuryu the day before.. Am I the only one to read it as a sign of weakness and fear from Hakuho's side? (Maybe I'm just too newby to sumo..)

I don't think there was any fear in what he did to Tochiozan - the exact opposite

[luispereira 383]

yorikiri fest damn those 2 hatakikomis ...

[Treblemaker 254]

Gagamaru! Great recovery, a turn as graceful as a dump truck, and a great throw.

And was it just me, or did appear that Kise basically let his guard down before Hak's final throw? If I was a Conspiracy Theorist, I'd be on my soapbox about that one. Then again, things happen so fast up there it's hard to say.

[taresu 38]

And one more to Ichinojo!
The harumafuji v Hakuho on the last day seems pretty possible now, waiting to see it. And terunofuji is still there, and winning, whats happening?

[inhashi 2,363]

Let's not forget Shohozan. His sukuinage was a thing of beauty making all others a sin against god. ;p

[taresu 38]

Let's not forget Shohozan. His sukuinage was a thing of beauty making all others a sin against god. ;p

YESS!! i was beautiful to watch even if i was cheering to my comrade Kaisei, i was really nice to see Shohozan do that one.

[Kintamayama 45,527]

Gagamaru! Great recovery, a turn as graceful as a dump truck, and a great throw.

And was it just me, or did appear that Kise basically let his guard down before Hak's final throw? If I was a Conspiracy Theorist, I'd be on my soapbox about that one. Then again, things happen so fast up there it's hard to say.

Oh come on, conspiring to do what? Give Hakuhou a yusho that he so badly needs? Even for ST, that is really reaching.. He got slapped so hard he didn't know his name-that's why he let his guard down..

[wanderer 159]

Gagamaru! Great recovery, a turn as graceful as a dump truck, and a great throw.

And was it just me, or did appear that Kise basically let his guard down before Hak's final throw? If I was a Conspiracy Theorist, I'd be on my soapbox about that one. Then again, things happen so fast up there it's hard to say.

Oh come on, conspiring to do what? Give Hakuhou a yusho that he so badly needs? Even for ST, that is really reaching.. He got slapped so hard he didn't know his name-that's why he let his guard down..

I think Hakuho hit Kise in the chin with the base of his palm, which effectively knocked him out just before the pull. I remember him doing this MMA trick on Kotomitsuki once. It is subtle but Hakuho is very good at it.

Edited November 18, 2015 by wanderer

[ALAKTORN 346]

Ōsunaarashi was amazing today. Great display of strategy and technique. And Hakuhō with another really cute win, holding the aite at bay with an arm, harite with the other, to hatakikomi finish. I’m surprised Kisenosato didn’t take advantage of Hakuhō’s momentary loss of balance and pushed him down, though. Edit: Btw I liked Harumafuji as well. It seems that his arm is somewhat healed, and he can use his nodowa again.

Is it just me, or did the kimarite look particularly wrong today? The only one I remember off the top of my head I think was Gagamaru’s win, which looked like a kotenage to me but was given as yorikiri?

Edited November 18, 2015 by ALAKTORN

[Treblemaker 254]

Gagamaru! Great recovery, a turn as graceful as a dump truck, and a great throw.

And was it just me, or did appear that Kise basically let his guard down before Hak's final throw? If I was a Conspiracy Theorist, I'd be on my soapbox about that one. Then again, things happen so fast up there it's hard to say.

Oh come on, conspiring to do what? Give Hakuhou a yusho that he so badly needs? Even for ST, that is really reaching.. He got slapped so hard he didn't know his name-that's why he let his guard down..

Well, when seen in the moment it just seemed a little weird. So I went back and had another look, and yeah, there was a lot of slapping and stuff. And getting slapped by those large steaks that Hak has for hands, it's no wonder.

[Kintamayama 45,527]

Is it just me, or did the kimarite look particularly wrong today? The only one I remember off the top of my head I think was Gagamaru’s win, which looked like a kotenage to me but was given as yorikiri?

It was given as kotenage.

[Dapeng 236]

Gagamaru! Great recovery, a turn as graceful as a dump truck, and a great throw.

And was it just me, or did appear that Kise basically let his guard down before Hak's final throw? If I was a Conspiracy Theorist, I'd be on my soapbox about that one. Then again, things happen so fast up there it's hard to say.

Oh come on, conspiring to do what? Give Hakuhou a yusho that he so badly needs? Even for ST, that is really reaching.. He got slapped so hard he didn't know his name-that's why he let his guard down..

I think Hakuho hit Kise in the chin with the base of his palm, which effectively knocked him out just before the pull. I remember him doing this MMA trick on Kotomitsuki once. It is subtle but Hakuho is very good at it.

Maybe the base of his palm touched Kise's face but since you could hear the sound of the slapping so it's not deliberately with the base of the palm.

[Dapeng 236]

Everybody reads the Hak's henkas as a funny and creative way to win. I see only fear... Yoshikaze was dangerous enough to him, as well as Tochiozan, that defeated Kakuryu the day before.. Am I the only one to read it as a sign of weakness and fear from Hakuho's side? (Maybe I'm just too newby to sumo..)

No. He is way too much better than others so he can do anything he likes but still win. The next best rikishi can only beat him once in 4 or 5 tries.

[hamcornheinz 839]

"I think Hakuho hit Kise in the chin with the base of his palm, which effectively knocked him out just before the pull. I remember him doing this MMA trick on Kotomitsuki once. It is subtle but Hakuho is very good at it."

Oh cmon. Did you see the distance between his windup and his slap? George Foreman couldn't knock someone out with that little power, plus there was no body weight behind it. That was a textbook slapdown if there is one.

Edited November 18, 2015 by hamcornheinz

[Jyuunomori 226]

Video by courtesy of Tenshinhan-san.

Can we take a moment of the day to appreciate this little beast here?

Six different bouts, six different kimarite by Ura this basho. When I see him do his weird and effective sumo I forget at times he is in makushita. He completely outclasses his opponents in skill and ability. There is something in his legs that seem to make him nigh immovable when he is being pushed back and he only moves by his own accord. If this style works in Juryo (and it might for him) then damn.

Makushita is so interesting this basho, Chiyoshoma vs Ura will probably be the Yusho decider.

Edit: Curious what Kintamayama-san thinks about this dude.

Edited November 18, 2015 by Jyuunomori