Kintamayama 45,530 Posted February 8, 2018 Hakuhou has started training today but refused to declare that he will be participating in March. He did some shiko and suriashi and is still worried about both toes. He tried doing small jumps and sonkyo. "The left toe is still swollen and I feel some pressure," he admitted. Last basho, he seemed to have faded after going out of his way not to use the slap and grab or the forearm kachiage, as per the request of YDC chairman Kitamura. "Right now I'm only thinking about how to heal my injuries. Nothing else matters. If I don't do that, my thoughts and mental state will not follow.." he said. Next basho, he will break yet another record - the most bashos as a Yokozuna- 64, passing Kitanoumi. "Everyone may think I'm strong, but I think I'm weak. That's why I'm training every day," he added. 3 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akinomaki 40,790 Posted February 16, 2018 On 2/3/2018 at 16:17, Tsuchinoninjin said: Kakuryu had surgery today for torn cartilage in his left ankle by endoscope. No mention on recovery time. Kakuryu's left ankle was always at the limit the last year. Later on each basho he used to inject hyaluronic acid to soften the clash impact. This time the pain started during the mid third of the basho, and he rested training and got seitai therapy. He claims he had surgery done early on, with the hope to enter Haru. http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/column/sumo/news/201802160000749.html 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,530 Posted February 17, 2018 Hakuhou went for new check-ups regarding both toes yesterday and I will now steak with eggs that he will not enter Haru. The worrisome little big toe is the left one. "Not good, not bad," he said, cryptically. Real meaning as I see it? "No pay, no play!" Not that there is no injury, just that I don't think he feels he needs to go out of his way to enter Haru this time around. It can wait. His punishment should have been "Salary cut for the next basho and a half HE ACTUALLY ENTERS." It wasn't so it isn't. Asked directly if he is entering, he answered: "I will undergo treatment and we shall see.." Anyone wiling to bet? 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yukiarashi 195 Posted February 17, 2018 Hakutoe! Probably won't bother entering since his salary is cut for Haru aswell. Wouldn't this be his fourth missed basho or part of a basho in the last couple of years for a toe/toenail/foot related injury? If this keeps up we'll have to call him Toekozuna. Quote "Everyone may think I'm strong, but I think I'm weak. How could anyone get that impression? Shame on us! The 40 Yushos were won by pure will! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaynestown 17 Posted February 17, 2018 Could have another wide open basho if Hakuho sits out, again at least 5 or so guys you could point to with a real chance. 2 months seems like an eternity, can't wait til March! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,530 Posted February 17, 2018 3 hours ago, Jaynestown said: Could have another wide open basho if Hakuho sits out, again at least 5 or so guys you could point to with a real chance. 2 months seems like an eternity, can't wait til March! Exactly 1 month from tomorrow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Atenzan 1,084 Posted February 17, 2018 2 minutes ago, Kintamayama said: Anyone wiling to bet? I'll take kyujo within the first 3 days. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akinomaki 40,790 Posted February 17, 2018 (edited) Kakuryu has started to train after surgery, but still has no grip: the recovery of the dislocated right ring finger is too slow. His appearance for Haru remains uncertain. http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/201802170000208.html the dislocation My guess: 1 yokozuna on day 1, none in the 2nd week Edited February 17, 2018 by Akinomaki 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jyuunomori 226 Posted February 17, 2018 (edited) 6 hours ago, Yukiarashi said: Hakutoe! Probably won't bother entering since his salary is cut for Haru aswell. Wouldn't this be his fourth missed basho or part of a basho in the last couple of years for a toe/toenail/foot related injury? If this keeps up we'll have to call him Toekozuna. How could anyone get that impression? Shame on us! The 40 Yushos were won by pure will! Shame on all those other pussies who didn't even make it to 30+ Yusho. Even weakling like Hakuho could do it. I think that all Yokozuna should at least have 20 Yusho at the minimum and also have at least 5 Zenshos. Edited February 17, 2018 by Jyuunomori 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ack! 478 Posted February 17, 2018 (edited) Ouch! Edited February 17, 2018 by Ack! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Churaumi 745 Posted February 17, 2018 Took us way too long to get to Hakutoe. Just to save us the trouble in the future, there's Kisnosatoe, Goeitoe, Toechinoshin, Onotoe, Chitoenoo, Toekarafuji, Ichinotoe, Tochitoezan, Terutoefuji, Chiyotoema, Toemawashi, Toehozan, Chiyotoeryu, I think I nailed it. Toenailed it. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,662 Posted February 17, 2018 11 hours ago, Yukiarashi said: Hakutoe! Probably won't bother entering since his salary is cut for Haru aswell. The salary cut was for January and half of February. What's with people suddenly thinking it was for one and a half basho periods = 3 months? (Today isn't the first time I'm seeing that.) 35 minutes ago, Churaumi said: Took us way too long to get to Hakutoe. Just to save us the trouble in the future, there's Kisnosatoe, Goeitoe, Toechinoshin, Onotoe, Chitoenoo, Toekarafuji, Ichinotoe, Tochitoezan, Terutoefuji, Chiyotoema, Toemawashi, Toehozan, Chiyotoeryu, I think I nailed it. I've been waiting for last basho's yusho winner to go kyujo one basho so I can inquire "Toe, chin or shin?" about the withdrawal reason... 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocks 1,809 Posted February 17, 2018 48 minutes ago, Asashosakari said: The salary cut was for January and half of February. What's with people suddenly thinking it was for one and a half basho periods = 3 months? (Today isn't the first time I'm seeing that.) Name confusion. I made the same mistake. "The top sumo body also said Chairman Hakkaku will forfeit his salary for three months until the end of his term next spring." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,530 Posted February 17, 2018 4 hours ago, Asashosakari said: The salary cut was for January and half of February. What's with people suddenly thinking it was for one and a half basho periods = 3 months? (Today isn't the first time I'm seeing that.) Yes, that would be my repeated error. The punishment was so dumb I guess I wished it would be for a basho and a half, and not for a month and a half. If you're going to punish, punish, don't be ridiculous. Which doesn't excuse my madness. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marcus33 10 Posted February 18, 2018 Toschinoshin for the win again. I'm assuming this won't t be enough for yokozuna consideration, does he need two wins as an ozeki? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Churaumi 745 Posted February 18, 2018 I assume he’ll be a sekiwake in March, if he wins again he might get promoted to ozeki. The problem for him is he doesn’t have the history of consistency the YDC wants to see in a yokozuna. That’s why there was almost no yokozuna buzz when Goeido won a while ago. However, I don’t think it’s too late for him. Tochinoshin doesn’t have the history due to injuries, Goeido is just inconsistent. If Tochinoshin makes ozeki and kills it for a few basho he could do it, I bet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yukiarashi 195 Posted February 18, 2018 9 hours ago, Churaumi said: Took us way too long to get to Hakutoe. Just to save us the trouble in the future, there's Kisnosatoe, Goeitoe, Toechinoshin, Onotoe, Chitoenoo, Toekarafuji, Ichinotoe, Tochitoezan, Terutoefuji, Chiyotoema, Toemawashi, Toehozan, Chiyotoeryu, I think I nailed it. Toenailed it. You can do Toeido as well, and one can have a field day with Onosho. Fun with vowels! Chiyonoo should add toe to the end of his name, more O's the merrier. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaynestown 17 Posted February 18, 2018 1 hour ago, Churaumi said: I assume he’ll be a sekiwake in March, if he wins again he might get promoted to ozeki. The problem for him is he doesn’t have the history of consistency the YDC wants to see in a yokozuna. That’s why there was almost no yokozuna buzz when Goeido won a while ago. However, I don’t think it’s too late for him. Tochinoshin doesn’t have the history due to injuries, Goeido is just inconsistent. If Tochinoshin makes ozeki and kills it for a few basho he could do it, I bet. I agree with this mostly. If he wins in March i'd say he's Ozeki for sure, but not sure if he somehow would win 3 in a row if that would get him to Yokozuna...that would only be one basho at Ozeki...I am unaware of any kind of precedent where this happened in the past. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andonishiki 170 Posted February 18, 2018 (edited) speaking of the possibilty of '3 in a row' is completely unrealistic - not to say science fiction - in my humble view. Since 1970 there were only 6, who did achieve that: Kitanoumi, Chiyonofuji, Takanohana, Akebono, Asashoryu & Hakuho. all those are to be considered DAI-Yokozuna. None of those had their first three yusho in consecutive order. Since 1960 there were only two who won their 2nd yusho right after the first, that's Asashoryu & Kisenosato. In Kise's case, the NSK obviously wanted a Jpn yokozuna after 14 yrs of struggle (Takanohana retired in 2003). Other crazy things happened during that area.... like "a kadoban zensho".:) Asashoryu's second yusho happened in Hatsu 2003 when the competition wasnt that strong, e.g. Takanohana went kyujo with 4 wins plus Musashimaru, Kaio and Chiyotairyu all 0-015..... what a sad basho that must have been... I guess you party so much after the first yusho, then all the media jumps on you and also the pressure not to lose any bouts in the beginning of the following basho -> that combination seems to be incredibly heavy. The last hiramaku yusho was Kyokutenho in May 2012 with 12-3. Next basho was 4-11. He lost right on day 1 vs Tokitenku (no, it wasnt a ketaguri). Outch. Therefore, a second yusho right after the first is very, very unlikely in my view. But even if it happens, a consecutive third one is something i bet the whole ranch against... Tochinoshin is very strong and hopefully he stays injury free from now. I want him to become Ozeki, maybe even more... but I highly doubt he will dominate Haru & Natsu'18.... Edited February 19, 2018 by Andonishiki Kyokutenho’s date was wrong 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Morty 1,505 Posted February 18, 2018 3 hours ago, Andonishiki said: speaking of the possibilty of '3 in a row' is completely unrealistic - not to say science fiction - in my humble view. Since 1970 there were only 6, who did achieve that: Kitanoumi, Chiyonofuji, Takanohana, Akebono, Asashoryu & Hakuho. all those are to be considered DAI-Yokozuna. None of those had their first three yusho in consecutive order. Since 1960 there were only two who won their 2nd yusho right after the first, that's Asashoryu & Kisenosato. In Kise's case, the NSK obviously wanted a Jpn yokozuna after 14 yrs of struggle (Takanohana retired in 2003). Other crazy things happened during that area.... like "a kadoban zensho".:) Asashoryu's second yusho happened in Hatsu 2003 when the competition wasnt that strong, e.g. Takanohana went kyujo with 4 wins plus Musashimaru, Kaio and Chiyotairyu all 0-015..... what a sad basho that must have been... I guess you party so much after the first yusho, then all the media jumps on you and also the pressure not to lose any bouts in the beginning of the following basho -> that combination seems to be incredibly heavy. The last hiramaku yusho was Kyokutenho in Sep 2007 with 12-3. Next basho was 4-11. He lost right on day 1 vs Tokitenku (no, it wasnt a ketaguri). Outch. Therefore, a second yusho right after the first is very, very unlikely in my view. But even if it happens, a consecutive third one is something i bet the whole ranch against... Tochinoshin is very strong and hopefully he stays injury free from now. I want him to become Ozeki, maybe even more... but I highly doubt he will dominate Haru & Natsu'18.... Great analysis. Agreed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dapeng 236 Posted February 18, 2018 3 hours ago, Morty said: speaking of the possibilty of '3 in a row' is completely unrealistic - not to say science fiction "3 in a row" from the first yusho had be accomplished by at least one rikishi (Futabayama). Tochinoshin showed a strong performance in January and he fought all those ranked above him. Another yusho in March ( "2 in a row" ) is not a small chance with the current banzuke that includes three decaying yokozuna. As to promotion, I'm highly suspicious that they'll promote him to ozeki after March even he scores a zensho. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VirtualSumo 3 Posted February 18, 2018 Yes great analysis, Andonishiki. I hadn't realised that this was so rare. However tha potential lack of healthy yokozuna opposition makes Tochinoshin's chances considerably higher. If Hakuho is either going to not be 100%, or, (and more likley) sit out, and with Kakuryu and Kisenosato in the same boat, I fancy he has as much chance to win Haru as either ozeki or anyone else. I am getting well ahead of myself but what would happen in he repeated 14-1 yushos in the next two tournaments? Striclkly speaking he would still not have met the requirement for Ozeki (33 wins scored from sanyaku) and yet it would seem he has earned the right to be Yokozuna - especially given what Andonishiki has told us. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bumpkin 438 Posted February 18, 2018 If Sekiwake Tochinoshin wins the yusho in March, he is almost certain to be promoted to Ozeki for May. However, even a 3rd consecutive yusho in May would not get him promoted to Yokozuna for July. There is a minimum 2 basho as an Ozeki rule before Yokozuna promotion. Tochinoshin, best case scenario, is Yokozuna promotion for September. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sekitori 492 Posted February 18, 2018 9 hours ago, Andonishiki said: The last hiramaku yusho was Kyokutenho in Sep 2007 with 12-3. Next basho was 4-11. Good post, but with one correction. In Sep 2007, Kyokutenho did indeed have a 12-3 and he followed it up with a 4-11. However, he didn't win the tournament in 2007. His 12-3 at M12 was only good for a jun-yusho. Kyokutenho's yusho occurred in May 2012 at M7 with a 13-2 playoff win. The next basho in Nagoya was even worse than his 4-11 in 2007. It was a mirror 2-13. There is a saying in sports that you're only as good as your last game. I guess that saying also holds true for sumo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,662 Posted February 18, 2018 (edited) 23 minutes ago, sekitori said: Kyokutenho's yusho occurred in May 2012 at M7 with a 13-2 playoff win. The next basho in Nagoya was even worse than his 4-11 in 2007. It was a mirror 2-13. It was a 12-3 playoff. Edit: I was wondering why it felt like I'd corrected the same mistake by somebody just recently. Well, yeah. Edited February 18, 2018 by Asashosakari Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
