Amamaniac 2,078 Posted January 22, 2019 (edited) 9 hours ago, Eikokurai said: If he manages to break the record (he won’t), it would go down with a huge neon-lit asterisk next to it, given he sat out more than one and a half basho in the middle of the run and has a fusenpai in there too. I totally agree. The only thing that would reduce the size and intensity of that "neon-lit asterisk" would be if they only started counting with his first win in September. Frankly, when they calculate records, fusensho counts as a win in every single case, so a fusenhai should count as a loss. But, keep in mind that Futabayama didn't have to fight in six tournaments a year (just two) and that doesn't even bring jungyo into the equation. So Hakuho sitting out the 2018 November tournament is somewhat akin to Futabayama getting 4 or 6 months of rest from "official-competition" in the middle of his run. Edited January 22, 2019 by Amamaniac Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Washuyama 638 Posted January 22, 2019 4 hours ago, Doitsuyama said: Speaking about Hakuho's allegedly dwindling dominance, did anyone notice that he is arguably on a 28 win streak right now? Shhhhh.... Only 42 more to go!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yorikiried by fate 2,001 Posted January 22, 2019 2 hours ago, lackmaker said: Fans don't complain about things being better in the past like they used to do. Alas, the endless joy of the the-day-before-was-the-better-yesterday trope. Well done, all around. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yorikiried by fate 2,001 Posted January 22, 2019 Three truths possible to draw from the Enho situation: Never change a gripping grip. Never grip a changing grip. And the philosophically advanced: Never grip a gripping change. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yorikiried by fate 2,001 Posted January 22, 2019 (edited) And to complete the rock-bottom triple-post: Awful day, what with nobody turning up tomorrow anymore, except Hakuho. All the best to the maimed. Edited January 22, 2019 by yorikiried by fate Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Philioyamfugi 378 Posted January 22, 2019 (edited) https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldjn08jDsVU Takakaze has retired nice bit of tribute here and if your not subscribed to Chris Goulds YouTube...then wutz a matta u ! Edited January 22, 2019 by Philioyamfugi Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Atenzan 1,074 Posted January 22, 2019 4 hours ago, Jakusotsu said: Really? I watched him closely today and I think he's doing an excellent job. Today was much better than the day I posted that, true. Maybe he's still new and inconsistent. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocks 1,807 Posted January 22, 2019 Have to say I am pretty stunned by Yutakayama relatively easy win over Abi. With his mobility problems lately I thought Abi would be an issue for him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bumpkin 438 Posted January 22, 2019 S1w Tamawashi (8-2) could win the Hatsu yusho. Y1w Hakuho (10-0) is not unbeatable. They will, probably, meet on Day 12. Hakuho has to face K1w Mitakeumi (5-2-3) on Day 11 and, probably, S1e Takakeisho (7-3) on Day 13, 01w Goeido (4-6) on Day 14 and O1e Takayasu (5-5) on Day 15. Tamawashi has to face M4e Kotoshogiku (4-6) on Day 11 and, probably, M2w Hokutofuji (6-4), M4w Okinoumi (6-4) and K1 Myogiryu (4-6). We shall see. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Atenzan 1,074 Posted January 22, 2019 (edited) 7 minutes ago, Bumpkin said: S1w Tamawashi (8-2) could win the Hatsu yusho. Y1w Hakuho (10-0) is not unbeatable. They will, probably, meet on Day 12. Hakuho has to face K1w Mitakeumi (5-2-3) on Day 11 and, probably, S1e Takakeisho (7-3) on Day 13, 01w Goeido (4-6) on Day 14 and O1e Takayasu (5-5) on Day 15. Tamawashi has to face M4e Kotoshogiku (4-6) on Day 11 and, probably, M2w Hokutofuji (6-4), M4w Okinoumi (6-4) and K1 Myogiryu (4-6). We shall see. Even if Tamawashi wins out, I can't see Hakuhou losing two out of those four bouts. I very much doubt Mitakeumi is at 100%, the Ozeki have been poor, to put it politely, and Takakeishou crumbles in the face of solid yotsu. And even if Tamawashi forces a playoff, he's 0-13 against Hakuhou. Edited January 22, 2019 by Atenzan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bumpkin 438 Posted January 22, 2019 8 minutes ago, Atenzan said: Even if Tamawashi wins out, I can't see Hakuhou losing two out of those four bouts. I very much doubt Mitakeumi is at 100%, the Ozeki have been poor, to put it politely, and Takakeishou crumbles in the face of solid yotsu. And even if Tamawashi forces a playoff, he's 0-13 against Hakuhou. I know it's a long shot. Mitakeumi is a wild card. I doubt his shisho would allow him to re-enter if he was still seriously injured. Both Ozekis are fighting to avoid kadoban status. Takakeisho is a bowling ball. He could knock Hakuho over. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jakusotsu 5,876 Posted January 22, 2019 55 minutes ago, Atenzan said: Today was much better than the day I posted that, true. Maybe he's still new and inconsistent. Well, the day you were posting was when the imperial couple was watching. Might have been a factor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dingo 1,212 Posted January 22, 2019 Horrible day. I feel pained by seeing so many injuries, and I'm especially devastated for both Ura who was doing his best to slowly climb back to the salaried ranks where he belongs, and for Chiyonokuni who finally had things going his way this tournament. Here's hoping everyone's injuries are not as bad as they look. This just doubly underscores how lucky Hakuho has been to avoid any career-crippling injuries. If something along the lines of Ura/Chiyonokuni/Kotoyuuki had happened to him before I doubt he would've broken the numerous records he has. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amamaniac 2,078 Posted January 22, 2019 So Takakeisho's loss to Takayasu today definitely put a strain on his Ozeki promotion hopes. At 7-3, Takakeisho still needs 4 wins over the next five days. The bad news is that he still has to face Hakuho (and no-zeki Goeido). The good news is that he has already faced all other sanyaku opponents. He can afford to lose to Hakuho (although you never know what might confuse the great Yokozuna – probably not). But he definitely needs to defeat Goeido. In 2018, Takakeisho managed to beat Goeido twice in five meetings. Note, however, that two of the three wins for Goeido came at the start of the year when Takakeisho was probably struggling with injury. Given Goeido's less than stellar performance this tournament, I'd say that the scales are tipped in Takakeisho's favour. First things first. His next bout against Hokutofuji is yet another must win, and IMHO I think he should win it. Outside of the opponents mentioned above, who among the lower-ranked rank-and-filers is a serious threat to Takakeisho? As long as Takakeisho continues to focus on his style of sumo, and perhaps with with a little luck, he could very well walk away with 11 wins. 10 wins will definitely create an interesting dilemma. I almost more interested in seeing what the NSK would do in that potential eventuality! Good luck short-armed dude. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shatsume 117 Posted January 23, 2019 I think 10 wins and they say 'He's young and shows great promise, double digits in the next basho and he has the promotion.' They hedge their bets by not promoting him too early, giving a target, and creating a narrative for the next basho, which may may be plagued by injury no shows. But i'm no expert... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eikokurai 3,437 Posted January 23, 2019 (edited) 9 hours ago, Yamanashi said: Everyone talks about "scandals affecting the popularity of Sumo", which are about individual actions for the most part. Watching today's bouts, though, makes me wonder how many potential fans will turn away in horror at the utter carnage. It was sad, and difficult to watch. Serious injuries (seen publicly) are still pretty rare in sumo compared to many sports, and at least in sumo we sort of expect it – it is a combat sport, after all. Nobody gets turned off football (soccer, for the Americans) because two or three players every game have to get treatment for an injury. Arguably, I'd say the odd concussion or knee injury actually improves sumo's appeal. I've got two mates, one who is really into boxing and the other MMA, and when I post videos of sumo it's always the most combative bouts they enjoy most. The slow-burn grappling contests resulting in someone being carefully escorted out the ring by yorikiri may please the purists, but let's be honest, bouts when someone goes flying into the front row or the rikishi exchange a dozen harite provide the most crowd-pleasing entertainment. That style of sumo risks injury. Edited January 23, 2019 by Eikokurai Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yamanashi 3,779 Posted January 23, 2019 4 minutes ago, Eikokurai said: Serious injuries (seen publicly) are still pretty rare in sumo compared to many sports, and at least in sumo we sort of expect it – it is a combat sport, after all. Nobody gets turned off football (soccer, for the Americans) because two or three players every game have to get treatment for an injury. Arguably, I'd say the odd concussion or knee injury actually improves sumo's appeal. I've got two mates, one who is really into boxing and the other MMA, and when I post videos of sumo it's always the most combative bouts they enjoy most. The slow-burn grappling contests resulting in someone being carefully escorted out the ring by yorikiri may please the purists, but let's be honest, bouts when someone goes flying into the front row or the rikishi exchange a dozen harite provide the most crowd-pleasing entertainment. That style of sumo risks injury. You make good points, but when I think of the sports I grew up with -- baseball, football, basketball, all team sports -- a big injury to a participant didn't take the team out of action. And when someone is injured in those sports, they are put on Injured Reserve and get a year to heal a busted knee or shoulder; they're not penalized with deep demotion. Boxing and MMA are similar to sumo, of course, but they take months to train between fights. Also, I personally am not a fan of MMA, and don't watch sumo hoping for injuries as I know many MMA fans do. Mostly, I feel very bad about rikishi like Ura and Chiyonokuni who may have to intai, or exist as Makushita zombies for another few years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eikokurai 3,437 Posted January 23, 2019 Just now, Yamanashi said: You make good points, but when I think of the sports I grew up with -- baseball, football, basketball, all team sports -- a big injury to a participant didn't take the team out of action. And when someone is injured in those sports, they are put on Injured Reserve and get a year to heal a busted knee or shoulder; they're not penalized with deep demotion. Boxing and MMA are similar to sumo, of course, but they take months to train between fights. Also, I personally am not a fan of MMA, and don't watch sumo hoping for injuries as I know many MMA fans do. Mostly, I feel very bad about rikishi like Ura and Chiyonokuni who may have to intai, or exist as Makushita zombies for another few years. I hate MMA precisely because the point seems to be to cripple your opponent. That’s not sport. I certainly don’t hope for any injuries in sumo. However, I definitely enjoy a battle. Sumo is a lot like rugby, the other sport I follow closely, in that it appeals to both the gentleman and the thug inside me. They’re tests of strength and athleticism primarily. The goal is never to harm, but sometimes it’s the result. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gurowake 4,020 Posted January 23, 2019 Goeido's path to KK is made perhaps somewhat easier by the schedulers giving him the highest ranking remaining maegashira for him to fight Day 12, the 2-8 Yoshikaze, instead of someone trending towards KK like the next two highest in rank, Chiyotairyu and Onosho. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eikokurai 3,437 Posted January 23, 2019 Hoshoryu reacts quickly against the henka and then makes a nice outside leg trip. Kachikoshi secured. Definitely shades of ol' Uncle Dagvadorj there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Treblemaker 254 Posted January 23, 2019 Chiyonokuni's injury (I'm guessing when his knee folded under the weight of his body) is the exact same injury that basically finished YMY. Having all that weight come down on a knee basically tore his knee up. I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often. And, yeah, it's been an interesting basho so far, eh? Kotoshogiku has the biggest, hugest hams of any being alive. Aoiyama needs to get out in the sun more often. In today's White Guy Battle, he's pretty pasty-white. At least Kaisei has a bit of colour. The expression of former Takamisakari's face as Shohozan falls out of the tree is priceless. It's not like HE didn't land on a few laps in his time. And I'll never understand why everyone sits so damned close to the dohyo. People have been flying out fast and furious and it'll be a matter of time before the equivalent of a small cow lands on some frail, little old man. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Treblemaker 254 Posted January 23, 2019 12 hours ago, yorikiried by fate said: Three truths possible to draw from the Enho situation: Never change a gripping grip. Never grip a changing grip. And the philosophically advanced: Never grip a gripping change. And never gripe about a grip. And never change a grip on a grape. If you have enough, you can have a group grip. I prefer a grape group. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eikokurai 3,437 Posted January 23, 2019 (edited) Ishiura on his way back to Makuuchi? Kachikoshi today. Edited January 23, 2019 by Eikokurai Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mt fuji 976 Posted January 23, 2019 1 minute ago, Eikokurai said: Ishiura on his way back to Makuuchi? Kachikoshi today. Probably so, with all of the intai and Daishomaru's awful start Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mt fuji 976 Posted January 23, 2019 That Enho / Gagamaru match was really something, what a throw! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
