Hatsu Basho 2019 Discussion [SPOILERS]

[robnplunder 975]

1 minute ago, Kintamayama said:

At least I was right about one thing concerning Takakeishou-he won't make it to Ozeki in ten bashos.. I have found a hat. A photo of me eating it will be posted at the end of the basho. A bad makekoshi indeed. I'm going to crawl off into a corner and watch Narcos.

We'd still respect you but Takakeisho may not. 

[Kaninoyama 1,712]

3 hours ago, Eikokurai said:

Enho doesn’t have a large belly getting in the way. Takakeisho’s reach is diminished by his girth. 

When are people going to finally realize that Takekeisho's body type is is greatest asset, not a shortcoming?

[Eikokurai 3,437]

5 minutes ago, Kaninoyama said:

When are people going to finally realize that Takekeisho's body type is is greatest asset, not a shortcoming?

That's not even close to what I said, is it? The topic was his reach, not his entire body shape. His build affects his reach just as it influences his fighting style and I didn't say that was good or bad.

Edited January 25, 2019 by Eikokurai

[Midoriyama 35]

He is a geat example of a rikishi needing to do "his brand of sumo" but man, he is great at it 

[Eikokurai 3,437]

1 minute ago, Midoriyama said:

He is a geat example of a rikishi needing to do "his brand of sumo" but man, he is great at it 

Exactly so. Rikishi come in all shapes and sizes (well, not all, but you know what I mean). The good ones learn to use what they have and to overcome what they don't have. Takakeisho is doing that. 

[Kaninoyama 1,712]

5 minutes ago, Eikokurai said:

That's not even close to what I said, is it? The topic was his reach, not his entire body shape. His build affects his reach just as it influences his fighting style and I didn't say that was good or bad.

I re-read and stand corrected. I only saw part of a longer quote and see it was specifically about his ability to to yotsu, not his overall sumo. Sorry for the error

[Eikokurai 3,437]

18 minutes ago, Kintamayama said:

At least I was right about one thing concerning Takakeishou-he won't make it to Ozeki in ten bashos.. I have found a hat. A photo of me eating it will be posted at the end of the basho. A bad makekoshi indeed. I'm going to crawl off into a corner and watch Narcos.

In your defence, your prediction was made while he was under Takanohana's evil sway. You couldn't have known how he'd perform once set free.

[Kintamayama 44,652]

2 minutes ago, Eikokurai said:

In your defence, your prediction was made while he was under Takanohana's evil sway. You couldn't have known how he'd perform once set free.

No, it was made well after Takanohana retired. No defending this. 

[Eikokurai 3,437]

3 minutes ago, Kintamayama said:

No, it was made well after Takanohana retired. No defending this. 

Come on, I'm throwing you a bone here. 

[Yatagarasu 352]

Glad that Tamawashi and Takakeisho secured their victories - Tamawashi just needs to keep calm and forging ahead.  It would be nice to have a different winner.

Re Takakeisho, I'll repeat what I said about Tochinoshin before his promotion, which is that when you are reliable on one principle strategy, that might be enough for promotion, but for longevity, you need to have a few more techniques you can fall back on if you can't get your preferred stance (whether through error or because you're carrying an injury). Even as an ozeki, Tochinoshin still shows immense vulnerability when he can't forklift someone.  With a kadoban return, he is going to be even more likely to rely on his preferred technique to secure 'reliable' victories, which can aver to be counter-productive.  With Takakeisho, he's a short explosive burst which is an advantage and disadvantage - normally it's enough to blow someone out, but if he can't do that immediately, he simply has no stamina.  Hokutofuji figured it out yesterday, but ended up with his back to the tawara, so it was all over. My point is this: once someone can resist the bait of the feint slaps and being drawn into his rhythm, and keep him dancing, they can play a waiting game.  

Regarding Hakuhou, as far as I'm aware, he is carrying less weight this basho.  I wonder to what extent that might influence his performance as well as all the other factors (age, diminishing strength and speed, injury, etc.)?  A few kilos can make a big difference to an opponent.

 

 

[Kintamayama 44,652]

7 minutes ago, Eikokurai said:

Come on, I'm throwing you a bone here. 

Woof.

[Eikokurai 3,437]

2 minutes ago, Kintamayama said:

Woof.

Since you are Kintamayama, I suppose I could describe you as the dog's bollocks now.

(I hope that Britishism is understood.)

[robnplunder 975]

11 minutes ago, Eikokurai said:

Come on, I'm throwing you a bone here. 

No, let him suffer a bit.  We don't get too many chances as is.  

[Gernobono 463]

14 minutes ago, Yatagarasu said:

Re Takakeisho, I'll repeat what I said about Tochinoshin before his promotion, which is that when you are reliable on one principle strategy, that might be enough for promotion, but for longevity, you need to have a few more techniques you can fall back on if you can't get your preferred stance ......

right.....i was very happy when chiyotaikai took up yotsu to do as you suggested for takakeisho 

[Mikanoyama 4]

In 3 years i never saw something like what's happened inside Kagayaki - Yoshikaze match. Last two days were not lucky days for gyojis!

[Akōgyokuseki 227]

Enho vs Daishoho...

MISELET SUMO

Good effort from Enho. But the rikishi I'm most pleased for today is Ikioi...well done to him after suffering that awful injury last week. That's the thing I most admire about him, his ability to keep going...that and his lovely voice...

 

(Alreet to all the Geordie's on the forum)

Edited January 25, 2019 by Akōgyokuseki

[Eikokurai 3,437]

4 minutes ago, Gernobono said:

right.....i was very happy when chiyotaikai took up yotsu to do as you suggested for takakeisho 

Chiyotaikai did have long arms though :)

[Michishige 66]

Did anyone else see Hakuho treat his foot gingerly when he was getting up from taking that natural ass-whooping? I’m still thinking it’s that right big toe. 

[Morty 1,483]

I'm calling it now - Tamawashi loses at least one of his next two, Hak and Takakeisho win both, we have a three way play-off on senshuraku, which Taka wi...., no, who am I kidding, Hak wins, to maintain the status quo.

[Midoriyama 35]

One has to think how Tamawashi reacts facing a chance of a lifetime to get his maiden yusho at 34. Surely some nerves would be in play. 

[Eikokurai 3,437]

I don’t want Tamawashi to win. I’m sick of the Mongolian dominance. 

[Philioyamfugi 378]

From doom and gloom to several possible playoff scenarios.. Mitakiumi should sit out now. Nice win by the Geek a fun match. The Ozeki squad may both KK. Takakeishou should get the nod for Ozeki, one dimensional but kicking butt.

[Yatagarasu 352]

20 minutes ago, Midoriyama said:

One has to think how Tamawashi reacts facing a chance of a lifetime to get his maiden yusho at 34. Surely some nerves would be in play. 

He'll need some pretty big 'Tama, that's for sure.  

[since_94 650]

20 hours ago, Philioyamfugi said:

https://youtu.be/0TZb3AHiEpo?t=285

The Hakahou toe dipping is shown on this video..for those interested 

For those eagerly watching the GOAT's toe dipping: he did it tonight on his third trip to his corner, but not on the first, second, or fourth ones. The sequence goes: 1. instruct attendant to pour water 2. Dip each big toe 3. Drag big toes side to side in dirt. 4. Put toes up on tawara with heels on clay. 

For the record Enho dipped both his big toes in standing water that was pooled on the dohyo before his bout, too, but the water was already there. West side's corner was a sloppy mess during Juryo, truth be told. It looks to be a traction thing, as another poster mentioned.

[Yatagarasu 352]

1 hour ago, Gernobono said:

right.....i was very happy when chiyotaikai took up yotsu to do as you suggested for takakeisho 

Chiyotaikai is the standard clapback anytime anyone complains of a rikishi being one-dimensional.  Which begs the question, if that were enough, why haven't there more successful ozeki with only one gameplan?  Let's look at Abi and Onosho (injury notwithstanding), both of whom got off to roaring starts when they entered makuuchi.  Now Abi has slipped down the rankings since everyone has figured him out and Onosho still overcommits when charging forward and gets his face slapped into the dirt time and again... Even Ura was getting predictable in makuuchi after the initial surprise to his opponents wore off.  It's ok when you're only in the lower ranks - the odds of you facing the same opponent in successive basho are slim, especially if you yusho your way out of there.  But in makuuchi you're against the same guys every time, so a signature technique will indubitably have a shelf-life, unless you have some other kind of physical or tactical advantage, which IMHO, Takakeisho just doesn't have.  Chiyotaikai was taller and lighter.  Apples and oranges.