Nagoya 2019 Discussion (here be spoilers)

[Benihana 1,929]

The weather was much better than last year, way less hot and humid. The dohyo seems to be in pristine condition and i haven't noticed any complaints about it being slippery. But nonetheless Onosho managed to get a makekoshi by "felt" slippiyotoshi. What the heck? Seriously. Is he injured or something? Big disappointment.

[Rocks 1,809]

3 minutes ago, Eikokurai said:

Enho has faced three guys above M10: M7e Myogiryu, M9e Shohozan and M9w Daishoho.

But, another example. Ama (as Harumafuji was called then) won the gino-sho as M11w with a 9-6 record, same as Enho now has. He didn’t face anyone higher than M6w. 

That aside, the gino-sho is the one award which is supposed to be awarded regardless of quality of opposition. It’s meant to be all about the quality of technique, on paper at least. It would actually be refreshing if that is all they judged a rikishi on. To be honest, I imagine with Enho they wanted to give it to him last time but he MKd, so they’re probably just making up for it. 

I said beat, not face. He lost to Shohozan and Daishoho could not kneel down fast enough. He was losing the moment they announced that award.  Enho does have good technique, but there wasn't much of it on display this basho. I agree with you though. They were going to give him an award come hell or high water. 

[Rocks 1,809]

2 minutes ago, robnplunder said:

No one was cheering on Abi's "henka" induced win against Kotoshogiku.  What a stinking way to decide the KK!   Abi went KK but he lost some fans today.

Stupid crap. Way to kill the anticipation for a good match. I wish they would demote him anyway.

[robnplunder 975]

5 minutes ago, Rocks said:

Stupid crap. Way to kill the anticipation for a good match. I wish they would demote him anyway.

+1.

Other questionable crap?   Tomokaze falling without style, very quickly against minute Terutsuyoshi.   Uncharacteristic sumo by Shohozan - it almost looked like he was throwing the match  to give Tochiozan a sure stay in Makuuchi.   Abi damned!

Edited July 21, 2019 by robnplunder

[robnplunder 975]

... and thousand cheers for Kak beating his nemesis!!!!!

[Rocks 1,809]

Congrats to Kakuryu! very deserving yusho!

[Benihana 1,929]

Kakuryu vs. Hakuho = instant classic. Yokozuna Sumo at it's finest. The grip changes were simply amazing. Perfect finale for this basho.

[luispereira 383]

I knew Kakuryu would win!! but I didn't wanted to spoil it for you guys yesterday!!

what a nice basho!

Edited July 21, 2019 by luispereira

[Mezzosoprano 16]

yesss!!! yappari....  Omedetou Kakuryu!!!

Maybe he will choose Endo instead of Shodai for the parade?

[Rocks 1,809]

And the most critical thing. The macaroon was pink. 

[Benihana 1,929]

1 minute ago, Rocks said:

And the most critical thing. The macaroon was pink. 

Yes, no winner for the macaron poll.

[luispereira 383]

who won the special prizes?

[chishafuwaku 476]

1 minute ago, luispereira said:

who won the special prizes?

http://www.sumo.or.jp/EnHonbashoMain/champions/

[Kaninoyama 1,773]

40 minutes ago, Rocks said:

Stupid crap. Way to kill the anticipation for a good match. I wish they would demote him anyway.

In the broadcast, Mainoumi commented that had it been Enho who performed the same henka, the crowd would have likely gone wild. 

[robnplunder 975]

1 minute ago, Kaninoyama said:

In the broadcast, Mainoumi commented that had it been Enho who performed the same henka, the crowd would have likely gone wild. 

Not if Enho was Komusubi and did it against KK seeking Kotoshogiku.   I think Mainoumi may be getting senile .

[Eikokurai 3,437]

In almost five years as Yokozuna, that’s the first time Kakuryu has beaten Hakuho in a senshuraku showdown for the yusho. 

[Amamaniac 2,079]

1 hour ago, Mezzosoprano said:

Maybe he will choose Endo instead of Shodai for the parade?

In general, Yokozunas like to have Maegashira wrestlers in their dohyoiri teams.  While it does happen, sanyaku-ranked wrestlers usually get a pass.  And by the looks of it, Endo is headed for the sanyaku elite ranks next tournament.  Fans have been waiting for SIX (6) 1.6 years for this! 

But as for the championship parade, Endo is definitely eligible!!!

Edited July 21, 2019 by Amamaniac

[Eikokurai 3,437]

5 minutes ago, Amamaniac said:

In general, Yokozunas like to have Maegashira wrestlers in their dohyoiri teams.  While it does happen, sanyaku-ranked wrestlers usually get a pass.  And by the looks of it, Endo is headed for the sanyaku elite ranks next tournament.  Fans have been waiting for SIX (6) years for this!

Endo had a one-tournament taster session in sanyaku in May last year. He did not, shall we say, live up to the fans’ hopes.

Also I think Mezzosoprano meant Endo for the yusho parade, not the dohyoiri.

Edited July 21, 2019 by Eikokurai

[robnplunder 975]

1 minute ago, Amamaniac said:

In general, Yokozunas like to have Maegashira wrestlers in their dohyoiri teams.  While it does happen, sanyaku-ranked wrestlers usually get a pass.  And by the looks of it, Endo is headed for the sanyaku elite ranks next tournament.  Fans have been waiting for SIX (6) years for this!

Endo was a Komusubi last year. 

I think one Komusubi spot is open.  It is either Hokutofuji or Endo who will take the spot.  It's not sure thing for Endo to return to Komusubi rank.

[Qwerry 25]

Abi and Endo for komusubi.

Hokutofuji, imho, just M1.

[Morty 1,495]

Some excellent sumo today, with the Yokozunae battle outstanding. Endo/Hokotofuji also excellent - Endo appears, to my relatively untrained eye, to have improved significantly in the past 12 months. He previously didn't like getting hit in the face and tended to lose anything where he couldn't quickly get the belt, but now he seems to be hanging in there for longer and winning more often at a higher level. Maybe all that potential he showed before he hurt his knee is actually finally coming to fruition?

[YoungSumo 93]

Man I loved Endo/Hokutofuji, bout of the basho for me.

Kakuryu winning was very deserved, his 6th yusho now. Before Harumafuji and Kisenosato's untimely exits I'd never have expected that.

Tomokaze Shukun-sho is a nobrainer, Terutsoyoshi getting the Kanto-sho makes a lot of sense too but two people getting the Gino-sho? That doesn't happen often. Although I do think Endo and Enho did deserve it.

[Mezzosoprano 16]

1 hour ago, Eikokurai said:

Also I think Mezzosoprano meant Endo for the yusho parade, not the dohyoiri.

Yes, the parade. But I was wrong - it was Toyonoshima - also a good choice

[lackmaker 437]

2 hours ago, Morty said:

Some excellent sumo today, with the Yokozunae battle outstanding. Endo/Hokotofuji also excellent - Endo appears, to my relatively untrained eye, to have improved significantly in the past 12 months. He previously didn't like getting hit in the face and tended to lose anything where he couldn't quickly get the belt, but now he seems to be hanging in there for longer and winning more often at a higher level. Maybe all that potential he showed before he hurt his knee is actually finally coming to fruition?

He's always seemed a well balanced and savvy competitor but he looks like he's added something extra in recent times.

[Dwale 419]

A great close to the basho. We had exciting matches (Hokutofuji v Endo) some not so much (Abi v Kotoshogiku, though I did appreciate the guy in the audience laughing his ass off). Enho's first kachi-koshi in the top division, and Terutsuyoshi going well into the double digits. And a jun-yusho as well! Who would have expected that?

Meanwhile Tomokaze proved he's not to be taken lightly, and Kotoyuki looked better than he's looked in makuuchi for ages. Even Endo got ten wins at M2. 

Well, well. Congratulations to Kakuryu, he had to fight uphill the whole way because of his back problems, but he stuck it out and reminded everyone he's yokozuna for a reason. Let's hope next time we can have a basho with reinvigorated ozeki to keep the yusho race interesting.