Taikoubana 144 Posted February 26, 2020 This would be a wonderful time for aaaaaaall these rikishi currently nursing injuries to actually take more than two months to properly rest up. Even if they still do keiko, at least they won't be competing in a tournament, which is where a lot of these injuries happen or worsen. Frankly I would love to see how they all preform after a 4 month, maybe 6 month break. I just hope the virus doesn't get into one of the heya. Infiltrating one heya still equals a lot of infected rikishi and staff. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gaijingai 1,589 Posted February 26, 2020 10 hours ago, Eikokurai said: Seems pretty clear. The two-week timeframe will give some hope but I think that's as close to a "honbasho cancelled" as we need. Here it is in English. https://news.trust.org/item/20200226041319-p4x8b/ 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kaminariyuki 499 Posted February 26, 2020 21 minutes ago, Gaijingai said: Here it is in English. https://news.trust.org/item/20200226041319-p4x8b/ Well, I hate to see the basho cancelled, but now I'll be amazed if it goes forward. Thanks for this post Gaijingai.The good news is that there's a chance I will get some of my money back for the Box I've already abandoned on Day 14, or maybe they'll give me a voucher for a box at a future tournament. ...or, maybe like the amateur racers (non-gaijin) in the Tokyo Marathon they will give me nothing but a "gomen nasai." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dapeng 235 Posted February 26, 2020 They may hold a closed-door basho and invite a limited number of audiences by drawing lot. The audiences will wear mask and sit widely separately and far away from the dohyo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benihana 1,929 Posted February 26, 2020 I demand the basho to be held. And i demand hazmat suits for all rikishi. They can wear their mawashi over their suits. Problem solved, fun multiplied. I'm a mentally stable genius. 1 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robnplunder 975 Posted February 26, 2020 (edited) I suggest they move the future venues to South Africa or another place safe from the virus. It may take a while before ozumo returns to Japan. Another suggestion, hold the events on TV only, substitute the crowd with computer graphics. The show must go on. Edited February 26, 2020 by robnplunder Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dapeng 235 Posted February 26, 2020 It seems they only canceled one basho after publishing a banzuke in sumo history. I believe they will hold a closed-door basho. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robnplunder 975 Posted February 26, 2020 2 minutes ago, Dapeng said: It seems they only canceled one basho after publishing a banzuke in sumo history. I believe they will hold a closed-door basho. That'd be good. It may lift the spirits. It could also help the economy even in a tiny way. Too many businesses are impacted by the virus. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oortael 153 Posted February 26, 2020 Holding the basho without public seems a reasonable solution. I'd go as far as letting only sekitori compete to have a meaningful basho with less risk of spreading the potential virus. The bottom of the banzuke stays still for Natsu. Or let the Ms1-Ms5 compete too as they are the more likely of promotion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joaoiyama 308 Posted February 26, 2020 I really want the rikishi to catch a break but at the same time i wanna play the games so bad! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
since_94 650 Posted February 26, 2020 A hypothetical here: Assuming March was cancelled and the next basho was held in May, I would be so curious to see how the sumotori at all levels would compete after skipping a tournament and almost two schedules of jungyo. Would there be ring rust? Or would most everyone be healed up from nagging injuries and feeling revitalized and fighting in tip-top condition? I would certainly hope for the latter. In any case, at this stage I’m guessing they’ll go ahead without spectators. But who knows? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nantonoyama 252 Posted February 27, 2020 12 hours ago, Tsuchinoninjin said: March 7 dohyo consecration: general public is disinvited and sanyaku and above rikishi don't attend. For me this is a hint that, so far, they intend to held the tournament behind closed doors 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sekitori 492 Posted February 27, 2020 4 hours ago, Oortael said: Holding the basho without public seems a reasonable solution. I don't think that's a reasonable solution at all. I believe it's a terrible one. Part of the appeal of a sporting event is not the competition itself. The other part is the reaction of the audience to that competition. Can anyone imagine what it would have been like if Tokushoryu won his yusho with no one in attendance? No shock, no joy--no nothing. If the basho is somehow held without an audience,, I think that if a yokozuna is defeated, several people should be appointed to be zabuton throwers. It could bring a little reality and pleasure back to what would otherwise be a totally uninspiring event. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robnplunder 975 Posted February 27, 2020 1 1 minute ago, sekitori said: If the basho is somehow held without an audience,, I think that if a yokozuna is defeated, several people should be appointed to be zabuton throwers. It could bring a little reality and pleasure back to what would otherwise be a totally uninspiring event. Don't we have robots for that? Also, how about the computer-generated audience so that on TV, it looks like there are a lot of people. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eikokurai 3,437 Posted February 27, 2020 29 minutes ago, robnplunder said: Don't we have robots for that? Also, how about the computer-generated audience so that on TV, it looks like there are a lot of people. They can install those machines that lob tennis balls or baseballs at batting cages. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hokkaiko 50 Posted February 27, 2020 As I understood Takayasu's mother, the Harubasho in Osaka takes place without spectators, only the wrestlers are there. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kaminariyuki 499 Posted February 27, 2020 13 hours ago, sekitori said: I don't think that's a reasonable solution at all. I believe it's a terrible one. Part of the appeal of a sporting event is not the competition itself. The other part is the reaction of the audience to that competition. Can anyone imagine what it would have been like if Tokushoryu won his yusho with no one in attendance? No shock, no joy--no nothing. If the basho is somehow held without an audience,, I think that if a yokozuna is defeated, several people should be appointed to be zabuton throwers. It could bring a little reality and pleasure back to what would otherwise be a totally uninspiring event. LOL, I would volunteer, but Ive let go of my airline ticket... I agree that it would not be at all the same whiteout a crowd. They may do some sort of reduced crowd option, as well with only the lucky few in attendance. I wonder if the Emperor will make an appearance? I saw on NHK last evening that the president of South Korea visited the city where the outbreak is occurring. Like Carter visiting Three Mile Island, I was a little impressed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ichimawashi 573 Posted February 27, 2020 Even if the basho goes ahead without spectators, or with considerably few spectators, the fact remains that it is groups of people in close contact that causes the virus to spread, and while they may be spread out on the dohyo, that will not be the case in the back rooms, which are usually crowded with all sorts of people going in and out repeatedly. They would have to test all who may enter that area before such an event, I would think: rikishi, coaches, assistants, gyoji, and other officials. I would expect a complete cancellation, but perhaps the post-Olympics event may be expanded somehow to include Osaka. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,264 Posted February 27, 2020 4 hours ago, Hokkaiko said: As I understood Takayasu's mother, the Harubasho in Osaka takes place without spectators, only the wrestlers are there. Then it must be true. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,264 Posted February 28, 2020 Oguruma oyakata today on the Basho being held or not: "It won't look good if only the Kyokai will be holding an event. The situation is not getting better. I would like to hear what the rijikai members have to say about this. There is no precedent for this so I have no idea. As for the jungyo slated to start on March 29th, we haven't thought as far as that. I think the head of jungyo has a severe headache on his hands.." He was at the Nishonoseki rengo keiko today. "Everyone was giving it their all today as usual" he said. Shibatayama Oyakata head of PR, also st the rengo keiko: "It would be good if the rikishi would only do what they can do. I think their training will increase their immunity. As for the decision regarding the basho, I can't say anything till the rijikai convenes on Sunday."' Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,264 Posted February 28, 2020 (edited) The rikishi are preparing for the basho but the uncertainty is bugging them. Without the audience? "Without the crowds' cheering it will be a bit sad but it's not up to us rikishi to decide.I can only prepare seriously,"said surprise cup holder Tokushouryuu. "It will be decided on Sunday so I have nothing to say at this time," unsaid Hakuhou. The Osaka promoters are worried that even if the basho will be held with no spectators, many of them would come anyway, trying to get a glimpse of their favorite rikishi outside the venue. They will have to address that as well. Edited February 28, 2020 by Kintamayama 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Philioyamfugi 378 Posted February 28, 2020 If they are not going to allow crowds then just cancel it. The rikishi could use the break and the fans and the gods will live. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Otokonoyama 2,735 Posted February 28, 2020 Spring meet unlikely to be held in "regular" fashion: JSA Quote The upcoming Spring Grand Sumo Tournament is unlikely to proceed as planned due to the growing coronavirus crisis, the Japan Sumo Association said Friday. The JSA is mulling whether to cancel the tournament, scheduled for March 8 to 22 at Osaka's Edion Arena, or hold it behind closed doors. "The situation is getting tougher. It seems impossible for the sumo association to hold events in the regular fashion," said former ozeki Kotokaze, a senior JSA official... https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/02/5248dbcddb58-update2-sumo-spring-meet-unlikely-to-be-held-in-regular-fashion-jsa.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benevolance 2,501 Posted February 28, 2020 I really want to see a CGI crowd made entirely of Gold Hat guys. 2 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
robnplunder 975 Posted February 28, 2020 33 minutes ago, Benevolance said: I really want to see a CGI crowd made entirely of Gold Hat guys. I prefer good, unique looking people. When I watch ozumo, I always check out the crowd. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
