March basho 2021

[Seiyashi 4,072]

It's against juryo opponents, but Enho is looking way better than in his previous two basho in makuuchi. He seems to have finally gotten the hang of going on head first by combining it with pretty good agility in backing off where necessary. It'd be interesting to see if it continues to work when he makes it back to makuuchi.

Is it just me or has Ishiura taken up some of Takamisakari's pre-bout routine? Either way, Tokushoryu gives him a lot to do before he's able to pull the katasukashi. But at this rate, Hakuho will have back his usual attendants next basho, I think.

[Eikokurai 3,437]

Asashoryu is doing Clubhouse? He should have more positive things to say about Hoshoryu today.

[Eikokurai 3,437]

Mitakeumi is having a good start. The beginning of another Ozeki-run choke?

Brave tactics from Wakatakakage, going for the inside grip against the man you least want to present your elbows to.

Edited March 15, 2021 by Eikokurai

[Kaninoyama 1,713]

Strong, patient sumo from Takayasu. Reminding everyone that he too was once an Ozeki. 

[Seiyashi 4,072]

This might well be another of those basho where the sanyaku collectively kick ass and take names, considering their collective form. Other than Takayasu's loss to Meisei yesterday and Takanosho's loss to Hokutofuji today, all other sanyaku losses have come from intra-sanyaku matches.

The weakest sanyaku member at the moment is Asanoyama; his sumo has been the least spirited but even so not entirely deficient. Daieisho on the other hand has been putting up more fight than his 0-2 (and soon to be 0-3 record perhaps, since he has Terunofuji tomorrow) would suggest, especially since he has fought arguably the three toughest customers on the banzuke when they're in form. 

It'll be interesting to see if this still holds up by nakabi, but it'd be nice if we finally have a basho that's a return to form.

[Amamaniac 2,078]

Takakeisho looked a little hesitant just before his initial charge against Daieisho (who beat him on day 2 of the last tournament and went on to secure his first Top Division title).  The oshi battle that ensued established at least two things: (1) Daieisho's oshi offensive is not all that effective against Takakeisho, and (2) Takakeisho was able to exploit one of the weaknesses of Daieisho's extended arm thrusts with a well-timed "left arm" swipe.

The question is, in this new age of pusher-thrusters, who in the Top Division is the best?  I want to say that Daieisho has the best technique overall.  Takakeisho is a single-purpose pushing/thrusting machine, but his arms are a little too short IMHO.  And then there is Abi (lost but not forgotten) with great extension, but perhaps lacking power to back it up.

After two days, perhaps we can agree that Takakeisho has found his form again.  His start this tournament is definitely an improvement over last tournament. 

[Seiyashi 4,072]

Daieisho is probably generally most consistent. Onosho is almost certainly the worst of the three being the most inconsistent of them. Takakeisho is nigh-unstoppable on a good day, but he also carries the most injury concerns of the three, so I'd rank them as Takakeisho, Daieisho, then Onosho.

[pricklypomegranate 730]

Hakuho gave a more convincing performance today against Takarafuji. However, it was very odd that he squatted to accept the prize, then stood up before doing it again, coupled with the bandage on the right knee. It's only day 2, and I wouldn't bet the house on him finishing him this basho, even with the YDC breathing fire on his tail. Although we know he's not going to be winning 'Spirited Rikishi' prizes and we might argue whether he's overstayed his welcome, if he does go the distance, he's demonstrated outstanding fighting spirit - the one that won him 44 yusho, to me. 

Other standouts that I want to really point out are Takakeisho, who demonstrated great resolve against Daieisho despite being pushed back quite a bit at the tachiai. Especially excellent sumo from Terunofuji, Kotoeko and Kiribayama today as well - if you only have a little time I'd definitely suggest checking out their bouts today. 

[Morty 1,483]

Yesterday when Hakuho's bout came on I spontaneously clapped because it was a joy to see the GOAT competing again. But I feel like we need to make the most of it. It is clear he is very close to the end. Savour every bout from here on in, because it will be a very long time before we see his like again.

[pricklypomegranate 730]

Hakkaku was complimenting him for his... harite. Why? Mixed signals? 

Also, during his commentary, when asked to comment on Kakuryu, Kisenosato said, "Oh god, I know how that feels like." I respect and love him even more now for being so empathetic and so open about it. It's certainly something you don't see everyday in sumo. 

[Seiyashi 4,072]

2 minutes ago, pricklypomegranate said:

Hakkaku was complimenting him for his... harite. Why? Mixed signals? 

Well, harite in itself is not bad, since it serves the legitimate tactical purpose of allowing the initiating rikishi to go immediately into a mawashi grip without butting heads, like Hakuho has shown. It's arguable that Hakuho's performance of it this basho has been the cleanest use of this tactic so far - one clean slap, heads straight on shoulders, and sumo from there. What the sumo says about Hakuho's condition is a different matter altogether, but at least it allows Hakuho to set the situation for his preferred approach and to control the match, which is as close to creating "doing my brand of sumo" conditions as you can get.

It's the harite into kachiage combo that has people up in arms, since that's basically a closed fist away from MMA. It's not pretty sumo when you win because the opponent is too discombobulated to react.

[Amamaniac 2,078]

I stumbled across a recent documentary on Hakuho (https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV15N411Q7s6) care of another thread on this Forum, which sheds some interesting light on his life, contributions to sumo and Japan, and physical challenges.  There were three key takeaways that pertain to this tournament:

1) the dohyoiri keshomawashi set Hakuho has used on the first two days of this (March) tournament is the one that he used repeatedly on his support tour of Tohoku after the March 2011 tsunami.  Hakuho is if anything sensitive to his Japanese fans, and finds ways to show his continued gratitude.

2) Hakuho has required having copious amounts of fluid drained from his right knee by syringe on more than a few occasions (looks super painful).  Whatever the exact source of the recurring inflammation, he is willing to do anything to compete and make his fans happy.  This tournament he has been sporting a thin supporter just under his right knee.  IMHO renewed swelling was already visible after one day of competition.  Just one more thing to keep our eyes on.

3) Hakuho works out with a motivational poster of him (his Japanese first name) being involved in the Tokyo Summer Games.  Clearly, he still has his mind very much set on taking part – i.e., performing the Yokozuna dohyoiri – and so he probably won't be retiring any time soon (that is to say, he will stay around on the banzuke if not on the dohyo for at least three more tournaments).

[Atenzan 1,074]

On 14/03/2021 at 10:44, since_94 said:

Curious about Terunofuji’s elbow braces. These supports seem to be the articulated type, basically with what looks like metal splints running down both sides, allowing for the joint to flex while providing support. Much like his knee braces. But those metal parts are essentially hard points that one would think would offer him an unfair advantage, no? For example, a forearm blast from Terunofuji that meant getting slammed across the chin with the metal joint would be all the more devastating, would it not?  I have to question the fairness if worn on the upper body. What do others think?

Aminishiki had the same type of knee braces for years and it was a non-issue, apart from injury speculation.

[Atenzan 1,074]

I hope we get a good 4-horse setup going into the last few days, with Hakuhou, Takakeishou, Terunofuji and Mitakeumi fighting for the yusho. Hopefully they can all last 15 days.

[Kotomiyama 165]

Hoshoryu knows how to use his legs, he avoided defeat twice today with great footwork.

[Kaninoyama 1,713]

1 hour ago, Kotomiyama said:

Hoshoryu knows how to use his legs, he avoided defeat twice today with great footwork.

Does anyone south of Hakuho have a better belt game than him? 

[since_94 650]

13 hours ago, Morty said:

Yesterday when Hakuho's bout came on I spontaneously clapped because it was a joy to see the GOAT competing again. But I feel like we need to make the most of it. It is clear he is very close to the end. Savour every bout from here on in, because it will be a very long time before we see his like again.

I hear you. Yesterday, had to go to work almost immediately following the Makuuchi dohyo-iri and wanted to hop in the shower beforehand. When Juryo finished, postponed showering until after Hakuho had finished his dohyo-iri out of concern I might miss watching it live it if I timed it wrong. Treating every Hakuho dohyo-iri like it might be the last one these days. Still made it to work on time, not that it really matters. Love my three minute commute almost as much as I love sumo.

[jsolo 106]

https://jbssumo.blogspot.com/2021/03/grand-sumo-results-with-relevant-links.html

Day 2 of March (Haru) Basho (Sumo Wrestling Tournament), held in Tokyo. Results, Kimarite (finishing move) statistics, time of match statistics, media articles, photos, and video (full match and selected matches). San'yaku (top rank) "Pennant Race", Maegashira (rank and filers) v San'yaku, Juryo substitute performances. 

Enjoy

https://jbssumo.blogspot.com/2021/03/grand-sumo-results-with-relevant-links.html

 

[pricklypomegranate 730]

Source: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/shutoken-news/20210316/1000061714.html

NHK has reported that Hakuho has gone kyujo, likely because of his knee yesterday. This, they report, is his fifth consecutive kyujo. 

Edited March 16, 2021 by pricklypomegranate

[sahaven111 174]

He's out

[WAKATAKE 2,644]

5 minutes ago, pricklypomegranate said:

Source: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/shutoken-news/20210316/1000061714.html

NHK has reported that Hakuho has gone kyujo, likely because of his knee yesterday. This, they report, is his fifth consecutive kyujo. 

Actually we know who to blame for this. Some guy who was on Abema with a Hakuho prediction 

[Kaninoyama 1,713]

14 hours ago, Morty said:

Yesterday when Hakuho's bout came on I spontaneously clapped because it was a joy to see the GOAT competing again. But I feel like we need to make the most of it. It is clear he is very close to the end. Savour every bout from here on in, because it will be a very long time before we see his like again.

Prophetic words? 

[Koorifuu 924]

16 hours ago, Eikokurai said:

Brave tactics from Wakatakakage, going for the inside grip against the man you least want to present your elbows to.

I had to go doublecheck he hadn't faced Tamawashi!

[Philioyamfugi 378]

Nice start for Kagayaki, I really like the day 1 win with the notawa tachia (alla Abi) he's a tall man with long arms, I hope we see that again, he needs couple more tricks. Takakeisho looks great with the weight loss and got the big left going again, and looks quick. 

 

[Rocks 1,807]

Hakuho and Kotoshoho out. Looks like the latter is headed for Juryo in May.