March basho 2021

[Amamaniac 2,079]

The Top Division provided seven (7) yorikiri finishes today.  I guess the "boys" decided to get serious after spotting Kintamayama's post on day 1's very unusual lack of a single yorikiri finish in the Top Division.

[Koorifuu 1,020]

Takayasu's been flying under the radar thanks to Terunofuji, but his performance would otherwise be having all the spotlight.

Those few basho after returning from injury were rough, but he managed just enough to stay where he could quickly return to his previous levels of performance. That sudden succession of 3 promotion-clinching basho is not likely to happen again, but this is about as good as he usually was as an active ozeki.

[Ender Wiggin 43]

On 17/03/2021 at 06:53, Yamanashi said:

That's possible, maybe likely, but as of now he's a beast.  If I just use the Eye Test, look at the two rikishi pre-tachiai, and ask "who's gonna win this?", I don't envision anyone beating him.  I don't see that for Taskakeisho, Asanoyama, Shodai, etc.

Takayasu has been dominating over him since Nagoya 2016 (8-1) and has won the past 3 matches, so that's one hurdle he'll definitely have to overcome.

[Gospodin 219]

29 minutes ago, Tigerboy1966 said:

Onosho demonstrated the only way to overcome an on-form Terunofuji, keep attacking, keep moving and never let the big man settle or get balanced. I am a huge Terunofuji fan, but I was very happy to see Onosho win today.

The entire bout looked like Onosho watched Meisei yesterday and decided "I am going to do exactly the same he did, just a tad better."

[Amamaniac 2,079]

23 hours ago, Tigerboy1966 said:

Worth pointing out that since his return Terunofuji has missed fewer bouts through injury than Takakeisho, Asanoyama, Shodai or Takayasu over the same time period. He may be fragile, but he's not exactly falling apart. He's the best in the sport and he should be the next yokozuna.

Also worth pointing out that the first three names on that list had the luxury of Ozeki kadoban protection.  Teru on the other hand can't afford any demotions at this stage in his comeback/career, and despite missing three bouts back in September 2020, he has managed to avoid any makekoshis ... to his credit.  

At 23 (right up until day 12 of the 2015 Autumn Tournament), Terunofuji was generally viewed as the next Yokozuna, without question.  He's 29 now with a host of (old?) injuries that he is still dealing with.  The fact that he has two yusho and SIX junyusho in the Top Division makes him the most dominant wrestler on the banzuke after Hak 'n Kak.  His recent record is equally impressive.  

But like several others on this forum, I fear that his reliance on brute strength may not be enough to get him a tsuna.  Physically speaking, he is as you describe him "fragile" (which makes injury a probability rather than a possibility).  But I would also describe him as "vulnerable".  The Top Div boys are figuring out Teru's weakness and are getting inside and neutralising the big Mongolian's strength advantage.

In short, Terunofuji should be the next Ozeki.  As for Yokozuna, I'd only give him 50/50 odds and frankly I think that is generous.  P.S., I too am a Terunofuji fan, just not as big a fan as I was when I flew in to Tokyo on September 24, 2015...  

 

[Tigerboy1966 1,474]

28 minutes ago, Gospodin said:

The entire bout looked like Onosho watched Meisei yesterday and decided "I am going to do exactly the same he did, just a tad better."

It's like the tip about punching a shark on the nose. It may work, but you need nuts of steel to pull it off.

[Seiyashi 4,108]

Juryo notes: Go Enho! His backward balance is really much much better. He would just fall over backwards himself in many of those situations, but he managed to lure Tokushoryu into blundering after him without any real effort.

Is it just me or is Chiyoshoma's sumo very ugly today? A harite that didn't seem to serve any purpose and a ketaguri.

Well fought by both Midorifuji and Tobizaru. Insane pushing power from both Tamawashi and Chiyonokuni; both their opponents looked absolutely helpless.

Asashoryu should be happy with Hoshoryu today. 

Tochinoshin's skycrane is back! If only for the briefest, fleeting, moment. But it's also obvious his right knee has no power to back it up.

Where's this Endo been?

Takayasu's finishing flourish of Kiribayama was very reminiscent of Kisenosato. If only he could channel Kisenosato more - the good bits, at least.

What was that really odd semi-buckling of Daieisho's legs just after the tachiai?

It's impressive how bad Asanoyama looks out of the tachiai and yet still manages to work his way back into a win. More and more I am inclined to my theory that he's really trying a new type of reactive sumo.

Edited March 18, 2021 by Seiyashi

[Tigerboy1966 1,474]

18 minutes ago, Amamaniac said:

As for Yokozuna, I'd only give him 50/50 odds and frankly I think that is generous.

Andre Gide, when asked to name the greatest French poet, said "Hugo... helas". I think we might say the same thing about Terunofuji as the best yokozuna prospect.

[Gaijingai 1,597]

Hiro Morita Video Report of First 1/3 of the Basho

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/videos/20210318213818489/

[Eikokurai 3,437]

48 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

It's impressive how bad Asanoyama looks out of the tachiai and yet still manages to work his way back into a win. More and more I am inclined to my theory that he's really trying a new type of reactive sumo.

I tend to think his tachiai is the most Yokozuna-like among the Japanese hopefuls, in that he receives the hit rather than goes into it. Hakuho, Asashoryu, etc tended to favour taking the contact and being ready for the immediate response. Asanoyama leans out of the tachiai — smart way to avoid concussions, btw — and then goes for the belt grip while his aite is still finding his feet (assuming his charge hasn’t knocked Asa back).

[ViscountessNivlac 30]

I’m a big fan of Terunofuji, and man, I was telling my friends he’d have it last night. In the past Onosho’s only prevailed when he A) had more wins than losses and B) ended up with a kachi-koshi at the end of the basho. Last time Terunofuji won Onosho was 0-3 and ended up 7-8.

Still, I’m thinking he’ll get back to the big O. And I was already correct about Hakuho not lasting to face Terunofuji. 

Edited March 18, 2021 by ViscountessNivlac

[Ichimawashi 573]

In five matches I don't believe Ura has unbent at the waist a single time between getting down for the tachiai (Ura's tachiai in this basho has been consistent: what in National Hockey League terms would be described as a 'turtle': he bends low and waits for the opponent to arrive and then engages) and straightening up only after the bout is over.  If this continues we will begin calling him Ura Quasimodo.

Edited March 18, 2021 by Ichimawashi

[Amamaniac 2,079]

Enho is off to his best tournament start as a sekitori: 5 straight wins.  At this rate, he will make his way back up to the Top Division for May!  Hopefully he will crack the 100kg mark going forward, and get some Makuuchi staying power.  His Juryo bouts this tournament have been consistently more exciting than most of the Makuuchi bouts, and on day 4, I could swear I hear a muffled roar from the crowd after his win!  You know he is doing something right when he gets a (not-so) full stadium of Japanese fans to break Covid protocols.

[Shatsume 118]

6 hours ago, nutzername said:

I think the matta was well justified. I agree, the gyoji are very inconsistant with calling out these matta, but Terunofuji is a constant repeat offender and in my opinion also the one who does it most blatantly.

I'm no Teru fan, but that matta call was nonsense. 

 

[Rocks 1,809]

Great match between Takagenji and Shohozan on day 5 down in Juryo. 

[Jakusotsu 6,049]

1 hour ago, Yamanashi said:

3 hours ago, Kintamayama said:

The Brothers Tobizarov (Hidenoumi and Tobizaru)

Seriously, I can't believe the sheer magnitude of free drollery I get on this site!

Talking 'bout brothers: while the Tobizarovs enjoy an auspicious 3-2 start together, Chiyomaru appears to be Chiyootori's Mr. Hyde, exiting quarantine in beast mode.

[Kaminariyuki 500]

8 hours ago, Koorifuu said:

Takayasu's been flying under the radar thanks to Terunofuji, but his performance would otherwise be having all the spotlight.

Those few basho after returning from injury were rough, but he managed just enough to stay where he could quickly return to his previous levels of performance. That sudden succession of 3 promotion-clinching basho is not likely to happen again, but this is about as good as he usually was as an active ozeki.

Not surprised to see this opinion here on SF. I think Takayasu is the dark horse yusho here. If he keeps it up. Miyogiryu, Anasanoyama and Terunofuji (despite today's lack luster performance) are all strong contenders, IMO. All the big boys look fine until they have to wrestle Wakatakakage or Hokutofuji.  :o) 

[Kaminariyuki 500]

2 hours ago, Amamaniac said:

Enho is off to his best tournament start as a sekitori: 5 straight wins.  At this rate, he will make his way back up to the Top Division for May!  Hopefully he will crack the 100kg mark going forward, and get some Makuuchi staying power.  His Juryo bouts this tournament have been consistently more exciting than most of the Makuuchi bouts, and on day 4, I could swear I hear a muffled roar from the crowd after his win!  You know he is doing something right when he gets a (not-so) full stadium of Japanese fans to break Covid protocols.

While I'm a big Enho fan, after watching his five bouts I'm afraid, while he looks like he may be healthier, his sumo is not where it needs to go. He did have a nice ashitori on Day 1 or 2, and he's being aggressive, but he needs to come up with something to keep from getting steamrollered when he gets back up in makuuchi, IMO. While that's just my opinion, I'm glad to see him winning by wit and speed. We'll take the Ws. I'm probably completely wrong, anyway. 

[Kaninoyama 1,818]

9 hours ago, Koorifuu said:

Takayasu's been flying under the radar thanks to Terunofuji, but his performance would otherwise be having all the spotlight.

Those few basho after returning from injury were rough, but he managed just enough to stay where he could quickly return to his previous levels of performance. That sudden succession of 3 promotion-clinching basho is not likely to happen again, but this is about as good as he usually was as an active ozeki.

Agree. He looks terrific this basho. Hopefully he can keep it up and make a run at reclaiming his former rank, or at least picking up that elusive yusho. 

[Kaninoyama 1,818]

8 hours ago, Seiyashi said:

Is it just me or is Chiyoshoma's sumo very ugly today? A harite that didn't seem to serve any purpose and a ketaguri.

Just today? 

[WAKATAKE 2,671]

I have to ring this against Andy at Tachiai that he left out an important component of the Onosho win over Terunofuji, it was very obvious that Teru had his concentration knocked off by that matta call which to me seemed legit.

Hopefully the kaiju rebounds and doesn’t let it bother him

[Iwayama 25]

6 hours ago, Shatsume said:

I'm no Teru fan, but that matta call was nonsense. 

 

Going  frame by frame through the Teru-Ono Matta, you can clearly see a good inch or two between the clay and Terunofuji's hands. It was the right call. 

[jsolo 106]

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

Day 4 and 5 coverage: Results, Kimarite statistics, time of match statistics, Top Rank "pennant race, Maegashira v San'yaku, Juryo Substitute statistics, links to videos of interest, photos, and match stories. Enjoy

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

[Seiyashi 4,108]

Eh, what's with Enho's henka. Not the best way to maintain a 6-0 lead, but it is a 6-0 lead...

[Seiyashi 4,108]

8 hours ago, Kaminariyuki said:

11 hours ago, Amamaniac said:

Enho is off to his best tournament start as a sekitori: 5 straight wins.  At this rate, he will make his way back up to the Top Division for May!  Hopefully he will crack the 100kg mark going forward, and get some Makuuchi staying power.  His Juryo bouts this tournament have been consistently more exciting than most of the Makuuchi bouts, and on day 4, I could swear I hear a muffled roar from the crowd after his win!  You know he is doing something right when he gets a (not-so) full stadium of Japanese fans to break Covid protocols.

While I'm a big Enho fan, after watching his five bouts I'm afraid, while he looks like he may be healthier, his sumo is not where it needs to go. He did have a nice ashitori on Day 1 or 2, and he's being aggressive, but he needs to come up with something to keep from getting steamrollered when he gets back up in makuuchi, IMO. While that's just my opinion, I'm glad to see him winning by wit and speed. We'll take the Ws. I'm probably completely wrong, anyway. 

Nah, I think you're right insofar as he's arguably getting away with a lot of opponents not really punishing him in Juryo. But it's a much needed confidence booster nonetheless, and he does seem to be showing some signs of improved backwards agility which used to be his weakest spot, so hopefully he brings that morale and experience back to makuuchi for a more successful second run.

Ishiura failed to make Enho's life significantly easier, though. If he had beaten Chiyomaru, Enho would have a 2-win lead over the rest of the pack.

Edited March 19, 2021 by Seiyashi