Hatsu 2022 discussions (results)

[Eikokurai 3,437]

Kotonowaka — Japanese for “the whacker of things”, I believe – keeps himself in the hunt for yusho and/or a sansho with his 10th win.

[Seiyashi 4,100]

His aite, Tamawashi, is also in trouble though. First week started in fine style with a kinboshi, second week, not so much. At least even with a 7-8 at worst he's not dropping too far out of the joi at all, unlike Oho whose makuuchi survival is at stake.

[robnplunder 975]

15 minutes ago, Eikokurai said:

Kotonowaka — Japanese for “the whacker of things”, I believe – keeps himself in the hunt for yusho and/or a sansho with his 10th win.

I don't see his beating Takanosho tomorrow.  No yusho for him.  A sansho is likely.  

Ura is just a win away from getting his first sanyuku rank.  I see his beating Tamawashi tomorrow and shed some tears during the ensuing interview.  

[Taliesin 68]

Meisei 5-8 but he defeated the yokozuna and both ozeki this basho.

[Seiyashi 4,100]

A worthy bout between two lead challengers for the yusho. Mitakeumi picks up Shodai sumo again and withstands Abi long enough to be able to run him out. But it's not yet game over for Abi because he has a chance to keep himself alive by beating Terunofuji tomorrow, although he must then hope Terunofuji beats Mitakeumi on senshuraku as well.

[robnplunder 975]

Mitakeumi gets his 11th win and is 1/2 way there for Ozeki promotion.   Congrats!

[Godango 996]

I'm very happy for Mitakeumi, rooting for him big time.

Edited January 21, 2022 by Godango

[robnplunder 975]

Just now, Godango said:

I'm very happy for Mitakeumi, rooting for him big time. 

So Mitakeumi v Shodai isn't going to happen this Basho -- can anybody give a decent reason as to why? Or is it as simple as they're trying to lighten Shodai's load?

Mita beat Shodai already in this basho.  

[Taliesin 68]

1 minute ago, Godango said:

I'm very happy for Mitakeumi, rooting for him big time. 

So Mitakeumi v Shodai isn't going to happen this Basho -- can anybody give a decent reason as to why? Or is it as simple as they're trying to lighten Shodai's load?

Do you mean Terunofuji vs Shodai? There was a Mitakeumi - Shodai already on day 11.

[Kaninoyama 1,797]

There it is--a pair of kadoban Ozeki for next basho.

[robnplunder 975]

3 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

A worthy bout between two lead challengers for the yusho. Mitakeumi picks up Shodai sumo again and withstands Abi long enough to be able to run him out. But it's not yet game over for Abi because he has a chance to keep himself alive by beating Terunofuji tomorrow, although he must then hope Terunofuji beats Mitakeumi on senshuraku as well.

I don't see Abi beating Terunofuji.  I get the feeling that Mitakeumi will take his third yusho.

[Godango 996]

4 minutes ago, Taliesin said:

Do you mean Terunofuji vs Shodai? There was a Mitakeumi - Shodai already on day 11.

 

4 minutes ago, robnplunder said:

Mita beat Shodai already in this basho.  

 

Yeah I caught this immediately after posting and was hoping to get away with a sneaky edit. 

I would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for you meddling similar timezone forum users! 

Edited January 21, 2022 by Godango
I am aware you may not be in a similar timezone. Just let me have this one.

[robnplunder 975]

Just now, Godango said:

 

 

Yeah I caught this immediately after posting and was hoping to get away with a sneaky edit. 

I would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn't for you meddling similar timezone forum users! 

I am sure Mita won't mind meeting Shodai again.  It will be an easy win.

[Eikokurai 3,437]

And there we have it: two kadoban Ozeki in March.

[Eikokurai 3,437]

12 minutes ago, robnplunder said:

Mitakeumi gets his 11th win and is 1/2 way there for Ozeki promotion.   Congrats!

Half? You’re harsh. Why does he have to do another three basho? 

[robnplunder 975]

Just now, Eikokurai said:

And there we have it: two kadoban Ozeki in March.

... and a new Ozeki?

Takanosho ... tsk, tsk.   He will have to beat Abi to keep his KK hope alive.  

[robnplunder 975]

1 minute ago, Eikokurai said:

Half? You’re harsh. Why does he have to do another three basho? 

My math is all screwy.  It is 1:00 am in California.  

[Taliesin 68]

If Mitakeumi is promoted and depending on other's results there might be some trouble with feeling other sanyaku slots.

[Eikokurai 3,437]

3 minutes ago, Taliesin said:

If Mitakeumi is promoted and depending on other's results there might be some trouble with feeling other sanyaku slots.

Abi, Onosho and Hoshoryu, plus maybe drop Takanosho one place to Komusubi. Not the most outlandish scenario. All based on current numbers of course. There are still some M1 and M2 possible KKs.

Edited January 21, 2022 by Eikokurai

[Seiyashi 4,100]

While it's far more likely that either Mitakeumi or Terunofuji takes the cup at this point, a 4-way playoff on senshuraku is not out of the question. That said, it can be forestalled if Abi is Kotonowaka's aite on the last day to remove that possibility entirely.

Edited January 21, 2022 by Seiyashi

[Hankegami 537]

14 minutes ago, Taliesin said:

If Mitakeumi is promoted and depending on other's results there might be some trouble with feeling other sanyaku slots.

11 minutes ago, Eikokurai said:

Abi, Onosho and Hoshoryu, plus maybe drop Takanosho one place to Komusubi. Not the most outlandish scenario. All based on current numbers of course. There are still some M1 and M2 possible KKs.

Yep. There is actually plenty of Komusubi hopefuls at 7-6 and only one win away from KK: Wakatakakage (M1e), Ura (M2e), Ichinojo (M2w) and Tamawashi (M3e). Actually, one between Ura and Tamawashi will certainly get their KK since they will face each other tomorrow.

The Sekiwake slot might be a bit more tricky, but Onosho (M5e, 9-4 and counting), Hoshoryu (M6e, 9-4 and counting) and Abi (M6w, 10-3 and counting) are all possible candidates. I'd personally pick at least Abi, since he might be on a run for Ozeki next basho. Moreover, I wouldn't call Takanosho MK already. He's 6-7 and still has a pathway towards KK. He will face Kotonowaka tomorrow, not a totally impossible foe.

[code_number3 707]

With Shodai already makekoshi, I think Terunofuji’s day15 aite will be Mitakeumi. This will be for the yusho and Mitakeumi’s promotion consideration.

will current ozekis problem be discussed by YDC?

[Seiyashi 4,100]

18 minutes ago, code_number3 said:

With Shodai already makekoshi, I think Terunofuji’s day15 aite will be Mitakeumi. This will be for the yusho and Mitakeumi’s promotion consideration.

will current ozekis problem be discussed by YDC?

Almost certainly to be the case. That said, if Mitakeumi loses to Terunofuji, I don't think it's that bad for his promotion - not losing to Takarafuji is the more important consideration. He did well to be the "barrier" blocking Abi today, and Terunofuji being on the same score as him overall is good for his case (since he doesn't need to be holier than the pope, as it were), but he cannot be dropping more bouts to random maegashira especially one not exactly in his prime. 12-3 JY decided on the last day with a loss to the yusho winner is a good result.

The YDC will comment on it, as they've commented on sanyaku in the past (during either last or the basho before), even though it's strictly not within their remit. They can't do anything else about it anyway, so might as well just shoot their mouths off. That said, while I think Shodai certainly deserves a talking-to, I'm not sure it's what he needs to get his sumo out of the funk it's in right now.

Edited January 21, 2022 by Seiyashi

[RabidJohn 1,797]

17 minutes ago, code_number3 said:

will current ozekis problem be discussed by YDC?

Will the sun rise tomorrow?
The yokozuna always in the yusho race gives them no cause for complaint, so you can bet your ass they'll have plenty to say about the lacklustre ozeki.

___

I had no idea who was going to win the Mitakeumi-Abi match-up and I'd have been happy either way, but that was a crucial win for MItakeumi.
If he can go into the final day 12-2, I don't think it'll matter too much whether or not he beats Terunofuji, though taking the yusho would be an absolute clincher.

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Wakatakakage-Endo was shaping up to be my bout of the basho until Endo just gave up. A disappointing end to an otherwise fantastic show...

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Does Ura read this forum? He's done some very conventional sumo over the last few days - coincidentally since someone commented about not appreciating his unconventionality!

[Hakuryuho 335]

Great eye by Kimura Konosuke in the Tamawashi - Kotonowaka bout... can we replace Inosuke with him already?