Hatsu 2023 discussion (results)

[orandashoho 720]

Funny that the sumo calendar shows the basho starting on January 15... doesn't anyone check on such things?

[Akinomaki 40,604]

Dohyo matsuri

o o

yusho portrait presentation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsYpClXdcAs

   o o oo

 

removal of the last portrait of Kisenosato

o o o o

 

Due to some types of masu seat boxes for 4 sold to 2 persons, spectators are limited to about 9700 a day, 91% of full capacity. http://www.sanspo.com/article/20230107-FZCY5M7FYNMFRAK3QBF736CE44/

 

On 06/01/2023 at 19:34, Asapedroryu said:

Wouldn't Kakuryu be consider as well? Ok, he did show up for the 1st 3 days in 07/17 (also coming from a 4 day show up in 05/17) and then sit out 09/17 & 11/17. Then went on with a 11-4, 13-2Y and 14-1Y

Definitely, I simply believed the talk in the article and overlooked him.

Edited January 7, 2023 by Akinomaki

[Yamanashi 3,861]

8 hours ago, orandashoho said:

Funny that the sumo calendar shows the basho starting on January 15... doesn't anyone check on such things?

I'll bet Tokushoryu wins that one.

[Kaninoyama 1,797]

Hoshoryu looked like the next Yokozuna today. 

[Hankegami 537]

Day 1 of Hatsu 2023 over! Of course, that's just too early to talk about who has and has not a shot at this and that. However, I'd like to give a first thought mostly based what we should have expected based on records, and today's results.

First off, about 40% of today's result went to the disadvantaged opponent, and even less were actually surprising results. In bout order, Azumaryu was 2-6 against Kotoeko, but this record becomes less impressive when we consider they were 2-1 in their last three, so that's just Azumaryuu getting the upper hand as of late. Same goes for Kotoshoho's win on Ichiyamamoto (3-5), as they went 3-0 in their last three. The first actually dark horse win was Tochinoshin's against Chiyoshoma (5-3), as Tochi seldom wins against him and his last win was in Natsu 2022. Takanosho was 3-4 against Endo (now 4-4) but they were too close to call it an actual upset. On the other hand, Onosho pulled an upset on Oho, as they were 0-2. This looks good for Onosho, who won convincingly, as Oho usually has more gas in the first week. Another non-upset was Hokutofuji's win vs. Nishikigi. They were 4-5 on paper, but 4-2 in their last six.

Now the joy. The first upset among the top guns was Kiribayama vs. Tamawashi (6-1). Although this is only the second win in eight encounters for the Old Fox, it was not clear-cut. Kiribayama might have won the original bout, but a torinaoshi was called and Tamawashi won that decisively. I'm not sure why it was called to begin with (Kiribayama was shini-tai or his upper right foot touched the ringline?), but this win does not smell convincing enough for me to call a Tamawashi killing spree yet. The only other great upset was Daieisho's win against eternal favorite Takayasu (11-5), although once again recent encounters were much closer than the overall total on record (1-2). Anyway, Takayasu won against Daieisho in their last encounter that led to his 12-3PP jun-jusho run this November. That's actually a heavy loss for his 382nd-or-so bid for the Emperor's Cup.

And now the "expected" results. Among the lower rankers, I got good vibes from Takarafuji, who won good against Chiyo-Abi-maru spamming nodo-wa against our beloved no-neck man (TM Kintamayama Inc - I look forward to enjoy his commentary for today!). Considering how he went last basho, I am most happy. Also, Aoiyama seems in the mood, manhandling wonder boy Hiradoumi like the veteran he is. Going up to the joy-jin, Mitakeumi won some good wrestling against Shodai (17-14 with today). Sure, that's Shodai, but considering that Mitakeumi is still complaining about his shoulder that's a good win. Also, Mitakeumi lost their immediately previous two encounters. Good job, Mita. Shodai, behind the blackboard. Hoshoryu also looks convincing, as @Kaninoyama pointed out here above. His record against Tobizaru was 7-6 but actually 6-1 (now 7-1), so it was a falsely close contest. But the way he dispatched the Monkey was very bossy, reminiscent of how Terunofuji uses to dispatch Hoshoryu himself. Wakatakakage was 6-3 against Meisei so he was expected to win - but everyone knows WakaBro3 wakes up late during most basho. Last, Takakeisho was 2-1 vs. Wakamotoharu and won as expected, but he didn't look that convincing to me. He failed to jeet WMH out at the tachi-ai, and saved his win thanks to his death left paw which turned WakaBro2 on his side. Takakeisho must show more jeeting power if he wants his convincing yusho win this Hatsu.

In conclusion... Well, that's too early to tell (). But the "moral arasoi" for Day 1 surely puts Hoshoryu on top just for his quick work, with Takakeisho and Wakatakakage keeping their expected "business as usual" pace. Again, I didn't like Takayasu today, if he begins losing other close matches he should better change his goal to securing his Ozeki run. Last line, let's keep an eye on Onosho. His first ever win against Oho could be the beginning of something - or just a fluke (*sigh*).

Highlights for tomorrow. Wakatakakage vs. Mitakeumi (4-7) comes first in my list. Mitakeumi is well-known to be weak against belt gamers yet he loved to run over WTK before getting injured. Also, his 4-1 start in Kyushu could imply his shoulder can support his game at least in his first few days. WTK should better watch over that. Next come two grand classics: Onosho vs. Takanosho (5-7), the "nosho" battle which helped me much to confound the two in my first days despite their very different faces. I am curious to see whether Onosho will keep upsetting, or if today's win was just a late Christmas gift for Oho. The other clasico is Kotonowaka vs. Hoshoryu (3-7, actually 0-7). Four Tits almost broke his duck last tournament. It could turn out to be more entertaining than expected. Last two lines for the Grand Old-Old Favorites (GOOFs). Takayasu tomorrow against Kiribayama (6-3), easy on paper but Kiribayama might not agree with that. Takakeisho gets Tobizaru (4-2), usually an easy one for 'Keisho but also one of his few drops this Kyushu. 

Edited January 8, 2023 by Hankegami

[Akinomaki 40,604]

2 hours ago, Kaninoyama said:

Hoshoryu looked like the next Yokozuna today. 

Had he not smashed a spectator by dropping Tobizaru on him

o  o

he might have been in the spirited rikishi top 3 today.

[Akinomaki 40,604]

Man-in onrei banners down today

o

 

6 of the 9 sanyaku rikishi lost on day 1, the top 3 won, so no upset yet

[Seiyashi 4,097]

1 hour ago, Akinomaki said:

6 of the 9 sanyaku rikishi lost on day 1, the top 3 won, so no upset yet

To be fair, they either lost to other sanyaku or people who would reasonably be in sanyaku, so it's not an upset there either. If anything it at least shows the top three deserve their positions.

Nothing too surprising this shōnichi - some good stuff from Tochinoshin and Aoiyama early in the schedule, Nishikifuji v Ryūden was exciting, Hōshōryū's stolen his uncle's game face again, and Mitakeumi and Shōdai continues to amaze by how much attention that dead rubber match gets in terms of kenshō. I think Takakeishō and Wakatakakage only look unconvincing because of how emphatic Hōshōryū's win was, but their wins weren't really borderline or displaying any severe weaknesses at least from just today's bouts alone. We might finally have a "conventional" arasoi led from the top after so long.

Down in jūryō, Hokuseihō and Enhō were disappointments for how easily they went down, but Atamifuji overcoming Ōshōma was a treat. 

Edited January 8, 2023 by Seiyashi

[Eikokurai 3,437]

Mitakeumi-Shodai on day one was just weird. And Shodai loses, suggesting we may just have to get used to them meeting on day ones.

[Koorifuu 1,003]

1 hour ago, Akinomaki said:

Had he not smashed a spectator by dropping Tobizaru on him

he might have been in the spirited rikishi top 3 today.

He truly channeled Asashoryu's spirit all around.

But in all fairness, if you're frail and considerably aged, sitting in the first few rows away from from raging 130+kg men is an extreme sport and you *know* you're putting yourself in the Russian Roulette chambers.

Looks like the prize is the experience of having Kasugayama carry you away as if you were a sack of potatoes.

[Leo C 52]

I think that kotenage was the first time Aoiyama impressed me in any way, except for tit size obviously.

[ryafuji 815]

There was no need for a redo for Kiribayama v Tamawashi. The replay shows Tamawashi stepping out first. He got lucky. 

[Octofuji 357]

1 hour ago, Seiyashi said:

I think Takakeishō and Wakatakakage only look unconvincing because of how emphatic Hōshōryū's win was, but their wins weren't really borderline or displaying any severe weaknesses at least from just today's bouts alone

Wakatakakage convinced me. As Kintamayama said, it looked like Ozeki sumo and for once I don't think he was joking.

On the other hand Asanoyama looked nervous (and relieved to win while retreating) in his first bout back in juryo.

[since_94 650]

Wakatakakage also looking especially ripped this basho. He’s been putting in the gym time, that’s for sure. 

[Akinomaki 40,604]

First time in 3 years that the man-in onrei banners were down in the kokugikan, last was day 15 of Hatsu 2020, before the Corona chaos https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/sumo/20230108-OYT1T50086/

- no numbers yet, full capacity is 9700 this basho, 90% full is enough to declare a full house in the kokugikan.

The NSK heard from fans that they would go there again if eating at the seats were allowed, cheering with masks on allowed may also have convinced some to come to watch.

The oyakata were again at the entrance to check the tickets, some fans took the opportunity to have a photo in front of Shikoroyama https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2023010800291

Edited January 8, 2023 by Akinomaki

[maglor 122]

1 hour ago, ryafuji said:

There was no need for a redo for Kiribayama v Tamawashi. The replay shows Tamawashi stepping out first. He got lucky. 

The side of Kiribayama's foot touched down at the same time Tamawashi went out.

[Katooshu 3,247]

What's up with the makushita matches for day 2? No one higher than Ms17 scheduled.

[Reonito 1,469]

26 minutes ago, Katooshu said:

What's up with the makushita matches for day 2? No one higher than Ms17 scheduled.

SumoDB bug caused by Ms15TD Ochiai. It's Ochiai vs Oki followed by all the even-rank east-west matchups, Ms14e-Ms14w etc.

[Katooshu 3,247]

Awesome debut from Ochiai, loved every second of it 

Edited January 9, 2023 by Katooshu

[Seiyashi 4,097]

Damnit. Valiant effort ultimately for naught for Tochinoshin.

Aoiyama on the other hand looking pretty pepped up.

[I am the Yokozuna 193]

Very nice ushiromotare

I thought it would not be called 

[mt fuji 976]

Just wanna say that it's really nice that people can yell and cheer again. The atmosphere seems totally different!

[Edwardoho 23]

22 hours ago, Akinomaki said:

Had he not smashed a spectator by dropping Tobizaru on him

o  o

he might have been in the spirited rikishi top 3 today.

He got carried out of the arena by an ex rikishi? 

[Akinomaki 40,604]

2 hours ago, Edwardoho said:

He got carried out of the arena by an ex rikishi? 

With vigor (Ikoi)

[Akinomaki 40,604]

No y/o in the lead as usual, and only 1 sanyaku left there, 5 out of 9 win-less. Takayasu and Shodai can give up on their goals, yusho and re-promotion. Same procedure as every basho now, another hiramaku yusho for sure.