RabidJohn 1,693 Posted January 26 (edited) 3 hours ago, Oskanohana said: Actually Wakatakakage was quite the offender in doing what I call the Hakuba-maneuver (I also call it the henka-uwate) all the way up and even as a sekiwake. That's why I was quite iffy on him. I understand that he's a yotsu guy relying more on speed and technique than brute force but if my memory serves me well, he was doing this crap every other day. It wasn't a very pretty or well-executed one, but not very long ago that was known around here as a HNH. The Harumafuji non-henka, so named because the yokozuna was quite fond of it. Perfectly legit move and not the sort of henka Kinbozan tried today, as it does involve some impact at the tachi-ai. Harumafuji wasn't the only one; Hakuho did it a few times, too, including against Harumafuji himself. Going way back, Chiyonofuji used to do it, too. They did it way better, though: instant uwate grip and game over. It's far from crap. It's a match-winning move used by rikishi at the very top, and in Wakatakakage's case a yusho-winning one. Edited January 26 by RabidJohn 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kishinoyama 582 Posted January 26 Looks like someone is taking the train back to Makushita: 3-10 Yuma J13 Sorry Yuma! I couldn't resist! 1 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrGrumpyGills 123 Posted January 26 6 minutes ago, Kishinoyama said: Looks like someone is taking the train back to Makushita: 3-10 Yuma J13 Sorry Yuma! I couldn't resist! Great catch! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bunbukuchagama 696 Posted January 27 2 hours ago, Jakusotsu said: Because it's his turn for meeting Juryo visitors, and there's enough precedence. Late cross-division bouts usually tend to be of a "promotion-relegation" kind (even when they don't actually result in promotion or relegation). 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 18,928 Posted January 27 (edited) Hmm, just realized that Daiki Nakamura clash! might reach an even faster conclusion than the preceding poll versus Hakuoho did... Anyone wishing to jinx-nominate the next rikishi ranked in front of Onosato? Edited January 27 by Asashosakari 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reonito 1,360 Posted January 27 1 hour ago, Asashosakari said: Hmm, just realized that Daiki Nakamura clash! might reach an even faster conclusion than the preceding poll versus Hakuoho did... Anyone wishing to jinx-nominate the next rikishi ranked in front of Onosato? Probably will take two wins by Onosato, but yeah. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barutokai 62 Posted January 27 Second ozeki kk, in a row, while only at 3 ozeki Basho. That is very good; nothing to be ashamed of. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WAKATAKE 2,637 Posted January 27 Takerufuji becomes the juryo yusho winner in his debut. Last person to do that was Tochimusashi in 2022 https://sumodb.sumogames.de/Query.aspx?show_form=0&form1_ms=on&form2_rank=J&form2_y=on&form2_j=on&form2_debutd=on 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
junsan 170 Posted January 27 Ozeki Kotozakura tanjo!!!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bunbukuchagama 696 Posted January 27 1 minute ago, junsan said: Ozeki Kotozakura tanjo!!!!! Not yet. But no Y for Kirishima, I suppose. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hakuryuho 334 Posted January 27 10 minutes ago, Bunbukuchagama said: Not yet. But no Y for Kirishima, I suppose. I can't see the kyokai not promoting Kotonowaka even with "only" a 32 in 3 after at least a second jun-yusho in a row and convincingly beating a good Ozeki who is/was tantalizingly close to a Yokozuna promotion. His last scores also look good and not like a fluke. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bunbukuchagama 696 Posted January 27 2 minutes ago, Hakuryuho said: I can't see the kyokai not promoting Kotonowaka even with "only" a 32 in 3 after at least a second jun-yusho in a row and convincingly beating a good Ozeki who is/was tantalizingly close to a Yokozuna promotion. His last scores also look good and not like a fluke. He got lucky. A fusensho, all the kyujo, softball Oho... But if he wins tomorrow, it will not matter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hankegami 436 Posted January 27 (edited) Good Day 14, folks. As a figure of speech, of course, because I was rooting for Kirishima and Atamifuji for the win, and them both lost. Of course. So, it looks like the next Yokozuna is going to be Terunofuji again. Kirishima dropped to 11-3 with a guy against with he had a 10-3 record in favor. Sure, he can still get both Cup and the white rope - in theory. All he needs is to beat Teru to level their scores, and hope for Kotonowaka to lose his bout tomorrow so to trigger a 12-3 playoff. One can even argue that beating the Yokozuna and post a 12-3J is enough to trigger a discussion, but I wouldn't bet my house on that (Takakeisho was denied the rope with a 12-3J 13-2Y back in AKI-Kyushu 2020). With 3 losses on him, Kirishima needs the Cup to force his own promotion. But what are the chances? He has an unflattering 0-10 record against Terunofuji, and the latter showed that previous records against him do matter just the day before against his other (of many) 0-6 punching ball Kotonowaka. Let's be honest: I believe that's the end of the road for Kirby. Although he might be more successful in another occasion in this very year. With Kirby out, the Cup is 99% down to Terunofuji and Kotonowaka. Which is no grand news for the latter (see their F2F record). But he can still get 13-2 and lock his promotion to Ozeki. With Hoshoryu out, Kotonowaka is out of contenders for Day 15. I believe that his only decent pairing would be against 9-2-3 M7w Asanoyama*. He has a uninspiring record against the former Ozeki (0-2) but Asanoyama is also nursing an injury. In other words, the chances of a Terunofuji vs. Kotonowaka playoff are high IMHO. Which means a likely Terunofuji 9th Yusho (7-0, ladies and gentlemen) and also that Teru will go intai in yet another basho. If he get 9, he will absolutely want to get 10. * He's going to get Tobizaru instead. Well, I tried. Edited January 27 by Hankegami 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bunbukuchagama 696 Posted January 27 Kotonowaka - Tobizaru for Day 15? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hankegami 436 Posted January 27 (edited) 43 minutes ago, Bunbukuchagama said: Kotonowaka - Tobizaru for Day 15? Whelp, I didn't expect for a 12-2 arasoi co-leader to be paired against a KK seeking guy. However, as @Seiyashi just pointed out in the other thread, their F2F is much closer than one would expect (7-6). Things could get further spiced up if Tobizaru enters the pitch with a shot for san'yaku and some will to fight hard to get it. All he needs is for M5w Nishikigi and M7w Asanoyama to lose their bouts, and hope for Kotonowaka to be promoted to Ozeki with 32 wins. Now, Nishikigi is against Wakamotoharu (3-7), while Asanoyama faces Daieisho (7-13). Chances are good. This way, the lineup for san'yaku would look like Wakamotoharu (M-4e), Abi (at least M1w), Tobizaru (M3e), Nishikigi (M4w) and Asanoyama (M4w). With Wakamotoharu going up to fill Kotonowaka's old spot, the two Komusubi slots would go to Abi and Tobizaru. Sure, if Kotonowaka is denied his promotion all would be for naught, but a Monkey should try. Edited January 27 by Hankegami Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akinomaki 39,989 Posted January 27 (edited) Most ever kensho for a bout today for Kotonowaka - actually impossible 63 kensho: the allowed limit for a bout is 50, extendable to 60 on request plus the Morinaga-sho elected by the spectators= 61 - the most so far (day 15 Hatsu 2015 for Hakuho), but redistribution makes it possible to go over that limit: The original last bout had 48 kensho, 13 were canceled, 25 went to the new last bout with Kotonowaka o o Edited January 27 by Akinomaki 11 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seiyashi 4,072 Posted January 27 (edited) 58 minutes ago, Hankegami said: Whelp, I didn't expect for a 12-2 arasoi co-leader to be paired against a KK seeking guy. However, as @Seiyashi just pointed out in the other thread, their F2F is much closer than one would expect (7-6). Things could get further spiced up if Tobizaru enters the pitch with a shot for san'yaku and some will to fight hard to get it. All he needs is for M5w Nishikigi and M7w Asanoyama to lose their bouts, and hope for Kotonowaka to be promoted to Ozeki with 32 wins. Now, Nishikigi is against Wakamotoharu (3-7), while Asanoyama faces Daieisho (7-13). Chances are good. This way, the lineup for san'yaku would look like Wakamotoharu (M-4e), Abi (at least M1w), Tobizaru (M3e), Nishikigi (M4w) and Asanoyama (M4w). With Wakamotoharu going up to fill Kotonowaka's old spot, the two Komusubi slots would go to Abi and Tobizaru. Sure, if Kotonowaka is denied his promotion all would be for naught, but a Monkey should try. I think Tobizaru has the worst actual chance at sanyaku compared to Nishikigi and Asanoyama since his best shot of opening the slot likely involves him losing. His priority should be solely on his KK rather than any outside hope at komusubi. I fully expect some shenanigans tomorrow, including a henka. Also, while I did point it out, FWIW the F2F is IMO not very helpful when a rikishi goes on a roll, like Kotonowaka has this basho. Edited January 27 by Seiyashi 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RabidJohn 1,693 Posted January 27 Midorifuji's feel for leverage is second to none. That katasukashi against Ryuden today looked almost like magic, particularly as he did it despite the jinxing presence of his oyakata in the commentary booth. Very disappointing loss for Kirishima today, though not entirely unexpected. A maiden win over Terunofuji tomorrow would be great, but even that wouldn't guarantee the rope. Kotonowaka, on the other hand, should secure his promotion if he doesn't take a really bad-looking loss against Tobizaru tomorrow. Yeah, I'd have preferred to see him up against Hoshoryu, but the Flying Monkey should not be looked upon as a soft option, because he isn't. It is looking like another yusho for the yokozuna, though. Dude keeps proving me wrong, because I honestly thought he had no chance after the loss to Wakamotoharu on day 2. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rokudenashi 292 Posted January 27 (edited) Makushita mainstay Ōmoto is retiring - NHK highlighted a group in the crowd cheering him on before his win against Ryūsei, and he received flowers upon returning down the hanamichi Edited January 27 by rokudenashi 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Old Shatterhand is dead 29 Posted January 27 2 hours ago, Hankegami said: Good Day 14, folks. As a figure of speech, of course, because I was rooting for Kirishima and Atamifuji for the win, and them both lost. Very honestly asking what the heck do you see in Atamifuji's sumo? I can't understand this hype around him. I feel like when Chiyotairyu burst into the sumo world and was proclaimed the next yokozuna. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sakura 1,479 Posted January 27 Tobizaru is in the joi and is fighting for a KK. That makes him the best pick to face Kotonowaka. Asanoyama has 9 wins and nothing much to gain by winning. Wakamotoharu and Abi shoukd get the two open sanyaku slots. The third only opens up if Kotonowaka gets promoted. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seiyashi 4,072 Posted January 27 35 minutes ago, Old Shatterhand is dead said: Very honestly asking what the heck do you see in Atamifuji's sumo? I can't understand this hype around him. I feel like when Chiyotairyu burst into the sumo world and was proclaimed the next yokozuna. I feel the same way about Kotonowaka and Ōhō's sumo, but at least the results in the former's case are undeniable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RabidJohn 1,693 Posted January 27 For quite a while, I believed the only notable thing about Kotonowaka was his lineage. His sumo was unremarkable and unspectacular - nothing special. But over the last year that lineage has started to prove its pedigree status. Kotonowaka still does pretty basic, unflashy sumo, but he's become very good at it. As Seiyashi says the results are undeniable, and the way he's performed this time makes me think 32/45 could well be acceptable, even without daddy sticking his oar in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nantonoyama 247 Posted January 27 I believe they chose to pair Kotonowaka with Tobizaru because he was the highest ranked rikishi he hasn't met yet, and with 7-7 he has something big at stake (Komusubi spot if Asanoyama loses). Another interesting bout would have been Tobizaru vs Asanoyama with the winner taking the last sanyaku spot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seiyashi 4,072 Posted January 27 16 minutes ago, Nantonoyama said: Another interesting bout would have been Tobizaru vs Asanoyama with the winner taking the last sanyaku spot. Then Kotonowaka would not have any serious test for ōzeki and the yūshō. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
