Kyushu 2024 discussion (results)

[Katooshu 3,219]

Onosato basically pulled and backpaddled himself out, Wakatakakage barely shoved him. Glaring error in a match where he didn't seem particularly in danger yet. Maybe he was spooked about Waka getting close and grabbing him like their previous meeting.

He is so powerful that he's ozeki level as is and arguably the top performer this year, but at times he freezes up and malfunctions if his initial attacks aren't effective. Working to be more flexible in his tactics is important for his progression to an even higher caliber - he does look to have yokozuna potential.

Edited November 16, 2024 by Katooshu

[Tsuchinoninjin 1,267]

30 minutes ago, Katooshu said:

Onosato basically pulled and backpaddled himself out, Wakatakakage barely shoved him. Glaring error in a match where he didn't seem particularly in danger yet. Maybe he was spooked about Waka getting close and grabbing him like their previous meeting.

He is so powerful that he's ozeki level as is and arguably the top performer this year, but at times he freezes up and malfunctions if his initial attacks aren't effective. Working to be more flexible in his tactics is important for his progression to an even higher caliber - he does look to have yokozuna potential.

If you watch some of Hakuhos makushita joi or early Juryo matches he did this kind of thing often.

[Yamanashi 3,836]

5 hours ago, Octofuji said:

Looking at Orora's kimarite he lost by isamiashi four times which is pretty high, it must be pretty hard when you can't see your feet.

I'm surprised that he only lost once to koshikudake (inadvertent collapse).  Also, no ashitori leg picks (though it's probably hard to reach down there and get it).

My kudos go to the guy who beat him by utchari in 2000 (though he was a svelte 187 kg then).

[Kaninoyama 1,777]

Doing NHK commentary today is none other than ex-Takakeisho. Early returns are good. Relaxed, smiling, talkative, insightful, far different from his active rikishi character. Like the weight of the world is off his shoulders. 

Edited November 16, 2024 by Kaninoyama

[Akinomaki 40,348]

I thought the intermediate Inosuke would be working properly, but he only did the kaobure for a few days - he doesn't have to gambarize to be promoted to Shonosuke

[Jakusotsu 5,953]

44 minutes ago, Akinomaki said:

I thought the intermediate Inosuke would be working properly, but he only did the kaobure for a few days - he doesn't have to gambarize to be promoted to Shonosuke

Of course you realized that there simply was no time today - the Makuuchi dohyo-iri finished way after 4pm.

[RabidJohn 1,771]

While I suspected yesterday's total immobilization might have been OTT*, I did not expect to see Mitakeumi back on the dohyo today.
Judging by his performance, he shouldn't have been there.

*I support precautionary measures. It's like the automatic VSC and medical car deployed in F1 when a crash registers a certain level of g. It's disruptive and almost always unnecessary, but better safe than sorry, eh?

---

I think of Wakatakakage as one of the quickest rikishi in makuuchi, but Oshoma was quicker today.

Hoshoryu definitely lost today! 
Easy win for Abi, too.

Bit of a levelling day, what with Onokatsu taking a predictable loss to Takerufuji.

[Godango 983]

One of the more egregious missed matta calls I've seen in Abi v. Hoshoryu, but you've got to play to the whistle. 

[The Fat Cyclist 31]

2 hours ago, Godango said:

One of the more egregious missed matta calls I've seen in Abi v. Hoshoryu, but you've got to play to the whistle. 

Exactly the sort of thing I was commenting on a couple of days ago. That was quite a shocker

Edited November 16, 2024 by The Fat Cyclist

[Asashosakari 19,282]

As we begin the inexorable march to another 12-3 yusho score...

[Akinomaki 40,348]

12 hours ago, Kaninoyama said:

Doing NHK commentary today is none other than ex-Takakeisho. Early returns are good. Relaxed, smiling, talkative, insightful, far different from his active rikishi character. Like the weight of the world is off his shoulders. 

The way to NHK

o oooooooooo

[dingo 1,262]

Hokutofuji got a much needed second win to shore up his quest to stay in makuuchi that was beginning to look iffy. He's not safe by any means but that was an important step towards it.

What the heck is Mitakeumi doing on the dohyo after being stretchered out yesterday!? He's not in danger of dropping out of makuuchi and most likely not in contention for the yusho after the injury so it seems quite reckless if his to continue the basho. Hope he learned a lesson today and will drop out and recover. 

Awesome bout between Kotoshoho and Churanoumi! Churanoumi was relentless yet had to yield to Kotoshoho's pushes in the end. But neither of them can feel bad after such a performance. And we get not only one but even two feasts today as Hiradoumi and Daieisho reenacted their bout in the style of Yoshikaze vs Shohozan but with even more forward learning aggression. Hard not to feel satisfied watching today's great matches. 

Wonderful balance and footwork by Onosato chasing out Ura. It seemed for a moment as if Ura would be able to outmaneuver his opponent but Onosato was extra careful. Solid win. 

Very strange tachiai between Hoshoryu and Abi. At first I thought that's a matta for sure but Hoshoryu still got a decent start so maybe that's why the gyoji let it go? I guess Hoshoryu used up his luck allowance yesterday vs Atamifuji... 

Speaking of Atamifuji, Kotozakura demonstrated to him clearly who's the ozeki and why. It's quite amazing that Atamifuji hasn't managed a single win against Kotozakura even though they're similar height and weight. 

And finally congrats to Tamawashi the ironman! 40 years young and still in the business of schooling makuuchi rikishi. He still in a fine shape for someone who's been riding the 6 basho per year carousel so long. May he have good health to continue as long as he wants. 

[Wakawakawaka 149]

12 hours ago, Godango said:

One of the more egregious missed matta calls I've seen in Abi v. Hoshoryu, but you've got to play to the whistle. 

In such cases where the gyoji doesn't call such an obvious matta, do the judges ever intervene?

[Jakusotsu 5,953]

4 hours ago, Wakawakawaka said:

In such cases where the gyoji doesn't call such an obvious matta, do the judges ever intervene?

They do. To be more precise, the head-shinpan does. (never seen anyone else call it)

Edited November 17, 2024 by Jakusotsu

[MrGrumpyGills 133]

On 16/11/2024 at 08:17, Kaninoyama said:

Doing NHK commentary today is none other than ex-Takakeisho. Early returns are good. Relaxed, smiling, talkative, insightful, far different from his active rikishi character. Like the weight of the world is off his shoulders. 

It was the same with Kisenosato, all smiles and glowing cheeks. Different as night and day. Great to see :)

[Koorifuu 985]

Kotokuzan's victory against hapless Chiyomaru was the first from a makushita visitor this basho, at the 7th attempt. All of Ms1w, Ms2e, Ms2w, Ms3e, Ms3w and Ms4w had lost before Ms4e won.

I wonder if it'd ever been this lopsided.

[RabidJohn 1,771]

Anyone else noticed Chiyoshoma has switched aitches from henka to harite?
His right hand has been clapping just about everyone's head, to varied effect.

Mitakeumi isn't exactly solid on two legs these days. Don't know why he'd think he could manage on one.
Daft lad needs a talking to.

Edited November 17, 2024 by RabidJohn

[ryafuji 814]

Tamawashi is still on course for that record-breaking streak of 7-8 records. Just three wins and four losses to go!

[Asashosakari 19,282]

Kitanowaka might be the first rikishi I've ever seen who has managed to bowl his opponent into both the gyoji and the salt box.

[dingo 1,262]

Nishikigi got a good mawashi grip against pusher Gonoyama and from then on it was easy. A good second win, especially considering it came with good sumo. Hopefully this basho won't be a total blowout for Nishikigi after all.

That was an emphatic oshitaoshi by Roga. He had a difficult start to the basho but has managed to fight back to an even 4-4 score and could rise further if he gets 4 more wins.

This basho proves that any talk about Hiradoumi's potential ozeki rank was way premature. He's not quite at that level yet, though not for lack of trying.

Likewise this turns out not to be Atamifuji's basho after all. Great start but either he's lost concentration or there's something not quite right physically. Suddenly he's looking very light and easy to push out.

Kirishima and Oho are other members of the "was hoping for a better basho" club. Hopefully 2-6 and a likely makekoshi is not too depressing for either of them cause they have the ability, just need to find that on switch.

Onosato was probably hoping to be kachikoshi by now but he still has a shot at the yusho. His sumo doesn't look affected by the ozeki celebrations, but getting 7 out of the remaining 7 will be a challenge considering he's yet to face the in form Hoshoryu and Kotozakura, perhaps even Takerufuji.

Im liking that the yusho race is wide open with several serious contenders and I'm hoping it stays that way until the last days!

[Asashosakari 19,282]

11 minutes ago, dingo said:

Likewise this turns out not to be Atamifuji's basho after all. Great start but either he's lost concentration or there's something not quite right physically. Suddenly he's looking very light and easy to push out.

Three of his four wins came against rikishi with whom he's 16-1 lifetime...

[Gurowake 4,046]

1 hour ago, dingo said:

Great start but either he's lost concentration or there's something not quite right physically

Or maybe his opponents are just harder?  3 of his four wins were maegashira on the edge of the joi.

[Kaninoyama 1,777]

11 hours ago, MrGrumpyGills said:

It was the same with Kisenosato, all smiles and glowing cheeks. Different as night and day. Great to see :)

I wonder if we'll see the same with Endo when the time comes? 

[Yarimotsu 572]

7 hours ago, dingo said:

Likewise this turns out not to be Atamifuji's basho after all. Great start but either he's lost concentration or there's something not quite right physically. Suddenly he's looking very light and easy to push out.

I suspect stamina issues. He's still very young and should continue to bulk up significantly in muscle over the next 3 or so years, allowing more resistance in the middle of the basho.

8 hours ago, dingo said:

This basho proves that any talk about Hiradoumi's potential ozeki rank was way premature

He's fighting like Meisei was when I started watching.

[dingo 1,262]

I suppose Atamifuji's good start left the impression that perhaps he has a chance against stronger opposition as well. Turns out not so much...