Hatsu 2025 discussion (results)

[Jakusotsu 5,969]

19 minutes ago, RabidJohn said:

What I'm getting at is Kotozakura went flying so hard while Takerufuji barely moved at all, which almost seemed to defy some basic laws of physics.

What Takerufuji did was lifting Kotozakura's elbow, and that was apparently powerful enough to throw him off balance.

[dingo 1,263]

We are getting close to the and and things are really starting to get interesting now.

Nishikigi was unusually quick today as he moved close in to Tokihayate and easily escorted him out. One of Nishikigi's best bouts this basho.

Tamawashi surprised everyone including himself by getting the better of Hakuoho on the belt. To be honest I was mentally prepared to give up on Tamawashi's kachikoshi chances after seeing this matchup and looking at his sumo in the recent days, but now he has three whole days to grab his missing one win. Pretty good start for the veteran.

Hilarious loss by Shonannoumi. He huffed and he puffed and he wasn't looking at all what his feet are doing. Whereas Oshoma basically stood there and looked on as Shonannoumi just fell over. He could've easily been within one win of his kachikoshi but alas. 

It was not Oho's best sumo this basho as he was overwhelmed by Kirishima and managed to get into a very disadvantageous position. But perhaps at this stage we shouldn't expect too much from Oho anyway. Besides, he's already done really well and I'm hoping he'll at least get a sanyaku debut as a reward. But Kirishima stands in his way and unless Wakatakakage goes makekoshi Oho might unfortunately miss out again. 

For the last five days Shodai is a different man. I can't help but be again and again surprised how good his sumo can be if he only wants a little bit. Can he actually get a kachikoshi? 

Why did Wakamotoharu resort to a henka now? He's already makekoshi, wouldn't it have made more sense to try it a bit earlier? Yeah he could potentially land at komusubi if he wins all remaining bouts but in his current shape it doesn't look likely. So today looked like he was just letting out his frustration on poor Hiradoumi. Pretty disappointing. 

Kinbozan is not yet ready to tussle with the big boys in decisive moments. But that shouldn't be held against him as he simply hasn't got enough experience. He's still in the lead but it's growing thin and pressure is building. 

Kotozakura did everything right and then just crumbled. More than his loss today he's probably concerned about the kadoban which he's facing unless he wins all remaining three, including Hoshoryu who's relishing the opportunity to get revenge for last basho. On the other hand, Kotozakura has the excellent opportunity to ruin Hoshoryuu's basho again. In this shape it'll be difficult for Kotozakura but stranger things have happened in sumo (see also Shodai vs Hoshoryu five days ago). 

The bulldozer was at work again as Chiyoshoma found out just how much power Onosato has. As everyone pointed out, tomorrow is a crucial bout for bot Onosato who can stay at least in theoretical yusho running as well as Hoshoryu who needs all three remaining wins to keep a tsuna run somewhat alive. 

Saying that, it's increasingly starting to look like a 11-4 yusho might actually be likely. I'm not saying it will happen but there's enough opportunities for everyone to stumble so that we might be scratching our heads on senshuraku wondering how did we end up like that. 

[RabidJohn 1,786]

4 minutes ago, Jakusotsu said:

What Takerufuji did was lifting Kotozakura's elbow, and that was apparently powerful enough to throw him off balance.

Your use of 'apparently' is also what I'm driving at: it didn't look like it should have produced such a result.

It's a bit like the old footage of Bruce Lee sending big men flying with what appears to be a slight push to the chest.

It's a testament to Takerufuji's skill and timing that he managed to do it from such a disadvantaged position.

[Hankegami 537]

1 hour ago, RabidJohn said:

I've watched the replay a few times and I still can't see where Takerufuji found the leverage to throw Kotozakura like that.
It was impressive, but it would have been even more so if the ozeki wasn't on the verge of kadoban.

1 hour ago, Kishinoyama said:

Watching the “Dirty Dozen” replay, Takerufuji pushes on the elbow of an already off balance Kotozakura. The right move at the right moment and Kotozakura goes flying.

17 minutes ago, Jakusotsu said:

What Takerufuji did was lifting Kotozakura's elbow, and that was apparently powerful enough to throw him off balance.

I tried to get better what happened by watching DonDon's breakdowns on Youtube. More than the elbow (which anyway provided a minimal leverage for Takerufuji), DonDon points out that the Truck shoved Kotozakura while the latter had yet to plant his right foot on the clay (still up for the pivot). Basically, Kotozakura found himself without a proper plant to contain the recoil from Takerufuji's shove. The good news is that his problematic left knee had no role in his fall, so the Ozeki still has his chances against Kinbozan tomorrow.

[MrGrumpyGills 133]

4 hours ago, Yarimotsu said:

Nabatame is looking really fast now, which suits his style well.

He probably took a page out of his new(ish) stablemate Mita's playbook - that guy is lightning fast. It seemed to me (from the heya's videos on YT) that Nabatame was a bit jealous of Mita when the latter joined, so I'd guess he didn't want to be outdone/left behind by the newbie.

[lackmaker 437]

Mongolian yusho on the cards now. 

[dingo 1,263]

2 hours ago, RabidJohn said:

Your use of 'apparently' is also what I'm driving at: it didn't look like it should have produced such a result.

It's a bit like the old footage of Bruce Lee sending big men flying with what appears to be a slight push to the chest.

It's a testament to Takerufuji's skill and timing that he managed to do it from such a disadvantaged position.

Great analogy! This is how Takerufuji got a new nickname 

[Oshirokita 188]

14 minutes ago, dingo said:

Great analogy! This is how Takerufuji got a new nickname 

Apparent Lee?

[hakutorizakura 629]

Good old Washiwashi is preparing for the next 20 yrs of his career by transitioning to a belt guy. He didn't really need it in the previous 20.

[Gospodin 191]

A question: has Mitakeumi secured a kabu ?

[Kotomiyama 172]

Glad to see that Kiribayamashima is back!

[bettega 431]

Hello everyone! I'm still here, but I'm having a hard time keeping up.

It seems to me that Kirishima and Oho have a good advantage since they finished the sanyaku.

[Ripe 71]

3 hours ago, Gospodin said:

A question: has Mitakeumi secured a kabu ?

Well, he does get a 3 year grace period where he can use Mitakeumi due to being a former Ozeki...

[Reonito 1,457]

14 hours ago, Hankegami said:

Tobizaru is in serious danger to not get the Outstanding Performance award he's likely entitled to because of his kinboshi. He's 5-7 and must win out - no awards with a MK.

I doubt they'd give that award for a kinboshi against a Yokozuna who went 2-2 and retired. They didn't hand them out to all the maegashira beating the wreck of Kisenosato...

[Ack! 465]

15 hours ago, dingo said:

Saying that, it's increasingly starting to look like a 11-4 yusho might actually be likely. I'm not saying it will happen but there's enough opportunities for everyone to stumble so that we might be scratching our heads on senshuraku wondering how did we end up like that. 

I thought this might come to an 11-4 yusho a few days back, but now with three joi rikishi at 9-3, and the fourth a prior yusho winner, plus a 10-2 Kinbozan, that scenario looks much more doubtful, though still enitrely possible.  Hoshoryu, Kirishima and Oho have all faced each other.  Kinbozan needs to face Kirishima and Oho, but can take one loss.  Takerufuji has not faced any of the three joi leaders yet, and is matched against Abi for day 13, so will bypass one of them.  Hoshoryu has the scheduling edge with only having to face Takerufuji among all of the current leaders.  Onosato has the spoiler role against Hoshoryu tomorrow and is likely out of the round robin after that.  He and Daieisho are unlikely to face Kinbozan, their only remaining opponent among the leaders.  I don't think anyone else provides a serious threat to the leading five.  It should be interesting to watch them battle among themselves!  to sum up, the final two days look like:

Kinbozan vs. Kirishima and Oho

Hoshoryu vs. Takerufuji and Abi

Kirishima vs. Kinbozan and Takerufuji

Oho vs. Kinbozan and Chiyoshoma, unless Hoshoryu and/or Kirishima fall out of contention as a potential match for Takerufuji

 

Edited January 24 by Ack!

[Oskanohana 261]

4 hours ago, Kotomiyama said:

Glad to see that Kiribayamashima is back!

Fixed it.

[WAKATAKE 2,656]

I think Shimanoumi even with two wins may have saved his rank based on how the judging department likes to be lenient on him

[Yarimotsu 578]

Incredible work from Nabatame today. So much for a guy who looks like a one-and-done who can't hang in Juryo.

[Yarimotsu 578]

Aonishiki did something I've never seen before today - while locked head-to-head with Ryuden in a low stance, he actually initiated the move that brought his own head into contact with the ground first, losing the match. I've never seen this kind of twist employed in sumo from that position, presumably because the result is as it was - this must be some prior wrestling experience guiding Aonishiki?

[Kaninoyama 1,787]

On 20/01/2025 at 06:57, Kaninoyama said:

Joking aside, Kinbozan has looked spectacular so far. In his katchi-koshi interview he said his neck pain was all gone, so maybe this is just really him being him?

Appears this really is him!

[Gospodin 191]

Kubinage (attempts) become en vogue again ? Goeido must be jumping on his sofa 

[Hankegami 537]

Good Day 13, everyone! This is going to be a relatively long string of comments since I was able to watch the matches live today.

First let's talk about Juryo. Today represented a general 'upset day' in this division. Ukrainian darlings Shishi and Aonishiki both lost, and at least in the first case it was a damn upset. The Ukraininan Lion, J4w, in fact lost to J14e Nabatame, who is giving reason to the shimpan committee to save his meaty bottom last basho despite a 7-8 from the same rank. Aonishiki instead... well, it was awkward. I am surprised everyone called it for Ryuden. Aonishiki clearly moved first, causing them both to go down. I cannot see even in the replays who touched first, and I was positive that a torinaoshi was to be called. But no one moved. Awkward. Last, Kotoeiho drove out a heavier Kayo easily. The Juryo arasoi now has Shishi and Ryuden both at 11-2, and Aonishiki, Kotoeiho and Nabatame at 10-3. Shishi and Ryuden have already faced each other, so I guess it's a game of who loses less matches in the last two days.

Now, Makuuchi. The final days are much of a KK game for the many career Maegashira in the ranks. Tamawashi nicely got his KK today (and has room to get up to 10 wins) despite facing a younger and talented Onokatsu. Hakuoho also got his, and similarly has now a chance to make a nice end of the basho. A surprising Day 13 KK was that of Nishikifuji, which has a record of 3 KK, 8 MK and 1 trip to Juryo in the last two years. He did the same in March 2024, only to lose his last two encounters and finishing 8-7. Let's see how things will old this time around. A few guys are still desperately trying to save their rank. Tamashoho is trying to stave off demotion despite his MK. He lived another day today (5-8) but he has an uphill battle. A contained MK can still save him though, given the many ensured demotions after this basho. Tokihayate lost today (5-8) and at M17w he's in deep trouble as dead last in the Makuuchi banzuke. Again, he might save himself à la Nishikifuji, but he must win out just to make this possibility to float around. A bit up in the banzuke, Midorifuji is still trying to get a KK despite everything. Today he managed to make up a 6-7, but he also has to win out. Honor mention to Ichiyamamoto, who defeated a fading Wakamotoharu to hit 7-6. Itchy to have a (sour) taste of joi in Haru? About the WakaBros, Wakatakakage managed to yorikiri out an unwilling Shodai to hit also 7-6 - his Komusubi spot feel more and more safer by the day.

Finally, let's talk about the big guys in the arasoi. Oho and Kirishima both won but had to work for this. Neither Ura nor Takayasu were very collaborative - understandably - but our Yusho hopefuls managed to pull it off somehow. 10-3 and all nice. Takerufuji also had a close call, but he was against sneaky Abi. Lucky him, his oshidashi jeeted the Komusubi out fast enough for his fall not to be used against him in the mono-ii. The highlight of the day, Onosato vs. Hoshoryu, was very revealing - Hoshoryu managed to have what I think is his first convincing win over Onosato, most impressive. Huh, and Kinbozan defended his leading spot by making short work of now officially kadoban Kotozakura. Not unexpected but sad nevertheless.

So, now we are with 11-2 Kinbozan, followed by 10-3 Hoshoryu, Kirishima, Oho, and Takerufuji. 9-4 Daieisho (bullied poor Chiyoshoma - stop giving him difficult opponents!) is also still in on paper, but I feel that a total collapse at the top is somewhat unlikely now. The arasoi is going to get thinner soon anyway. The most important pairinga for Day 14 (just out) are Takerufuji vs. Hoshoryu (one will fall to 10-4), and Kinbozan vs. Kirishima (Kirby has a chance to catch up the top spot, otherwise he's out). Oho is given Takanosho (actually dangerous since he's 6-7 and a KK would mean not only saving his spot but getting an easy Komusubi slot), while Daieisho is given Hiradoumi (also 6-7). Those pairings also give some ideas about Day 15. Hoshoryu already swept the current arasoi, and will be probably given Kotozakura for the musubi no ichiban (unless the latter withdraws). Daieisho is yet to face Kinbozan, but same goes for Oho. Considering that Oho himself did not face Takerufuji either, he is at this point expected to take on at least one of them (especially if he wins again tomorrow). A lot of things will be clearer after Day 14 anyway.

 

[RabidJohn 1,786]

I'm most impressed with Kinbozan's fortitude. Decisively beating 2 ozeki while coming back from a loss each time is a better performance than I expected from a M14.

It could be a flash in the pan, but he looks like he deserves a chance to show us what he can do in the joi.

[Jakusotsu 5,969]

42 minutes ago, RabidJohn said:

I'm most impressed with Kinbozan's fortitude. Decisively beating 2 ozeki while coming back from a loss each time is a better performance than I expected from a M14.

It could be a flash in the pan, but he looks like he deserves a chance to show us what he can do in the joi.

To be honest, that's excactly the kind of Kinbozan I had expected two years ago. Whatever ailed him, I hope he has recovered for good.

[dingo 1,263]

Congratulations to Tamawashi on starting the new year with a kachikoshi with two days to spare, teaching some young upstarts a thing or two as well. I'm hoping the ironman won't get rusty for the rest of the year either.

Mitakeumi hasn't offered much the entire basho. At best he seems to be able to resist attacks for a bit until he's taken out. Not counting the absentees, Mitakeumi has the most losses in makuuchi as of now. Despite that I'm not sure he will retire quite yet, perhaps he wants to have another go next basho. But it doesn't look good for him in his current shape.

Endo's henka counted on the fact that Shonannoumi would actually move forward which to Endo's disappointment he didn't do much. After a dismal start, Shonannoumi is on the verge of kachikoshi. Endo has to win out but even if he goes makekoshi his sumo has been OK on most days which should give him hope for the rest of the year. 

Hakuoho grabbed his second ever makuuchi kachikoshi, beating Hiradoumi with solid sumo. He hasn't been spectacular this basho but give him a few basho to settle in makuuchi and I'm sure he'll mix it up in the joi soon. I'm sure he's looking forward to meeting his once-rival Onosato in a match again soon. 

Oho successful got over his bad record with Ura to remain in the yusho running. Once he started pulling I was prepared for the worst but Oho managed to maintain his stability well, keep his distance and exploit Ura's forward momentum. Not beautiful sumo but certainly effective. After Wakatakakage's win over Shodai it looks likely that in order to get promoted to sanyaku Oho has to force his way there so every win counts. 

After having been given a trial by fire by Hoshoryu, Kinbozan didn't show the slightest of nerves against Kotozakura. With two days to go he stays in the lead and will have to hold on for two more bouts to get a yusho that sounded ridiculous before the basho. Kirishima tomorrow will be a big test, but if he wins I'll guess there'll be just one of the Waka brothers left, neither of whom are in prime condition this basho.