Kotooshu, Asa's Last Maegashira

[Asysanyama 0]

Ups, it's a big surprise to me seeing Oshu as the last Maegashira (At East M-5) to fight Asa. (Shaking head...)

Because Asa still has to fight both Sekiwakes (Hakuho one of them) AND both Ozekis it's a great honor being elected as the LAST one of hirumaku to fight the Yokozuna. (I am not worthy...)

Let's see if this time, Oshu's going to be some what more inspired AND grab the mawashi without losing the balance in the middle of the action, I couldn't stand ANOTHER sukuinage lost!!! (Sign of disapproval)

[kotooshu_bulgaria 0]

It is an honor, right, but you must also notice that Kotooshu is now in the best position for a sanyaku promotion among the top Maegashira after his 7th victory and perhaps the Kyokai wish to test him if he is up for sanyaku this time. (I am not worthy...)

Still, I am pessimistic, or rather say, realistic for tomorrow's bout, which must be a loss for Kotooshu. (Shaking head...) In March the yokozuna proved that he can read the Bulgarian like an open book and destroyed him at the tachiai without too much efforts. (Shaking head...)

How will it be this time? Has Kotooshu showed this basho that he has learnt from last basho's failure? That is all to be seen in the last and deciding five days of the basho. (Shaking head...)

[Doitsuyama 1,185]

Ups, it's a big surprise to me seeing Oshu as the last Maegashira (At East M-5) to fight Asa.  (I am not worthy...)

It shouldn't be. After Kaio's kyujo it would be denying Kotooshu the bout if he wouldn't fight the Yokozuna. Just count yourself. And why should the deny him the bout? He's doing well enough with 6-3 after nine days.

[Asashosakari 19,331]

At any rate, I'm not entirely sure that Asashoryu will face Tosanoumi on Day 12, given that he's 3-7 now...they could very well bring up Kyokushuzan.

[kotooshu_bulgaria 0]

Well, let's do the math. There are five sanyaku wrestlers Kotooshu could face in the last five days (Wakanosato, Tosanoumi, Hakuho, Tochiazuma and Chiyotaikai). So the Kyokai could easily have positioned him against the sanyaku, instead of going for the yokozuna. (Shaking head...)

Therefore, it is a little surprising to see him against the yokozuna (I was surpirsed myself when I saw the day 11 torikumi this morning). (Shaking head...)

Again, however, I look at this positioning as a test from the Kyokai for komusubi wannabies, therefore, it might not be that surprising after all... (I am not worthy...)

[Asashosakari 19,331]

Well, let's do the math. There are five sanyaku wrestlers Kotooshu could face in the last five days (Wakanosato, Tosanoumi, Hakuho, Tochiazuma and Chiyotaikai). So the Kyokai could easily have positioned him against the sanyaku, instead of going for the yokozuna.  (I am not worthy...)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's not what Doitsuyama meant. Kotooshu is the #15 possible opponent for Asashoryu, so naturally they get to fight. This is decided from Asashoryu's point of view, not Kotooshu's.

[kotooshu_bulgaria 0]

At any rate, I'm not entirely sure that Asashoryu will face Tosanoumi on Day 12, given that he's 3-7 now...they could very well bring up Kyokushuzan.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I thought it was a MUST that the yokozuna face all healthy sanyaku, but seems I was wrong... (I am not worthy...)

[kotooshu_bulgaria 0]

Well, let's do the math. There are five sanyaku wrestlers Kotooshu could face in the last five days (Wakanosato, Tosanoumi, Hakuho, Tochiazuma and Chiyotaikai). So the Kyokai could easily have positioned him against the sanyaku, instead of going for the yokozuna.

[Zuikakuyama 1]

At any rate, I'm not entirely sure that Asashoryu will face Tosanoumi on Day 12, given that he's 3-7 now...they could very well bring up Kyokushuzan.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I thought it was a MUST that the yokozuna face all healthy sanyaku, but seems I was wrong... (I am not worthy...)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is not a must when there is the possibility of a Hiramaku yusho.

And as others have pointed out, except for the sanyaku, he is the most highly ranked rikishi that Asashoryu has not faced, and he also has the best record (as of beginning of day 10 when the torikumi was made) of the eligible rikishi from m5-m7.

[Doitsuyama 1,185]

At any rate, I'm not entirely sure that Asashoryu will face Tosanoumi on Day 12, given that he's 3-7 now...they could very well bring up Kyokushuzan.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I thought it was a MUST that the yokozuna face all healthy sanyaku, but seems I was wrong... (I am not worthy...)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, your problem is that Asashoryu already has fought Wakanosato (on day 8)...

[kotooshu_bulgaria 0]

And Kotomitsuki on day 1, of course. (Shaking head...)

Still, do you really think that they would drop Tosanoumi for Kyokushuzan? (I am not worthy...)

I mean, they could easily place Kyokushuzan against one of the sanyaku who should be able to get him out of the yusho race. (Shaking head...)

Even Hokutoriki might be good enough for that tomorrow...

[Asashosakari 19,331]

Still, do you really think that they would drop Tosanoumi for Kyokushuzan? (I am not worthy...)

I mean, they could easily place Kyokushuzan against one of the sanyaku who should be able to get him out of the yusho race. (Shaking head...)

Even Hokutoriki might be good enough for that tomorrow...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, given their one-sided bouts in the past, if the Kyokai decides to be cruel, they'll put Kyokushuzan against Chiyotaikai on Day 12. (Shaking head...) The problem is that the torikumi makers are short on time, as Day 12 is the last day that Asashoryu/Taikai/Azuma/Hakuho are available for hiramaku-stopping duty without upsetting their mini-tournament at the end of the basho.

It all depends on the lessons the Kyokai has learned from the few times a Maegashira stormed into the yusho race last year. They might send out Asashoryu against Shuzan just to stop him dead in his tracks, or they might hope that the lower sanyaku can put an end to it. Still, the way things are going, I wouldn't exactly trust Tosanoumi/Kotomitsuki/Wakanosato to get that job done.

If I had to guess, the Kyokai will probably hope for Shuzan's usual end-of-basho collapse and not do anything drastic like pitting him against Asashoryu or Chiyotaikai. We'll see in about 18 hours, I guess.

[Zuikakuyama 1]

All these problems stems from the fact that the Torikumi are made before the day's bout, so they must "predict" 1 results ahead.

Is it possible for the Kyokai to consider doing it after the day's match is done, or is there not enough time?

[Doitsuyama 1,185]

All these problems stems from the fact that the Torikumi are made before the day's bout, so they must "predict" 1 results ahead.

Is it possible for the Kyokai to consider doing it after the day's match is done, or is there not enough time?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The bouts are quite openly announced on the dohyo from a pair of gyoji and yobidashi after the Yokozuna dohyo-iri. Unless you abolish this custom, no, there is no way to do it later.

[Coo-cook 0]

If I had to guess, the Kyokai will probably hope for Shuzan's usual end-of-basho collapse and not do anything drastic like pitting him against Asashoryu or Chiyotaikai.

I think you are right, Asashosakari.

From now on, it's a play time for Shuzan. :-D

[QttP 0]

Look, the last thing Shuzan wants is a record that'd bring him a possible sanyaku spot, so don't expect anything above 11-4 from him.

[Zuikakuyama 1]

All these problems stems from the fact that the Torikumi are made before the day's bout, so they must "predict" 1 results ahead.

Is it possible for the Kyokai to consider doing it after the day's match is done, or is there not enough time?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The bouts are quite openly announced on the dohyo from a pair of gyoji and yobidashi after the Yokozuna dohyo-iri. Unless you abolish this custom, no, there is no way to do it later.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But of course they don't do this on day 14 when the last day's torikumi is released mid-way through the Makuuichi bouts. So it is certainly not a custom that must be carried out on all 14 days.

So when is the last day's torikumi announced, if ever?

[kotooshu_bulgaria 0]

Look, the last thing Shuzan wants is a record that'd bring him a possible sanyaku spot, so don't expect anything above 11-4 from him.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's exactly why the whole matter of Kyokushuzan's yusho contention is out of question... :-D

[Jakusotsu 5,969]

The bouts are quite openly announced on the dohyo from a pair of gyoji and yobidashi after the Yokozuna dohyo-iri.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But not every day. I've been wondering for some time now what pattern lies behind that. On which days does the gyoji announce the torikumi and on which days not?

[Asashosakari 19,331]

The bouts are quite openly announced on the dohyo from a pair of gyoji and yobidashi after the Yokozuna dohyo-iri.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But not every day. I've been wondering for some time now what pattern lies behind that. On which days does the gyoji announce the torikumi and on which days not?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It depends on how late they're running. The first Makuuchi bout tends to be started around 4:15 JST (thanks to Zentoryu for pointing that out last basho, I'd never realized they were that punctual), so if there's enough time after the dohyo-iri, they'll fill it with the bout announcement, rather than an extended dohyo-sweeping session. :-D

[Araiguma_Rascal 0]

Look, the last thing Shuzan wants is a record that'd bring him a possible sanyaku spot, so don't expect anything above 11-4 from him.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sarcastic? As long as you're at M4 or above, you're still going to have to face the Yokozuna and Sanyaku anyway, so why not hope for a sanyaku slot?

[Asashosakari 19,331]

Sarcastic? As long as you're at M4 or above, you're still going to have to face the Yokozuna and Sanyaku anyway, so why not hope for a sanyaku slot?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Many people suspect that Shuzan is deliberately hunting for the "most consecutive hiramaku basho" record. A sanyaku appearance would be...detrimental to that. (Sigh...)

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

Sarcastic? As long as you're at M4 or above, you're still going to have to face the Yokozuna and Sanyaku anyway, so why not hope for a sanyaku slot?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Many people suspect that Shuzan is deliberately hunting for the "most consecutive hiramaku basho" record. A sanyaku appearance would be...detrimental to that. :-)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If Shuzan gets just enough wins to be in contention for sanyaku but not quite, Kise-oyakata pulls some strings to make it happen (Sigh...)

[Asashosakari 19,331]

Still, do you really think that they would drop Tosanoumi for Kyokushuzan? (Sigh...)

I mean, they could easily place Kyokushuzan against one of the sanyaku who should be able to get him out of the yusho race. :-)

Even Hokutoriki might be good enough for that tomorrow...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Our question answered:

Asashoryu -- Tosanoumi, Kotomitsuki -- Kyokushuzan

Probably a good choice, given that Mickey has been genki this basho.

[Araiguma_Rascal 0]

Sarcastic? As long as you're at M4 or above, you're still going to have to face the Yokozuna and Sanyaku anyway, so why not hope for a sanyaku slot?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Many people suspect that Shuzan is deliberately hunting for the "most consecutive hiramaku basho" record. A sanyaku appearance would be...detrimental to that. (Sigh...)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oh, I didn't know that. It doesn't seem to be a great record to aim for for any rikishi with the ability to make sanyaku. I hardly think it would be a noteworthy record, or be remebered by many after he retires.

Besides, doesn't he get some extra cash if he makes sanyaku?