Final day, top 5 picks.

[Guest Super Sumo Fan]

Well, today had some very good matches. I think my favorite had to be Hakuho and Kaio. Kaio worked hard, but Hakuho was determined to win. I was a little suprised at the number of Henkas today. I have to give my congrats out to my favorite Rikishi, Asashoryu, for winning his 17th Tounament. And without furter adue, my top 5 picks:

M3e Roho (7-5-2) S1w Kotomitsuki (8-6)

I have to go with Roho on this one. I think he is mad that he lost today and will come back with a vengance.

S1e Miyabiyama (9-5) M10e Tamanoshima (11-3)

I know that Tamanoshima is very upset by the Henka that Dejima pulled on him today, but his anger will not be enough to beat a determined Miyabiyama.

O3w Tochiazuma (8-6) O2w Kotooshu (7-7)

Kotooshu looked much better today and I believe will be more confident going into tomorrows bout with an obviously injured Tochiazuma. Osh will get his KK on the last day.

O2e Kaio (8-6) O1w Chiyotaikai (9-5)

Kaio is experianced and smart enough to do what Asashoryu did with Taikai today. He will get in close and not allow Taikai to get off his trademark thrust.

Y1e Asashoryu (14-0) O1e Hakuho (12-2)

I have been predicting Asashoryu going undefeated since I joined this forum and I will not change my tune know. I think Asashoryu wants to send Hakuho a message that he is not yet ready to join the ranks of the YOKOZUNA!!!

Edited July 22, 2006 by Super Sumo Fan

[BFlatMinor 0]

I agree with every single word of yours... (Poking the other guy...)

[Guest Super Sumo Fan]

I agree with every single word of yours... (Poking the other guy...)

Thanks (Applauding...)

[mokele 3]

Once again I have to agree with all 5 of those predictions, although I don't favor Asashoryu over Hakuho by very much. Even though Asashoryu's form is excellent he has already won the yusho and might suffer a letdown in effort on senshuraku, while Hakuho will be highly motivated to win because of the chance of imminent yokozuna promotion. It's a close call. I say the odds are 55-45 in favor of Asashoryu.

Roho will be highly motivated to win on senshuraku because it will mean kachi-koshi, while Kotomitsuki has already resigned himself to another mediocre result as a sekiwake. Overall Kotomitsuki is the stronger rikishi but he won't show it on senshuraku.

Kotooshu will be highly motivated to win on senshuraku and avoid becoming kadoban for the Aki basho. Tochiazuma has not been anywhere close to full strength from around day 9 onward so it should be an easy bout for Kotooshu.

Kaio has had very good success against Chiyotaikai during their long rivalry, and although Kaio is older and appears slower and more shopworn he has the style to beat Chiyotaikai if he's anywhere close to full strength. Kaio does not have that much left to his career and will probably retire fairly soon, within a year or so. It's another close call, Kaio's style pitted against Chiyotaikai's youth and energy.

No mention has been made of the excellent result put together by Kokkai. If he wins on senshuraku his 11 wins have a good chance of giving him a promotion to komusubi. I have to go with him over Tochinonada.

[Guest Super Sumo Fan]

Once again I have to agree with all 5 of those predictions, although I don't favor Asashoryu over Hakuho by very much. Even though Asashoryu's form is excellent he has already won the yusho and might suffer a letdown in effort on senshuraku, while Hakuho will be highly motivated to win because of the chance of imminent yokozuna promotion. It's a close call. I say the odds are 55-45 in favor of Asashoryu.

Roho will be highly motivated to win on senshuraku because it will mean kachi-koshi, while Kotomitsuki has already resigned himself to another mediocre result as a sekiwake. Overall Kotomitsuki is the stronger rikishi but he won't show it on senshuraku.

Kotooshu will be highly motivated to win on senshuraku and avoid becoming kadoban for the Aki basho. Tochiazuma has not been anywhere close to full strength from around day 9 onward so it should be an easy bout for Kotooshu.

Kaio has had very good success against Chiyotaikai during their long rivalry, and although Kaio is older and appears slower and more shopworn he has the style to beat Chiyotaikai if he's anywhere close to full strength. Kaio does not have that much left to his career and will probably retire fairly soon, within a year or so. It's another close call, Kaio's style pitted against Chiyotaikai's youth and energy.

No mention has been made of the excellent result put together by Kokkai. If he wins on senshuraku his 11 wins have a good chance of giving him a promotion to komusubi. I have to go with him over Tochinonada.

Thank you for your insightful reply. I have to disagree that "Even though Asashoryu's form is excellent he has already won the yusho and might suffer a letdown in effort on senshuraku". I think Asashoryu is eager to show Hakuho that he is not ready to be a Yokozuna. I, of course, agree with the rest. I am pleased that Kokkai has had such a good basho. I do wish that Kokkai could be a little more consistant.

[Doitsuyama 1,192]

No mention has been made of the excellent result put together by Kokkai. If he wins on senshuraku his 11 wins have a good chance of giving him a promotion to komusubi. I have to go with him over Tochinonada.

Actually I have mentioned it. If you observe vigilantly you will also see that he already is sure of promotion to komusubi even if he loses tomorrow. Show me someone else who'll get promoted instead.

[aderechelsea 125]

i will make only two predictions.

Hakuho and Miya both win

for the rest i really don't care much .... (ok i would like to see Mickey lose and make the record that was mentioned somewhere else)

[Mark Buckton 1]

Hokutoriki wa?

[Bishonohana 0]

Hokutoriki wa?

(Blushing...) Maybe Buyuzan will pull a Henka on him! (Laughing...) (In jonokuchi...)

[serv 0]

... Asashoryu wants to send Hakuho a message that he is not yet ready to join the ranks of the YOKOZUNA!!![/size]

I bet Asashoryu will defeat Hakuho on the last day of this basho. Hakuho gets the Yokozuna next year of 07.

Edited July 22, 2006 by serv

[Olenishiki 0]

Hokutoriki wa?

(Clapping wildly...) Maybe Buyuzan will pull a Henka on him! (Laughing...) (Henka!!!)

Or maybe he'll pull a henka on Buyuzan. For all his glowering and posturing about having it done to him, he himself has done it before. :-/

[Ryukaze 0]

No mention has been made of the excellent result put together by Kokkai. If he wins on senshuraku his 11 wins have a good chance of giving him a promotion to komusubi. I have to go with him over Tochinonada.

Actually I have mentioned it. If you observe vigilantly you will also see that he already is sure of promotion to komusubi even if he loses tomorrow. Show me someone else who'll get promoted instead.

I agree with you man, but would it be too much of a stretch to say that Roho might have a shot? Even Baruto maybe, (assuming they win their final bouts?) Tamanoshima even with a 12-3? (o.k. well maybe thats a bit of a stretch.....)

Sumofan bro, good job on the pics I'd also have to say I agree with you on everyone of those (even though a few are close IMO) I like these posts keep em comin'.

[sildan 0]

O2e Kaio (8-6) O1w Chiyotaikai (9-5)

Kaio is experianced and smart enough to do what Asashoryu did with Taikai today. He will get in close and not allow Taikai to get off his trademark thrust.

Well, Taikai has won the last three... but I will cheer for Kaio anyway... As for Asashoryu-Hakuho, the stream is up, and I can't wait. I want a second Yokozuna!

[sildan 0]

Thank you for your insightful reply. I have to disagree that "Even though Asashoryu's form is excellent he has already won the yusho and might suffer a letdown in effort on senshuraku". I think Asashoryu is eager to show Hakuho that he is not ready to be a Yokozuna. I, of course, agree with the rest. I am pleased that Kokkai has had such a good basho. I do wish that Kokkai could be a little more consistant.

I also doubt that the Yokozuna will suffer a letdown. He likes to send messages to his opponents. He is still quite dominant and will want to demonstrate that. Let us not forget Hakuho's general arrogance before the basho. Asa will come out strong as can be. That said, I hope Hakuho gives him a heck of a run for his money and pulls off the upset.

[Itachi 396]

I don't like it when a rikishi seems to try less hard after making kk or clinching a yusho or worse yet, after it's no longer possible to meet either of those goals.

For that reason, I'd like to see Asa go for the zensho with as much determination as he showed on the way to his yusho. If he does, then he will almost certainly beat Hakuho - though Hakuho is one of the very few who has a chance against him when he's in good form.

On the other hand, I won't be too disappointed if Hakuho wins in a good contest. I would like to see him join Asa and stand clearly above the inconsistent pack of Ozeki.

Does anyone think Kisenosato might develop into a Ozeki or even a Yokozuna eventually? Or will he be like Wakanosato or Kotomitsuki, seemingly talented enough but never quite able to put the wins together to do it?

[Guest Super Sumo Fan]

[quote name='Itachi' date='Jul 23, 2006, 15:50' post='89956'

Does anyone think Kisenosato might develop into a Ozeki or even a Yokozuna eventually? Or will he be like Wakanosato or Kotomitsuki, seemingly talented enough but never quite able to put the wins together to do it?

I think it is a little bit early to tell, but I hope he does not fall into the class of Wakanosato or Kotomitsuki. I like them both, but believe them to be under-achievers.

Edited July 23, 2006 by Super Sumo Fan

[sildan 0]

I don't like it when a rikishi seems to try less hard after making kk or clinching a yusho or worse yet, after it's no longer possible to meet either of those goals.

Hard to disagree with this, and I hope a Yokozuna wouldn't be prone to slacking off on the dohyo.

Does anyone think Kisenosato might develop into a Ozeki or even a Yokozuna eventually? Or will he be like Wakanosato or Kotomitsuki, seemingly talented enough but never quite able to put the wins together to do it?

I hope he will. He's got a fire to him that I like. I will cheer for him, even though Baruto has the possibility of making sanyaku if he wins... (*hides from Baruto fans* (Laughing...) )

EDIT: I am sad about Kisenosato, but happy for Kaio. Only the most exciting bout left...

EDIT: Holy mother and father of whatever diety you choose... that was their best bout yet... (Clapping wildly...) They should make Hakuho a Yokozuna just for that!

Edited July 23, 2006 by sildan

[mokele 3]

No mention has been made of the excellent result put together by Kokkai. If he wins on senshuraku his 11 wins have a good chance of giving him a promotion to komusubi. I have to go with him over Tochinonada.

Actually I have mentioned it. If you observe vigilantly you will also see that he already is sure of promotion to komusubi even if he loses tomorrow. Show me someone else who'll get promoted instead.

I just looked and thought about it and I agree that with a 10-5 score at maegashira 5, Kokkai should replace Asasekiryu as komusubi for the Aki basho. His main competition will come from Baruto who scored 9-6 at maegashira 4, and from Roho, who scored 8-5-2 at maegashira 3. The Kyokai don't seem to have a hard and fast rule in such cases. My rule of thumb is to take the maegashira rank, subtract it from ([2 x wins] - 15) for the current basho and then compare the resulting statistic for the various maegashira. The one with the highest number then deserves promotion to an available sanyaku rank. If the numbers are the same, give the nod to the rikishi who has the higher rank on the current banzuke. If this seems vague or mysterious just send me a message and I'll try and clarify it by examples.