Sumo Discussion

[ReiseReise]

Nine days in, two guys 9-0... I bet you can guess who. This is shaping up nicely... 

Everyone else is at least two wins away. 

Takayasu is a positive, showing strength and persistence after sitting out the first two days. 

[ReiseReise]

Ura kachi koshi. This is a great day, just talking sumo. 

Terunofuji and Hakuho are the only ones in the race, both at 12 wins, both flawless. 

[DangerMark]

Does Ura get bonus Buster Keaton points for the prat-fall afterwards? That tumble was spectacular.

[ReiseReise]

Ura has toned down considerably, probably for the best, but he is still oh so exciting. 

Apropos exciting: Terunofuji and Hakuho both move into senshuraku with 14-0, which means de facto playoff between both for the Yusho. I think we will get a new Yokozuna, no matter what. A 14-1 Jun Yusho should be enough. That being said: Terunofuji can be considered the favourite here, his form is amazing.

Shodai and Takayasu meet for a last shot at kachi koshi today. One will take the fall, though. 

[DangerMark]

What the hell happened in today's Main Event? Hakuho lined up at the very back of the dohyo and then start slapping the hell out of Shodai.

At any rate, I'm pulling for Takayasu, the big ol' grumpy bear.

[ReiseReise]

Hakuho seemed really angry with Shodai. Those were palm strikes. Showdown today, both big Mongols are at 14-0, either we get Terunofuji's first or Hakuho's 16th Zensho. Fantastic tournament on top. 

Takayasu and Shodai square off for kachi koshi. 

Ura finished up at 10-5, and the people rejoiced! Hoshoryu 10-5 and looking impressive as hell near the top of the banzuke. 

[DangerMark]

I'm still working my way through the day's bouts but I just had to pop in to say that was an utterly SCANDALOUS henka from Midorifuji. 5-9, up against a guy going for the Juryo Yusho in Abi, and he pulls that? Boothatman.gif

Edited July 18, 2021 by DangerMark
Correcting that slug Midorifuji's record.

[ReiseReise]

Oh, I'm gonna shut my mouth then, trying to not spoil anymore. I'm live, last two bouts coming up. 

[DangerMark]

Spoiler

From channelling Liger with the Shotei yesterday, Hakuho brings a Misawa Elbow to start. That was a proper clash of the titans. He seemed pretty pleased. What's that, sixteen Zensho Yusho for him? I don't even think the rest of the top division has sixteen yusho between them.

Gutted for Takayasu, hope he doesn't fall too far.

Hoshoryu is pretty good. M2 next time out for him?

I'm still furious with Midorifuji. I normally don't mind a Henka if you need the win, but the man was Make Koshi already.

[John E. Dynamite]

VIOLENCE.

oh my god he opened with an *eye poke*. Stiff as shit forearm shiver-shiver. Looping open-handed hooks. Psychopathic amateur elbow surgery & a howl at the moon. If that's where he had to go in order to zensho-yusho over a new yokozuna (essentially), ok. GOATs do GOAT shit.

[DangerMark]

Reports of Hakuho's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

[ReiseReise]

That main event was something, especially the amazing outburst. Hakuho knew full well that his chances at the belt were slim. That Elbow would have made Misawa proud. 

[ka-to]

Hakuho mentioned concern for his knee in post match interview. That might explain avoiding a tachiai collision and just striking the last two days. Who did he beat with the elbow causing an immediate ass bump a couple years ago?

[John E. Dynamite]

13 minutes ago, ka-to said:

Hakuho mentioned concern for his knee in post match interview. That might explain avoiding a tachiai collision and just striking the last two days. Who did he beat with the elbow causing an immediate ass bump a couple years ago?

Myogiryu. He really didn't have to do him like this.

EDIT: Oh, wait, a couple of years? Maybe you mean Endo?

 

Edited July 18, 2021 by John E. Dynamite

[ka-to]

There must be a third time out there. It was like the Myogiru bump, but I didn't have Japanese TV that long ago.

Sumo is a real brutal sport. Gaikokujin can't get past seeing fat guys with their asses showing.

[ReiseReise]

Terunofuji got the Yokozuna promotion as a reward for the broken jaw. The promotion is all but a formality (and well deserved). He is the first new Yokozuna in 4 years, and the 73rd since 1600.

[DangerMark]

Quote

"I hope he (Terunofuji) will be someone who inspires kids and those wanting to become sumo wrestlers. I don't want him to be like Hakuho,"

The YDC didn't keep their mouth shut about Hakuho's 'behaviour' either.

[ReiseReise]

While I don't agree, it was to be expected. Hakuho acted out of the ordinary, certainly not like your usual Yokozuna. 

[DangerMark]

Hakuho and his blatant contempt for at least half of the top division is one of the highlights of sumo for me.

[DangerMark]

On 7/18/2021 at 11:08 AM, DangerMark said:

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Gutted for Takayasu, hope he doesn't fall too far.

Hoshoryu is pretty good. M2 next time out for him?

I'm still furious with Midorifuji. I normally don't mind a Henka if you need the win, but the man was Make Koshi already.

Banzuke is out, Takayasu went down to Komisubi and I was one out with my Hoshoryu prediction: M1. Ichinojo, who is quite possibly the worst wrestler in terms of technique in the top division, is back up in San'yaku.

I remain furious with Midorifuji, who clings on to a Juryo spot despite his utter sluggery against my boy Abi. Even with the win, Abi wouldn't have been promoted - looks like only Yutakayama went up this time - but next time.

[ReiseReise]

Yeah, only one promotion, that's quite rare. Also, Juryo will have one empty spot at Juryo 9 West because Takaganja, pardon, - genji. Of all the things he supposedly did, THIS is the one that gets him kicked out off Sumo... Amazing. 

Much movement on the banzuke, they went with a third Sekiwake (maybe since Asanoyama won't be active?), so we have 9 sanyaku on paper. 

I don't believe Hakuho will fight the full 15 days. Maybe he wins one, which would be his 900th victory as a Yokozuna, then retires. Or he now wins the next 6 Yushos. What the heck do I know about Sumo, other than that I love it? 

[ReiseReise]

Miyagino-beya had two cases of Covid and will sit out Aki. This means no Hakuho, no Ishiura, no Enho, no Hokuseiho... too bad, really. 

Ichinojo, who had tested positive a few days ago, will probably take another test and if he is virus-free, he will probably enter. 

[ReiseReise]

Basho is under way, despite being a week off it kinda felt like it snuck up this time around. On the first day, both Ozeki lost while Terunofuji seemed comfortable in his new position. He should by all accounts be considered a heavy favourite. We will see what the weeks will bring. 

I hope I can be here and talk sumo from time to time, life is busy though... 

[DangerMark]

Terunofuji looks unstoppable through two days, just an absolute force of nature. I am sad that Takayasu has started so poorly.

Terutsuyoshi slapped the absolute piss out of Ura on Day 2, proper "how's your face, mate?" stuff.

[ReiseReise]

Yeah, pretty much spot on on both accounts. I will add that Takakeisho looks to be in worrying condition so far and would probably be better off dropping down to Sekiwake or maybe even further before attempting a comeback. It was a neck injury after all.