Sumo Discussion

[John E. Dynamite]

Well that was a fantastic day of sumo. I'm done trying to figure out Shodai. Terunofuji/Hoshoryu was just silly. Another ashitori, the Tochinoshin dump truck move, Kiribayama bumping like Mr. Perfect, cool Ura stuff, a Hokutofuji torpedo, maybe the fastest I've seen Ichinojo react (low bar)... this'll be a good place to pause after every heya gets COVID tomorrow.

[ReiseReise]

It was a really great day of Sumo. I assume Shodai is just trolling at the moment. But he is really good at that...

[Death From Above]

It's a shame about all the covid withdrawls, again, but what can you do really?

This tournament sums up pefectly why Shodai is one of my favourites. He's the most predictably unpredictable force in all of sports. I KNEW he would beat an undefeated Ichinojo in my gut, because it's the most Shodai thing possible.

[ReiseReise]

Wakamotuharu and Kiribayama have two fantastic bouts. Co-Leaders Terunofuji and Ichinojo aswell as pursuer Takakeisho loose. 

The Basho itself is marked with Covid infections, Day 13 in particular had a streak of 5 bouts with fusenpai for the non-infectees, two more to go in other matches. This also ended Tamawashi's 1400+ matches streak without absences. 

It will be very interesting to see how the JSA will handle rankings after this tournament. If the non-makekoshi ranks (at least for those rikishi not makekoshi at that point) get frozen like precedent indicates they could be, there will be lots of chaos. 

[ReiseReise]

No playoff today, since Ichinojo overcame Ura while Takakeisho channeled his former (pre injury) self and hinted at how exciting a Terunofuji - Takakeisho could have been with a healthier Ozeki. 

Assuming there will still be significant Banzuke movement after all the Covid withdrawals (and presumed frozen ranks in the process), there will be (maybe third) Sekiwake Ichinojo (trumping Hoshoryu's very good 9-6 at Komusubi east) in September and probably Komusubi Kiribayama. 

I also expect Ryuden and Mitoryu to make Makuuchi. 

[Death From Above]

It's a wild one.

[John E. Dynamite]

That's a real kooky zooky.

[DangerMark]

"The great thing about not writing any of the rules down and relying purely on "tradition" is that you can do whatever the hell you like."

- JSA

[Death From Above]

They put themselves in a weird spot by even finishing the last tournament tbh. The last few days had so many covid absentees it was honestly a bit bizarre.

[ReiseReise]

That one I would never have come even close to predicting had I tried. Lower sanyaku seems almost totally contrary to what I would have thought it would look like. My sympathy to everyone playing Guess the Banzuke. 

[ReiseReise]

Nice start with the tournament, Takakeisho the one to fall on Day 1 among the top guys. Shodai actually won which is a huge surprise. 

[ReiseReise]

Tobizaru beating Terunofuji by yorikiri is a huge WTF-moment. 

Mitakeumi seems to be in better condition, beating a very game Ichinojo. A few great bouts already! Shodai v Kiribayama was the best one up until now. 

[Death From Above]

Folks.

 

[John E. Dynamite]

I don't know what particular problems your knees have to possess for Tobizaru and Ura to yorikiri you - but Ichinojo is easy. if I didn't pledge my undying hatred for Terunofuji all those years ago I'd be glad he's hanging in there.

I am a Hokutofuji guy and I'm glad he's doing well. No illusions about a yusho but let's see how far he can ride this wave.

Fucking Shodai.

My bold prediction is that nobody is going to win this tournament. Buncha dudes lookin good like the afformentioned Tobizaru and Ura + Wakamotoharu and Tamawashi. Even the hopelessly overranked Midorifuji totally brought it to Hoshoryu today, that was nasty sumo the way he went after his elbow and pie-faced him.

[Death From Above]

I don't think a single human being had "Tamawashi vs Hokutofuji" as the yusho showdown but I am absolutely here for it.

[Death From Above]

 

[ReiseReise]

I really hope he sits out. He was always on borrowed time, but I had hoped that it wasn't running out yet. 

Tamawashi vs Hokutofuji today. I lean towards Tamawashi, but I'm not sure he can win out in this tournament. It's an interesting finishing stretch. 

[J.T.]

Aki Basho Day 12 Makuuchi recap:

 

Edited September 22, 2022 by J.T.

[ReiseReise]

Mitakeumi losing Ozeki is a surprise generally, but not when seeing his (probably injury hampered) performances during the last three bashos. 

Aki being whacky as always, basically Tamawashi's Basho to loose, the man looks like Doomtrain from Final Fantasy 8.

[John E. Dynamite]

C'mon, Takayasu. Win the first match. Lose the playoff. Prove my cynical, dead heart true.

[Death From Above]

Tamawashi becomes the oldest yusho winner ever. Gotta say he thoroughly deserved it, he was a rock all tournament. These chumps had nothing for him.

[Death From Above]

The new banzuke is out for November! It's a total mess! And that's before taking into account that Terunofuji almost certainly isn't wrestling!

Pretty much anyone could win this thing, should be a jolly good bit of chaos.

[John E. Dynamite]

Is there a sentence in sumo that inspires more dread than "Takayasu looks good"? The guy I wouldn't want to see is Abi. Dude's got Mt. Fuji on his shoulder.

[Death From Above]

This has been a depressing basho for me. Mitakeumi looks busted, Shodai looks like he wants to retire, Kotonowaka isn't ready to take the next step, Wakatakakage can't beat the guys he should beat, Ura is 1-7, Tamawashi looks like a shell of the guy that won last tournament, and Atamifuji is going to one-and-done his top division debut. Only positive has been Hoshoryu looking like a beast and Tobizaru beating that dirty fat fuck Takakeisho.

[ReiseReise]

Hoshoryu looks to seize the opportunity, terrific Sumo. 

My preferred storylines are not panning out, but those fights are really good. Five more days and any of the likely winners will be fine by me.