Sumo Discussion

[ReiseReise]

I'm sure about the Ozeki promotion for Hoshoryu, Hakuoho... let's wait and see. That kid has loads of potential, but it is still like his fourth Basho or something.

He will very likely hit somewhat of a high ceiling soon, it will be very interesting to see how he deals with it. With all the tape, I sure hope injury won't be an issue that early in his career. 

[DangerMark]

Banzuke is up:

Hoshoryu, we already knew was going to be the lone non-kadoban ozeki. Daiesho and Wakamotoharu could get their 33 with 14 wins, but they might need a Zensho Yusho given that there are now currently 3 Ozeki in their rank. Shin Sekiwake Kotonowaka could get 33 with a Zensho of his own and Tobizaru takes his gold star into Sanyaku.

Ura holds his M4 rank despite a Kachi Koshi, probably because they know that Ura is indeed Life; no such explanation of why Takayasu keeps his M7 is so readily apparent. The Kid is now into the single digit Maegashira, above the monosyllabic Endo. Yagayaki and Atamifuji are back in Makuuchi at the expense of Wakatakakage and Bushozan.

[ReiseReise]

Five days in, eight Rikishi are at 4-1, another eleven at 3-2. Looks like a crazy, wild September Basho. 

[John E. Dynamite]

I have very cynical takes in regards to sumo decorum and the reactions of the fanbase. As well as the benefits of being ranked a low Maegashira.

I am entirely pleased with the result of this tournament.

[DangerMark]

The great thing about Sumo is that there isn't really any rules at all, only expected modes of behaviour that can be ignored whenever it's convenient; but also enforced on the whims of the Elders.

[ReiseReise]

Terunofuji out once again. This does not bode well. Dude's knees were always a time bomb, but there doesn't seem any hope in sight that he will improve. 

Takakeisho is banged up once more while aiming for the rope, the pessimistic side in me wants to predict kadoban In January after he drops out with a 3-4 record on Day 8 or something. 

Kirishima is really grinding like crazy, had something like 160+ training bouts in 5 or 6 days. 

[Death From Above]

It's not even Teru's knees keeping him out, his back is fucked. 

[ReiseReise]

I guess by now that guy is just a walking injury. I hope he can be healthy again at one point. 

 

[DangerMark]

I have not been watching much from this Basho except I just saw Abi win this tournament's Ura Memorial Award for Stupidest Fall in a match against Ura himself.

[SirFozzie]

I've been watching on twitch when I can (and when I'm awake). There was a couple hardcore matches (not in the plunder sense of course), there was a rematched bout where one of the rikishi had been cut open in the original bout, and he did the rematch all patched up with the bandage practically hanging in front of his eyes.

[ReiseReise]

Hatsu 2024 has been really good up until Day 8, and an interesting second week is forming up. Sekiwake Kotonowaka and three rank and file wrestlers lead with 7-1 scores - Asanoyama, Onosho and top division debutant Onosato. Yokozuna Terunofuji, two remaining Ozeki Kirishima (on a Yokozuna bid) and Hoshoryu aswell as the other Sekiwake Daeisho are one win back. 

[ReiseReise]

Haru 2024: Makuuchi debutant Takerufuji took the Yusho. Takerufuji was a win ahead on senshuraku and had thus secured at least a play off, but got wheeled to the hospital on Day 14 aswell, so it was unclear whether he would compete against Gonoyama in his final regulation bout. In the end, the leader did show up to pick up the W. 

The win marks a few impressive statistical feats: Takerufuji is the first debutant to win a Makuuchi Yusho since Ryogoku in 1914, as a starter from Jonokuchi (bottom division) he is the fastest Yusho winner, taking a total of 10 Basho for his first top division title. Even if you include those who started in Makushita (so called Makushita tsukedashi), he actually shatters both records - for tsukedashi (15, Wajima) and for bottom division starters (24, Takanahada - later Takanohana). 

Onosato, another young prospect and student of the former Kisenosato, did well once more, staying in contention for a long time this tournament. His 11-4 score mirrors the score in his first Makuuchi tournament, and he is only six Bashos in his career aswell. He will at least be in consideration for the second free sanyaku rank (it will be between him an Atamifuji, I assume). The other one should go to Asanoyama. 

At the lower end of the banzuke, Endo seems to be the next guy riding into the sunset. 5-10 at Maegashira 16 is a definite demotion, Kitanowaka and Shimazuumi are the other two to go down for sure. There are a few maybes aswell, we'll see, I guess. 

 

[DangerMark]

Sad face, Endo was one of the greatest interviews in professional sports; never said more than three words if he could help it.

[SirFozzie]

RIP Akebono

[ReiseReise]

Absolute trail blazer, it's sad to see him go as young, although not surprising unfortunately. I was always more in the Waka-Taka-Camp, but 'Bono was the perfect antagonist from a Japanese (or japanophile) perspective. 

[John E. Dynamite]

Day One of Natsu - ooh, it's a total shitshow. The guard cannot change fast enough.

[ka-to]

I went to day 2 and 3. The guard should be changing to Takerufuji, but I didn't see him too. There is bullshit going on with the tickets too. It took me 50 minutes to get through to the ticket website for the two days, yet I saw groups of gaikokujin being led around by the tour guide with the little flag being put in blocks of seats. The entire 15 days were sold out in just over one hour. They have to be feeding tickets directly to these travel agents.

[ReiseReise]

Takerufuji is kyujo. Kirishima has lost Ozeki, it seems. Unless he comes back tomorrow or Monday and pretty much wins out, which is unlikely, with him withdrawing with a spinal injury. Takakeisho withdrew after a loss on opening day. 

Lots of 6-1 scores, Onosato being the only sanyaku in the running. The power vacuum is real. 

[DangerMark]

URA WILL FILL YOUR POWER VACUUM GODDAMMIT

[ReiseReise]

I will blame you for jinxing my guy.

Onosato looking impressive and earns himself his first Yusho in his third Makuuchi Basho. He may be on an Ozeki run... 

[Death From Above]

https://youtu.be/5hUywnLMoqw?si=NQ38ExjX6qC42Ist

[DangerMark]

I'm a day behind because the only way I seem to be able to catch up when I remember about it after lunch is the NHK highlights on youtube, but two of my favourites Endo and Hokotofuji look cooked and two more have withdrawn, sad face.

The King of Road Runner Style Sumo still lives though; so there is still hope; and Day Five saw two contenders for the Ura Memorial Ridiculous Spill award in Ichiyamamoto and Sadanoumi

Edited July 19, 2024 by DangerMark

[DangerMark]

Well, it was Road Runner style for the first few days, now he's straight-up Wile E. Coyote.

[ReiseReise]

Lots of things happening. Former Ozeki handed in his papers after dropping out after two days. Injuries caught up to him, at 28 years. Good, but very short career, hopefully he will get his health back. He will stay in Sumo, first as an assistant Coach, then as an elder since he already owns elder stock.

Onosato wins his second Yusho in his fifth top Division Yusho. He will probably be an Ozeki in November.

[ka-to]

I met Kirishima at Yumiko Hotta's snack bar on Thursday night. This board might be the only place where I could post this in English and someone might understand. I am going to day 3 of the basho. Getting tickets was a horrible experience. 90 minutes of endless errors and reloading of the online ticket system to be able to get one ticket.