wanderer

Hakuho is Harumafuji's senior rank wise.

Cheek kiss is usually given by an elder or senior, so for Kakiryu it was not appropriate to treat his senpai this way. I am sure other Mongolians who are junior of Harumafuji did not kiss him as well.

I think Kakiryu is just preemptively sending a message to Tochinoshin, the main rival this time, to blunt his sharp attack. The M5 rikishi wasn't Kakiryu's main focus.

My distance memory tells me that Kyukutenho was involved in a more serious accident and got away with a minor disciplinary action.

All I can say is that Giku beat the three Yoks fair and square. So, Mongolians are definitely not in the yacho game. If Giku goes zensho con-theorists have to blame Japanese rikishi.

Asa says: This is not Chipave game!!! How can these fools lose one after another!!!!!

Well, I wish I could demonstrate this technique on you and see what you will say.

Oh come on, conspiring to do what? Give Hakuhou a yusho that he so badly needs? Even for ST, that is really reaching.. He got slapped so hard he didn't know his name-that's why he let his guard down.. I think Hakuho hit Kise in the chin with the base of his palm, which effectively knocked him out just before the pull. I remember him doing this MMA trick on Kotomitsuki once. It is subtle but Hakuho is very good at it.

This is good point. The most popular Yokozuna according to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or what not. Let us put more videos of those who had careers in the pre-internet era.

Hakuho may have had a bad hungover from Naadam celebration at the beginning of the basho. July 10-12 are the Naadam days.

Original sumo broadcast is long and boring, that is why making a condensed version is such an epic effort from Kinta. Thanks so very much. PS: Is Hakuho still drunk on day one?

Watching these pictures is strangely pleasing. Makes me want to take part in it. Looks very rewarding too. Can volunteers take part in it? Is there schools that organize tours to these workshops? Want to learn packing earth into beautiful flat surface, and using beer bottles correctly.

Well, my niece just visited me after studying 3 years in Japan. She was on the brink of needing a rehabilitation due to social stress she endured in japan. Different culture means different culture. She regards Japanese culture and way of life very highly but was quite certain that it is not for everyone from outside of Japan. Funny thing is she started complaining how rough was americans while she was flying but soon felt at home here in the US even though we are Mongols. One thing she revealed me that surprised me a lot was that many Mongolian students are abandoning their studies in Japanese universities complaining that the society and teaching methods are way to rigid or even feudalistic. That surprised me. There is a fair amount of arrogance from Mongolians I guess, because no Mongol kid wants to be a salary man or woman, ever! Openness, and having a big dream are defining features of Mongol mentality, which is why many Mongols may have hard time in Japan. Mongolian country side is not very different from ranches in Texas. Supremely independent people, rough yet generous, tough but honest, but above all, free people.

I think Asasekiryu must be nearing intai after this basho.

It looks like the three headed Mongol Monster has brought peace and tranquility to the sumo world. The most important milestone behind, the monster may actually consider birth of a Japanese Yokozuna, but not before giving Kakiryu his first few yusho ranked at Yokozuna. Having said so, I don't think bouts between Yokozuna in the past basho were anyhwhere close to acting. Hakuho secured his record run before meeting the other two. In other words, Hakuho saved a trouble for the other two, which shows how great Yokozuna is Hakuho. They would have worked out something if his record was on the line in the last two days. Kisenosato has been around for ages now with the same guys around him, Hak, Haru, and Kak. He is under the same mercy of time. That means parity in power and technique among these guys will not change dramatically in coming years. That pretty much pins him at where he is now. There is only one scenario that he could make it to Yokozuna. It is not far fetched to assume that the three headed Mongol Monster suddenly decides to make it happen. Ichinojo had the much required stop after his meteoric rise. He experimented, fooled around, and loosened himself a bit. Watch him this year. Tochinoshin finally came to where he was before. Barring injuries, he may make it to Ozeki, expect no further advances considering his age. Terunofuji is a wild card at this point. He will stay in Sanyaku unless he stops his habit of standing upright. Top guys will quickly exploit this. Endo is still trying to find himself, but I do believe he may become a better ozeki than Goeido. Hakuho is barely 30, and injury free. In contrast Taiho and Chiyonofuji were in much different shape when they reached their record. Although Hakuho is in perfect shape, he may consider retiring. There is nothing left to prove, and he conquered himself (read: no sobbing or fist pumping after winning the 33rd yusho). He may attempt one more yusho this year and I think that will be it. There is one little but important information circulating around in recent days that may change this perspective though. Apparently Hakuho was told by his wife (she is Japanese) that the journey is not over if there is some gas left in the tank. We will see what happens.