Koorifuu

I have one doubt.. Kei's 4-3 at Ms3 was blessed with a 2-1 in juryo visits. I kinda get the feeling the theorically superior comepetition won't be a factor in promotions, but is that so? I mean, will his positive record against juryo actually play a role on a possible promotion? On a regular case he'd probably find himself on Ms1/Ms2. That aside, besides Satoyama and Bushuyama having dismal bashos from the bottom half of the banzuke there really isn't any other candidate for demotion. (Which doesn't really help Kei's case) and I'd guess Takanoiwa's KK at Ms1 and Oniarashi's 5-2 at Ms2 will make the cut. Pretty much like everyone else.

Fujiazuma and Chiyonokuni will not only be demoted, but also find themselves on the bottom half of Juryo most likely. As yorikiried by fate somewhat said.. I doubt Ikioi's 8-7 at J2 or Hochiyama's J3 9-6 will be enough to swap division with Asasekiryu's 6-9 at M14 or Tenkaiho's and Kimikaze's 5-10 at M13... Even if all those 3 lowly maegashiras with bad MKs deserve "juryodom", there isn't enough quality scores on top Juryos to make up for it. It'll be very close. Except Masunoyama, Takanoyama and Tamaasuka.

I'd say it was Jupp Heynckes mistake. Remove Thomas Müller as soon as he scored - after the equalizer there was no way to put Thomas back in. Game over.

On a personal point of view, Kisenosato disappointed me a lot behaviour-wise these couple of weeks. I believe such a drive to win and succeed is a good thing to an extent - not when you go overboard and give extra throat shoves and pushes to other ozeki. EDIT; Just checked about Nakanokuni.. a shame to see a career get crushed on its highest point because of a chronic injury. :(

Congratulations!!

All of those 3 are perfectably capable of developing world-class skills, but I wonder if they'll be enough to keep this level of play? Abramovich is probably going to stop pumpin' cash into the team now that he's got the huge cup he always wanted.

By defensive I actually meant something among the likes of "largely outplayed thus being forced to be defending". Sorry for the incorrect wording... :x

Big turnoff of a match. Other than the missed penalty kick and the timing of the goals, it was a rather boring affair. To make matters worse the defensive, lucky, rough team was the one to be crowned champion in the end. Sigh. Now, please, let tomorrow's last day of the basho be better.

You got that interesting (and needless) extra push from Kisenosato to make up for it.

Matsuko Deluxe is a dude, y'know. I know him from those Gaki No Tsukai no-laughing yearly skits... They DO look alike, in truthness.

Exact same feeling here. It's Kisenosato's now for the taking. His newlyfound mental stability is going to be tested..

The difference in Kaisei's sumo since he last was on Makuuchi is like night to the day.

"TAKANOYAMA WINS BY YORIKIRI." I won't be surprised by anything anymore. Edit; A few moments afterwards I had to take this back. Tochinowaka henkaing Takayasu, seriously?

I laughed at the tachiai comment on Kaisei v Daido. I was thinking about the same thing when the humorous comment popped up. I probably shouldn't complain about it (same with Yoshikaze's blatantest henka ever) because thanks to them I got a perfect 10 on Sumo Game.

Now this is worrying. :( You usually expect sumotori to fight their pains to respect the tradition, it's not a great sign at all if he couldn't even accomplish that.

Overhype is always a concern when an unusual prospect joins the building, but I'm inclined to believe them this time. The way he easily wins his matches with apparent lack of effort (and without fancy displays of technique, as it's been mentioned) are a reminder of other gaijin who climbed up the ranks. Baruto for one climbed all the way up to sanyaku thanks to an uncanny brawling instinct and a very rare blend of physical strength, sturdiness and mobility. He only developed his sumo technique later on.

Tsurugidake :( His story will always be inspirational, though... Over 30 years old when he reached Juryo, and even managed to make it to Makuuchi a lil later on. He's an epithom of the "never give up" spirit.

Thanks for the translation! Interesting read, definitely. ... to no-one's surprise.

Umm... I found it strange this forum is so empty but I'll post here first regardless. Courtesy! I've been following sumo deeper and deeper by each basho that goes on so hopefully my knowledge and insight will get deeper aswell! Hopefully it'll be a nice stay - looking forward to conversating with all of you. :)

This just comes to show the balance between these 6 ozekis. As I've read it somewhere before, the differences in skill between the 1st and 6th of them is way smaller than it is from the weakest ozeki to the next best rikishi. We're bound to see the lower sanyaku / joi-jin suffer constant shifting as they get pummeled by the 7 Wonders of the World of Sumo Nowadays. Toyonoshima did look for a couple of basho he could keep the pace but unfortunately it wasn't so. Although, I'd say he might be back by July. Now on-topic, I've been cheering for Kakuryu the whole basho. Because, well, he deserves the promotion. He's been steady and consistant against every ozeki for a long time now and this peak of form is the final confirmation. Yesterday was rather impressive. I'd say a couple of people in the world could survive Oshu's inside grip. (Even if his passion is around zero these days)

Thank you! :D

Here I am on the Araibira bandwagon! My Sumo Game results have taken a huge leap and so did my interest in sumo thanks to that flawless help to the community. :)

Takanoyama vs Gagamaru from a couple of bashos ago was legendary on these terms. Height? Same. Weight? Over 100kgs difference!