Morty

It would be hugely, massively irresponsible to hold any basho until the crisis is over, which won't be until a vaccine is developed. Almost every sporting league in the world is shut down until this is over. So is everything else that requires lots of people to be in one place at the same time. Large aggregations of people is what spreads the virus. Until a vaccine is developed the only defense we have is social distancing, which you can't do while having a sumo basho. Some things are bigger than sumo, this is one of them, and they should recognise that and just shut up shop until this is over, like every other responsible sporting organisation in the world has done. The powers that be in sumo are well known for making dumb decisions, but I can't see how they would be allowed hold a basho, even if they decided to go ahead with it (against all common sense). Get ready for the next three or four basho to be cancelled, because that's how long it will be until an effective and widespread vaccine will be available.

He looked really punchy, like he has a concussion or a virus or something

Ideally it would Hak which would really seal the deal

I think Asanoyama is going to do this. Yutakayama has really impressed me this basho. He seems to come in with a different strategy for each opponent, and has shown incredible patience in executing what he wants to do, not rushing things, and waiting for his opponent to make the mistake. A new favourite I think.

He got a morozashi today as well right at the start of the bout and still couldn't win. He has zero power going forward - it's painful to watch. What is also painful to watch is the number of headbutts Tamawashi puts out there in each bout. He hit Sadanoumi with about six today, all clearly deliberate. His brain is going to end up like Swiss cheese (if it isn't already).

Ishiura essentially henka'd Ikioi three times during that bout: once at the tachiai, then once in the middle, then once at the end to get the win.

Nah. Look on Youtube for Kenta Kobashi and Mitsuharu Misawa vs Toshiaki Kawada and Akira Taue, Jan 24, 1995, greatest tag match of all time. Apologies Mods if this is getting off topic.

This is your chance to go back and relive all those great sporting events from years gone by. There is an awful lot just on Youtube. I'm planning on watching all those great Japanese pro-wrestling matches from the 80s and 90s Misawa, Kobashi, Hansen, Kawada era . Weeks of entertainment right there.

The Australia-New Zealand One Day Cricket tournament has been cancelled as of today, primarily because of the New Zealand travel ban. Here in Australia, the Australian Rules Football (AFL) season is due to start but they will be playing in empty stadiums. The Australian Rugby League however is still playing in front of crowds, but only for this weekend. The Federal Government has implemented a ban on gatherings of more than 500 people as of tomorrow.

The empty stadium seems to have a different effect on different rikishi. The ones who seem more motivated by it: Mitakeumi, Takarafuji, Takanosho, Chiyotairyu all seem more than usually invigorated this basho. The ones who seem totally disinterested and switched off: Takakeisho, Okinoumi, Shohozan, Tamawashi, Azumaryu are not only not doing great sumo, but they all look like they wish they were somewhere else. I often wondered what it would be like to be a top athlete competing at a time in the world when serious outside events are overshadowing whatever sport you are participating in. It must be hard to concentrate on competing when when stuff is getting really serious out in the real world.

Likewise the herniated disc in the back... That's a lifetime injury - they don't heal, you just manage them

Just wanted to say thanks for the link to this map - amazing resource.

Poor Tokushoryu is not thriving at these rarified levels. I had hoped he'd at least win a few but he is getting owned on a daily basis. Still, only one of the four who have beat him so far have won a yusho, so there's that. But tomorrow he faces the Boss...

Today was the day that Kakaryu reminded everyone why he is actually a Yokozuna - that was beautiful belt sumo and Okinoumi had no way to deal with it. Completely comprehensive win.

I watched the Abema live stream - it was weird watching the empty arena, but less so than if it had been in Tokyo because the Kokugikan is so much bigger. The Abema commentary team helped immensely. Wakanohana's eternally smiling face and engaging explanations of what was going on got me interested. I had no clue what he was saying but he was clearly enjoying it which helped me enjoy it more. Still, 15 days of a quiet empty arena might kill the novelty a bit.