rzombie1988

There are going to be some unhappy juryo campers, IMO. Gonna be atleast 3 people who might have gotten the promotion in a different banzuke, who won't this time. Takanoiwa and Shodai are the only sure bets in my opinion for the promotion.

How about some discussion? My thoughts on the various wrestlers: Hakuho - This isn't like him at all. Has his head gotten too big? Hakuho of last year would have taken this without a loss. He hasn't looked as good as he used to look, but he's still the best wrestler. I'd like to see more fire and less relaxed Hakuho, because he straight gave this one away. The neko crap didn't make him look good. Hopefully he comes back next time rejuvinated and ready to win. Harumafuji - This was what he needed and this was a good showing for him. Although I never thought he was the "3rd Yokozuna", he was definitely losing ground. This was his best score and last win since November 2013. His style is always going to be one that is either going to be hit or miss and maybe his time out of the spotlight helped him out. He's in for some titles ahead if he can get to 11-12 wins and basically, if his tag team partner, Terunofuji can keep improving. A win for either one is a win for both of them. Kakuryu - I don't think he's in a good position right now. He shortcutted his way to the title last time around and went 9-6 this time around. He didn't look inspired and reminded me of some of his lesser Ozeki Kakuryu days. I don't see another title coming his way for a while. Kisenosato - He is so strange. He'll win when it's most important for someone else but he just can't seem to get past people he should be able to beat. I can't see him winning any titles for a while and I just wish he knew how to use his Ozeki swag to his advantage. Terunofuji - Overall a good tournament for him, especially in the last few days as he took down TWO yokozuna and helped Harumafuji clinch the title. If he's at full health next time around, either he or Harumafuji will probably take it. I just hope the 6 losses were more due to injury than talent. He's only going up. Kotoshogiku - He had a great first half but then everyone remembered, "oh yeah, he does the same thing every time and he's not too hard to beat". Hard to see him ever really going further as it would take a whole mess of injuries, stupid opponents and luck for him to win. If he could just try some different techniques he might do a little better. Still probably an overall positive tournament for him. Goeido - Who? Oh right. He went downhill since his Ozeki promotion and he really doesn't look like he belongs there. His days of double digit wins seem to be far gone. He seemed to have had things figured out for a bit, but he's lost that. I saw all of his matches and really couldn't tell you about any of them aside from the one that saved his butt. He did beat Kakuryu, but so did everyone else this basho. Tochiozan - Hey, that's three KK's at Sekiwake now. It's going to be hard for him to get promoted with how top heavy the banzuke is, but he will have to figure it out. Last basho would have been the one for him to get double digit wins. Keep an eye on him. Yoshikaze - He did pretty good against the big boys. 1-2 vs Yok's, 2-2 against Ozeki's(Went 2-0 vs Yok's last time and 1-2 vs Ozeki's). He should had strung a few more wins together, but I think he's on the right track. Tochinoshin - He's got the tools, now he needs to use some of them. His power sumo has a ceiling to it and he's gotta expand elsewhere. He's got an Ozeki run in him but he went 0-3 against the Yok's and that's now how you become an Ozeki. I really thought the Ichinojo loss sealed the deal on him this time around. He had a great match with Hakuho though and pushed him to the limit. Ichinojo - Looked to have found some fire in the last few days, but he stunk early. He's an Ozeki when he cares, but he is not that far off from a Aoiyama when he doesn't. Hope he gets it together soon. He needs to grab the belt, get nasty and look like he wants to win it if he wants to be a player. I'm hoping the last couple of wins helps him remember what he can do. I was surprised to see him outmuscle Tochinoshin and liked his win over Goeido. Osunaarashi - Man can't catch a break. I thought he looked good this tournament and showed some improvement but he didn't do well against higher ranked guys. Much like Ichinojo and Tochinoshin, he has to expand his arsenal. Also thought he should have gotten more of his Mike Tyson level strikes in. Aoiyama - He went 7-8, but it was a really good tournament for him. I saw some drive and saw some hope in him. His match against Kisen was good and hopefully gives him some inspiration. Ikioi - That's 23 wins now in 2 bashos. He's going somewhere. He wants it and he is so much better than about 70% of the wrestlers. He was inspiring and sanyaku could be in his future. Amuru - I thought he kinda lucked in to his record last time and I didn't like what I saw here. His weight is going to be a problem for him and I don't think it matches up to the style he wants to do. Kaisei - A strange fellow. I thought he looked good early then just slept his way to his KK, not caring once he hit 7 wins. I do think he's better than Gagamaru and Aoiyama. Shohozan - The real MVP of the tournament. He looked like a little bull out there. He was mean and he was skilled. I hope we see more of this because he was in control here. He needed to win on the last day though because he really may never be so close to a title again. Gagamaru - Looked good with not so many flops this time around, but he's still a one trick pony along with a host of others. The problem is, they are better at it than he has. His long palm thrusts are looking good. Aminishiki - No idea how he did it, but he slipped away with the KK after a really rough start. Looking forward to the next tournament. Hopefully everyone gets back to full health - physically and mentally. A strong Harumafuji and Terunofuji are going to almost put a strangehold on the title.

I really don't get why Shohozan didn't get put with an Ozeki yesterday or today, especially when they knew Kotoshogiku was out. Even Ichinojo would have made more sense. Although unlikely, if Shohozan gets to a playoff tommorow, it's going to look bad on the matchmakers. Harumafuji was on today. No one can fall back and dive in again as good as him. I was actively cheering for him since Hak had to pull out the funny stuff early this basho and Kakuryu took a shortcut for the title last time around. Kakuryu's gonna catch some heat for the 6-7 losses, though I guess the title win last time makes up for it. Did think the Hakuho match was a bit odd, Hak didn't seem ready for the initial charge at the start.

I know firsthand that Japan isn't into change and I know sumo is very old school, but I'd like to see some better safety measures for the wrestlers. The two things I'd like to see are: 1) I want to see either netting, mats or an extension of the ring for the wrestlers. Everyday we see someone take a rough looking fall and it really doesn't add to the sport. It sucks to see people get hurt for absolutely no reason at all and I'm sure the association doesn't like having wrestlers out. It is also a minor danger for the fans and the people at ringside who have to watch out for wrestlers falling onto them. I can't think of one good reason not to do this aside from some crap about breaking tradition. 2) I'd like to see some type of set-up where an injured wrestler can take a tournament off without consequences. I realize that this existed before to some degree and people took advantage of it, but I think it could and should be brought back with restrictions. Maybe there could be a rule that it could only be used once a year and that a sumo association doctor would have to sign off on it, to prevent abuse. Not having this rule hurt the careers of wrestlers like Baruto and Tochinoshin and we seeing wrestlers risk further injury just to avoid demotions.

Some thoughts: - I give Hak credit for being able to pull off what he did, but I still feel thats below him and an insult. He better win the tournament or he can expect a lot of flak for it. - Harumafuji is arguably the most likeable Yok at the moment with the other two resorting to Henka's. - Ichinojo used the belt and won again! It's like getting a good grip and not being passive helps you win, who knew... - Osuna is looking good, but I dunno if he can hold off for the KK. - Ikioi continues to be unpredictable. He wins and loses when I don't expect him to. - Kyokutaisei is down to 4-6 in Juryo. He's J7 so he likely won't go back to Ms, but I dunno if he can go 4 straight without a loss.

No way any of us here have access to those kind of numbers. Hey, it only takes one good fall for someone to get seriously injured. Would rather see that be avoided at all costs.

I'm convinced some coaches saw my last post. Ichinojo, uses the belt! And is aggressive! And he wins! This is what he needs to do instead of the passionless, passive crap that doesn't work. Where was Kakuryu today? Was he aware there was a match going on? I was so glad to see someone do the obvious counter to Kotoshogiku. It took 7 wins to get to that. Felt so bad for Ikioi. He deserved that win, but not today. He's one of the more intriguing guys as he seems to do great for the first 9 days then falls off against higher competition. Harumafuji had an excellent grip on his belt today. Osuna looked good today but I don't like him only having one loss to give with 6 days remaining. I just don't see a KK. Yoshikaze deserves an award for bullying Tochinoshin. I'm not even joking when I say that I think Shohozan has a shot here at taking this. He's looking so good and so confident right now that I think it's a possibility. Also want to note that Yoshikaze has 29 wins in the last 3 tournaments now under his belt. Means nothing I know, but it's a good score. Should be a fun couple of days coming up with 4 people being one off of Hak.

No, why? Bad footwork is part of Aoiyama's package. It makes no sense to arbitrarily declare that it's "lucky" when a rikishi is profiting from one particular weakness of an opponent, or when he's profiting from it in a particular way. Kisenosato was pushing and Aoiyama was retreating, and it resulted in a loss for Aoiyama. That's all that happened. On other days Aoiyama's bad footwork means he simply gets bowled over, same thing just with a different outcome. Nobody would claim that's lucky for the opponent. One of the many parts of Aoiyama's package such as being too heavy, lack of balance, lack of actual technique, etc.

Absolutely hating Ichinojo's lack of belt working and trying to win matches just by size. It's not working and I can seriously see him going 3-13 at this rate. Aoiyama/Kisenosato was a close call. Even though they gave it to Kisenosato, I think this was still a good bout for Aoiyama. It should give him some encouragement that he can be more. Hak's winning move was pure class. Nice to see some effort out of Gagamaru today. Toch just didn't get the grip against Harumafuji today. He got locked out of getting a grip on the belt.

Thought the henka was a little of both parties faults. Hak clearly went up and to the side, Yoshi went really low. Even if they both hit, I think Yoshi woulda slipped. Gaga looked good today. If he could only not flop. Ichinojo almost pulled it off, but man does he have that lack of soul and spirit. Tochinoshin had a great grip early which he should have pushed with, but he let Kisen stall and after the stalling was done, Kise had the better grip. I'm really not sure why people have so many issues with Kotoshogiku. He literally does the same thing every match. Get low, get in close and push forward.

Ichinojo hasn't looked good at all so far. He ran out of gas on the first day. Running of gas, in a sub-minute sumo bout. Both today and yesterday there were times where it looked like he just stood up and was doing nothing. Re: Gagamaru and Aoiyama I seriously have no idea how Gagamaru stays in the top division. I don't mind his style but you'd think he'd learn how not to flop after it happening 30+ times to him. Aoiyama isn't much different. A shame too as Aoiyama is a better Gagamaru and with some effort he could be something.

If Teruno can't get the nod after two titles, compared to Kakuryu's 1(pre-promotion), that's wrong. Kak has also never done better than a 12-3 since his promotion.

I think you have the 90's too low and are forgetting about how important being in a good stable was then. Akebono and Musashimaru had much much harder paths to victory than Takanohana and Wakanohana did. I also think the 2000's and up are way too high.

Some thoughts: Sucked to see the two top Yokozuna's out. Hope they return next time around. Getting worried about Harumafuji as he has a habit of getting injured and he's been absent more than he's been around lately. Kakuryu - Looked good early but the henka's were cheap. I don't want to see an Ozeki or a Yokozuna ever pulling a henka again.There's little skill in pulling a henka. Kak won but this title wasn't worth as much as it would have been in other tournaments with the two top dogs out and then Terunofuji getting injured. He is improving, but I don't think he would have won it with the other two yokozuna's around. Terunofuji - Looked great for the first 10 days then looked less so the last few days. One less loss and he woulda won it. He should be Yokozuna if he wins the next basho now that the 2nd place + title rule is in effect. He actually needs Harumafuji around as a win for Harumafuji is a win for him. Having Harumafuji around, no Hakuho and 12 wins? I think he can win it. Kisenosato - This was his chance and he blew it. He ain't never winning. All 3 Yok's could be out and he'd blow it. #Ozeki4Life. Kotoshogiku - He looked good doing his usual stuff but if he was ever going to win one, this would have been a good tournament to step up in. Goeido - He looked to be on cruise control this basho. Not sure what happened but he just lost a step since coming to Ozeki. Tochinoshin - May be the strongest guy in sumo now, but I don't think the lifting techniques are going to work against the higher level guys. He looked better than usual but he's gotta change up his game a bit and learn to beat the big dogs. Osunaarashi - Looked good for most of the tournament, but I still feel he has a ways to go to move up. He's gotta stop standing up straight and get those hands on the belt. I'm excited to see him and Toch possible begin their journey to Ozekihood. Ichinojo - Looked like he got a little better on later in the game but that stalling crap is never going to get him anywhere. I still believe he is mentally weak and I'm shocked he was given so many free wins. Amuuru - He bends in and pushes inside. Simple stuff but it is effective. I get the feeling he will get owned next basho but I hope he doesn't.

Toch hasn't done good against the Ozeki's and Yokozuna's: vs Kak 1-15 vs Harumafuji 5-15 vs Hakuho 0-19 vs Kise 5-12 vs Koto 4-17 vs Teruno 0-3 vs Goeido 4-10 As much as I like him, he's not getting promoted until he starts performing better against them. Even the weakest current Ozeki, Goeido, has better records against them.

Kakuryu henka'ing his way to the title. Seriously not yokozuna like at all. You just know, and I mean know, that down the line, someone's gonna cost him a title by giving it back to him. Very disappointing. I was not a fan of Kak becoming a yokozuna from the start but was warming up since he upped his game. He's the only Yokozuna left and he still has to take shortcuts. Harumafuji doesn't do true henka's. He makes contact on the tachi-ai, then wraps around. To me a henka is when you purposely get out of the way, which is what Kakuryu did twice today. No attempt at contact, just grab the head and jump out. I don't even like Kisenosato and didn't think he deserved to win, but he deserved better than that.

I like Ichinojo and was originally a big fan but he's not getting to Yokozuna anytime soon. I don't even see him getting Ozeki at his current state. You can just tell he is Charmin soft mentally. He loses so many matches before it even starts. He doesn't use his size to his advantage, he has no burst, he seems to be weaker strength wise than most of the other wrestlers and he's not skilled technically. I think it's honestly sad to watch him and I can't believe his coach even lets him out there sometimes. He'd be in Makushita if he were of normal size. Next Yokozuna's: 1) Terunofuji. By current standards, he should be Yokozuna if he wins this one. He's already the best Ozeki. 2) Someone who isn't in the top division yet 3) Maybe a Tochinoshin or Osunaarashi if they learn to work with the belt more and get better technically.

Thought the basho was good overall. It was nice to see some people like Terunofujin,Tochiozan, Amuru, Osuna, Takekaze and others stepping up and putting out good performances. My usual overall thought on the competitors: Hakuho - Hak looked good. Not as good as he used to look but he felt in control for most of this basho. He should be able to win or get close to winning the next few with no problems. Kakuryu - He looked good but he didn't do anything to really super impress me. The Ozeki's were non-factors except Terunofuji and he didn't beat Hakuho, though he gave him a good run. I still think he is below Harumafuji and Hakuho and I really don't see him winning a title again unless Hakuho gets injured. He has improved from about two years ago, but he is always 1-2 losses or more off Hakuho. Kisenosato - He's going to get 11 wins at best and less when he's not at his best. He never looked great this time around and Terunofuji is quickly taking over his spot as the top Ozeki. It's hard to see him winning a title at this rate with Kak and Teruno improving, Hak still being Hak and hopefully Harumafuji returning soon. Terunofuji - Great basho for him. As soon as he figures out how to beat Hak/Kak, he's going to be a Yokozuna. He's just so big. Kotoshogiku - His henka was embarassing and a farce. He should be ashamed. He avoided the demotion today but it's coming. He hasn't won 10 since exactly 1 year ago. He'll go makekoshi next time around. Goeido - Terunofuji was his only real impressive win. He's really far gone from his 12 wins last year. It's hard to see him going anywhere right now. Tochiozan - Looked really good for a while there, then he fell off. He can be Ozeki and maybe even win a title if he can beat Yokozuna consistently. Even just being able to beat Kakuryu may be enough if he's lucky. Ichinojo - This was an embarassment. He's completely lost and I think he has so many people telling him what to do that he doesn't know anymore. Something's going on mentally. He was pathetic this basho and I'm just amazed how bad he has gotten. Hak needs to slap him more. Tochinoshin - He may be the strongest sumo wrestler right now, but he needs to stop relying on power if he wants to go places. As I said last basho, I wanna see him move more, work the belt and try some different techniques. He can be Ozeki or maybe even Yokozuna, but he's gotta improve. Aoiyama - He's a better Gagamaru and there's no reason he couldn't be Terunofuji if he worked on his technique. But his reliance on pushing forward is going to keep him where he is at and eventually push him down. Osunaarashi - Really good basho from him. He fought great for being injured but I think he's still stuck with Tochinoshin/Aoiyama and crew as being a big guy with not much technique. Remember, his highest ranked match was against Aoiyama. Looking forward to next time around and hoping that we get all three yokozuna's in action.

When the chairman says he will endorse Fuji's promotion its pretty much a done deal. Also several oyakata have stated that a yusho will bring him into consideration for ozeki, backtracking on their 14-1 criteria they stated earlier. I personally feel his promotion is deserved when comparing him to the current ozeki crop (No yushos & two 32 win promotions). Terunofuji definitely deserves it when you compare him to the other Ozeki and probably should be Yokozuna, since the title win plus 2nd place finish is good enough for Yok.

He's not finished by far. But he's having some problems and losing some bouts. Maybe the Hak's hegemony is close to an end, not Hak himself - I think he'll get something around 40 yusho before Intai. And he'll stop not for losing, but for lack of motivation. In 4 of his last 5 tournaments he went either 14-1 or 15-0...Definitely a problem winning matches! He should retire immediately.

I love how everyone says Hakuho is washed up when he just won 6 of the last 7 basho's. Wish I could be that washed up.

Japan really does have everything.... :-O They have tons of thems with different themes. I've been to two. They can be fun if you have the right waitress, but can also be a complete waste of money with the wrong one.

It's very much your imagination. You're really limited in your options when you are falling down...

If I had to bet on either Hakuho or Terunofuji losing, I'd go with Hakuho since Terunofuji is 3-0 against Aoiyama. If Terunofuji wins then I see like 1% less effort from Harumafuji, since Harumafuji will definitely be out of the picture. I wonder what this basho would have looked like had Kakuryu not been injured. I doubt it would have been so close since he likely would have gotten 10+ wins.

nil A question without being related to our basho. Pure theoretical nature. But can a sekiwake win in his third (ozeki-run) basho win a yusho, and as a shin-ozeki win the very next yusho too. So he would be an ozeki with two consecutive yushos. I never heard or read that that constellation would NOT lead to a yokozuna promotion. Any other thoughts on that matter? I think they'd have to give it to him if he won two yusho's in a row somehow, or else I know I'd be filing a complaint if I were him. Since standards have dropped, one yusho and one 2nd place should now be good enough as well. Hak had 2 2nd place finishes, a yusho and another 2nd place and still didn't become Yokozuna. Shows you how times have changed. Taiho had a 2nd and a title at Sekiwake but didn't get the nod until 2 tournaments later with another 2nd place.