Kotogouryuu

I wonder which percentage of my posts are about Endo's legwork, but that was Endo's legwork at 100% today. Endo can move quick, and once he got his feet planted, he was stationary, not matter what Hokutofuji threw at him. That full power angle and depth of the position requires Endo to be healthy, but when he is, he is punching way above his weight.

Well that would explain it a bit, because to me it has always sounded like they're getting their time estimates from Doctor Who.

Well, I mean... the same as any analysis of a match or win or loss or technique or injury on this board. We like talking about sumo. And yeah, Hakuho isn't in his prime, but at least a few of us seem to agree there is something more acute causing him issues right now. I agree that he has lost muscle recently, so the injuries may be affecting his training more than he lets on.

I was about to write exactly the same thing. Something was clearly slowing down Hakuho's legwork, and threw him off his pace, which allowed Tamawashi to attack. Perhaps the same thing prevented Hakuho from planting his feet solidly yesterday.

Well, this day sure deflated the basho a bit. Awful to see Mitakeumi limp out like that.

Watching Mitakeumi's bout I was preparing to write a post about how I appreciate the nuances and various techniques in sumo, nothing pleases me like a good show of pure power. Mitakeumi just pushed Kakuryu out with authority and I enjoyed it. Then came Hakuho and showed me the true essence. Never give up, always know where you are, move fast but be precise. I love sumo.

I remember how impressed I was when Ichinojo first showed up in makuuchi. He seemed to have the ability to stop at will when pushed back. I still think it's possible he'll find a way to tap into his full potential. That said, I'm liking what I'm seeing in Ryuden. It hasn't been an easy basho for him, but I expect him to do better in the future.

Ichinojo remains a mystery. Paraphrasing a saying I've heard of one MMA fighter: He looks like that character in a video game that has totally overpowered stats but is controlled by your special needs cousin.

He's been using it through the whole basho. And he isn't forbidden to use it, it's just that it isn't seen like yokozuna-like behavior, and thus its use is strongly discouraged.

Well, that ought to give Kisenosato a bit of a confidence boost

My first thought was, once again: how do you beat someone like that? He was so fast and moved perfectly. Of course, there was the slap but still, that was pure Hakuho. Some nice chest collisions in the Ozeki matches and of course the bongo drums of the final one. Mitakeumi looking good, it's gonna be a thrill to watch him. Early days but this basho is looking gooooood.

Oh, fascinating. This would be my first rikishi who I've followed for a lengthy time changing his shikona. People referred to Harumafuji as Ama all the way to end of his career. I wonder if I'll do the same for Mitakeumi. Well, it's still just speculation. But on with the hype train!

Yutakayama has slipped under my radar but he has my attention now! I've been looking at the Mitakeumi vs Shodai matches as something we'll end up looking forward to every basho, but maybe this is the new sport defining rivalry. Yes, I know, it's yet again another bandwagon I'm on but that match was one I can easily see being referred to five years later on the board as a turning point, a good reference for the epic clashes that since followed.

Mitakeumi! I was nervous waiting for the match, many of today's bouts felt like just filling the numbers (such as 3-9). Come main event time, have to give credit to Goeido; trying to break focus of someone known to falter in later stages of bashos and then doing what he does best, going in fast. But he had already lost, Mitakeumi knew what was coming and used his power to withstand the initial hit and escorted Goeido out nice and clean. I'll bet he ran that match through in his head a hundred times in advance and it went like he had visioned it.

It is a curious thing. People were so up on him being the next ozeki, and now Mitakeumi has totally overshadowed him. Personally, I always saw more potential in Mitakeumi, so this basho is at very interesting state for me. But as for Shodai... maybe it's something in his training, like he's not preparing for his opponents properly. He doesn't seem to be carrying major injuries, although it can be hard to tell.