mikawa

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Everything posted by mikawa

  1. Schedule The live streaming should be starting at 8:00am JST with the opening ceremony, and finishing around 10 hours later, at 6:00pm JST (after the awards ceremony). This year, 132 teams from across Japan (including 1 from Mongolia) will be taking part, with 395 wanpaku rikishi all aiming for the title of Wanpaku Yokozuna. Here are the day's schedules (times are JST): 8:00 - Opening Ceremony (Speech from the head of the Wanpaku Organizing Committee and from an NSK representative, most likely the Rijichō himself. After that, Team Goshogawara will be returning the Team Trophy, followed by a competitors' oath) 9:10 - Grade 4, Rounds 1 & 2 ( 132 -> 128 -> 64 ) 10:20 - Grade 5, Rounds 1 & 2 ( 132 -> 128 -> 64 ) 11:30 - Grade 6, Rounds 1 & 2 ( 132 -> 128 -> 64 ) 12:55 - Wanpaku Yokozuna's dohyo-iri, featuring last year's Grade 5 Yokozuna, Yamashita Shosuke (山下 昇介), followed by last year's Grade 4 Yokozuna, Fukuhara Joichiro (福原 丈一朗). 13:10 - Grade 4, Rounds 3, 4 & 5 ( 64 -> 32 -> 16 -> 8) 14:10 - Grade 5, Rounds 3, 4 & 5 ( 64 -> 32 -> 16 -> 8) 15:10 - Grade 6, Rounds 3, 4 & 5 ( 64 -> 32 -> 16 -> 8) 16:10 - Grade 4, 5 & 6 Quarter-finals Grade 4, 5 & 6 Semi-finals Grade 4, 5 & 6 Final 16:45 - Wanpaku Yumitori-shiki 17:00 - Awards Ceremony for Wanpaku Yokozuna / Ozeki (runner-up) / Sekiwake (last 4) / Komusubi (last 8), and for the best finishing teams. Which of those kids will make it in Ozumo after they grow up is anyone's guess, but it will certainly be an exciting tournament, with bouts quickly flowing from one to the next. Expect tears, fist-pumps, a lot of nerves, and shouts of encouragement coming from the stands. We will be going through the contenders for each year group here over the next couple of days, and who and what to watch out for on the day. Note - rikishi photos have now been added to last year's award winners.
  2. mikawa

    Basho Talk - Nagoya 2017 (SPOILERS)

    Congrats Hakuho, 1048 wins is just incredible, as will be his 39th Yusho coming up
  3. mikawa

    Kinboshi Sumo Club

    Following Kotoshogiku's heroics at this year's Hatsu Basho and getting the first Japanese Yusho in 10 years, a TV show called Guru Nai (ぐるナイ) decided to take this opportunity to create a series of special programs about sumo. Their aim? To find some talented kids from Aomori, and try and nurture them into "the next Japanese Yokozuna". To achieve this, they recruited some kids and formed their own sumo club - Kinboshi Sumo Club. Then, they would learn the basics of sumo, participate in this year's Hakuho Cup, train some more, and then try to quality for this year's Wanpaku Tournament. Their coach is none other than Hanada Masaru (moto-Wakanohana III), the last Japanese Yokozuna. The club has managed to attract 5 members, and there are some very interesting characters in there. First of all, we have the club's captain, Kimura Kiri (木村 喜人). He has the biggest body in his entire year group, but has no prior sporting experience: And then, we have Yasuda Hikaru (安田 光), the so-called Champion of Motivation (やる気 チャンピオン). He has had swimming lessons before this, and is the club's celebrity: Next up, we have the 3 Kanazawa brothers, with the eldest being Kanazawa Riku (金澤 立空). He is a long-time member of a wrestling club, and has qualified (once) for the National Wrestling Championships: Second oldest is the club's ace, Kanazawa Sorato (金澤 空大). He has won the All Japan Wrestling Championships no less than 4 times, back to back: Youngest of the 3 is the club's mascot, Kanazawa Towa (金澤 永和). He has twice won the North Japan Wrestling Championships, and is best known for defeating Mahato (Hakuho's son):
  4. mikawa

    Kinboshi Sumo Club

    I think Kinboshi Sumo Club was intended as a 180-day project to see if they are able to produce members who can take on the Wanpaku Tournament, documenting their highs and lows along the way. I couldn't find any videos about the club since Sorato's apprearance at the Wanpaku finals last year, so presumably the show had ended, with at least some of their members joining a local sumo club to continue to practise sumo. The Kanazawa brothers joined Kashiwa Junior Sumo Club, who are a big name at the amateur level.
  5. mikawa

    Kinboshi Sumo Club

    The draw sheet for this year's Wanpaku Tournament was published today. There are some very interesting bouts (or potential bouts) early on in the tournament, but a particular part of the draw certainly caught my attention: #55 in the Grade 6 competition goes by the name of Munakata Seiren (棟方 聖連). #57 in the Grade 6 competition goes by the name of Kanazawa Sorato (金澤 空大). Which means that not only have both of them continued doing sumo even after the program had ended, we could potentially be looking at a Munakata vs Kanazawa bout in the second round (third round in the tournament). That really would be Kinboshi Sumo Club's ultimate achievement.
  6. 第7回全日本大学選抜相撲金沢大会 Individual Competition Winner - Terasawa Itsuki (寺沢 樹, Toyo University) Runner-Up - Furukawa Haruki (古川 晴貴, Nihon University) Semi-Finals - Shiroishi Masahito (白石 雅仁, Toyo University) Semi-Finals - Shiroyama Seira (城山 聖羅, Toyo University) Team Competition Winner - Toyo University Nishino Tomonori (西野 倫理) ・ Terasawa Itsuki (寺沢 樹) ・ Shiroyama Seira (城山 聖羅) ・ Fukai Takuto (深井 拓斗) ・ Shiroishi Masahito (白石 雅仁) Runner-Up - Takushoku University Suguro Ibuki (勝呂 歩紀) ・ Kurokawa Kojiro (黒川 宏次朗) ・ Shimura Yuto (志村 雄斗) ・ Terasawa Riku (寺沢 陸) ・ Matsubara Yudai (松原 雄大) Semi-Finals - Nihon University Semi-Finals - Nippon Sport Science University Videos Individual Quarter-Final #1 - Shiroyama Seira (城山 聖羅, Toyo University) vs Nakajima Ryosuke (中嶋 亮介, Toyo University) Individual Quarter-Final #2 - Sugano Yota (菅野 陽太, Chuo University) vs Furukawa Haruki (古川 晴貴, Nihon University) Individual Quarter-Final #3 - Terasawa Itsuki (寺沢 樹, Toyo University) vs Kurokawa Kojiro (黒川 宏次朗, Takushoku University) Individual Quarter-Final #4 - Shiroishi Masahito (白石 雅仁, Toyo University) vs Tomisaka Hideki (冨栄 秀樹, Tokyo University of Agriculture) Individual Semi-Final #1 - Shiroyama Seira (城山 聖羅, Toyo University) vs Furukawa Haruki (古川 晴貴, Nihon University) Individual Semi-Final #2 - Terasawa Itsuki (寺沢 樹, Toyo University) vs Shiroishi Masahito (白石 雅仁, Toyo University) Individual Final - Furukawa Haruki (古川 晴貴, Nihon University) vs Terasawa Itsuki (寺沢 樹, Toyo University) Team Quarter-Final #1 - Chuo University vs Takushoku University Team Quarter-Final #2 - Meiji University vs Nippon Sport Science University Team Quarter-Final #3 - Nihon University vs Kindai University Team Quarter-Final #4 - Toyo University vs Komazawa University Team Semi-Final #1 - Takushoku University vs Nippon Sport Science University Team Semi-Final #2 - Nihon University vs Toyo University Team Final - Takushoku University vs Toyo University Comments Toyo University continued their dominance of college sumo by adding yet another team yusho to their name, this time in commanding fashion, as they 4-1'd every opponent they faced along the way. Swapping around the team positions of Shiroyama Seira and Terasawa Itsuki since the Uwajima Tournament a couple of months ago worked like a treat, as Terasawa, the individual winner, faced off against former Student Yokozuna Kurokawa Kojiro in the team final, and won. Toyo University are definitely the team to beat nowadays, just like the Golden State Warriors in the NBA. Toyo University also showed their strength and depth In the individual competition, as they bagged 3 of the top 4 spots, improving on their performance from a couple of months ago. Ten years ago, England managed to get 3 teams into the semi-finals of the Champions League, but AC Milan ended up winning. This time, Kumamoto's Furukawa Haruki couldn't quite manage that feat, but did well to reach the final. Will another Toyo rikishi win the next college tournament? Guess we shall see.
  7. mikawa

    Basho Talk - Nagoya 2017 (SPOILERS)

    As I've previously mentioned, Takakeisho's style has always been timely oshi-attacks and the occasional nage, both of which he's very good at, ever since his wanpaku days. He did his usual stuff today against Hakuho, and was holding his own. Hakuho's "come at me bro" was to lure Takakeisho into a yori-battle, and Takakeisho duly took the bait. As soon as he went in for the belt, it was always going to be Hakuho's win, and a fast win at that. I feel that he would have stood a better chance if he stayed patient and kept to his own game.
  8. mikawa

    Sumo in the World Games

    There's evidence to suggest that Ota Asano (太田 麻乃) is indeed the same person as Matsuura Asano (松浦 麻乃), who graduated from Nihon University, and is the Women's World Champion last year. She also won the 4th International Women's Sumo Sakai Tournament last year.
  9. mikawa

    Sumo in the World Games

    From what I can find...... Men's Lightweight Shibaoka Isao (柴岡 功) finished 3rd in the Lightweight competition at last year's World Championship. He graduated from Nippon Sport Science University, and currently works at Yodobashi Camera. Men's Middleweight Noguchi Kiyoyuki (野口 清之) was the winner of the Middleweight competition at the World Championships in 2014. He graduated from Nihon University, and is now a teacher at Nagasaki Prefectural Yukokan High School. Miwa Hayato (三輪 隼斗) was the winner of the Middleweight competition at the World Championships last year. He also won the 32rd College Sumo Uwajima Tournament in 2015, as well as the Open Weight Competition at the 41st College Sumo Class-by-Class Tournament last year, beating Turbold in the final by Shitatedashinage. Can't find where he's gone to since graduation. Men's Heavyweight Kurokawa Soichiro (黒川 宗一郎), the older of the Kurokawa siblings, finished 3rd in the Open Weight Competition at last year's World Championships. He graduated from Takushoku University, and currently works at Aisin Light Metals, winning the 64th All Japan College & Corporate Sumo Kariya Tournament last year. However, he has been unlucky in the All Japan Sumo Championships, being a runner-up twice (in 2014 and 2015, losing to Mitakeumi and Turbold respectively), and finished 3rd last year. Kurokawa Kojiro (黒川 宏次朗), the younger of the Kurokawa siblings, finished runner-up in the Heavyweight Competition at last year's World Championships. He's currently a 4th year student at Takushoku University, and came 3rd at the All Japan Sumo Championships in 2015 (losing to his brother in the semi-final). He's also the Student Yokozuna in 2015. Women's Lightweight Okutomi Yuka (奥富 夕夏) is currently a 1st year at Nihon University. She won the Lightweight Competition at the 21st All Japan Women's Sumo Championships last year, and came 3rd at the 5th International Women's Sumo Sakai Tournament in April this year. She also won the Middle School Middleweight Competition at the 17th All Japan Women's Sumo Championships back in 2013. Women's Middleweight Ota Asano (太田 麻乃) came 3rd at the Adult Middleweight Competition at the 3rd Women's Sumo Himeji Tournament last month, as well as 3rd at the 5th International Women's Sumo Sakai Tournament in April this year. She currently works at the Numazu City Council in Shizuoka. Mizunuma Hikaru (水沼 ひかる) won the Middleweight Competition at the 5th International Women's Sumo Sakai Tournament in April this year. She's currently a 3rd year student at Tsushima High School in Ehime Prefecture. Women's Heavyweight Ueta Yuka (上田 幸佳) graduated from Nihon University. She won the Open Weight Competition at the World Championships back in 2012.
  10. mikawa

    Basho Talk - Nagoya 2017 (SPOILERS)

    A very nice day for the up-and-comers, though one thing still puzzles me. Takakeisho's style seems to always have been to stay off the belt and use oshi-attacks at opportune moments. Is that difficult to counter, considering that he's already this high up?
  11. mikawa

    Tom Brady trains with Goueidou

    Sumo Ringer TB12, guess that's another "ring" for him then?
  12. mikawa

    2017 East Japan University Championship

    So Toyo win another tournament then? Nice to see the Furukawa twins still doing well
  13. 第57回全国大学選抜相撲宇佐大会 Individual Competition Winner - Terasawa Shigeru (寺沢 樹, Toyo University) Runner-Up - Kizaki Shinnosuke (木﨑 伸之助, Nihon University) Semi-Finals - Kurokawa Kojiro (黒川 宏次朗, Takushoku University) Semi-Finals - Shiroyama Seira (城山 聖羅, Toyo University) Quarter-Finals - Furukawa Haruki (古川 晴貴, Nihon University) Quarter-Finals - Watanabe Ryo (渡辺 亮, Kindai University) Quarter-Finals - Tanioka Iori (谷岡 伊織, Kindai University) Quarter-Finals - Katamura Keiya (片村 敬也, Nihon University) Team Competition Winner - Nihon University Furukawa Haruki (古川 晴貴) ・ Nakajima Nozomi (中島 望) ・ Katamura Keiya (片村 敬也) ・ Kizaki Shinnosuke (木﨑 伸之助) ・ Furukawa Takahiro (古川 貴博) Runner-Up - Toyo University Shiroyama Seira (城山 聖羅) ・ Fukai Takuto (深井 拓斗) ・ Nishino Tomonori (西野 倫理) ・ Shiroishi Masahito (白石 雅仁) ・ Terasawa Shigeru (寺沢 樹) Semi-Finals - Tokyo University of Agriculture Semi-Finals - Kindai University Videos Individual Quarter-Final #1 - Shiroyama Seira (城山 聖羅, Toyo University) vs Furukawa Haruki (古川 晴貴, Nihon University) Individual Quarter-Final #2 - Watanabe Ryo (渡辺 亮, Kindai University) vs Terasawa Shigeru (寺沢 樹, Toyo University) Individual Quarter-Final #3 - Tanioka Iori (谷岡 伊織, Kindai University) vs Kurokawa Kojiro (黒川 宏次朗, Takushoku University) Individual Quarter-Final #4 - Katamura Keiya (片村 敬也, Nihon University) vs Kizaki Shinnosuke (木﨑 伸之助, Nihon University) Individual Semi-Final #1 - Shiroyama Seira (城山 聖羅, Toyo University) vs Terasawa Shigeru (寺沢 樹, Toyo University) Individual Semi-Final #2 - Kurokawa Kojiro (黒川 宏次朗, Takushoku University) vs Kizaki Shinnosuke (木﨑 伸之助, Nihon University) Individual 3rd-Place Playoff - Shiroyama Seira (城山 聖羅, Toyo University) vs Kurokawa Kojiro (黒川 宏次朗, Takushoku University) Individual Final - Terasawa Shigeru (寺沢 樹, Toyo University) vs Kizaki Shinnosuke (木﨑 伸之助, Nihon University) Team Final - Toyo University vs Nihon University Comments Toyo University continued their strong performance by claiming the individual title in this tournament as well, thanks to Terasawa Shigeru, with the impressive Shiroyama Seira reaching the semi-finals. Nihon University's Kizaki Shinnosuke must keep on gambarizing, as he reached a second consecutive final, only to lose to a Toyo opponent both times. Third time lucky perhaps? However, Toyo University couldn't quite win a second consecutive team title, as they went down 3-2 against Nihon University. Their 2 individual winners, Shiroishi Masahito and Terasawa Itsuki, both won their bouts in the team final, but Nishino Tomonori lost his bout for the second team final in a row. Ultimately, the final was decided by the opening bout of the match, as 4th year veteran Furukawa Haruki (or as some may know him, "Haru the Dark Horse") was able to overcome the 2-time high school yokozuna and college rising star Shiroyama Seira.
  14. 第101回全国高校相撲金沢大会 Individual Competition Winner - Hatsuyama Sho (羽出山 将), Adachi Shinden High School (Tokyo) Runner-Up - Imazeki Shunsuke (今関 俊介), Adachi Shinden High School (Tokyo) Semi-Finals - Hoshiba Shinsuke (干場 伸介), Kanazawashiritsu Technical High School (Ishikawa) Semi-Finals - Kanzaki Taiga (神﨑 大河), Kindai High School (Osaka) Quarter-Finals - Naya Konosuke (納谷 幸之介), Saitama Sakae High School (Saitama) Quarter-Finals - Byamba (ビャンバスレン), Nippon Sport Science University Kashiwa High School (Chiba) Quarter-Finals - Ida Shota (井田 翔太), Minoshima High School (Wakayama) Quarter-Finals - Okada Naoya (岡田 尚也), Kanazawashiritsu Technical High School (Ishikawa) Team Competition Winner - Saitama Sakae High School (Saitama) Runner-Up - Adachi Shinden High School (Tokyo) Semi-Finals - Mukainooka Technical High School (Kanagawa) Semi-Finals - Nippon Sport Science University Kashiwa High School (Chiba) Quarter-Finals - Sambongi Agriculture High School (Aomori) Quarter-Finals - Kindai High School (Osaka) Quarter-Finals - Buntoku High School (Kumamoto) Quarter-Finals - Nomura High School (Ehime) Videos Individual Quarter-Final #1 - Imazeki Shunsuke (今関 俊介) vs Naya Konosuke (納谷 幸之介) Individual Quarter-Final #2 - Hoshiba Shinsuke (干場 伸介) vs Byamba (ビャンバスレン) Individual Quarter-Final #3 - Kanzaki Taiga (神﨑 大河) vs Ida Shota (井田 翔太) Individual Quarter-Final #4 - Hatsuyama Sho (羽出山 将) vs Okada Naoya (岡田 尚也) Individual Semi-Final #1 - Imazeki Shunsuke (今関 俊介) vs Hoshiba Shinsuke (干場 伸介) Individual Semi-Final #2 - Kanzaki Taiga (神﨑 大河) vs Hatsuyama Sho (羽出山 将) Individual Final - Imazeki Shunsuke (今関 俊介) vs Hatsuyama Sho (羽出山 将) Team Quarter-Final #1 - Sambongi Agriculture High School (Aomori) vs Adachi Shinden High School (Tokyo) Team Quarter-Final #2 - Mukainooka Technical High School (Kanagawa) vs Kindai High School (Osaka) Team Quarter-Final #3 - Buntoku High School (Kumamoto) vs Saitama Sakae High School (Saitama) Team Quarter-Final #4 - Nomura High School (Ehime) vs Nippon Sport Science University Kashiwa High School (Chiba) Team Semi-Final #1 - Adachi Shinden High School (Tokyo) vs Mukainooka Technical High School (Kanagawa) Team Semi-Final #2 - Saitama Sakae High School (Saitama) vs Nippon Sport Science University Kashiwa High School (Chiba) Team Final - Adachi Shinden High School (Tokyo) vs Saitama Sakae High School (Saitama) Comments This was a highly successful tournament for Adachi Shinden High School, as team-mates Hatsuyama Sho and Imazeki Shunsuke met in the final. Hatsuyama Sho, who is an ex-member of Tachikawa Renseikan Sumo Dojo, clearly understood the judo principle of using the opponent's strength and movement against him, as he swiftly dodges Imazeki Shunsuke's attack, sending his thin but strong and muscly club-mate flying off the dohyo. This capped a very good month for Tachikawa Renseikan Sumo Dojo, as Hokutofuji, who is also an ex-member, achieved 10 wins in the recent Natsu Basho (though it was also the month where Hirano Shurato failed to qualify for this year's wanpaku finals). The runner-up Imazeki Shunsuke (whose forename I think was pronounced differently in the videos) is actually a well-known rikishi in amateur sumo. having been a key member of Bunkyo Harigaya Sumo Club's team when they won the 7th National Club Championships back in 2010, an amazing feat considering the club haven't done much since. He has also appeared in this TV show, where he gave Fujiazuma a run for his money. Imazeki reminds me of Komatsuryu Dojo's Yoshioka Yudai, who also shouldn't be underestimated for his size. Adachi Shinden High School also had a very good showing in the team competition, but it was familiar winners this time too, as Saitama Sakae High School proved to be too strong, comfortably winning 3-0. In the team final, Saitama's Naya Konosuke was able to keep Imazeki away from his belt, which contributed greatly to Naya's win. In contrast, Naya wasn't able to do so in the individual quarter-final, and the result shows.
  15. mikawa

    BASHO TALK -- Natsu 2017 -- SPOILERS

    Takayasu's looking good at the moment, so's Yoshikaze, but Kakuryu?
  16. One and the same, looks like Shigeru should be the correct pronunciation of his name, corrected that now, thanks
  17. 第34回全日本大学選抜相撲宇和島大会 Individual Competition Winner - Shiroishi Masahito (白石 雅仁, Toyo University) Runner-Up - Kizaki Shinnosuke (木﨑 伸之助, Nihon University) Semi-Finals - Terasawa Itsuki (寺沢 樹, Toyo University) Semi-Finals - Sato Takashi (佐藤 崇, Nippon Sport Science University) Team Competition Winner - Toyo University Nishino Tomonori (西野 倫理) ・ Shiroyama Seira (城山 聖羅) ・Terasawa Itsuki (寺沢 樹) ・ Fukai Takuto (深井 拓斗) ・ Shiroishi Masahito (白石 雅仁) Runner-Up - Kindai University Tanioka Iori (谷岡 伊織) ・ Yamaguchi Reo (山口 怜央) ・ Watanabe Ryo (渡辺 亮) ・ Nakai Shun (中井 駿) ・ Higo Yuta (肥後 勇太) Semi-Finals - Nihon University Semi-Finals - Nippon Sport Science University Videos Individual Semi-Final #1 - Sato Takashi (佐藤 崇, Nippon Sport Science University) vs Shiroishi Masahito (白石 雅仁, Toyo University) Individual Semi-Final #2 - Terasawa Itsuki (寺沢 樹, Toyo University) vs Kizaki Shinnosuke (木﨑 伸之助, Nihon University) Individual 3rd-Place Playoff - Sato Takashi (佐藤 崇, Nippon Sport Science University) vs Terasawa Itsuki (寺沢 樹, Toyo University) Individual Final - Shiroishi Masahito (白石 雅仁, Toyo University) vs Kizaki Shinnosuke (木﨑 伸之助, Nihon University) Team Semi-Final #1 - Nihon University vs Kindai University Team Semi-Final #2 - Nippon Sport Science University vs Toyo University Team 3rd-Place Playoff - Nihon University vs Nippon Sport Science University Team Final - Kindai University vs Toyo University Comments Despite two of their key members from last year, Murata Ryo (村田 亮) and Onami Atsu (大波 渥), deciding to turn pro this basho, Toyo University still boasts one of the strongest teams in the country, as they easily swept aside Kindai University in the team final. Not only that, they've even managed to claim the individual title as well, along with a semi-finalist to boot. And this is not to mention that Shiroishi Masahito and Shiroyama Seira are two of the best rikishi currently in the college sumo scene. We'll be talking more about Shiroishi Masahito once I come around to writing the featured club thread on Katsushika Shiratori Sumo Club. It remains to be seen how strong Nihon University and Nippon Sport Science University, 2 of the traditional powerhouses, will be this year, now that Turbold and Minami Yuta have joined Ozumo. Yago Takanori, the other Makushita Tsukedashi's team, Chuo University, reached the quarter-finals at this tournament, losing to Kindai University.
  18. Toyo University are probably the strongest college team in Japan at the moment, closely followed by Nihon University, Kindai University, Nippon Sport Science University and Chuo University
  19. The series may or may not have ended following Sorato's appearance at the wanpaku tournament, would need to check through Guru Nai's shows to confirm
  20. I usually go by the pronunciation provided by the wanpaku tournament's draw sheet, which shows はるか as his furigana. They might be wrong though
  21. 第68回全国高校選抜相撲高知大会 Individual Competition Winner - Naya Konosuke (納谷 幸之介), Saitama Sakae High School (Saitama) Runner-Up - Takahashi Yuta (高橋 優太), Kaiyo High School (Niigata) Semi-Finals - Tanaka Kaito (田中 界渡), Nihon University Tohoku High School (Fukushima) Semi-Finals - Okada Naoya (岡田 尚也), Kanazawashiritsu Technical High School (Ishikawa) Quarter-Finals - Kasai Towa (葛西 永遠), Goshogawaranorin High School (Aomori) Quarter-Finals - Kawazoe Keita (川副 圭太), Buntoku High School (Kumamoto) Quarter-Finals - Sumigi Genta (住木 厳太), Nomura High School (Ehime) Quarter-Finals - Daito Koki (大塔 昂貴), Meitoku Gijuku High School (Kochi) Team Competition Winner - Saitama Sakae High School (Saitama) Runner-Up - Kaiyo High School (Niigata) Semi-Finals - Adachi Shinden High School (Tokyo) Semi-Finals - Kanazawa Gakuin High School (Ishikawa) Quarter-Finals - Meitoku Gijuku High School (Kochi) Quarter-Finals - Kindai High School (Osaka) Quarter-Finals - Sambongi Agriculture High School (Aomori) Quarter-Finals - Akita Hokuyo High School (Akita) Videos Individual Quarter-Final #1 - Tanaka Kaito (田中 界渡) vs Kasai Towa (葛西 永遠) Individual Quarter-Final #2 - Naya Konosuke (納谷 幸之介) vs Kawazoe Keita (川副 圭太) Individual Quarter-Final #3 - Takahashi Yuta (高橋 優太) vs Sumigi Genta (住木 厳太) Individual Quarter-Final #4 - Daito Koki (大塔 昂貴) vs Okada Naoya (岡田 尚也) Individual Semi-Final #1 - Tanaka Kaito (田中 界渡) vs Naya Konosuke (納谷 幸之介) Individual Semi-Final #2 - Takahashi Yuta (高橋 優太) vs Okada Naoya (岡田 尚也) Individual Final - Naya Konosuke (納谷 幸之介) vs Takahashi Yuta (高橋 優太) Team Quarter-Final #1 - Meitoku Gijuku High School (Kochi) vs Adachi Shinden High School (Tokyo) Team Quarter-Final #2 - Kindai High School (Osaka) vs Saitama Sakae High School (Saitama) Team Quarter-Final #3 - Kaiyo High School (Niigata) vs Sambongi Agriculture High School (Aomori) Team Quarter-Final #4 - Akita Hokuyo High School (Akita) vs Kanazawa Gakuin High School (Ishikawa) Team Semi-Final #1 - Adachi Shinden High School (Tokyo) vs Saitama Sakae High School (Saitama) Team Semi-Final #2 - Kaiyo High School (Niigata) vs Kanazawa Gakuin High School (Ishikawa) Team Final - Saitama Sakae High School (Saitama) vs Kaiyo High School (Niigata) Comments The individual competition in this tournament features the same year group as the Hirosaki Tournament a month or so ago, who are high school 2nd years going onto their 3rd and final year. A major characteristic about this year group is that it is incredibly open, pretty much anyone can win on the day. There's never been any standout rikishis amongst them, and the winners have almost always been different each time. This time around, it was Naya Konosuke (納谷 幸之介) who came out on top, he's the most talented grandson of the late Yokozuna Taiho. The always strong Saitama Sakae High School added their third successive Kochi Tournament triumph (and ninth overall) to their impressive record by comfortably overcoming Kaiyo High School, winners of the Hirosaki Tournament last month. This capped off a very successful Kochi Tournament for them, as Naya Konosuke, who is one of their club-members, came away with the individual title.
  22. mikawa

    Basho Talk ** Haru Basho 2017 ** (SPOILERS)

    Congrats Kise, that was an incredible Yusho!
  23. mikawa

    Basho Talk ** Haru Basho 2017 ** (SPOILERS)

    3 wins out of 4 is that much harder now for Kotoshogiku, he may still make it. Kise's still looking good, though pity we won't be having a zensho playoff now between him and Takayasu. Takagenji's got his kachikoshi today, on his way to replacing Takakeisho as the youngest sekitori?
  24. mikawa

    Basho Talk ** Haru Basho 2017 ** (SPOILERS)

    New Yokozuna Kise seems to be growing into the rank as each day goes by. Checking his results, he's only had two 8-0 starts as an Ozeki prior to last year, but four 8-0s since then. It would be nice if he's able to go on to win the Yusho this time as well, guess we'll see. Meisei's looking good atm down in Makushita, back in Juryo for May?
  25. A Japanese TV program called Asa-chan (あさチャン!) made a short documentary featuring Mitaka Sumo Club's Kodama Hayato (児玉 颯飛), their 2-time Hakuho Cup winner. This is a kid whose size, strength and skill are all well built for sumo, and has the drive and determination necessary to succeed. To quote myself from last year - "We could be seeing a star of the future being born with this kid. Originally from Aomori (more specifically, the place where Onosho, Shinpo Kyoya and Narita Rikido grew up), he started learning sumo at the Mitaka Sumo Club in Tokyo about 2 years ago. Kodama Hayato has since then won a number of different tournaments, including the Grade 2 competition at this year's Hakuho Cup. Perhaps even more impressively, last year he qualified for the finals of the Grade 4 or lower competition at the National Primary School Championships, whilst in Grade 2! That's only happened twice before, ever. He will be aiming to qualify for (and perhaps win) the Wanpaku Tournament next year." His clip is from 1:54:45: