mikawa

Very sorry to hear the news, RIP Tokitenkū-zeki

However, the biggest news from today has to be that Kawakami Dojo, aka Udo Junior Sumo Club, have FINALLY won a national team competition (3-2 in the final against Yaizu Junior Sumo Club, with the current Middle School Yokozuna, Kusano Naoya, winning the deciding bout). To appreciate what this means to them, I have copied the following extract from the featured club / dojo thread: Part 2 - One Step Short, Again... The National Club Championships (全国少年相撲選手権大会) is an annual competition, usually held in October, to decide the country's best sumo club / dojo. Each club / dojo puts out teams of 5 rikishi, with one each in Grade 3 (or lower), Grade 4 (o.l.), Grade 5 (o.l.), Grade 6 (o.l.) and middle school. It is a test of a club / dojo's overall strength and depth, as you can't win the competition with just one top-class member. Back in October 2013, 79 teams from all over Japan gathered in the Kokugikan Stadium to compete in the 10th National Club Championships. Udo Junior Sumo Club breezed through the 2 qualifying rounds, and what happened next shows how strong they were that year: Last 32: 5-0 vs Okazaki City Sumo Club (Aichi) Last 16: 4-1 vs Komatsuryu Dojo - Yoshioka (Tokyo) Quarter-finals: 4-1 vs Nakadomari Sumo Club (Aomori) Semi-finals: 4-1 vs Kashiwa Junior Sumo Club (Chiba) In the final against Tsugaru Sumo Club from Aomori, here's what should happen, based on their individual results: Honda Gotaro (本田 豪太郎) vs Hasegawa Keiji (長谷川 恵司): Honda to win, as he frequently reaches the quarter-finals of national competitions Kawazoe Fuma (川副 楓馬) vs Kosaka Yusei (古坂 裕聖): Kawazoe to win, as he was runner-up in that year's Wanpaku Tournament Hanaoka Masaki (花岡 真生) vs Narumi Shoma (鳴海 匠馬): Hanaoka to win, as he is the defending Wanpaku Yokozuna Kusano Naoya (草野 直哉) vs Koseki Takudo (小関 拓道): Koseki to win, as he is the defending Wanpaku Yokozuna Kawakami Ryuko (川上 竜虎) vs Echigoya Tomoki (越後谷 知樹): Kawakami to win, as he is the defending Middle School Yokozuna In theory, Udo Junior Sumo Club should win this match comfortably by 4-1 (as they have done throughout the tournament). However, here's what actually happened: In February 2015, at the 5th Hakuho Cup, Udo Junior Sumo Club (competing under the name Kawakami Dojo 川上道場) once again dominated their opponents on their way to the final, where they faced Nakadomari Dojo from Aomori. It should be noted that this Nakadomari team includes members from Tsugaru Sumo Club, as Tsugaru were suspended at the time due to their coach using violence during keiko. Again, here's what should happen, based on their individual results: Honda Gotaro (本田 豪太郎) vs Narita Rikido (成田 力道): Narita to win, as he is the defending Wanpaku Yokozuna Kawazoe Fuma (川副 楓馬) vs ???: Kawazoe to win, as he reached the quarter-finals in that year's Wanpaku Tournament Hanaoka Masaki (花岡 真生) vs Narumi Shoma (鳴海 匠馬): Hanaoka to win, as he is the defending Wanpaku Yokozuna Kawazoe Keita (川副 圭太) vs Koseki Takudo (小関 拓道): Kawazoe to win, as he was the middle school champion in that year's Hakuho Cup Tsuzawa Taichi (津澤 太一) vs Ishioka Mikiya (石岡 弥輝也): Ishioka to win, as he reached the semi-finals in that year's Middle School Championships In theory, Uto Junior Sumo Club should win this match by 3-2. Once again, here's what actually happened: One year later, at the 6th Hakuho Cup, Udo Junior Sumo Club (again competing under the name Kawakami Dojo 川上道場) once again dominated their opponents on their way to the final, where they faced Team Mongolia. This is what happened: Such star-studded line-ups, and yet so unlucky in finals. But now, they can finally put those memories behind them, and enjoy today's long-awaited victory. They are the best sumo club / dojo in Japan.

Comments Grade 2 - Tajima Chira (田島 千照) won last year's Hakuho Cup, so reaching the final this year shows that he is one of the best in his year group, and so his name will probably be coming up a few more times over the next few years. Grade 3 - Kodama Hayato (児玉 颯飛) is going from strength to strength, as he successfully defends his Hakuho Cup title from last year. This kid has shown what it takes to be a star of the future, and will now be the clear favourite to win this summer's Wanpaku Tournament. Watch this space. Grade 4 - A repeat of the Hakuho Cup final for the past 3 years, as once again the department of techniques, Nakanishi Kaishin (中西 海心, first photo) takes on the big kid on the block, Nishijima Yura (西島 悠来, second photo). Once again, the short but skilful Nakanishi has the advantage throughout the bout, but once again, he just couldn't finish it off, try as he may. Once again, Nishijima was eventually able to get a reversal win at the edge, to win is fourth successive Hakuho Cup. My heart goes out to Nakanishi. Grade 5 - Someone has finally been able to defeat the unstoppable Yamashita Shosuke (山下 昇介), as the final this time is contested between Kumamoto's Ote Kira (大手 希星, first photo) and Tokitsukaze Oyakata's younger son, Sakamoto Shoma (坂本 正真, second photo). Sakamoto won the first three Hakuho Cups in his year group, but his size and strength advantage hasn't been as apparent since then. Ote, on the other hand, has been getting better and better, and will be a contender this summer for the Wanpaku. Grade 6 - Aomori's Narita Rikido (成田 力道) must be very happy tonight, as he wins his first ever Hakuho Cup. This victory means that Narita has won the Wanpaku, the Primary School Championships, the Hakuho Cup, the Club Championships and the Chinju-no-Mori Tournament, at least once in his primary school days. This is a remarkable achievement, so kudos to Narita. It would be interesting to see how he develops over the next few years, as he begins to tackle the Middle School Championships this summer. Middle School - Two of the biggest names in the 3rd Year year group met in this year's final, as the tall and strong Tsuchiya Kazuya (土屋 和也, left in first photo) faced the largely built Kawabuchi Kazuma (川渕 一意, yellow kanji on red background). Kawabuchi has been unlucky in important bouts in the past, but not this time, as his wins his first national tournament.

Grade 2 Final: Tajima Chira (田島 千照) vs ?? ?? (?? ??) Grade 3 Final: Kodama Hayato (児玉 颯飛) vs ?? ?? (?? ??) Grade 4 Final: Nakanishi Kaishin (中西 海心) vs Nishijima Yura (西島 悠来) Grade 5 Final: Ote Kira (大手 希星) vs Sakamoto Shoma (坂本 正真) Grade 6 Final: ?? ?? (?? ??) vs Narita Rikido (成田 力道) Middle School Semi-Final: ?? ?? (?? ??) vs Tsuchiya Kazuya (土屋 和也) Kawabuchi Kazuma (川渕 一意) vs ?? ?? (?? ??) Middle School Final: Tsuchiya Kazuya (土屋 和也) vs Kawabuchi Kazuma (川渕 一意)

One and the same. I'm not sure whether Kinboshi Sumo Club are going to be participating in this year's Hakuho Cup. If they are, then Kanazawa Towa will be one of the contenders in the Grade 1 category.

Things to watch out for: Team Event - can Team Mongolia defend their title? Can Team Udo / Kawakami finally win a team event? Middle School - how well will Kusano Naoya, the Middle School Yokozuna, do? Grade 6 - are we going to see the Narita Rikido - Uchida Kyota matchup one last time? Will Sosorkhuu be making an impression again this year? Grade 5 - will the unstoppable Yamashita Shosuke be stopped? How well will Kanazawa Sorato do (assuming he enters)? Grade 4 - will it be last year's winner, Nishijima Yura, or the rivals from Wakayama, Nishide Daiki and Nakanishi Kaishin? Grade 3 - can Kodama Hayato win it again, or will Machiko Takuya take it this time?

Congratulations Kisenosato! It's been a long time coming, but you finally did it! Next up - Yokozuna?

That case involves Tsugaru Sumo Club, who are one of the biggest names in amateur sumo, and are 2-time national champions during the past few years. They have their own blog, which has not been updated for two and a half years now, presumably because of the case.

A former member of Udo Junior Sumo Club in fact (as are Shodai and Furukawa Haruki). Kawakami Ryuko (川上 竜虎) is a very good rikishi, probably the 3rd best that Kumamoto has produced over the past ten years or so (behind Shodai and Haruki). Aside from being Middle School Yokozuna, Kawakami has also won the Hakuho Cup, as well as the Middle School Student Championships (where he defeated the current High School Yokozuna Yamaguchi Reo (山口 怜央) in the final), all in the same year, which is the triple crown of middle school sumo. Here's two more videos of Kawakami (both left), both finals: His progress in Ozumo might go along the lines of Takakeisho (aka Sato), so Sekitori in 2 years is certainly achievable.

Since the best of rikishi awards have been going on recently, thought I'd do one for amateur sumo as well. It is meant as a brief summary of what's happened this year, and of course, all comments and opinions are welcome. Here goes...... College Rikishi of the Year As someone who won last year's All Japan Championships and following that up with this year's All Japan Student Championships, I think this should go to Nishikido's new recruit - Turbold. Not only has he always been there or there abouts in the various tournaments this year (showing remarkable consistency), his sumo has also looked very impressive. Good luck to him in Ozumo. College Club of the Year Whilst traditional powerhouses such as Nihon University and Nippon Sport Science University have continued to do very well in tournaments this year, I'm giving this to Toyo University, who have in recent years become a force to be reckoned with. They already had incredibly good rikishi in their midst (such as Murata Ryo 村田 亮, Nishino Tomonori 西野 倫理 and Shiroishi Masahito 白石 雅仁), adding the 2-time High School Yokozuna Shiroyama Seira (城山 聖羅) to their ranks have made them even stronger. Then there was the 135 kg or over competition in this tournament, where Toyo clean-sweeped the top 4. High School Rikishi of the Year Goes to Ehime's Yamaguchi Reo (山口 怜央), for winning this year's Inter-High. Yamaguchi was always a top 5 rikishi in his year group, and has gotten better and better as he progressed through middle school and high school. High School Club of the Year Whilst the strength and depth of Saitama Sakae High School is probably unmatched across the country, a strong team this year coupled with home field advantage helped Tottori Johoku High School to win Inter-High (4-1 in the final against Saitama). A great achievement by Ishiura and Ichinojo's former club. Middle School Rikishi of the Year Although Begin Japanology's Tanaka Toranosuke (田中 虎之介) came from nowhere to win this year's Middle School Student Championships, I feel that this award should go to the Middle School Yokozuna, Kusano Naoya (草野 直哉). Like Yamaguchi, he has also improved greatly since entering middle school, and nearly won the other tournament as well (where he finished runner-up). As he's from Kumamoto, I guess we can't fault him for finishing second in the team event, it's been somewhat of a curse in recent years. Grade 6 Rikishi of the Year As primary school competitions don't have mixed year groups, I'm going to have separate awards for Grade 6, Grade 5, Grade 4, and Grade 3 or lower. For this particular award, there are 2 candidates who are both deserving of the honour, and it would be unfair to prefer one over the other. As such, this award goes to both Narita Rikido (成田 力道) AND Uchida Kyota (内田 京汰). The big and powerful (and always in the spotlight) Narita Rikido reached the final of this year's Hakuho Cup and Wanpaku Tournament, and although he lost in both finals, he would go on to claim the National Club Championships as well as the Primary School Championships (in addition to the Chinju-no-mori Tournament earlier this year). Uchida Kyota on the other hand is this year's Wanpaku Yokozuna (winning an incredibly exciting and tension-filled final against Narita), and came close to winning the National Club Championships, narrowly losing to Narita's club in the semi-finals. Their rivalry has been a pleasure to watch in recent years. Grade 5 Rikishi of the Year Who else but Yamashita Shosuke (山下 昇介), winner of the "Triple Crown" of primary school sumo? In a single year, he was able to win the Hakuho Cup, the Wanpaku Tournament, as well as the National Primary School Championships. Yamashita's truly been unstoppable in 2016. Grade 4 Rikishi of the Year Belongs with Nishide Daiki (西出 大毅), this year's Primary School Yokozuna. He's been the most impressive rikishi in his year group during the past 12 months, for reasons outlined here. Grade 3 or lower Rikishi of the Year In other words, the young rikishi to most look forward to in the upcoming years, is Kodama Hayato (児玉 颯飛). Last year he qualified for the Grade 4 or lower competition at the National Primary School Championships, as a Grade 2, and repeated the feat this year, as a Grade 3. Apart from this, he also won this year's Hakuho Cup, not to mention winning the Chinju-no-mori Tournament as well. He has heart, he has skill, and he has the body to back it up. Sumo Club / Dojo of the Year Nope, this one isn't going to the winner of this year's National Club Championships (Nakadomari Dojo), as I think the spotlight has belonged to another club this year - Kinboshi Sumo Club. They may not have won any major tournaments this year (in fact, far from it), but because of Guru Nai's TV series, a lot of sumo fans have gotten to know their 6 members quite well - Kimura Kiri (木村 喜人) , Yasuda Hikaru （安田 光）, Kanazawa Riku （金澤 立空）, Kanazawa Sorato （金澤 空大）, Kanazawa Towa （金澤 永和） and Munakata Seiren (棟方 聖連). Plus, Kanazawa Sorato qualifying for this year's Wanpaku Tournament was a major achievement, so I feel that they deserve this honour.

Video - Grade 4 (or lower) Video - Grade 5 Video - Grade 6

The results of this tournament (第29回全日本小学生相撲優勝大会) are as follows. The winners are crowned Primary School Yokozuna. Results - Grade 4 (or lower) Winner: Nishide Daiki 西出 大毅 (Wakayama) Runner-up: Takei Ginji 武井 銀士 (Shizuoka) 3rd Place: Yamamoto Juzo 山本 十蔵 (Kyoto) 3rd Place: Nishijima Yura 西島 悠来 (Chiba) Results - Grade 5 Winner: Yamashita Shosuke 山下 昇介 (Kagoshima) Runner-up: Suzuki Masane 鈴木 真実 (Shizuoka) 3rd Place: Suzuki Nozomi 鈴木 希 (Shizuoka) 3rd Place: Tasaki Masami 田崎 正美 (Osaka) Results - Grade 6 Winner: Narita Rikido 成田 力道 (Aomori) Runner-up: Niishima Ibuki 新島 伊武起 (Kagoshima) 3rd Place: Miura Tomokazu 三浦 智一 (Aomori) 3rd Place: Takko Masei 田子 麻聖 (Akita) Video - Grade 4 (or lower) Final Nishide Daiki 西出 大毅 (Wakayama) vs Takei Ginji 武井 銀士 (Shizuoka): Video - Grade 5 Semi-Finals Yamashita Shosuke 山下 昇介 (Kagoshima) vs Suzuki Nozomi 鈴木 希 (Shizuoka) Suzuki Masane 鈴木 真実 (Shizuoka) vs Tasaki Masami 田崎 正美 (Osaka) Video - Grade 5 Final Yamashita Shosuke 山下 昇介 (Kagoshima) vs Suzuki Masane 鈴木 真実 (Shizuoka) Video - Grade 6 Final Niishima Ibuki 新島 伊武起 (Kagoshima) vs Narita Rikido 成田 力道 (Aomori): Comments 3-time Hakuho Cup winner Nishima Yura (西島 悠来) seems to no longer be the dominant force in his year group, as wanpaku semi-finalist NIshide Daiki (西出 大毅) took the title. His performances this year has been very impressive (knocking out 3-time Hakuho Cup finalist Nakanishi Kaishin 中西 海心 in the wanpaku qualifiers is no mean feat), so it wouldn't be surprising if he does well in next year's Hakuho Cup. Takei Ginji (武井 銀士) is a wanpaku semi-finalist, and so should be carrying on the string of strong rikishi that Shizuoka has been able to produce in recent years. Grade 5's Yamashita Shosuke (山下 昇介) has proved once again why he is the number one rikishi in his year group, by adding the Primary School title to the Wanpaku and Hakuho Cup titles that he won earlier this year (the triple crown of primary school sumo). I don't recall anyone in recent years having been able to accomplish this feat, he's unstoppable at the moment. And so, Narita Rikido (成田 力道) finally gets his wish of winning the Primary School Championships, having been a runner-up for the past 3 years. This title must have been especially satisfying for him, considering what happened at the Hakuho Cup and the Wanpaku Tournament earlier this year. Next year's Hakuho Cup is the final time that they will compete as a year group. Will we see the Narita Rikido - Uchida Kyota matchup one more time (there will most likely be a 3-year gap after that)? Here's hoping

Thanks for that info, just edited

For this tournament, Kurokawa Soichiro was runner-up in 2014 (to Mitakeumi) and 2015 (to Turbold), so 3 times so far

Will Inside Sport be doing a program on this event?

Edit: the Kanto-Sho was for Terasawa Shigeru, corrected that now

Winner: Yago Takanori (矢後 太規, Chuo University) Runner-Up: Fukai Takudo (深井 拓斗, Toyo University) 3rd Place: Arakizeki Kengo (荒木関 賢悟, Toyo University Staff) 3rd Place: Kurokawa Soichiro (黒川 宗一郎, Aisin Light Metals) Quarter-Finals: Terasawa Shigeru (寺沢 樹, Toyo University) Quarter-Finals: Murata Ryo (村田 亮, Toyo University) Quarter-Finals: Furukawa Takahiro (古川 貴博, Nihon University) Quarter-Finals: Nakade Yuma (中出 雄真, Toyo University Staff)

Based on what I can find, 37 rikishi made it to the first round

Congrats to Kakuryu for the Yusho, has he further justified his rank of Yokozuna? If Sakamoto gets promoted to Juryo next basho, will miss his 4-3s, it has certainly been a talking point :) And it's nice to see Sato doing well again, glad to have been proven wrong

(第64回 全国選抜大学・実業団相撲刈谷大会) Individual Competition Winner: Kurokawa Soichiro (黒川 宗一郎, Aisin Light Metals) Runner-up: Turbold (トゥルボルド, Nihon University) 3rd Place: Kizaki Shinnosuke (木崎 伸之助, Nihon University) 3rd Place: Kamiyama Tatsuya (神山 達哉, Aisin Seiki) Top 4: (Kurokawa Soichiro 黒川 宗一郎 ･ Turbold トゥルボルド ･ Kizaki Shinnosuke 木崎 伸之助 ･ Kamiyama Tatsuya 神山 達哉) Team Competition Winner: Nippon Sport Science University Minami Yuta (南 友太) ･ Miwa Hayato (三輪 隼斗) ･ Muramatsu Yusuke (村松 裕介) ･ Nishizawa Motoyasu (西澤 元康) Runner-up: Toyo University Staff Arakizeki Kengo (荒木関 賢悟) ･ Haga Shoma (芳賀 翔真) ･ Nakade Yuma (中出 雄真) 3rd Place: Toyo University Shiroishi Masahito (白石 雅仁) ･ Murata Ryo (村田 亮) ･ Shiroyama Seira (城山 聖羅) ･ Nakajima ??? (中島 ???) 3rd Place: Kindai University Motobayashi Kenji (元林 健治) ･ Yoshi Kazuma (吉 数馬) ･ Nakamura Soki (中村 壮希) ･ Watanabe Ryo (渡辺 亮) Footage from the tournament Quarter-finals: Hashimoto Yukikazu (橋本 幸一, Kyushu Institute of Info Sciences ) vs Kizaki Shinnosuke (木崎 伸之助, Nihon University) Osanai Riki (小山内 力樹, Nihon University) vs Kurokawa Soichiro (黒川 宗一郎, Aisin Light Metals) Turbold (トゥルボルド, Nihon University) vs Minami Yuta (南 友太, Nippon Sport Science University) Takita Shin (滝田 真, Mie Prefecture) vs Kamiyama Tatsuya (神山 達哉, Aisin Seiki) Semi-finals: Kizaki Shinnosuke (木崎 伸之助, Nihon University) vs Kurokawa Soichiro (黒川 宗一郎, Aisin Light Metals) Turbold (トゥルボルド, Nihon University) vs Kamiyama Tatsuya (神山 達哉, Aisin Seiki) Final: Kurokawa Soichiro (黒川 宗一郎, Aisin Light Metals) vs Turbold (トゥルボルド, Nihon University) Comments Two familiar faces clashed in the individual final, as last year's Amateur Yokozuna Turbold faced off against the 2-time finalist Kurokawa Soichiro, with the latter having graduated from university earlier this year, and having chosen to find employment rather than pursuing a career in Ozumo. Kurokawa gets the upper hand this time, though he would probably have preferred to win the final of last year's All Japan Sumo Championships instead. Turbold, on the other hand, remains as strong as ever, and looks to be the favourite for this year's college and amateur titles. In the team competition, traditional powerhouse Nippon Sport Science University followed up their team triumph at last month's Towada Tournament by winning the Kariya Tournament as well. Their arch-rivals Nihon University however suffered a shock 3-0 loss in the quarter-finals against Toyo University Staff, who have done a great job in recent years in coaching their club members. Shiroishi Masahito, Murata Ryo and Shiroyama Seira are all names to watch out for in the college sumo scene.

And congrats to Hakuho for his 1000th career win today, a remarkable achievement!

Goeido's been steady so far, as is Shodai, which is nice to see. Sakamoto's now at 1-1, could he be on for another 4-3 finish? Akiseyama's at 0-2 now in mid-Makushita, just 4 bashos after his Makuuchi debut. How the "INSERT ADJ" has fallen......

Congrats to Turbold, he's arguably been the best college rikishi this year. Looking forward to see if he can defend his amateur title in a month's time. It was also nice to see Toyo University winning the team event. They've been able to assemble a talented group of rikishi in their club over the past few years, and the results are speaking for themselves.

Nce to see Onosho back up near the top of Juryo again, though Sato's probably getting a makekoshi this time around

Main Results in 2016 2016.8.6 - 61st Grading Examination Tournament Grade 3 Competition: Kogawa Yuto 小川 悠人 (3rd place) Middle School Competition: Higuchi Junya 樋口 純也 (3rd place) Team Competition: Mitaka Sumo Club A (quarter-finals) (Kogawa Yuto, Kodama Hayato, Yamashita Toma, Kono Harutaka, Higuchi Junya) Comments: Higuchi Junya initially pushed his opponent out in the semi-final (that guy from Yaizu Junior Sumo Club), but a torinaoshi was called as the Gyoji (an Ozumo rikishi) accidentally influenced the outcome of that bout. Higuchi lost in the replay. Kodama Hayato won all of his bouts in the team competition, despite being placed in the Grade 4 slot (though that was the logical thing to do). However, Kodama lost in the second round of the individual competition to his biggest rival, Komatsuryu Dojo's Mashika Takuya (益子 拓也), in a rematch of this year's Hakuho Cup final. Kodama gave away a moro-zashi during the tachi-ai, and despite a tremendous effort, couldn't turn the tables. Both of them are from the Tokyo area, so it would be interesting to see which one of them qualifies for the Wanpaku next year. 2016.10.9 - 13th National Club Championships Team Competition: Mitaka Sumo Club A (last 16) (Kogawa Yuto, Kodama Hayato, Yamashita Toma, Kono Harutaka, Higuchi Junya) Video of their last 32 match against Moriguchi Sumo Association A: 2016.10.16 - Taito Autumn Sumo Tournament Kindergarten Competition: Kodama Sosuke 児玉 想介 (runner-up) Team Competition: Mitaka Sumo Club A (quarter-finals) Comments: Sosuke's surname might look familiar, as he is actually the younger brother of Kodama Hayato. Whilst in the Kokugikan a couple of months ago, I came across Hayato and Sosuke's grandfather, who explained that Hayato started sumo after he lost a bout at one of the local wanpaku tournaments (wanting to become stronger/better), and showed me some videos on his phone of the 2 siblings training having fun at home. Hayato's already been making a name for himself in amateur sumo, and it seems that Sosuke's starting to do likewise, which is nice to see.