mikawa

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Everything posted by mikawa

  1. Considering his record in the last few days though......
  2. Yet Harumafuji & Kakuryu have both been able to win a Yusho. In fact Harumafuji did it twice in a row to get his promotion. If Kisenosato is truly worthy of promotion, then he can win one himself. If Kisenosato does get promoted with a Yusho, it would certainly be a lot lot less controversial than without
  3. mikawa

    The Wall 2016 Edition

    Sakamoto's being 4-3ing his way up Makushita since his tsukedashi, and looks likely to continue that trend. Wonder how long it would take him to reach Juryo this way?
  4. Incidentally, rikishi #8 in the Grade 6 competition is from Kashihara City in Nara, and goes by the name of Yasuda Hikaru (安田 光). Yup, that's the SAME name and also the SAME year group as Kinboshi Sumo Club's Yasuda Hikaru (安田 光), except that Kinboshi Sumo Club's Hikaru is from Aomori. This really is a small world.....
  5. Part 4 - The Contenders (Grade 6) For those in Grade 6, this is their last chance to win the Wanpaku Tournament. Here are some names to watch out for in the Grade 6 competition (as before, the numbers represent their order of appearance): #4 Narita Rikido (成田 力道) As one of the winners of this year's Tsugaru regional qualifiers in Aomori, Narita Rikido is the 2-time and defending Wanpaku Yokozuna, and also came second in last year's Primary School Championships and second again in this year's Hakuho Cup. He is the favourite for his year group, though not by much, as rikishi #79 is the 2-time and defending Primary School Yokozuna (as well as multiple Hakuho Cup champion), while rikishi #113 is the defending Hakuho Cup champion (whom Narita Rikido lost to in the Hakuho Cup final earlier this year). This year, Narita Rikido should at least reach the final with his tsuppari style of sumo. #16 Komiyama Toa (小宮山 翔海) As one of the winners of this year's Tokyo prefectural qualifiers, the (relatively) small but incredibly skilful Komiyama Toa reached the last 16 during both of his previous appearances at the Wanpaku Tournament, where he lost to an eventual quarter-finalist both times (rikishis #59 and #83). This year, he should reach the last 16, where he should be facing the 2-time defending champion, Narita Rikido. #35 Miura Tomokazu (三浦 智一) As one of the runners-up of this year's Tsugaru regional qualifiers in Aomori, Miura Tomokazu reached the last 32 in Grade 4 and quarter-finals in Grade 5, losing to rikishi #79 both times. He is also a regular in the latter stages of other national tournaments, and should at least reach the quarter-finals this year, with Saitama's Furuhata Haruki (古畑 遼樹) likely to be his opponent in the last 16. #54 Shinozaki Sota (篠崎 颯太) As one of the winners of this year's Ibaraki prefectural qualifiers, Shinozaki Sota reached the last 64 in Grade 4 and last 16 in Grade 5, losing to rikishi #116 and Aomori's Miura Tomokazu respectively. This year, he should be able to reach the last 16, where he should be facing 1 of rikishis #57, #59 and #64, all of whom are very tough opposition. #57 Yoda Shigeki (依田 蒼基) As one of the winners of this year's Zama City qualifiers in Kanagawa, Yoda Shigeki certainly had the force with him when he reached the last 32 in Grade 4 and last 16 in Grade 5 (defeating, and injuring, rikishi #116 in a very exciting gappuri yotsu first bout), but that wasn't enough as he lost to Narita Rikido and rikishi #59 respectively. This year, he should win his first bout comfortably, but after that, he should be having a re-match against a very tough opposition in rikishi #59, who is a 2-time Wanpaku quarter-finalist (and reaching multiple other quarter-finals as well). #59 Honda Gotaro (本田 豪太郎) As one of the winners of this year's Uki City qualifiers in Kumamoto, Udo Junior Sumo Club's Honda Gotaro reached the quarter-finals in both Grade 4 and Grade 5, where he lost to rikishi #79 and Tokyo's (and Komatsuryu Dojo's) Nishikawa Mirai (西川 宙生) respectively. This year, Honda Gotaro might be able to reach the quarter-finals again, but to do that, he would need to find a way to win against Yoda Shigeki (in the last 64), rikishi #64 (in the last 32) and Shinozaki Sota (in the last 16). All 3 are tough opponents. #64 Sugawara Haruka (菅原 悠翔) As one of the 3rd place finishers at this year's Shizuoka prefectural qualifiers, the highly excitable Sugawara Haruka rounds off the "block" of death, as any one of 4 rikishi in this section of the draw are good enough to reach the quarter-finals. He reached the final in Grade 4 and semi-finals in Grade 5, losing to Narita Rikido and Tokyo's (and Komatsuryu Dojo's) Nishikawa Mirai (西川 宙生) respectively. You may be wondering how someone as good as him could only finish 3rd in his prefecture? That's because statistically speaking, Aomori's Narita Rikido is the best rikishi in their year group, but the 2nd best (rikishi #79), 3rd best (rikishi #116) and 4th best (Sugawara Haruka) are ALL from Shizuoka. This year, Sugawara Haruka should be facing either Yoda Shigeki or Honda Gotaro in the last 32, and if he were to win that bout, he should be up against Shinozaki Sota in the last 16. His road to the quarter-finals is also a tough one. #79 Uchida Kyota (内田 京汰) As one of the winners of this year's Shizuoka prefectural qualifiers, Uchida Kyota is one of the favourites to win this year (alongside Narita Rikido and rikishi #113). He reached the semi-finals in both Grade 4 and Grade 5, losing to his arch-rival Narita Rikido both times. Uchida Kyota is a multiple Hakuho Cup winner, as well as the 2-time and defending Primary School Yokozuna (defeating his arch-rival Narita Rikido in the final both times). This year, I don't see anyone stopping him before the semi-finals. #83 Niishima Ibuki (新島 伊武起) As one of the winners of this year's Amami Oshima regional qualifiers in Kagoshima, Niishima Ibuki reached the quarter-finals in Grade 5 (defeating Toky's Komiyama Toa in the last 16), where he lost against the eventual winner, Aomori's Narita Rikido.This year, he should be able to at least reach the last 16, where he should be facing rikishi #91. #91 Kohara Sota (小原 颯太) As one of the winners of this year's Kawasaki city qualifiers in Kanagawa, Kohara Sota reached the last 64 in Grade 4, and last 16 in Grade 5, where he couldn't match Uchida Kyota. This year, he should be able to set up a last 16 meeting with Niishima Ibuki. #113 Sosorufu (アルタンゲレル ソソルフ) As one of the winners of this year's Mongolian qualifiers, Sosorufu is the defending Hakuho Cup champion, famously defeating Narita Rikido in the final (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTgtyjJM5C4, from 5:01). Incidentally, he is the first rikishi ever to win a national competition in this year group whose name isn't Narita Rikido or Uchida Kyota, such was their dominance over the past 5 years. This year, Sosorufu should be able to at least reach the quarter-finals, where he should be facing rikishi #116. After that, his path to the championships should be going through Uchida Kyota and then Narita Rikido. It won't be easy, but Sosorufu is the only one who's capable of beating them. #116 Mochizuki Masaya (望月 大矢) As one of the runners-up of this year's Shizuoka prefectural qualifiers, Mochizuki Masaya reached the last 16 in Grade 4, where he lost against the eventual winner, Narita Rikido; and lost in his first bout in Grade 5, against Kanagawa's Yoda Shigeki (and had to be carried off the dohyo on a stretcher). He would go on to redeem himself in last year's Primary School Championships, where he reached the semi-finals. This year, Mochizuki Masaya should be able to set up a quarter-final bout against (most likely) Mongolia's Sosorufu, though he does have a tough bout in the last 64 against (should be) Fukuda Shintaro (福田 真太郎), who reached the last 16 in both Grade 4 and Grade 5. Edit: Added rikishi #91 to the Grade 6 contenders, as his strength and technique are both good
  6. Part 3 - The Contenders (Grade 5) More information is available for those in Grade 5, who are aiming to better their results from last year's Wanpaku Tournament. Here are some names to watch out for in the Grade 5 competition (as before, the numbers represent their order of appearance): #23 Onozawa Ayato (斧澤 亜矢斗) As one of the winners of this year's Saitama prefectural qualifiers (along with his club senpai Kobayashi Arashi and club kohai Samejima Akira), Onozawa Ayato was a key member of Iruma Junior Sumo Club when they became national club champions last year (for the second time in a row). He reached the last 16 at last year's Wanpaku Tournament, where he lost to Shizuoka's Suzuki Masane (鈴木 真実). This year, he also has a potentially tricky opponent in the last 16, either rikishi #27 or rikishi #30. #27 Taniguchi Yusa (谷口 優冴) As one of the runners-up of this year's Hyogo prefectural qualifiers, Taniguchi Yusa reached the last 32 last year, where he lost to the eventual finalist, Tokyo's Sakamoto Shoma (坂本 正真). #30 Aino Shogo (相野 祥吾) As one of the winners of this year's Chiba prefectural qualifiers, Aino Shogo reached the quarter-finals last year, where he lost to Osaka's Tasaki Masami (田崎 正美). Aino Shogo has a potentially good match against Taniguchi Yusa in the last 32. #33 Nara Subaru (奈良 昴) As one of the winners of this year's Tsugaru regional qualifiers in Aomori, Nara Subaru reached the last 16 last year, where he lost to the eventual winner, Kagoshima's Yamashita Shosuke (山下 昇介). Nara Subaru appeared a few times in the documentary series on Kinboshi Sumo Club, and should reach the quarter-finalist this year, where he should be facing Yamashita Shosuke for a re-match. #53 Kanazawa Sorato (金澤 空大) As one of the runners-up of this year's Chiba prefectural qualifiers, Kanazawa Sorato (middle in photo) is a 4-time national champion in wrestling, and only started learning sumo a little over half a year ago. He is Kinboshi Sumo Club's ace, and should be good enough to reach the last 16, where he should be facing the defending Wanpaku Yokozuna, Kagoshima's Yamashita Shosuke (山下 昇介), an opponent he's faced a few times when his club visited Kumamoto. #64 Yamashita Shosuke (山下 昇介) As one of the winners of this year's Kanoya City qualifiers in Kagoshima, Yamashita Shosuke is the defending Wanpaku and Hakuho Cup champion, and also came second in last year's Primary School Championships. He is definitely the favourite for his year group, and it also helps that his biggest rival, Amami Oshima's Ichikizaki Daisuke (市来崎 大祐), failed to qualify for this year's Wanpaku Tournament. #66 Tasaki Masami (田崎 正美) As one of the winners of this year's Osaka prefectural qualifiers, Tasaki Masami reached the semi-finals last year, where he lost to the eventual finalist, Tokyo's Sakamoto Shoma (坂本 正真). He won the Grade 4 competition at the 9th National Chinju-no-mori Kids Sumo Tournament 3 months ago, and should reach the quarter-finals, where he should be facing Sakamoto Shoma for a re-match. His biggest threat before the quarter-finals is Kanagawa's Masuda Manato (増田 聖士). #82 Sakamoto Shoma (坂本 正真) As one of the runners-up of this year's Tokyo prefectural qualifiers, Sakamoto Shoma, who is the younger son of Tokitsukaze Oyakata, has always been one of the biggest names in his year group, having won multiple Hakuho Cups. However, his results over the past year haven't been as good, finishing second in last year's Wanpaku Tournament and third in the Primary School Championships. Sakamoto Shoma always goes for a morozashi grip, followed by an attempt at yorikiri, which works against most opponents, but not against Kagoshima's Yamashita Shosuke (who successfully countered with Hikiotoshi and Uwatenage). His biggest threat before the quarter-finals is rikishi #90. #90 Suzuki Nozomi (鈴木 希) As one of the runners-up of this year's Shizuoka prefectural qualifiers, Suzuki Nozomi reached the last 16 last year, where he lost to Chiba's Aino Shogo. This year, he should be facing Tokyo's Sakamoto Shoma in the last 16. #117 Suzuki Masane (鈴木 真実) As one of the winners of this year's Shizuoka prefectural qualifiers, Suzuki Masane reached the quarter-finals last year, where he lost to the eventual winner, Kagoshima's Yamashita Shosuke. This year, he should reach the last 16 at least, where he should be facing one of 2 tough opponents (rikishi #126 and rikishi #131). #126 Yamashina Hiroyasu (山科 啓容) As one of the winners of this year's Mie prefectural qualifiers, Yamashina Hiroyasu comes from a judo background, and reached the semi-finals at last year's Primary School Sumo Championships. #131 Kitayama Keigo (北山 慶悟) As one of the winners of this year's Ono City qualifiers in Fukui, Kitayama Keigo reached the quarter-finals last year, where he lost to the eventual finalist, Tokyo's Sakamoto Shoma (坂本 正真). This year, he has a potentially tricky bout in the last 64 (which should be) against Hyogo's Matsunaga Akane (松永 聖鐘), and then a tough bout in the last 16 (which should be) against Shizuoka's Suzuki Masane.
  7. Part 2 - The Contenders (Grade 4) For the kids in Grade 4, this is their first time competing at the Wanpaku National Championships. Taking into account their results in other competitions, here are some names to watch out for in the Grade 4 competition (the numbers represent their order of appearance): #7 Saito Chugo (斎藤 忠剛) As one of the winners of this year's Tokyo prefectural qualifiers, the (relatively) small but skilful Saito Chugo will be aiming to carry on the traditions of his senpai at Komatsuryu Dojo by reaching the quarter-finals of the Wanpaku Tournament, and he has a good chance of doing so. If he does get that far, his opponent in the quarter-finals is likely to be rikishi #22, who will be introduced below. #22 Hirano Shurato (平野 修良斗) As one of the winners of this year's Zama City qualifiers in Kanagawa, Hirano Shurato is one of the big names in his year group, and won the Grade 3 competition at the 9th National Chinju-no-mori Kids Sumo Tournament 3 months ago. #37 Jo Hiroki (城 皓貴) As one of the winners of this year's Osaka prefectural qualifiers, Jo Hiroki (left in photo) has always been successful at regional tournaments in Kansai, and should get a good result later this month, that is, if he wasn't scheduled to face rikishi #40 in the last 64. #40 Nishijima Yurai (西島 悠来) As one of the winners of this year's Chiba prefectural qualifiers, Nishijima Yurai (left in photo) is definitely the favourite for his year group, as he's won the Hakuho Cup 3 times in a row. It also helps that his biggest rival, Nakanishi Kaishin (中西 海心), failed to qualify for this year's Wanpaku Tournament. #114 Samejima Hikaru (鮫島 輝) As one of the winners of this year's Saitama prefectural qualifiers (along with his club senpai Onozawa Ayato and Kobayashi Arashi), Samejima Hikaru (front row, right in photo) was a key member of Iruma Junior Sumo Club when they became national club champions last year (for the second time in a row). Certainly a potential jo-i (quarter-finals or beyond).
  8. Strange moment there at 1:46, looks like Sato wasn't paying enough attention when he was walking off.
  9. mikawa

    Kisenosato ready for run at yokozuna

    At least if he gets a Yusho, then it would be remotely justifiable, but that's a big IF though......
  10. mikawa

    Kinboshi Sumo Club

    Although the next episode has not yet been published, it is confirmed that the club's ace, Kanazawa Sorato (金澤 空大), has qualified for this year's 32nd Wanpaku Tournament, which takes place at the Kokugikan Stadium on Sunday 31st July (free entry). He did so by first winning the Kashiwa City qualifiers, and then winning the Chiba prefectural qualifiers with Team Kashiwa: Sorato (middle) won 6 of his 7 bouts, which is the joint best score of anyone in his year group (Grade 5). The kid left in the photo is Nishijima Yurai (西島 悠来), he is the hot favourite to become the Grade 4 Wanpaku Yokozuna this year, as he won the Hakuho Cup in Grade 1, Grade 2 AND Grade 3. Yurai's biggest threat is Wakayama's Nakanishi Kaishin (中西 海心, from 1:50), whom he defeated in the final of all 3 Hakuho Cups:
  11. Part 3 - Names for the Future Mitaka Sumo Club's successes over the past few years can largely be attributed to their 2 star members, and here they are: Hanafusa Kai (花房 海), Middle School, 1st year Wanpaku Tournament: Semi-finals (Grade 5) Primary School Championships: Semi-finals (Grade 4) Hakuho Cup: Winner (Grade 3) National Chinju-no-mori Kids Sumo Tournament: Winner (Grade 6) Kodama Hayato (児玉 颯飛), Primary School, Grade 3 Primary School Championships: Qualified (Grade 2) Hakuho Cup: Winner (Grade 2) National Chinju-no-mori Kids Sumo Tournament: Winner (Grade 3)
  12. Part 2 - Journey to the Top The start of Mitaka Sumo Club's rise up the ranks came at the 10th Katsushika Sumo Tournament in 2012, when three of their members reached the semi-finals and beyond. First up is Kono Harutaka (河野 元隆, from 0:39) in the Grade 1 semi-finals: The others were Suenaga Hiroaki (末永裕亮) and Hanafusa Kai (花房 海), who faced each other in an all-Mitaka bout in the semi-finals of the Grade 2 competition (from 0:48). Kai would go on to face his arch-rival, Kashiwa Sumo Club's Tebakari Taiki (手計 太希, from 1:44). The two of them have contested many regional finals over the years, with the results about even: Mitaka Sumo Club had a better showing at the 11th Katsushika Sumo Tournament in 2013, where Kono Harutaka (河野 元隆, from 13:10, 15:25 and 17:09) reached the Grade 2 final, getting a shock win against Fuchu Sumiyoshi Sumo Dojo's Ando Shuri (安藤 珠璃) in the semi-finals. Ando Shuri is a Wanpaku quarter-finalist. Grade 3's Hanafusa Kai (花房 海, from 19:36, 21:24 and 22:12) went all the way this time, winning even more bouts using Tsuridashi (it's one of his specialities). That year, Mitaka Sumo Club's primary school team (from 7:54, 27:07 and 35:44) had their best showing in the competition, getting through to the semi-finals, where they faced the eventual winners, Komatsuryu Dojo. Their team consisted of Kono Harutaka (河野 元隆), Koizumi Kei (小泉 慧), Hanafusa Kai (花房 海), Ito Shogo (伊藤正悟) and Yamamoto Junya (山本 純也). Worth noting is that Kai was competing in the Grade 4 or lower slot, and so he faced opponents who were one year older than him, including Komatsuryu's Nanakaichi Koshi (七日市 康士): A week later was the 3rd Hakuho Cup, where Hanafusa Kai (花房 海) claimed Mitaka's first ever national title, by winning the Grade 3 competition (from 5:33 and 7:39). He faced Iruma Junior Sumo Club's Inome Issei (猪目 一颯) in the final, an opponent he knows very well from regional tournaments (and will meet again in a national final 2 years later, in 2015): Having won the Hakuho Cup (as well as various other regional tournaments), Hanafusa Kai (花房 海) was feeling very confident going into Grade 4, thinking that for someone as good as himself, qualifying for that year's Wanpaku Tournament would be a piece of cake. He even started practising the Yokozuna Dohyo-iri during training sessions. Not surprisingly, he breezed his way into the final of the Chofu City qualifiers, where...... he lost against Kitawaki Kyo (北脇 香), a kid with a background in wrestling. And so, he didn't even reach the Tokyo qualifiers that year. Having learned his lesson about complacency, Kai worked even harder than before, and was rewarded with a semi-final finish at that year's Primary School Championships, where he lost to the 2-time Wanpaku Yokozuna and eventual runner-up, Narita Rikido (成田 力道), who was still in Grade 3 at the time: At the same time, Endo's popularity soared with his performances in Juryo and Makuuchi, and with it, a surge in sumo's popularity occurred all over Japan. This meant that Mitaka Sumo Club suddenly attracted a lot of new members, including 2 (relatively) big kids whose names were Yamashita Toma (山下 十馬, middle row, 2nd from right) and Kodama Hayato (児玉 颯飛, middle row, 1st from left): With their addition, 2014 became another breakthrough year for Mitaka Sumo Club, as their team of Kodama Hayato (児玉 颯飛), Sakata Soma (坂田 颯真), Kono Harutaka (河野 元隆), Hanafusa Kai (花房 海) and Tanaka Toranosuke (田中 虎之介, borrowed from Sumida) 3-2'd their entire way to winning the 59th Promotional Examination Sumo Tournament, Mitaka's first ever team championships: That was a week after Hanafusa Kai (花房 海) reached the semi-finals of the 30th Wanpaku Tournament, which would prove to be his only appearance there. Kai started off strongly in his first bout (from 7:30): After that, Kai powered his way through the last 64 (from 2:35), last 32 (from 38:23) and last 16 (from 52:15): Kai faced a tougher test in the quarter-finals against Oita's Murata Daiki (村田 大起, from 23:19), and then came his semi-final against Kagoshima's Sakae Ryusei (栄 龍征, from 35:35), the Wanpaku Yokozuna that year. It was one of the best bouts in the entire tournament (alongside the Grade 5 quarter-final between Tottori's Ochiai Tetsuya 落合 哲也 and Kumamoto's Kawazoe Fuma 川副 楓馬, from 25:36), with Kai being able to nullify Ryusei's power for almost the entire bout: One year later in 2015, Mitaka Sumo Club shocked everyone by finishing second in that year's National Club Championships. Their team consisted of Kodama Hayato (児玉 颯飛), Yamashita Toma (山下 十馬), Kono Harutaka (河野 元隆), Hanafusa Kai (花房 海) and Yamamoto Junya (山本 純也). Hayato was still in Grade 2 at the time, which meant that his opponents were all one year older than him: They faced Iruma Junior Sumo Club, the defending champions, in the final. Here's what should happen, based on their individual results: Samejima Hikaru (鮫島 輝) vs Kodama Hayato (児玉 颯飛): Kodama to win, as he would go on to win the Hakuho Cup in half a year's time Onozawa Ayato (斧澤 亜矢斗) vs Yamashita Toma (山下 十馬): Onozawa to win, as he reached the last 16 at that year's Wanpaku Tournament Kobayashi Arashi (小林 嵐) vs Kono Harutaka (河野 元隆): Kobayashi to win, as he reached the last 32 at that year's Wanpaku Tournament Yoshino Issei (吉野 一颯, previously Inome Issei) vs Hanafusa Kai (花房 海): Hanafusa to win, as he's won the Hakuho Cup, beating Issei in the final Kamiyama Ryuichi (神山 龍一) vs Yamamoto Junya (山本 純也): Kamiyama to win, as he is the defending Middle School Yokozuna In theory, Iruma Junior Sumo Club should just about win this match by 3-2 (as they did in the final of the previous tournament, when they faced Fuji Wanpaku Sumo Club). And this was exactly what happened: If this incredible result wasn't enough, Mitaka Sumo Club sent further shockwaves across amateur sumo later that year, when Kodama Hayato (児玉 颯飛) 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: Since then, Hayato has gone from strength to strength, as he won the Grade 2 competition at this year's 6th Hakuho Cup, beating Komatsuryu Dojo's Mashika Takuya (益子 拓也, from 1:12) in the final: 2 months later, Mitaka Sumo Club went even better, when Kodama Hayato (児玉 颯飛) and Hanafusa Kai (花房 海) both triumphed in their respective year groups at the 9th National Chinju-no-mori Kids Sumo Tournament. It would be interesting to see how Kai develops now that he's in middle school, and Hayato is certainly one to watch out for in the next few years, when he will be aiming to qualify for (and perhaps win) the Wanpaku Tournament:
  13. mikawa

    Middle school championships

    This year Toma's school won the team title (for the first time), Toma didn't lose a single bout in the team event.He lost at the beginning of the best 32 final tournament of the individuals. http://2015zenncyuusumou.web.fc2.com/ TV still reports on the future monster (15, 184cm, 170kg), he graduated from middle school this year and decided to not yet join the pros but to go to high school. Personally I think it's the right decision for him to not enter Ozumo this year, because his techniques are not yet ready for the big leagues. It's similar to the situation with Yamamoto, just without the injury setbacks
  14. mikawa

    Banzuke Nagoya 2016

    Terunofuji's been doing well in keiko recently, but the real test is next month. Will he be able to avoid the drop?
  15. Sorry about the assumption, I'll amend this right away
  16. Part 3 - Names for the Future Uto Junior Sumo Club have produced many a talented rikishi over the years, with members seeing success at Wanpaku, Middle School, High School, College and even Ozumo. Here are some of the names to watch out for presently and in the future. Shodai Naoya (正代 直也), Ozumo Middle School Championships: Winning Team All Japan Student Sumo Championships: Winner All Japan Sumo Championships: Winner Ozumo: Maegashira 2 last basho (12 straight kachikoshi since joining Ozumo) Furukawa Haruki (古川 晴貴), Nihon University, 3rd year Wanpaku Tournament: last 16 (Grade 5), Semi-finals (Grade 6) Middle School Championships: Winner Furukawa Takahiro (古川 貴博), Nihon University, 3rd year High School Championships: Runner-up Yamatake Ryo (山嶽 涼), College, 2nd year Wanpaku Tournament: Quarter-finals (Grade 4), Quarter-finals (Grade 5), Last 32 (Grade 6) Muramoto Yusei (村元 佑成), College, 1st year Wanpaku Tournament: Runner-up (Grade 4), Last 32 (Grade 6) Kawakami Ryuko (川上 竜虎), High School, 3rd year Wanpaku Tournament: Last 32 (Grade 4), Quarter-finals (Grade 5), Qualified (Grade 6) Hakuho Cup: Winner (Middle School) Middle School Championships: Winner Kawazoe Keita (川副 圭太), High School, 2nd year (right in photo, alongside his younger brother Kawazoe Fuma) Wanpaku Tournament: Last 32 (Grade 5) Hakuho Cup: Winner (Middle School) Tsuzawa Taichi (津澤 太一), High School, 1st year Wanpaku Tournament: Last 64 (Grade 4), Last 16 (Grade 5), Semi-finals (Grade 6) Middle School Championships: Last 16 Kusano Naoya (草野 直哉), Middle School, 3rd year Wanpaku Tournament: Last 32 (Grade 4), Semi-finals (Grade 5), Quarter-finals (Grade 6) Middle School Championships: Last 32 Hanaoka Masaki (花岡 真生), Middle School, 2nd year Wanpaku Tournament: Qualified (Grade 4), Winner (Grade 5), Winner (Grade 6) Primary School Championships: Winner (Grade 4), Last 16 (Grade 5), Quarter-finals (Grade 6) Hakuho Cup: Last 16 (Grade 6) Kawazoe Fuma (川副 楓馬), Middle School, 1st year Wanpaku Tournament: Runner-up (Grade 4), Quarter-finals (Grade 5), Semi-finals (Grade 6) Primary School Championships: Winner (Grade 6) Hakuho Cup: Winner (Grade 6) Honda Gotaro (本田 豪太郎), Grade 6 Wanpaku Tournament: Quarter-finals (Grade 4), Quarter-finals (Grade 5) Hakuho Cup: Semi-finals (Grade 3) Ote Kira (大手 希星), Grade 5 Wanpaku Tournament: Qualified (Grade 4)
  17. 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. Uto 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, Uto Junior Sumo Club should win this match comfortably by 4-1 (as they have done throughout the tournament). However, here's what actually happened: From left to right: Narumi Shoma, Hasegawa Keiji, Kosaka Yusei, Koseki Takudo, Echigoya Tomoki Back Row: Hanaoka Masaki, Kusano Naoya, Kawakami Ryuko Front Row: Kawazoe Fuma, Honda Gotaro In February 2015, at the 5th Hakuho Cup, Uto 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, Uto 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.
  18. mikawa

    Tokoyama training

    From the information that I can find, there may be 2 possible reasons for the ginkgo leaf: 1) In Japanese culture, the ginkgo symbolises loyalty, as according to legend, it is willing to die for its master 2) The sacred fig tree is a sacred tree in Buddhism, and under which the Buddha himself attained divinity. In places where the sacred fig tree can't grow due to climate reasons, the ginkgo is planted instead
  19. mikawa

    Kinboshi Sumo Club

    Program #8 (2016.6.16): Road to Wanpaku - Tsugaru Qualifiers As a well-made sumo documentary once said, "Every summer, all over Japan, a strange phenomenon begins. Young boys in white loincloths assemble to participate in the Wanpaku Tournament, starting with local heats. 'Wanpaku' is Japanese for naughty boy. Each prefecture sends its winners to compete in the illustrious national finals here, at the sacred home of sumo - Kokugikan Stadium. This is the place all young sumo wannabes want to be. But first, they need to qualify". Following in the footsteps of famous rikishi such as Kotoshogiku and Wakanohana III, Yasuda Hikaru (安田 光), Munakata Seiren (棟方 聖連) and club captain Kimura Kiri (木村 喜人) aim to qualify for this year's 32nd Wanpaku Tournament, which takes place in the Kokugikan Stadium on Sunday 31st July. To do that, they have to finish in the top 2 in their regional qualifiers, which being Tsugaru, contains some of the best in the country. Hikaru is in Grade 6, so that means there are 2 top-level rikishi who stand in his way - Miura Tomokazu (三浦 智一), a Wanpaku quarter-finalist, and who else but the 2-time Wanpaku Yokozuna himself, Narita Rikido (成田 力道). Hikaru's crush, Kaho-chan (かほちゃん), is cheering him on from the sidelines. There is a repechage built into the qualifier, so everone has two chances to make it through. For Seiren and Kiri, who are in Grade 5, two Wanpaku veterans stand in their way - Koseki Ryoto (小関 諒道), younger brother of former Wanpaku Yokozuna Koseki Takudo (小関 拓道), and Nara Subaru (奈良 昴). As previously mentioned, Subaru reached the last 16 last year, where he lost to the eventual winner, Yamashita Shosuke (山下 昇介). Will any of them make it through? http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4gt42f
  20. mikawa

    Kinboshi Sumo Club

    Program #7 (2016.6.11): Preparing for Wanpaku - 100-Bouts Keiko The qualifiers all around Japan for this year's Wanpaku Tournament begin in earnest, and for Yasuda Hikaru (安田 光), Munakata Seiren (棟方 聖連) and club captain Kimura Kiri (木村 喜人), their local qualifiers in Tsugaru, Aomori are just around the corner. As all of them have to step up their sumo in order to meet the challenges ahead, coach Hanada Masaru intensifies their training by getting them to have 100 bouts with various opponents before the qualifiers. Hikaru is shown videos of Yoshikaze's bouts, and is instructed to practise charging in head-first at the tachi-ai. It takes time, but he gradually gets the hang of it, and at the same time makes up a pre-bout ritual for himself to get into the fighting spirit. He certainly has a lot more courage and determination now than ever before. Kiri, on the other hand, needs to develop a stronger mentality. As can be seen from his first few bouts in the 100-bouts keiko, Kiri is scared to face opponents who are closer to his size, and as such, always chooses the smaller kids during moshi-ai (where winner stays in). Through the encouragements of his classmates and the advises from his coaches, Kiri gradually learns to take the initiative during bouts, and instead of always shying away from a challenge, he now relishes it. As with Hikaru, Kiri has also developed a pre-bout ritual of his own. Seiren's weakness lies in his high stance at the tachi-ai, and so his father trains with him day and night to improve this. Through his 100+ bouts, Seiren also learns how to straighten his opponent's stance by forcing their arm upwards, thus making it easier to push them out. Safe to say, all 3 of them have come a long way since joining the club. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4ftq4r http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4ftq81
  21. mikawa

    Kinboshi Sumo Club

    Here's a YouTube version of the video for program #5, though it's not full screen: Or you could try this link: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4a2od4
  22. mikawa

    Kinboshi Sumo Club

    Program #6 (2016.5.19): Facing the Best - Udo Junior Sumo Club To see how brave they are, program staff get the kids to practise suri-ashi, along a haunted path, and at night. What happens next is to be expected. After that, the club travel to Udo City in central Kumamoto to face the strongest sumo club in Japan - Udo Junior Sumo Club. Their story in recent years has been one of multiple glories, and equally, missed potentials (somewhat comparable to Jimmy White in snooker and the New England Patriots in Super Bowls 42 and 46). Sumo clubs in Japan attract kids from the local and surrounding areas, and as such, their members' ages and abilities are a bit of a dice roll. For a club to produce 2-3 talented rikishi whose ages are within a few years of each other means that the club is able to put together a team strong enough to compete for the National Club Championships (as was the case with last year's finalists, Iruma Junior Sumo Club and Mitaka Sumo Club). For a club to produce a string of top-class rikishi (not just talented) who are all good enough to reach the quarter-finals and beyond at national championships, that's only happened twice in the past 10 years. The first instance was the era of Aomori's Nakadomari Sumo Club (2006 - 2009), who produced a number of top-level rikishi in succession of one another. Here's a list of said rikishi, and the year in which they first appeared at the Wanpaku Tournament (in Grade 4), along with their best result at Wanpaku: 2004: Osanai Riki (小山内 力樹), winner 2005: Shinpo Kyoya (新保 杏也), winner (twice) 2006: Utetsu Fumiya (打越 奎也), semi-finals 2007: Kikuchi Hiroshige (菊池 大史芽), winner 2008: Echigoya Tomoki (越後谷 知樹), runner-up 2009: Ishioka Mikiya (石岡 弥輝也), semi-finals Indeed, the Goshogawara Team at the 25th Wanpaku Tournament, which consisted of Kikuchi (winner), Echigoya (runner-up) and Ishioka (quarter-finals), achieved the best results of any team at Wanpaku in recorded history. No other team could come close to this, that is, until the Uki Team of the past few years. Here's a list of the top-level rikishi that Udo Junior Sumo Club have produced in the past few years, including the year in which they first appeared at the Wanpaku Tournament (in Grade 4), and their best result at Wanpaku: 2008: Kawakami Ryuko (川上 竜虎), quarter-finals 2009: Kawazoe Keita (川副 圭太), last 32 2010: Tsuzawa Taichi (津澤 太一), semi-finals 2011: Kusano Naoya (草野 直哉), semi-finals 2012: Hanaoka Masaki (花岡 真生), winner (twice) 2013: Kawazoe Fuma (川副 楓馬), runner-up 2014: Honda Gotaro (本田 豪太郎), quarter-finals The Uki Team at the 29th Wanpaku Tournament, which consisted of Kusano (quarter-finals), Hanaoka (winner) and Kawazoe Fuma (runner-up), actually matched Goshogawara Team's record-setting performance from 4 years earlier, and went on to claim the team title at the 30th Wanpaku Tournament as well, this time with Hanaoka (winner), Kawazoe Fuma (quarter-finals) and Honda (quarter-finals). Apart from their results at Wanpaku, Kawakami Ryuko is also a Middle Sumo Yokozuna; while Kawazoe Keita and his younger brother Kawazoe Fuma are both winners of the Hakuho Cup. Kawazoe Fuma is also the current Primary Sumo Yokozuna, and Honda Gotaro is a regular quarter-finalist at all of the national-level tournaments. With such a star-studded line-up, Udo Junior Sumo Club have reached the final of the National Club Championships and the Hakuho Cup 3 times in the past 3 years, and yet failed to win any of them. Their 3-2 loss in the 2013 National Club Championships final to Tsugaru Sumo Club (from Aomori) sums it up, when 2-time Wanpaku Yokozuna Hanaoka Masaki surprisingly lost to Narumi Shoma (鳴海 匠馬), whose best result at Wanpaku was reaching the quarter-finals. To think, they actually destroyed 4-1'd and 5-0'd all opposition on their way to that year's final. Hence "missed potentials". Anyway, back to the program, Kinboshi Sumo Club's match against Udo Junior Sumo Club was, perhaps as expected, a one-sided affair, though they did manage to get one win, which was commendable. After the match, Yasuda Hikaru (安田 光) revealed that he had a crush on someone, a classmate called Kaho-chan (かほちゃん), who would actually appear in a later program. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4bgtg2
  23. mikawa

    Kinboshi Sumo Club

    Program #5 (2016.5.12): To Kumamoto - JKA Treasure Club In support of those affected by the recent earthquake in Kumamoto, Kinboshi Sumo Club travel down to Kumamoto to spend some time training with the kids there, and their first stop is JKA Treasure Club, a sumo club known for their strictness. Before they get there, program staff set 2 targets for Yasuda Hikaru (安田 光) to help him improve his mental strength - "No Tears" and "Don't Give-Up". Once they're there, Kanazawa Towa (金澤 永和) finds himself a training partner in Toda Hayato (戸田 勇翔), the best in Kumamoto for his age group. Both of them have 4 teeth missing at the time, and they quickly become good friends. For club captain Kimura Kiri (木村 喜人), new member Munakata Seiren (棟方 聖連) and club ace Kanazawa Sorato (金澤 空大), their training partner is the aforementioned Yamashita Shosuke (山下 昇介), who is the current Wanpaku Yokozuna and winner of this year's Hakuho Cup. Yamashita Shosuke also came second in last year's Primary School Championships, and is the only person whom Sakamoto Shoma (坂本 正真), younger son of Tokitsukaze Oyakata (former Maegashira Tokitsuumi) and multiple Hakuho Cup winner, can't beat. Yasuda Hikaru's training partner is Tatefuru Tsuneaki (立古 常明), JKA Treasure Club's captain and a kid who specialises in Yorikiri. When asked about which kimarite he specialises in, Hikaru replies "Run-away Sumo" ...... Following the usual training routines, all the kids go outside to participate in a special 1-to-1 challenge - running up 120 steps non-stop. They all give it their best, and are all exhausted afterwards. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4a2od4
  24. mikawa

    Kinboshi Sumo Club

    Yes, it's to protect their heads during tachi-ai