RabidJohn

Having now seen Abi's yusho interview, I'm convinced of his redemption. I mentioned on his return to makuuchi that he seemed altogether more serious, and I believe it's safe to say the daft lad is no more. He didn't have to say it at his moment of triumph, but he owned up to the trouble he's caused his oyakata, which impressed me no end.

Well, congratulations to Abi on his hatsu yusho - earned the hard way with 17 bouts! That's the 1st tomoe-sen I've seen. I thought it was a great end to an unusually interesting basho and to an extraordinary year of ozumo; that's only the 2nd time there's ever been 6 different yusho winners. The henka in the play-off bout was a little cheap (and bound to be divisive amongst fans), but Abi had already decisively beaten Takayasu in regulation and there was nothing cheap about his victory over Takakeisho. I'm also chuffed to bits for Shikoroyama-san, who was always one of my favourites when he was Terao. Talking of henka, is that the 1st time Chiyoshoma has gone the full 15 days without pulling one? Still on the subject of firsts, Terutsuyoshi's 0-15 is a scoreline I haven't seen before...

It probably is some level of mental resilience that's lacking in ex-collegiate rikishi, but I don't believe the apparent reduction in bullying has anything to do with it. Back in the bad old days when hazing wasn't even hidden, ex-collegiate rikishi were noted for having a lower ceiling than kids who came up through maezumo, as evidenced by only one ever making it to yokozuna. Five or six years ago, I believed Mitakeumi might become the second, whereas old hands like Kintamayama doubted he'd make ozeki. He proved us all wrong, but I now believe I was more wrong.

I, too, believed Oho would be no match for Hoshoryu - then I saw the H2H. Was 2-1, now 3-1, and Oho made it look easy! It's looking increasingly likely that we're going to have one of those very rare years with six different makuuchi yusho winners. I think I'm going to be happy no matter who gets it this time, but I'll be especially happy if it's their first.

Watching the belated final nails go into the coffin of Mitakeumi's ozeki career has been very sad for me. After all that time getting there, his catastrophic loss of form is heart-breaking and reminiscent of Kisenosato's fall. But that's sumo, which gives as it takes. Now we've got Hoshoryu with sole lead going into the final third of the basho. I'm still lingering on the fence with this lad. He's not as talented as his uncle was, but that's not to say he isn't still very good. Now we get to see whether or not he's a choker, which makes him way more interesting to me that he has been so far.

Tell that to Takarafuji and Terutsuyoshi... They seem to be missing out on whatever mojo is going around that heya atm. Atamifuji isn't exactly ripping it up, either. You're right about Nishikifuji, though. He's very enjoyable to watch.

I noticed this thread was unusually short for this basho.

Tobizaru has come a long way since that rabbit-in-the-headlights 1st bout against Hakuho; no one scares him now! I know his style is annoying to some, but I love his sheer unpredictability. HNH won't be as confusing for the newer members now Hoshoryu has claimed it... It's certainly his yusho to lose at this stage. I won't write off Oho's yusho chances, but I'd be more confident if he was M17.

Maybe. I'm undecided. If Hoshoryu merely got lucky with the way things fell (literally), you are right. On the other hand, if Hoshoryu reacted to the kirikaeshi attempt to come out on top, it was a stunning move. Even after watching it a few times, I just can't tell... One of the reasons I'm not a huge Hoshoryu fan is because he has too many close calls.

Another basho preview: 「Top Division Hopes」Kyushu Tourney Outlook - YouTube

Given the timescale I rather doubt there's anyone left at C4 who was involved in the original sumo coverage, and the people who made this documentary may not have even been born then. I'm certain C4 did not allow their coverage of one basho per year to 'fizzle out'; Eurosport bought out the rights and showed bouts from every basho.

Basho preview: Kyushu Basho Outlook – Juryo rikishi ready to rock! - YouTube

Is it known that he's definitely going to get a Something(no)fuji shikona? I only ask because Isegahama-san likes to throw in the odd curveball Teru(no)something.

Anyone else getting 'Talk to the hand' vibes from this new statue?

At Miyagino-beya: Hakuho’s Recipe for Success - YouTube