robnplunder

I'd think zabutons are easier to digest. Loved your Nagoya summary video. You should do it after every basho.

Why were they throwing zabutons when Mitakeumi beat Tochiozan? I've seen it mostly when a yokozuna lose against a lesser ranked rikishi. In Mita's case, they were throwing zabutons when Mita beat an M13. Not many were thrown but it was rather unexpected.

I'd still think that the life expectancy of former sumo pros would lag behind the population. The question to me is, is it 5 years, 10 years, or more? All the pounding, excessive eating/resulting overweight, and whatever else come with professional sumo life can't be good for outliving a general population (80+ for Japanese male). Question for long timers ... Do you think injury situation has gotten worse over the years? I'd think it would given the size of rikishi has gotten bigger over the years.

I trained as a boxer and believe that going full in training can backfire more often than not. Most experienced boxers I knew didn't go full on sparring sessions either. They worked on new techniques, tried different tactics, etc. Of course, newbies who couldn't control themselves often ended up going full, typically without good ending. IMO, it is true with most sports which require a lot of physical contact. But I am not sure about ozumo. In my limited observation, they seem to go too hard in training, risking injury and burnout.

I also think Takakeisho will take the other Komusubi spot, deservedly so. Going with Kinta on Kizenryu's fate.

Agreed. I think 11 or better should get him the promotion. But it is not an easy chore by all means. Until this basho, Mitakeumi never had a double digit win as a sanyuku. And IMO, if any 4 of the big 5 (Kise, Hak, Kak, Tochinoshin, Takayasu) are healthy, I don't see Mitakeumi getting 11 wins. He can easily go 1-4 against the aforementioned 5. That is why I thought the loss against Yutakyama can end up haunting Mita. Mita needed that win. Then again, I was wrong more than I was right in this forum so Mita will all likelihood will prove me wrong.

Agreed. IMO, he has all the tools (size, age, athleticism, ...) to become an Ozeki or better. Avoiding injury, and getting consistent will be the keys. Looks like Mitakeumi has found those (avoiding injury, finding consistency) whereas Shodai hasn't. Shodai was matching Mitakeumi's progress for a while but, sadly, he seems to be following Endo's career path. The two little bullies, Onosho & Takakeisho, got their mojo back in this basho. Taka, in particular, found another way to beat his opponents. But I don't think his "push and wait" will work consistently in the long run. Is it just me or have there been far less henkas in this basho?

MIta almost won like 5 times before succumbing to Yuta and it was close at the end, too. Would Mita win 10 or more at Aki? I am afraid if this loss is going to cost his Ozeki promotion after the Aki. Winning 10 IF all Yokozuna and Ozeki are in shape isn't going to be easy.

Agreed! Mita seemed to have the upper hand a few times but Yutakayama persevered. Amazing match. I hope that loss does not come back to haunt Mita when adding up the wins for his Ozeki promotion after the next basho.

Ichinojo has somehow managed to win 7 bouts in this basho with his lethargic approach to sumo. At times, he look like he wanted to lose, don't know what to do, etc.. What's up with this kid in juryo, Takanosho? What's his prospect in Makuuchi? Mitoryu continues to disappoint. Don't see next Mongolian great to follow the current crop of yokozuna.

That was the next "good feel" win of the day for me, after Mita's yusho concluding win. Yoshikaze does not look like his old self and am hoping he wins another one today. It may save him from the demotion (or is that decided already?).

Mitakeumi makes good on his potential. He'd best to get his emotion in check and win another bout tomorrow. That can make or break his promotion to Ozeki after the next basho. Don't be too harsh on Goedio or Takayasu. They are sticking out until the end, injury or not, kachikosh or not. I don't think Takayasu was 100% and Goeido has been his usual overachieving self. He does not have the size like other Ozeki or Yokozuna but has one yusho under his belt and 4 year run on Ozekiship.

LOL. Even after two matas, Aminishiki's hand was nowhere near the ground at tachihai. It's the one who cheats later that gets caught but not in this case. Ami got away with one.

Yes! Endo proved me wrong but I think Takakeisho's slipping and falling flat on his face helped a great deal.

Very few have managed to grip Takakeisho's mawashi. IMO, it will be a bump/push/slap contest initiated by Takakeisho for an easy win over hapless Endo. The match I want to see is the Mitakeumi vs Kaisei one. Kaisei looked healthy and strong and is boasting 4-0 record against Mitakeumi who often folded in 2nd half of the recent bashos. If they only counted 1st eight days of the basho matches, Mitakeumi would have been an Ozeki already. If Mita stays strong the rest of the way for a change, he will get the yusho, setting it up nice for his Ozekiship in another basho.