Tiger Tanaka

Always appreciated Myogiryu and his consistency, amassed an impressive career of accolades and wishing him well as an oyakata. And now only Endo and Terunofuji remain active from the group of rikishi who sang verses in the original Hakkeyoi music video.

Great start to the 2024 Year in Sumo. Was wonderful to see most of the top rankers performing at a high level, while up and comers like Onosato, Takerufuji, and a returning from injury Hakuoho continue to usher in a new era. Terunofuji had a heck of a tournament and a big congratulations to him on his efforts. Fantastic to see him show his strength in tossing Kirishima out, dispatching of the rising star Onosato, and taking it to Kotonowaka twice, showing that despite all the injuries he has faced, no one is quite on his level yet. A performance that impressed the entire Kokugikan. Well maybe not every single spectator...

We've seen a few fair calls of 'changing of the guard' that were false alarms in the past 5 years, but this basho feels different, like it's the launching point of a new era. Really sad for Hokutofuji missing out on the yusho, but happy Hoshoryu was able to break through and surprised at the amount of emotion he showed afterwards, really fantastic moment.

Has anyone watched this yet on Disney+ and if so how have you liked it? Being a huge fan of the 1992 film, I can't wait to start this up. The first 3 episodes were made available last week. So rare to see sumo in film/tv, so hoping this sticks around for a bit!

Just finished the show and absolutely adored it from start to finish. Pays great homage to the original film, while standing on it's own as a fine piece. The characters were perfect and mood absolutely 100% what I was hoping for. Shed a tear in the 2nd to last episode and every credit roll left me with a smile on my face. Season 2 please? Keppare Disney+!

The summer camp scenes were fantastic in episodes 6 and 7. This show continues to put me in a great mood everytime I put it on. Trying to spread out my watches to keep the enjoyment of a 1st time watchthrough go as long as possible. Sad there are only 3 episodes left for me to watch, which is always the mark for a show I'm thoroguhly enjoying. I haven't heard any buzz around it, so not holding out hope for a 2nd season, but do wish the show ends on a nice happy ending with plot strings wrapped up nicely. The entire cast really is top notch all around for my needs of a great show, but Honoka is just perfect.

Wow! Absolutely adored episode 1. Such a relaxing tranquil mood this show put me in. Love the call backs to the original. From actors to music cues, each put a smile on my face. Loved seeing Aoki's "How sumo changed my life" book. And the lead actress really has a convincing portrayal of the basics! Can't wait to start episode 2.

The first aim of an official channel like this I would think is to cast as wide of a net as possible and draw in a broader audience of new sumo fans who don't have access to the basics in terms of content. So I'm not sure sumo fanatics like the majority of posters are they key target demo? They may go deeper as these are the first jumping off intro videos. But if you're expecting top 5 matches from Jonidan division each day in a tourney, I don't think this will be the place to go. Maybe a highlight of ones to watch similar to what Tachiai does before and after each basho. I hope when we get features of jungyo, keiko, ceremonial events etc are focused more as these are areas that can draw in new casual viewers into the culture and behind the scenes, while giving English language fanatics content that is more difficult to get high produced content.

You are incredible as always with your knowledge @Asashosakari, thanks for sharing this, very interesting!

I guess they could? But something seems off for the lower ranks giving someone a promotion for going 2-1 and likewise demotion for 1-2

That's true. Only those that had locked in KK or MK at time of kyujo would be fair to give promo/demo. Only will get more tricky if we see additional heya continue to go out.

At this point do they have any other option than to do mass rank protection with caveat if minimal demotion/promotion if banzuke around them forces a one rank promo/demo for those that complete the basho (like Ichinojo dropping one rank). Not an easy situation, but most importantly, hope all those affected are doing well.

Apparently it is COVID related, which throws his Ozeki status up in the air. Tough to demote him when he isn't given a full chance to clear his kadoban. Get well soon Mitakeumi and those effected in Dewanoumi

The Asanoyama comeback trail has begun with a win today on Day 2.

Hanakaze shared a banzuke with Oshio in Haru 1986, who shared a banzuke with Kitanonada in Hatsu 1962, who shared a banzuke with Oshio (again!) in Haru 1940, who shared a banzuke with Otokojima in 1919, who's career started in Natsu 1900. 5 rikishi spanning 120+ years of Ozumo dating back to the turn of the 20th century. And the last rikishi to start his career before I was born. A great career of dedication and longevity worth praise, thank you Hanakaze!

Congratulations to Mitakeumi!! Such a fun basho to kick off the new year. I have to admit, I didn't post during the basho for superstition reasons, as Mita kept winning! Has been my favorite since I started following sumo and so overjoyed at this success. His demeanor seemed different this basho and I hope he carries this into the next phase of his career. Ganbatte!!!

Another year of sumo in the books, how different things look from when I started watching in 2017! Glad to see the most healthy basho in quite a while. Only kyujo in the top division was non-health related and only Tochinoshin missed any days during the basho.

2 thoughts and a question from Day 2 Terutsuyoshi looked like he was going for the Mankind (Mick Foley) piledriver on Ishiura, the way Mick used to grab the belt of his opponent. Were the shimpan going to call a monii on the Hoshoryu bout, then looked to their left and right and saw Takayasu and Takarafuji next and said "Nope, won't have time for that after this hour long bout coming up." Question: I noticed a fan in the upper right of the screen holding a framed portrait picture towards Mitakeumi and Takanosho during their match. Anyone know the story behind this?

Maybe it's not a typo! Hakuho will press on to 50 yusho, while his evil twin doppelganger Hakuko retires and fades into the mist. Alas, we will never get the Hakuho vs Hakuko matchup, like the days of Undertaker vs Undertaker in the old WWF.

At this point the GOAT has done it all, and about as good of an ending as you can have going out on a zensho. I was introudced to sumo towards the end of his prime era in January 2017, but still got to see so much magic from him, in addition to rewatching older classics. Thank you for all the incredible memories! The one last thing I was holding out hope for was a Hakuho vs. Hoshoryu, which would have had some serious intensity to it.

Sorry if I missed this, but any news on if Terunofuji suffered any injury? That was a brutal kotenage pull twice and the angle on the second looked rough. Through the tunnel, Terunofuji was holding his right arm up a bit. Really hoping it was just a strong move with no physical impact to his elbow. Wishing Terunofuji some health luck for a rikishi who's body has been through so much already.

It's just not fun to watch that style, while we don't know the real intent, it sure looks like Takagenji is just trying to cause some sort of facial injury, bloody nose, to get him off his game and away from him. Plenty of other ways (more effective as well) to do that without open hand strikes like that, though it worked effectively this time. I do like when Genji goes up against a Shohozan type (1-4 record against) who welcomes that type of thrusting slapfests. Wish he had a chance to face Yoshikaze in his prime as well, who would smile and thank him for the facial punishment while dishing out his own and escort him out of the ring. In other injury reaction, the moment you saw Takakeisho switch to an outside belt grip instead of pushing up off his tachiai, you knew something was wrong. Really unfortunate to see as he was really coming into great form last basho. Rest up and heal well Ozeki.

When is the last time a yusho winner in the sekitori ranks won with an absence? GANBATTE URA!!!!

Subtle difference I've noticed between the Hatsu basho and Haru is the length between matches. After all the COVID impacts in January and the depleted Makuuchi roster, it felt like an eternity between matches. I usually try to do some quick around the house errands between matches and find I don't have the time again and am running between matches to just put a few dishes away!!

Same here... was watching Day 2 action and taking in every moment of his dohyo-iri, wondering how many more I would get to see. Wishing him a recovery to be able to go a full 15 in May.