since_94

I agree. He looked very strong on day 1 and he appears to be in good shape. Momentary lapse of concentration, perhaps. Shows how incredibly difficult it is to do what has been doing so regularly for so many years.

I hope you’re right.

Tomokaze’s knee looks ruined, sorry to say. That is a god awful looking bulge on the side of it. He’ll likely be facing a long road back. Hakuho just lost track of where he was in the dohyo, which is a rare lapse of concentration for him, and ran out of room. His tachiai was solid, but Daiesho’s was even better. Look at the speed of the Maegashira’s footwork in that charge. The slapfest makes one wonder if there isn’t some bad blood between Shohozan and Tsurugisho. Six shots rang the big guy’s bell, that’s for sure. Chiyomaru looking good. Kotoshogiku and Tochinoshin looking like guys that used to have it, but just don’t have it anymore. Hokutofuji and Asanoyama both impressive, and along with Meisei, looking like the future. A more entertaining day of fights than Day 1, imo.

Thing about Takayasu is that he looked totally uninterested in being there before his bout. Didn’t even do his shrug flex and puff thing. I think his chances of winning a basho will go up if he can get himself more fired up for matches. He struck me as looking dispirited and resigned to being an also ran, i.e. Ozeki for life, in terms of his demeanor, if not his sumo. Plus when he looks intense, it gets the crowd on his side. Maybe he’s feeling ill? Not that there is any shame in being an Ozeki, obviously.

I found myself saying “Come on Teronofuji!” Out loud for the first time maybe ever. I’ve become a fan, against all odds, because I admire his tenacity to make this comeback.

Strong tachiaii, too. That was satisfying to watch. He looks strong and confident.

Thanks. That’s a relief.

Anybody know why I can’t find Chiyonokuni on today’s torikumi?

Glad to seem him fighting well and winning the juryo yusho. Hopefully his injuries are behind him. They make a nice couple. How could anybody not like Ikioi?

He looks cheerful and very personable. Probably a fun guy to hang out with. Nice win, Mitakeumi!

I have spotted him enjoying a hotdog or sausage from a food truck outside the Kokugikan on many occasions post-match. The man definitely likes them.

It’s caused me to think about the way comments focused on a public persona ’s superficial physical attributes come across. I’m not at all used to reading (mostly female) posters objectifying and swooning over athletes, or anyone else, this way. These just aren’t chats I am privy to, on or offline. Frankly, it’s not the kind of discussion I want to be a part of, especially in, but not limited to, the context of sport and martial arts. However, free speech and all that. When desperate sounding guys chime in on discussions of Miwa Asao or Danica Patrick or Maria Sharapova or whomever, it probably makes women who just want to talk about sport feel the same way as we do—somewhat grossed out and exasperated because it has no real place in such discussions. Plus, anybody’s fandom gets decidedly weird when it crosses into cult of personality territory.

C’mon. Hate is a strong word. We’re not talking about Nickleback. I have stated elsewhere on this board that I enjoy watching Enho and admire his skill and heart. He’s Hakuho’s protege, which speaks volumes. I still like it when he loses because: 1) I find it frustrating when my favorite rikishi, of which there are many, struggle to find a way to handle him. They lose, it affects their records, obviously. It is their losing that bothers me more than his winning, per se; and 2) For better or worse I frequent a number of FB sumo related groups which are full of his fans who have an obsession with his looks and physique that borders on what I could only describe as infantilism (I know I’m misusing the term). Their constant fawning over their “cherub cheeked little pixie” or however they want to refer to him that day is nauseating to me personally and seems borderline unwholesome. Never has the ignore button been in such heavy use as when wading through those group discussions. Or maybe you’re right and I’m just being contrary. Wouldn’t be the first time.

Ishiura was a favorite of mine for this reason when I started following sumo. Then, like his opponents on they dohyo, I am sure, grew weary of his over reliance on henka. Now he’s fighting like the giant killer he has the potential to be and it’s a pleasure to watch.

That stack of money, tho. Whoa! Goeeeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiidooooooooooooo! And Tochinoshin. Never says die. How can you not love this guy? He epitomizes much of what is great about the sport.