since_94

I think this may explain the lack of overall enthusiasm expressed by a number of posters. While I watched everyday, I likewise didn’t feel emotionally invested in the outcome. As soon as the final bout ended on Day 15, I turned the broadcast off instead of watching all the awards being presented. There were some entertaining bouts throughout the tournament though, to be fair.

Macaroon is gold good. FTFY

Yeah, clownish. Glad Shodai eked out a win but that’s not sumo worthy of the Ozeki rank, IMO

Indeed. But I never let facts dampen my enthusiasm.

Today was stagger on your way back up onto the dohyo day, with Tsurugisho and Takakeisho leading the way by example. Meanwhile, Tokushoryu in sole possession of the lead in Juryo after day 10. I am so 100% down for a Tokushoryu yusho to stand alongside his unexpected Makuuchi triumph a while back and I know I’m not alone in this.

So weird seeing Abi grab the belt and attempt some yotsu-zumo. Feels like something never seen before. He looked rather ungainly in the bargain

Kaisho read him like a children’s book…

Maybe Hakuho started the trend choosing Ishiura and Enho. Makes the Yokozuna appear that much more imposing

Seriously. I often find myself shouting at Takakeisho’s opponents, “Don’t just stand in front of him (FFS)! Grab his belt!” Day 4 was case in point.

It is…the double bubble. Or, it may be more correct to say…he is.

Juryo bout between Akua and Kitanowaka delivered big time. Both times. We are entertained. Midorifuji was impressive in doggedly clinging to Kotokuzan’s mawashi despite a barrage of abuse to his upper body and face. Showed toughness and grit. Oho looked poised picking up his win over Chiyotairyu. Cool and collected. He had ring sense like some hockey players have puck sense. They grow up around it and pick it up instinctively, perhaps. Tochinoshin and Terutsuyoshi trying to outdo one another with lift outs was awesomely fun to watch. Tamawashi / Onosho was a good tilt, with the more experienced man prevailing. Terunofuji looked very solid with that slam. Authoritative. Uh huh.

I feel he and Shimanoumi are quite evenly matched and their head to head bouts always provide good value entertainment

Best Meisei has looked in the past 3 basho or so. Hopefully he’s healed up. Mitakeumi looked to get darn near full extension on that big Superman air. There was some serious tonnage raining down on the first couple of rows at the conclusion of that big boy tilt with Takayasu. Miraculously, no one dohyo-side was flattened like a bug. Hate to say it but Shodai’s body language had him looking every bit like a defeated man before he even touched his hands down. He just seems resigned to losing some days. The guy’s game day psyche seems to fluctuate and is a baffling mystery in that regard, but I’ll always root for him and hope he avoids kadoban.

Quite a healthy number of "shin deshi" or new sumo apprentices introduced today. Must have been around 35 or 36 youngsters out there.

I’m really hoping for a retirement following this basho. Hokutofuji’s mawashi. The thing looks absolutely foul. It is unbecoming and needs to go.