since_94

I respect her restraint. I don’t clap for them either. Unless they’re done on Chiyoshoma.

I miss Olympic ojisan, he of the gold sparkly top hat and the hand fan with the red rising sun on it. Always sat in the same seat, and it was hard to miss him. I used to love seeing how excited he would get for some bouts, as revealed by his body language. He was a fixture on TV coverage for as long as I can remember, so the first time I ever clapped eyes on the man himself inside the Kokugikan, it felt like a celebrity sighting. I once saw him shuffling by the venue after the bouts had finished one evening. He was by himself and I had an urge to go and say hello. I didn’t, owing to my almost total lack of Japanese beyond sumo terminology. Regret not taking advantage of the opportunity to this day. RIP Mr. Yamada.

I think this applies to Takakeisho as well. His timing is impeccable, or almost, when he’s on point. His thrusting power is uncanny. I often wonder where it comes from. You mentioned force of will before, and maybe you’re on to something. Perhaps the lad is channeling greater forces. He also has an ability to shift and dodge out a charging opponent’s way so quickly—quicker than the eye, really. I often don’t know how he does it. How do you move that much mass—that rotund sphere—out of harm’s way so fast. It’s sorcery, I tells ya. But quite often rather less visually exciting than pulling rabbits and handkerchiefs out of a hat.

That’s a very interesting point, not to mention a very effective analogy. Could you give some examples of dynasties and subsequent vacuums from other sports? I’m thinking of some hockey dynasties like Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders from back in the day, but don’t rightly recall who won championships following on their heels. Most other sports, including ones I used to follow before sumo took over completely, I’m drawing a blank...

My comment was not meant to impugn the quality of Shimanoumi’s sumo. He’s fighting marvelously well and I’m happy to see it. I would argue that rank on the banzuke should dictate how you fight from one basho to the next, once you reach Ozeki, although the past few years performances from those holding that rank have largely belied this proposition. Takakeisho is winning, there’s no disputing that. I’m just not imagining there’s much buzz among the crowds spilling out of the Kokugikan into the Tokyo evenings after watching him do it.

Takakeisho’s win was anything but pretty. An Ozeki should be winning with authority—regularly dominating lesser opponents, like M17s—rather than pulling victories out of the fire in such last ditch, ugly fashion, IMO. Just a preference thing. His numbers don’t lie.

Well spotted. I will definitely have to watch again.

Ura's resurgence. — long anticipated, closely followed, and great fun to watch. What a story. What determination. Go Ura! Midorifuji on the cusp of becoming another exciting new Makuuchi rikishi. — Really a heck of a fighter. How can you not be a fan?Glad he didn’t try anything chancy today (like izori) against Jokoryo when they were locked up because I was genuinely worried he might get hurt. His bouts are always well contested and exciting. Shimanoumi with a chance to pull a Tokushoryu. — Yeah. Takakeisho with a chance for his first Ozeki yusho. — Let’s hope not. And the most likely outcome: Terunofuji running the tables and beginning his own Ozeki comeback run. — The very thing I’d enjoy seeing most at this point. Really rooting for him to start a run to reclaim Ozeki rank.

This. Terunofuji was inspirational and I dare say his efforts to get there earned him redemption in the eyes of fans who had scorned him following his infamous henka on a kadoban Kotoshogiku. Tokushoryu was likewise an endearing sort of Cinderella story because of the poignancy of his college coach’s passing during the tournament, his rather advanced age (sumo wise) and general mediocrity, and his emotional reaction when he defied the odds and pulled off a late career triumph. If Shimanoumi wins this one from M17, it will just highlight problems and focus attention on the the way the torikumi is fixed, the predictably absent Yokozunas, the weak Ozeki ranks, etc.

Yes, Enho is not going to want to take too many falls like that one, with a view to career longevity and remaining ambulatory in his old age. It was quite an impact from quite a height.

Am I the only one who finds the majority of Takakeisho’s fights incredibly boring? The musubi no ichiban is supposed to be the culmination, the high point of the afternoon’s entertainments, no? Yawn. Color me unimpressed.

I likewise don’t worry when I see Terunofuji or Tochinoshin lifting opponents out sky crane style. I don’t think that’s how the majority of knee injuries in sumo occur. Most, I think, are caused by twisting or bending the joint the wrong way under extreme loading. Lifting someone out, a rikishi would be more likely to injure his back, IMO. Lift away, power sumo guys! There’s no defense to that technique barring not allowing your opponent a belt grip in the first place.

Been around forever, it seems like. Made his Juryo debut in November 2009 if I’m not mistaken. Whupped a lot of butts since then, took some whuppins, too. Respect for Gagamaru. Seems a jovial sort when he doesn’t have his game face on.

What a day of action on the dohyo. Fighting spirit all over the gosh darn place. Juryo included here. Wow.

So cool he did his stretch for his last bout. He’d obviously decided. Would’ve been a huge tell for all who saw it and were familiar with his history.