Taliesin

He had no other way. Houshouryuu grabbed first and refused to let go. No Ozeki Wakatakakage any time soon probably...

Henka simply means "change". Of any kind. This word is extremely often used even outside the sumo context.

Tamawashi routinely picks another gold star...

Wow. On day 2 there's no sanyaku with 2-0. This basho will be an intense one.

My favorite bout today was Kotoekou's too. He was providing very likeable energetic sumou throughout the Haru basho and today we had another good sample. Unlike some of the other small guys he's always very straightforward (and often shows good technique as well).

Right after Haru I said that if Terunofuji participates in Natsu, Daieishou wouldn't mind not being promoted to komusubi.

Maegashira Soukokurai was also from inner Mongolia in China. Yes, ex-maegashira, of course.

Imagination is good and all, but Ro in Rohou stands for Russia (roshia). It's a genuine R through and through. The example with Reonmaru is much better in my opinion.

All time: Akashi Shiganosuke Current: Akiseyama Mitsuhiko Both are epic and sumo wouldn't be quite what it is without them, at least for me. There are a lot of other worthy candidates of course.

Interviewer: Here is Wakatakakage-zeki, who just won a spectacular yuushou. Congratulations! Wakatakakage: - Thank you. I: Today was the last day of the tournament, that decided a yuushou. How do you feel? W: - I don't quite understand that feeling. Yeah A person strongly suspected to be Iwatomo-oyakata, ex-maegashira Kimurayama: Hey, you should be more cheerful! I: Yeah, a little, why not... K: After 2 consecutive losses to the fellow Toyo-uni graduate*! January and March. There are two of ours in makuuchi, right**? W: Yes, that's right. Another voice (Could it be Mitakeumi himself?): Well, and the following basho it will be the same. W: I'll do my best. I: What will be your message to your fans, How's your enthusiasm, going into the next basho? W: Yes. Thank you for supporting me for these 15 days. I'll make sure to do my best next basho as well, so please continue supporting me. I: Next, who is your most respected senpai? W: Kimurayama-zeki (Iwatomo-oyakata) K: //Victorious shout Another voice: Liar. K: // Proposes creating Wakatakakage merch. W: Nods. K: Then how about it? Mitakeumi -Wakatakakage W: Embarrassed face. Another voice: yeah, three of us. Everyone laughs I: How will you use the prize money? W: I would like to have a delicious meal with my family. ... pause... and with all my heya-mates as well. ... after. And as for what I will do after, it's not decided yet. Everyone says thanks to each other. * - Mitakeumi ** Kimurayama was from Toyo as well.

I think, if we promise Daieisho that Terunofuji is not skipping natsu, he wouldn't mind staying at M1.

Yes, when second basho in the ozeki run is better than the first one, it's always tempting to watch one more basho if in question. I think if now, after 9 and 12, 11 wins follow, it's ok to not promote and ask for 10 wins in Nagoya.

Just as yesterday, Takayasu rushed it when he got his opponent on the bales. He got into that yusho race with patient sumo and lost 2 deciding bouts because he abandoned it.

Epic battle. Takayasu's chances were not that bad too. Great way to end the basho, even if some were hoping for other result. Huge respect for Wakatakakage, Takayasu and Kotonowaka. The future of sumo is not that grim.

Play-off is the most direct way. It is good that it will be decided by Takayasu and Wakatakakage themselves.

"Lord" Shoudai... what a misterious existence. What the hell!!! Well... it just became even more interesting.

Not even a half-henka imo. Mitakeumi was just reacting.

Didn't happen. Also, I'm completely ignorant about banzuke making. Wouldn't 13-2 Y Takayasu also be a contestant for the spot?

I choked so hard haha. Needed 1 win in last 2 days of ISP and couldn't get it.

That pull was so unnecessary... and easily read by Wakatakakage. Also, pulling Takakeishou became an easy hug target. Once the distance was closed it was of course over. Takakeishou this basho often chooses uncharacteristically "crafty" moves but here there really was no need to.

Kotonowaka is seriously impressive. I am not saying he is ready to be a permanent sanyaku or anything, but he is doing great. Fell 2 ozeki by the way.

If Takakeishou feels motivated today, I think his chances against Wakatakakage are very high. He is his natural nemesis, and Wakatakakage's recent improvement was not in things that would change it. Wakatakakage confidently won against all thrusters he faced this basho, but Takakeishou's width makes it hard to flank him and Wakatakakage's arms are too short to reach him before he rams into you. If Waka tries to dance around he will lose almost for sure. His best chance is probably to fight straightforwardly, see if he can somehow stagger the ozeki and go for a quick hug. At least some chances this way. Maybe I'm terribly wrong. Just see it like that.

Ozeki is a weird rank. They are some of the strongest rikishi and their bouts with each other and with yokozuna are supposed to be the true pinnacle of sumo, and yet they are so often stuck within that "KK but no yusho chances" zone by that time. And - unlike other ranks - at this point they have no real motivation at all (unless they find it somewhere within themselves). A pity.

Speaking of flying into defeats, Sadanoumi is not too bad as well.

Shoudai has nobody to blame if he is demoted. Who asked him to lose that much. If he is really an Ozeki, taking one win in last 2 days should be doable (actually he was supposed to get KK today). His schedule wasn't the hardest it could be. No Terunofuji this basho, he also had no Abi. For example on day 11 he faced Takarafuji who was 3-7 at maegashira 5.