Rikishi prospects for Haru

[Guest Kaikitsune]

Takanohana: kyujo

Musashimaru : His bad wrist injury has gradually healed and during the latest training sessions with Dejima, Buyuzan and Wakanoyama he was able to use his left hand effectively. Musashigawa oyakata is pleased with Maru`s shaping up for the basho. Looks pretty good and a strong yokozuna is a very welcomed addition to the exciting yusho race.

Chiyotaikai : Good workouts at Isenoumi-beya camp against Oikari, Tosanoumi and Tochiazuma. He suffered some kind of lumbago few days ago but has done de-geiko after that too so shouldn`t be too bad. Taikai himself stated that one explosive attack kind of sumo is his speciality and even if the injury would be worse than it seems Taikai can do well.

Tochiazuma : Speed skater`s training methods, lots of de-geiko with Tosanoumi whom he dominated clearly and Taikai with whom he was even, encouraging comments by his supporters etc. It looks good for Azuma. In one article his major problems against Kaio (11 losses in a row now) was mentioned when speculating his promotion to yokozuna chances.

Musoyama: Musoyama was in good spirit few days ago and dominated against Dejima in training. He also did suriashi and said that his back has been good and not troubled him. Long time ago prominent yokozuna had a habit of pressing their big toes against the bottom of their sandals when walking about. This way they kept on honing their big toe usage skills (vital in sumo) and strengthened the big toe flexor muscles. I wonder if any rikishi walk in suriashi style during their free time sometimes!

[Guest Kaikitsune]

Miyabiyama has been training and if I understood correctly his aspirations are to get back to ozeki. New coloured mawashi too

Contradictory reports of his condition has been published. Clyde Newton in his basho prospects article in Japan Times ranks Miyabiyama`s chances very good with possible 11-12 or even more victories! However he might be unaware of the article couple of days ago where Miyabiyama recurring shoulder pain was mentioned. Yet Miyabiyama was training and his shoulder surgery was without a doubt a necessary procedure at this point of his career. Whether he is capable of obtaining double digit amount of wins is questionable but around the kachi koshi mark should be in reach even with a painful shoulder (I am not sure if the shoulder pain article consisted of any diagnosis of the problem. There is a huge difference in significance if he has reinjured something in his shoulder or if it is just after surgery pain due to hard training etc.). In any case Miyabiyama is one to keep an eye on!

The article where Miyabiyama`s shoulder pain was brought into publicity is

http://www.nikkansports.com/news/sports/p-...-020306-09.html

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

On the sumo mailing list you added that you thought the main yusho contenders would be Musoyama and Kaio (adding that it was against mainstream thinking). Well, I feel I should at least add what I think about that (and in other words add what possibly could be mainstream thinking). Musoyama has been in reasonable , if not good shape before, and it's far between the really good bashos for him. I think he will end up 10-5 with a few losses to top opponents in the last few days. Good start but fading.

Kaio, although he might have started to accept that he will have to live with his cronic back injuries will have increasingly hard to actually get the yusho, although I'm sure he could be in the running very late in the basho. My guess is 11 or 12 wins and being a spoiler for the likes of Tochiazuma and Chiyotaikai, but not more.

I think Musashimaru should be watched intently. A reasonable start and without getting his hand reinjured, I think he is in an excellent position to get his tenth yusho. He is also not the one mostly watched this basho and although Kaio might even be more positively effected by that, Musashimaru should be as well. I'm looking for Musashimaru to get 12 or 13 wins and possibly the yusho.

My next (of three) favorites is Chiyotaikai. I think that he has now reached a level where Yokozuna challenge will be a constant issue, unless of course he actually gets it. I think he is more focused than ever and will get many important wins, ending up with at least 12 wins and possibly more and the yusho. My second favorite after Maru.

And third, I think Kotomitsuki is ready to take the step to Ozeki this basho. All eyes are on Chiyotaikai, Tochiazuma and Kotomitsuki, and I think both Chiyotaikai and Kotomitsuki can live up to the expectations. 12 wins, possibly more, and my third favorite for the yusho.

And what about Tochiazuma? Well, I think there might be a slight backlash for him this basho. He has such an excellent basic technique and good mental abilities that he will never fail completely, so 10 wins should be no problem. But I also think he still has too little margin for error, and only a little thinking about how good things have started to go might set him back. Now, I'm fully aware that this could as well effect Chiyotaikai, and it's just wait and see to be sure what happens. But before the basho, I think Tochiazuma will fail slightly, ending up with a possible 10 or 11.

Now, there are many rikishi here with a lot of wins. Obviously a lot of the high Maegashira will fail miserably, if the top is as good as I think it will be. It wouldn't surprise me if we end up with a multi-playoff at 12-3, and it's also possible one of the low-maegashiras, such as Takamisakari or Shimotori could surprise, and even reach a playoff.

But seeing what I have written here, I will just sit back and watch the show. It should be entertaining!

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

On the sumo mailing list you added that you thought the main yusho contenders would be Musoyama and Kaio (adding that it was against mainstream thinking).

Kaikitsune-zeki says that just because he made a bet with me. He thinks either Kaio or Musoyama will take the yusho. I say either Chiyotaikai or Kotomitsuki. 16

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

Where do I sign up to join the bet :-/

Just because of that, I'll complete my sanyaku guessings, which look disturbingly much like the one of Kotoseiya:

Musashimaru 12-3

Tochiazuma: 11-4

Chiyotaikai: 12-3

Musoyama: 10-5

Kaio: 11-4

Kotomitsuki: 12-3

Asashoryu: 8-7

Wakanosato: 8-7

Takanonami: 5-10

(Buyuzan: 3-12)

(Tosanoumi: 5-10)

(Kyokutenho: 4-11)

(Kotonowaka: 6-9)

[Guest Gotomizuumi]

Asashoryu will katchi-koshi!!!!!!!!

Anyway, I've never been right when choosing the winner before the basho.  This time I'm going out on a limb, Takanonami will Yushou!  Just kidding...Tochiazuma repeats.

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

Asashoryu will katchi-koshi!!!!!!!!

That has obviously nothing to do with the fact that the guy in your avatar looks suspiciously like him. :-/

I don't know what keeps me from thinking he'll ever be a viable ozeki candidate. Then again I thought the same about Musoyama and Tochiazuma. (Blush...)