Kintamayama 47,170 Posted June 26, 2003 Musouyama has announced full recovery from his injury. All shoulder dislocations and stuff are things of the past. Last basho, he was unconsciously favoring his injured shoulder, and couldn't do his normal Sumo. This time around, he will be going all out. He had 11 keiko matches today and went 10-1 (why does all this sound so familiar to me??) "I am not thinking about the shoulder. I will be kicking butt from day 1. My aim is to obliterate my opponent at the tachi-ai!!!", he said, humbly. He's been going out to movies and generally relaxing. He is in an excellent and positive frame of mind. (Last time we heard this description of Musouyama, he went 0-7 or so..) (Nikkan) Seems that Kotomitsuki, completely diregarding doctors and Oyakata, still wishes to enter Nagoya. "If I go kyujo, I will drop to the bottom of Juuryou. I don't like that. I don't like that at all. On the other hand, I may aggravate my injury further by entering, and risk my career." He had only ten matches with Makushita yesterday, results unknown. "What should I do? I must give this a lot of thought", he said, knowing a decision must be reached soon. (Sankei) Asashouryuu had twelve bouts (some against visiting Aminishiki) and won them all. He met with the holder of the Japanese record for hammer-throwing (whose name I will attempt to try to translate, something like Kouji Murofuji), who came to watch keiko at Takasago. They met last year when Hammer-man came to visit. After the keiko, Asashouryuu invited him for chanko at the stable (cooked, of course, by Ichinoya-san) and gave him some words of encouragement for the forthcoming World Championships in August in Paris. "The use of legs and loins in Sumo is unique, and it doesn't exist in other sports. I would like to implement this in my training", said MC Hammer. (Houchi) Kaiou had chanko at Wakanohana's chanko restaurant. They entered Sumo together in 1988. He pledged to be healthy and go all out in Nagoya. "My physical condition is good. I just hope the rainy season won't bring my chronic hip pain back", he joked. (Ouchi) (Houchi) - Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yoavoshimaru 0 Posted June 26, 2003 Reading about all this chanko made me hungry... I think Musoyama will be OK: 9 wins in Nagoya. (Eating...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenjimoto 40 Posted June 26, 2003 (edited) My prediction: 2 Ozeki will be kadoban next basho (Eating...) Cheers Zenjimoto Edited June 26, 2003 by Zenjimoto Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chinonofuji 35 Posted June 26, 2003 Ahhh... predictions. My $.02: Asashoryu: 13-2, yusho win, partially because... Musashimaru: 9-2-4 surprisingly, enters and starts off on fire before re-injuring his wrist, forcing him out for 3 more basho (Eating...) Kaio: 12-3, beats Asashoryu but falls to Chiyo, thus keeping both from playoff with Asashoryu (deja vu?) Chiyotaikai: 12-3, loses to Asashoryu at last second, rendering him extraordinarily frustrated and keeping their triangle relationship with Kaio intact Musoyama: 8-7, starts to earn grudging respect as wounded, lion-in-winter KK escape artist; beats Musashimaru but loses to Kyokutenho Tochiazuma: 9-6, rounding back into form, looks like an Ozeki again Wakanasato: 11-5, starts serious Ozeki charge Kyokutenho: 7-8, slips back to Komusubi in exposure to higher level competition --C. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kotoseiya Yuichi 3 Posted June 26, 2003 Musoyama (...) beats Musashimaru(...) Wakanasato: 11-5 Musoyama and Musashimaru won't meet each other. (Eating...) I know you know this but we all sometimes blunder a bit. 11-4 might be in Sato's reach, why not? I still haven't made up my mind whether I believe he eventually ascends to ozekihood. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zentoryu 154 Posted June 26, 2003 Kyokutenho: 7-8, slips back to Komusubi in exposure to higher level competition If he goes 7-8, it won't be because of exposure to higher level competition. He'll be facing essentially the same opponents as he did last basho when he was a Komusubi. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Naifuzan 1 Posted June 26, 2003 If he goes 7-8, it won't be because of exposure to higher level competition. He'll be facing essentially the same opponents as he did last basho when he was a Komusubi. The same opponents doesnt necessarily mean the same opposition! Especially Tochiazuma and Musoyama will probably put up more of a fight than last time. And if musashimaru participates there's another hard opponent. Those might be 3 losses, and the difference between going 10-5 and 7-8. I think that was how chinonofuji reasoned... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chinonofuji 35 Posted June 26, 2003 The same opponents doesnt necessarily mean the same opposition!Especially Tochiazuma and Musoyama will probably put up more of a fight than last time. And if musashimaru participates there's another hard opponent. Exactly! Part of my thinking is that Musoyama is actually improving, albeit slowly. Perhaps he will start to approach the rikishi he used to be? Unless he's just taken too much battering over the years.... Musoyama and Musashimaru won't meet each other. I know you know this but we all sometimes blunder a bit. Nope, I didn't really research this before posting!! (Eating...) Just my fantasy... But thank you very much for the correction. I appreciate it. Any predictions from the more experienced handicappers out there?? --C. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zentoryu 154 Posted June 26, 2003 (edited) The same opponents doesnt necessarily mean the same opposition! Well, I think it does. (Eating...) Until Tochiazuma and Musoyama PROVE on the dohyo that they are better than they've been over the last few basho, then yes 10-ho is still facing the same level of competition as before. Musoyama looks good in training, but he has always looked good in training only to fall flat on his face when it really counts. (Applauding...) Unless Tochiazuma suddenly finds the strength that he has clearly lost, he'll likely continue to struggle just to make it to KK. Musashimaru is a question mark no matter how you look at it. And who's to say that Kyokutenho himself hasn't improved to a point where he could win against uninjured Tochiazuma or Musoyama? (I'm not saying beat them every time, but improved to a point where he can at least compete with them on the same level) This guy just gets no respect inspite of obvious improvement in his sumo over the last six months. That said, I don't know how Kyokutenho will do. I wouldn't be surprised if he went 7-8, and at the same time, I also wouldn't be surprised if he finished 9-6 or 10-5. I figure he's in that 7-10 range for wins. Edited June 26, 2003 by Zentoryu Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kaikitsune Makoto 210 Posted June 27, 2003 It seems at the moment that all ozeki have their sumo in order, mind joyfully balanced and expectations spirited! KaioU and Chiyotaikai did a lot of keiko together already in Tokyo and intend to do more starting today in Nagoya. Rarely KaioU says "I am in good shape" so that must mean he really is feeling very genki as opposed to his usual "I am ok" and "See how bad I did, no endurance at all" comments even after good keiko. Tochiazuma is reported (by reporters who report stuff like this and possess analytical eyes) being in more powerful shape than before Natsu and as Kintamayama has reported Musoyama's confidence is good. Asashoryu's condition is good as always and even Maru smiles occasionally and shows his thick left wrist making odd comments and Maru-like interviews (see Kyokai's pre-basho interview...) so his participation is not out of the question. Kyokutenho is chronically undervalued and his improvement overlooked by many. Tochiazuma and Musoyama can both be in best shape and still get beaten by 10-ho nowadays. As Wakanosato as the other sekiwake, the quality is high every day in sekiwake-bouts. Kotomitsuki's situation sounds gloomier and gloomier. Desperate attitude may suggest that his elbows still bother him beyond the surgery recovery pain. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Takanobaka 0 Posted June 29, 2003 My prediction: 2 Ozeki will be kadoban next basho (In a state of confusion...) Cheers Zenjimoto Is that possible with the new rules? Wouldn't they need 2 kks to go Kadoban now? I'm probably totally wrong here....not 100% sure if that means coming off a losing record or in danger of falling out of Ozeki with another losing record.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yubiquitoyama 4 Posted June 29, 2003 My prediction: 2 Ozeki will be kadoban next basho (In a state of confusion...) Cheers Zenjimoto Is that possible with the new rules? Wouldn't they need 2 kks to go Kadoban now? I'm probably totally wrong here....not 100% sure if that means coming off a losing record or in danger of falling out of Ozeki with another losing record.... Yes, they would need two make-koshi, but I don't think the rules are in use yet. I don't think it was decided yet when that particular rule would come in use, but I could remember wrong. Kadoban would be "in risk of falling off the rank" as far as I understand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenjimoto 40 Posted June 29, 2003 To be clear, by "next basho" I meant Aki, as in over-anticipation, to me Nagoya is already "this basho" (In a state of confusion...) Cheers! Zenjimoto Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fujisan 533 Posted June 29, 2003 Well lets put it this way with Musoyamas recent records,losing his first few matches looks a given-Whether he will eventually get his KK is another thing- I say true to form he will lose his first few and retire before the end again but next time hes Kabodan he'll get his KK again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kaikitsune Makoto 210 Posted June 29, 2003 There has also been unconfirmed rumours that Musoyama's back has become worse again + his long standing foot injury (with puns and all) regarding toes has been troubling his de-ashi. Musoyama's keiko is no indicator as his stablemates won't rip his shoulder out nor do they do much yotsu. Interesting additional detail may be that as he is ozeki, he might start keiko later against Buyuzan, Wakanoyama, Dejima and Miyabiyama after they have already fought bouts and this would naturally give Musoyama big advantage in keiko against them. Just a thought without factual basis though... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dejimasama 0 Posted June 30, 2003 Well this would be a good time for Wakanosato to make another push at Ozeki. With Dejima likely to be out and of course with the lack of Kotomitsuki and Takanowaka, the level of comptetion at sekiwake down to M-2 is going to be weaker than he is use to facing. But then again he didnt capitalize on the stretch where 2 to 3 ozeki where out ever basho and at least 1 yokozuna. So I guess he really hasnt made the best of his ooprtunities so I dont really see it happening now either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Exil 301 Posted July 1, 2003 Asashouryuu had twelve bouts (some against visiting Aminishiki) and won them all. He met with the holder of the Japanese record for hammer-throwing (whose name I will attempt to try to translate, something like Kouji Murofuji), who came to watch keiko at Takasago. They met last year when Hammer-man came to visit. After the keiko, Asashouryuu invited him for chanko at the stable (cooked, of course, by Ichinoya-san) and gave him some words of encouragement for the forthcoming World Championships in August in Paris. "The use of legs and loins in Sumo is unique, and it doesn't exist in other sports. I would like to implement this in my training", said MC Hammer. (Houchi) (In a state of confusion...) and late, but I just thought I'd mention it, since I saw it on the news. The aforementioned Koji Murofushi competed in Prague a few days ago and landed his hammer near the 85 meter mark (84.86 to be precise), which is his personal record and the longest throw since 1992. ;-) Still two meters short of Sedykh's world record (86.74), but improving. Some sumo training with the pros and he's there. B-) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kashunowaka 300 Posted July 3, 2003 (Punk rocker...) and late, but I just thought I'd mention it, since I saw it on the news. The aforementioned Koji Murofushi competed in Prague a few days ago and landed his hammer near the 85 meter mark (84.86 to be precise), which is his personal record and the longest throw since 1992. :-) Still two meters short of Sedykh's world record (86.74), but improving. Some sumo training with the pros and he's there. :-) In fact, it's the longest throw since 1988. (Laughing...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
