Day 7 results and day 8 pairings

[kaiguma 0]

O1e Chiyotaikai (4-3) M2e Kyokutenho (1-6)

This looks to be among the most anticipated bouts of the day, and you are sure to see competititive technique and forward-moving sumo on display.

Just look at the brilliant tete-a-tete over the past year:

Win/Loss Record for the Year 
			  Chiyotaikai  Kimarite  Kyokutenho 
March, 2006		   －					  － 
May, 2006			 w	   Hikiotoshi	  l 
July, 2006			w	   Hikiotoshi	  l 
September, 2006	   －					  － 
November, 2006		－					  － 
January, 2007		 l	   Hatakikomi	  w

(Holiday feeling...)

[Asashosakari 18,786]

I dunno, Taikai vs. Tenho has almost always been a pretty fun bout, even when Taikai was on his 21 (or whatever) head-to-head winning streak.

[kaiguma 0]

I dunno, Taikai vs. Tenho has almost always been a pretty fun bout, even when Taikai was on his 21 (or whatever) head-to-head winning streak.

You know I kind of agree, but as they age, when you put the two together the outcome is kind of predictable. I was being fecetious - as with many predictable things, getting there can still be interesting. I usually like Tenho bouts until he loses, at which point I am often disappointed. His day 7 loss was honorable, but then he went and made such a wimpy comment afterwards.

Someone else may start a thread on this, but for now, any thoughts on the Shirononami : Goeido match and rematch? I'm on our beloved fuzzy feed, but to me it looked like we were going to see the 'rare' sashi-chigae. So I was surprised at the tori-naoshi. Can't complain, since I like both of them and this makes the race all the more interesting. Did anyone have a clearer view of the action?

[kaiguma 0]

any thoughts on the Shirononami : Goeido match and rematch?

Same shinpan called the mono-ii for this and the next bout and both decision were wrong. Goeido should have won the first as Shirononami's mage touched first, Shunketsu should have lost as his foot was clearly touching the sand outside the dohyo before the push down.

On the feed it looked like Jinmaku Oyakata. He's got a cursed kabu, right?

[Sashohitowa 6]

I'm no fan of Kotooshu but I think that if he can ever get the mental part right then he could challenge the yokozuna and Hakuho for yusho for the next few years. In 2005 he looked unstoppable at one stage. Why not again. The knee is ok now so it's just a matter of confidence I think. Plus a bit more improvement on sumo basics. It's strange to say about an ozeki but he really sometimes seems like he is new to the sport. He should watch his heya mate Kotomitsuki more. If Oshu could develop a sumo sense like that he would be amazing.

Exactly my thoughts (except (maybe) the first part of the first sentance), but said in a more patient, more optimistic, and less pissed-off manner than me :-S

Asashosakari, thanks for the numbers you shared!

Edited March 18, 2007 by Sashohikufuhen

[BuBa 72]

Best bout of the day for sure! Maybe best bout of the basho as far as technical display is concerned. This is why I love Ajigawa! (Help me...) Aminishiki is the master technician, although younger guns Tokitenku and Toyonoshima are obviously competing for that title. Only problem is that Ama is not that far behind and he's learning from his Senior something new every day. I hope he never loses an ounce of the tenacity and cunning that make him so dangerous (see Adere's blow-by below). If you could instantly download all of Aminishiki's knowledge, skill, and instinct into Ama's brain, he would be Ozeki by Hatsu 08.

Hmm... Not that I want to rein back your Aminishiki enthusiasm, but above statement is not quite true. Aminishiki is a fine rikishi by all means but that doesn’t mean Ama is a lesser of them. In fact Ama reached sanyaku rank before Aminishiki in May Basho of 2006, while Ami became komusubi in November of the same year after 6 years in Makuchi. I would like to believe that Ama contributed to his breakthrough as much as Ami has helped Ama to get to where he is now. So in this case the “brain downloading” is a two way matter. Ama’s “knowledge, skill and instinct” are among the finest in sumo on its own.

I guess all I want to say is, please give a man a respect that he deserves and not belittle and reduce him to mere Ami’s sidekick. By the way Tokitenku is hardly a young gun compared to Aminishiki age wise, but then again certainly you may have been referring to their time spend in sumo.

Edited March 18, 2007 by BuBa

[aderechelsea 124]

If you could instantly download all of Aminishiki's knowledge, skill, and instinct into Ama's brain, he would be Ozeki by Hatsu 08.

Hmm... Not that I want to rein back your Aminishiki enthusiasm, but above statement is not quite true.

i have to agree with Buba on this one. I would also stretch it to say that putting Ama's brain in Aminishiki's body (minus the bad knees) would produce an Ozeki in the next 2 years.

[kaiguma 0]

I guess all I want to say is, please give a man a respect that he deserves and not belittle and reduce him to mere Ami

[sekihiryu 51]

How about Shunketsu's gusher? he was bleeding like a stuck pig! a 5min delay while they tried to stop it. He eventually fought with a wad of tissue up his nose and naturally leaped back from the tachai and tried hatakikomi to no avail - odd bout really!