Heating the Wall, Part 7

[yamaneko 2]

We are now in our second year of this thread. For all the newbies, "the wall" means first makekoshi. For some rikishi, like Kotooshu, the wall is a minor hiccup in the road, met well into their career, in his case, komusubi. Then right after his first makekoshi, he never had another one until this last basho. For others, like Matsuoo, Kaisei, etc. the wall becomes a general halt in progress. After success, they get their first makekoshi, and continue struggling instead of bouncing back.

"heating" the wall is a play on the correct term "hitting" the wall, made famous by everyones favorite ossetian almost two years ago when referring to Wakanoho's climb up the ranks. The term stuck with many of us, and we have used it ever since. This basho, we will introduce a new feature called the "wall of flame" thanks to nishinoshima. This list will include guys who just recently heated their first wall, perhaps those who had to heat a wall due to injury, or those who heated a wall, and never looked back....the reason for this would be to further examine the correlation between long streaks of success to start out a career before getting their first makekoshi, and how it relates to how they end up doing.

For example, we mentioned kotooshu who got right back up. Then there are guys like baruto whose wall came about because of injury.

Anyway, with no further adu, lets get started....Division 1 are those guys who from day 1 we have had an eye on for this list, those who seemed destined for greatness. Some others are guys who have consistently gotten kachikoshi from maezumo, perhaps more quietly, but have earned their spot on the list. Division 2 are guys who we arent quite sure yet if they deserve to be watched TOO closely for future sekitorihood, or just have mostly had luck of the banzuke. Division 3 guys are the bottom of the barrell....the best of the rest of guys who perhaps only have a couple of unimpressive kachikoshi on their belts.

m16 Ichihara Aichi Kise 16.08.1984 180 166.2

Our first Makuuchi member of this list since Tochiozan i believe? One of 6 to leapfrog juryo in only one basho. First guy since baruto not to have enough hair yet for the full mage, chonmage is it called?

J12 Tochinoshin Georgia Kasugano 13.10.1987 191 142.2

First Gaijin sekitori on this list since the man who started it all, wakanoho. He has had a very similar career path as wakanoho until now, but if he continues to follow such path, it means he will get makekoshi this basho.

ms4 Tosayutaka Kochi Tokitsukaze 10.03.1985 178 136

This is the guy who has come out of nowhere to be on the verge of becoming among the elite banzuke shooters of all time. However many feel that his lack of size and elite skill might catch up with him at such a high rank.

ms 9 Takunishiki Chiba Chiganoura 19.05.1983 185 188.5

This guy has been the longest in recent memory to be a part of this list. This is now his 12th basho, and he has not heat the wall yet. But a man can only get so many 4-3's in a row before finally heating the wall.

ms21 Aran Russia Mihogaseki 31.01.1984 185 128.8

Even after wakanoho's departure, ossetia is still well represented by aran. His only loss last basho was to tosayutaka. At his age and amateur accolades, it would be a dissapointment if he were to makekoshi this basho.

ms28 Minami Kumamoto Onoe 14.10.1984 181.5 171.7

Minami has had 2 makushita basho already, and has done well. Not much was expected of him off the bat compared to fellow entrants yamamotoyama, ri, aran, but already he has surpassed ri on the banzuke, and yamamotoyama already heated the wall big time last basho.

ms38 Ri Hyogo Kasugano 06.04.1988 193.5 163.5

One of the younger makushita rikishi, ri is in his second makushita basho, like Aran.

sd25 Shiratsuka Mie Kise May 13, 1984 191 cm 182 kg

Another guy to quietly make his way up the list, this will be his first basho in division 1. He earned it with a 6-1 last basho.

sd14 Kyokushuho Mongolia Oshima 09.08.1988 190 114

The kid looked very strong in his zensho yusho from high jonidan. This is quite a jump in rank for him, this basho will be key to see how he does jumping up so much in rank one basho to the next. Will we see him in makushita next basho?

Division 2

sd43 Tamadaiki Ishikawa Kataonami November 2, 1988 180 cm 119 kg

Not much buzz around this guy, but hey, he has made it this far.

sd68 Hamauzu Kochi Kasugano January 29, 1989 186 cm 135 kg

Same as above, but is fairly young.

sd77 Mise Ishikawa Tamanoi September 27, 1988 182 cm 145 kg

Ditto again.

sd96 Tamakaizan Aichi Kataonami October 14, 1988 176 cm 116 kg

he completes the very weak division 2 class.

Division 3

jd11 Higuchi Hokkaido Hakkaku October 24, 1988 183 cm 105 kg

Jd102 Daigen Aichi Michinoku June 14, 1991 171cm 78kg

jd116 Azumanami Fukushima Tamanoi November 29, 1984 175 cm 143 kg

[yamaneko 2]

How Division 1 and 2got here....

m16 Ichihara Aichi Kise 16.08.1984 180 166.2

2007.01 Ms10TD 5-2

2007.03 Ms4e 5-2

2007.05 Ms2w 4-3

2007.07 Ms1w 4-3

2007.09 Ms1e 6-1

2007.11 J11e 13-2 D

J12 Tochinoshin Georgia Kasugano 13.10.1987 191 142.2

2006.03 Mz 2-0

2006.05 Jk17e 5-2

2006.07 Jd95e 5-1-1

2006.09 Jd49w 7-0

2006.11 Sd49w 6-1

2007.01 Ms59e 5-2

2007.03 Ms41w 5-2

2007.05 Ms28e 5-2

2007.07 Ms18w 6-1

2007.09 Ms6e 5-2

2007.11 Ms1e 5-2

ms4 Tosayutaka Kochi Tokitsukaze 10.03.1985 178 136

2007.03 Mz 2-0

2007.05 Jk9w 6-1

2007.07 Jd57e 7-0 Y Yusho

2007.09 Sd57w 7-0 Y Yusho

2007.11 Ms33w 7-0 Y Yusho

ms 9 Takunishiki Chiba Chiganoura 19.05.1983 185 188.5

2006.01 Mz 3-1

2006.03 Jk32e 7-0

2006.05 Jd26w 6-1

2006.07 Sd63e 5-2

2006.09 Sd32e 5-2

2006.11 Sd9w 5-2

2007.01 Ms51e 5-2

2007.03 Ms31w 4-3

2007.05 Ms27w 4-3

2007.07 Ms20w 4-3

2007.09 Ms15w 4-3

2007.11 Ms11w 4-3

ms21 Aran Russia Mihogaseki 31.01.1984 185 128.8

2007.01 Mz 2-3

2007.03 Jk33e 7-0

2007.05 Jd26w 6-1

2007.07 Sd60e 5-2

2007.09 Sd31e 6-1

2007.11 Ms49w 6-1

ms28 Minami Kumamoto Onoe 14.10.1984 181.5 171.7

2007.01 Mz 3-0

2007.03 Jk31w 6-1

2007.05 Jd60w 6-1

2007.07 Sd92e 7-0

2007.09 Ms59e 5-2

2007.11 Ms41e 5-2

ms38 Ri Hyogo Kasugano 06.04.1988 193.5 163.5

2007.01 Mz 3-2

2007.03 Jk32w 5-2

2007.05 Jd94w 7-0

2007.07 Sd80w 6-1

2007.09 Sd23e 5-2

2007.11 Ms58w 5-2

sd25 Shiratsuka Mie Kise May 13, 1984 191 cm 182 kg

2007.03 Mz 2-0

2007.05 Jk11e 5-2

2007.07 Jd89w 6-1

2007.09 Jd14w 5-2

2007.11 Sd82e 6-1

sd14 Kyokushuho Mongolia Oshima 09.08.1988 190 114

2007.05 Mz 3-0

2007.07 Jk35w 6-1

2007.09 Jd76w 6-1

2007.11 Jd5e 7-0 Y Yusho

Division 2 guys

sd43 Tamadaiki Ishikawa Kataonami November 2, 1988 180 cm 119 kg

2007.03 Mz 2-0

2007.05 Jk10w 6-1

2007.07 Jd57w 5-2

2007.09 Jd21e 6-1

2007.11 Sd59e 4-3

sd68 Hamauzu Kochi Kasugano January 29, 1989 186 cm 135 kg

2007.03 Mz 2-1

2007.05 Jk18w 5-1-1

2007.07 Jd97e 6-1

2007.09 Jd20e 4-3

2007.11 Sd99w 5-2

sd77 Mise Ishikawa Tamanoi September 27, 1988 182 cm 145 kg

2007.03 Mz 2-0

2007.05 Jk13w 5-2

2007.07 Jd92w 6-1

2007.09 Jd16w 4-3

2007.11 Sd95w 4-3

sd96 Tamakaizan Aichi Kataonami October 14, 1988 176 cm 116 kg

2007.07 Jk36w 5-2

2007.09 Jd116e 6-1

2007.11 Jd35w 5-2

[yamaneko 2]

The "Wall of Flame"

M10 Wakanoho

2005.05 Jk18e 6-1

2005.07 Jd64w 5-2

2005.09 Jd26w 7-0 Y Yusho

2005.11 Sd30e 6-1

2006.01 Ms49w 6-1 D

2006.03 Ms21w 5-2

2006.05 Ms12w 5-2

2006.07 Ms7e 4-3

2006.09 Ms6e 6-1

2006.11 Ms1e 4-3

2007.01 J12w 5-10

2007.03 Ms2e 5-2

2007.05 J13e 10-5

2007.07 J4e 8-7

2007.09 J1w 10-5

2007.11 M13w 9-6

j3 sakaizawa (one makekoshi due to injury, one regular makekoshi)

2006.05 Jk16w 7-0 Y Yusho

2006.07 Jd21w 7-0 D

2006.09 Sd27w 6-1

2006.11 Ms46w 6-1

2007.01 Ms19w 7-0 Y Yusho

2007.03 Ms2w 5-2

2007.05 Ms1e 5-2

2007.07 J10w 7-6-2

2007.09 J11w 7-8

2007.11 J13e 13-2 Y Yusho

ms58 Yamamotoyama

2007.03 Jk32e 6-1

2007.05 Jd61e 7-0 Y

2007.07 Sd59w 6-1

2007.09 Sd6w 6-1

2007.11 Ms32e 1-6

sd77 Terashita

2007.03 Mz 2-0

2007.05 Jk11w 7-0 Y Yusho

2007.07 Jd17w 6-1

2007.09 Sd55w 5-2

2007.11 Sd27e 0-2-5

Some recent guys who would have been in the wall of flame and who have proven themselves as solid sekitori: Kotooshu, Tochiozan, Baruto, Toyohibiki

Edited January 12, 2008 by yamaneko

[messi19 0]

Great job, yamaneko.

I'd suggest Akiyutaka (formerly Tokitairyu) could be added to the Wall of Flame in the near future.

http://sumodb.sumogames.com/Rikishi.aspx?r=6593

[yamaneko 2]

Good catch, i forgot about him. I take it with the shikona change, he will for sure be back this basho?

[kaiguma 0]

Good catch, i forgot about him. I take it with the shikona change, he will for sure be back this basho?

you list him above at his highest rank (Ms12) rather than his current rank of Ms58...

[kaiguma 0]

J12 Tochinoshin Georgia Kasugano 13.10.1987 191 142.2

First Gaijin sekitori on this list since the man who started it all, wakanoho. He has had a very similar career path as wakanoho until now, but if he continues to follow such path, it means he will get makekoshi this basho.

My take on this (which will not impress Nish) is that Tochinoshin has loads more Heart than Wakanoho does, or at least brings loads more with him to honbasho. I don't imagine him taking any of the devious steps that have led Wakanoho to mk and several barely there kk since becoming sekitori. If Tochinoshin goes mk he will do it head-on in every bout and learn all of the lessons at his disposal. I'd even go so far as to say that Tochinoshin has a better chance of making ozeki than our original wall-heater.

But he is still smaller than Wakanoho was during his sekitori debut, so it will be a tough battle against the wall. I hope I get a chance to see many of the bouts!

[Gusoyama 105]

Beating Nishi to the punch, Wakanoho's a full 9 months younger than Touchy no shins, don't forget that. They have VERY similar career paths, so far.

[kaiguma 0]

Tochinoshin I really like too. Wakanoho has the 体 Tochi has the 心 and last weeks cousin from Shanghai had the 技.

What a happy end to the year for all.

You sure that was only a massage?

EDIT: sorry for that mods, we could beat anything off, um, topic.

Edited December 27, 2007 by kaiguma

[kaiguma 0]

You sure that was only a massage?

I never mentioned massage.

When we hear she had "technique" and a "happy ending" for the new year, what do you expect us to think? (I am not worthy...)

[yamaneko 2]

ok, lets get back on topic here.

anyone like to venture a guess as to some results? Here is my stab

Division 1 most likely to get makekoshi: Tochinoshin, Takunishiki

Division 1 most likely to succeed: Aran, Kyokushuho

Wall of flame, most likely to crash and burn: None....maybe wakanoho

Wall of flame most likely to bounce back: Yamamotoyama

[messi19 0]

Pretty good predictions - the only one I don't necessarily agree with is Tochinoshin.

Akiyutaka should bounce back very strongly in lower makushita too.

[Mark Buckton 1]

m16 Ichihara Aichi Kise 16.08.1984 180 166.2

First guy since baruto not to have enough hair yet for the full mage, chonmage is it called?

using the word 'full' - as in seen on top of a sekitori during a bout - you probably mean 'oicho' (mage)

[higginbotham 0]

ok, lets get back on topic here.

anyone like to venture a guess as to some results? Here is my stab

Division 1 most likely to get makekoshi: Tochinoshin, Takunishiki

Division 1 most likely to succeed: Aran, Kyokushuho

Wall of flame, most likely to crash and burn: None....maybe wakanoho

Wall of flame most likely to bounce back: Yamamotoyama

You meant succeed as a kk in January or in a broader sense, including their forthcomings careers ? For the former and maybe the latter Tosayutaka can be included, however zensho yusho may not come easily in January.

Edited December 29, 2007 by higginbotham

[kaiguma 0]

m16 Ichihara Aichi Kise 16.08.1984 180 166.2

First guy since baruto not to have enough hair yet for the full mage, chonmage is it called?

using the word 'full' - as in seen on top of a sekitori during a bout - you probably mean 'oicho' (mage)

So Ichihara will have only chon-mage, rather than typical sekitori oicho-mage (maybe that's what you meant, Bradley?)

I might nominate Ichihara as the most likely to succeed, though Kyokushuho is an easier bet. Different ballparks altogether, though. 9 or 10 for Ichihara is the on a similar par to 6 or 7 for Kyokushuho at his current rank. I will keep my eyes peeled on both of them!

[yamaneko 2]

kaiguma, yes, that is what i meant.

I picked tochinoshin just taking a stab that his career will continue to mirror wakanoho at this stage, and even if hes only HALF as bad as wakanoho was in his first juryo basho, he will still get makekoshi.

Ichihara has a relatively difficult lower maegashira to deal with. Lets see how he does. It seems to be stronger than usual with the likes of takamisakari, tochiozan, futeno, kasugao, etc.

[yamaneko 2]

Day 1 results

"wall of flame"

M10 Wakanoho 0-1 L

j3 sakaizawa 1-0 W

ms58 Yamamotoyama 0-0

sd77 Terashita 0-0

Division 3

jd11 Higuchi 0-0

Jd102 Daigen 1-0 W

jd116 Azumanami 0-0

Division 2

sd43 Tamadaiki 0-1 L

sd68 Hamauzu 0-1 L

sd77 Mise 0-1 L

sd96 Tamakaizan 1-0 W

Division 1

m16 Ichihara 1-0 W

J12 Tochinoshin 1-0 W

ms4 Tosayutaka 0-0

ms 9 Takunishiki 0-0

ms21 Aran 1-0 W

ms28 Minami 0-0

ms38 Ri 0-1 L

sd25 Shiratsuka 1-0 W

sd14 Kyokushuho 0-0

Edited January 13, 2008 by yamaneko

[yamaneko 2]

I dont think weve ever had such a worse 2 day total than this to start a basho. So many losses already.

Day 2 results

"wall of flame"

M10 Wakanoho 1-1

j3 sakaizawa 1-1 L

ms58 Yamamotoyama 1-0

sd77 Terashita 1-0

Division 3

jd11 Higuchi 0-1

Jd102 Daigen 1-0

jd116 Azumanami 1-0

Division 2

sd43 Tamadaiki 0-1

sd68 Hamauzu 0-1

sd77 Mise 0-1 L

sd96 Tamakaizan 1-0

Division 1

m16 Ichihara 1-1

J12 Tochinoshin 1-1

ms4 Tosayutaka 1-0

ms 9 Takunishiki 0-1

ms21 Aran 1-0

ms28 Minami 1-0

ms38 Ri 0-1

sd25 Shiratsuka 1-0

sd14 Kyokushuho 0-1

[yamaneko 2]

Day 3 results

"wall of flame"

M10 Wakanoho 2-1

j3 sakaizawa 2-1

ms58 Yamamotoyama 1-0

sd77 Terashita 1-0

Division 3

jd11 Higuchi 1-1

Jd102 Daigen 1-0

jd116 Azumanami 1-0

Division 2

sd43 Tamadaiki 1-1

sd68 Hamauzu 1-1

sd77 Mise 1-1

sd96 Tamakaizan 1-1

Division 1

m16 Ichihara 2-1

J12 Tochinoshin 2-1

ms4 Tosayutaka 1-0

ms 9 Takunishiki 1-1

ms21 Aran 1-0

ms28 Minami 1-0

ms38 Ri 1-1

sd25 Shiratsuka 1-0

sd14 Kyokushuho 0-1

Edited January 15, 2008 by yamaneko

[yamaneko 2]

Day 4 results

The last couple days many guys have gotten back on the winning track after a dismal showing the first couple of days. Minami and aran might end up facing each other next week if they keep it up...aran has faced yamamotoyama 3 times and ri once in honbasho, but he never has faced minami, the last member of the best recruiting class for a while. They did face each other in maezumo, and minami won. Tosayutaka keeps up his winning ways. Still hard to believe his only loss was to fellow entrant, and more highly regarded at the time, terashita, who is way behind at sandanme 77. If tosa keeps it up we might see him soon in a juryo bout which im guessing might be pretty close to a record for fastest juryo appearance from maezumo dohyo debut.

"wall of flame"

M10 Wakanoho 3-1

j3 sakaizawa 3-1

ms58 Yamamotoyama 2-0

sd77 Terashita 2-0

Division 3

jd11 Higuchi 1-1

Jd102 Daigen 1-1

jd116 Azumanami 2-0

Division 2

sd43 Tamadaiki 1-1

sd68 Hamauzu 1-1

sd77 Mise 1-1

sd96 Tamakaizan 1-1

Division 1

m16 Ichihara 3-1

J12 Tochinoshin 3-1

ms4 Tosayutaka 2-0

ms 9 Takunishiki 1-1

ms21 Aran 2-0

ms28 Minami 2-0

ms38 Ri 1-1

sd25 Shiratsuka 2-0

sd14 Kyokushuho 1-1

[yamaneko 2]

Day 8 results

Sorry about my delay in updating, i was in the dominican republic for a couple days, and was too lazy to post the updates. Our "wall of flame" and "division 1" guys are doing relatively quite well over all, while division 2 and 3 are filled with mostly no names who arent doing much. At least we can be sure that we wont see any removals from this list for AT LEAST 2-3 days as no one has 3 losses. However with the number of guys who are at .500, were bound to lose a few.

"wall of flame"

M10 Wakanoho 5-3

j3 sakaizawa 6-2

ms58 Yamamotoyama 4-0

sd77 Terashita 4-0

Division 3

jd11 Higuchi 2-2

Jd102 Daigen 2-2

jd116 Azumanami 3-1

Division 2

sd43 Tamadaiki 2-2

sd68 Hamauzu 3-1

sd77 Mise 2-2

sd96 Tamakaizan 2-2

Division 1

m16 Ichihara 5-3

J12 Tochinoshin 6-2

ms4 Tosayutaka 4-0

ms 9 Takunishiki 2-2

ms21 Aran 4-0

ms28 Minami 3-1

ms38 Ri 2-2

sd25 Shiratsuka 4-0

sd14 Kyokushuho 3-1

[yamaneko 2]

Day 9 results

Some guys got their 3rd loss today. I guarantee by day 11 we will have lost at least 1 from our list. Yamamotoyama who no one seemed to think was any good is 5-0. I always said, partly based on my heat the wall list that you dont have the streak he had going into last basho, and then get 1-6 without some kind of injury or something else going on. I dont think he makes sekitori in the next 4 basho or so, but i also dont think hes a sandame level guy as some were saying. Tosayutaka continues to defy all non believers (myself included) with another victory today. Juryo bout next? My second favorite ossetian, aran, is doing quite well so far. Takunishiki might FINALLY get his first makekoshi, he is 2-3 now in his 12th basho with no makekoshi.

"wall of flame"

M10 Wakanoho 6-3

j3 sakaizawa 6-3

ms58 Yamamotoyama 5-0

sd77 Terashita 4-0

Division 3

jd11 Higuchi 2-3

Jd102 Daigen 2-3

jd116 Azumanami 3-2

Division 2

sd43 Tamadaiki 3-2

sd68 Hamauzu 4-1

sd77 Mise 2-3

sd96 Tamakaizan 2-2

Division 1

m16 Ichihara 5-4

J12 Tochinoshin 6-3

ms4 Tosayutaka 5-0

ms 9 Takunishiki 2-3

ms21 Aran 5-0

ms28 Minami 3-1

ms38 Ri 2-2

sd25 Shiratsuka 4-1

sd14 Kyokushuho 3-1

Edited January 21, 2008 by yamaneko

[Zuikakuyama 1]

Just as purely an aside, is there any way to get oneself removed from the wall of flame, and what are those criteria. Seems to me that the first 2 candidates on the wall may qualify as coming off the wall now that they are performing relativley well for at least one basho.

By the way, I really appreciate the "how they got there" recaps you gave at the start of each thread.

Edited January 21, 2008 by Zuikakuyama

[kaiguma 0]

Just as purely an aside, is there any way to get oneself removed from the wall of flame, and what are those criteria. Seems to me that the first 2 candidates on the wall may qualify as coming off the wall now that they are performing relativley well for at least one basho.

By the way, I really appreciate the "how they got there" recaps you gave at the start of each thread.

Even becoming yokozuna will not have one removed. The concept of this entire thread is too keep a watch on those who have never had MK. The wall of flame represents those that have had at least one MK but took it in stride and continued to show strong KKs afterwards. I believe some of these are only due to injury and so forth.

[yamaneko 2]

Yes that is correct. I have the wall of flame there to see if my ongoing theory about how good starts equal career success. There are guys like baruto who get to the wall prematurely due to injury. He would have been on the list. Then there are guys like kotooshu who hit the wall hard, yet bounce back to great heights.

With the current wall of flame guys, i want to see if wakanoho had a kotooshu like wall heating, in that its a one and done makekoshi for a while. With sakaizawa, i want to see how high he goes, as his makekoshi was in part due to injury. Terashita i want to see if it was a fluke makekoshi (remember, this is the ONLY guy ever to have beaten tosayutaka).