Can Ama make it higher than Ozeki

[skycruiser 0]

Ama has been knocking at the Ozeki door for a while now.

With a good (12-13) win at the Aki bashoo, he could be promoted to

Ozeki for Fukuoka.

Although surely not on the same level as Chiyonofuji, Ama has about the same

build (same weight and a few inches taller).

His winnings are with various kimarite, making him multi dimensional in his sumo,

and hard to predict at tachiai.

He has great technique and speed, like the best uchari I have seen:

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseacti...ideoID=37881299

I hope he can find the inner strength that's required and needed, for him to move on to the next step.

Chiyonotora

[Tony 16]

If I remembered, Kitanoumi said at the end of last Nagoya basho that Ama's performance would be considerated as the beggining of ozeki's promotion race.

So, I don't think that he would be promoted despite a strong result in september.

[Jejima 1,080]

15-0, and I'd put some money on him making Ozeki (You are going off-topic...)

Edit: 14-1 yusho and I think he makes Ozeki

13-2, depends on what 'kind' of 13-2 it is...

12-3, I think not.

Edited September 11, 2008 by Jejima

[Bealzbob 0]

As the question was HIGHER than ozeki, then although technically he could do it I don't think he will. But I do think he will make ozeki injury-permitting.

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

I do not see him making Yokozuna, although I do believe he'll one day make Ozeki (heck, I said he'd make Ozeki pretty much when he entered Makuuchi, so I'd be quite the coward if I suddenly took that back when he actually starts hitting on the Ozeki door...).

Edited September 11, 2008 by Yubiquitoyama

[kaiguma 0]

despite uncontrolably salivating when glancing the title to this thread, I find myself doubting that he will ever make yokozuna, unless both Asashoryu and Hakuho somehow retire before he peaks.

but it would make a nice Disney movie. :-D

[skycruiser 0]

OK, 8 months later, same question: "Can Harumafuji make it higher than Ozeki?".

May be we might have a different perspective now!

Edited May 26, 2009 by skycruiser

[Kozaru 0]

OK, a year and a half later, same question: "Can Harumafuji make it higher than Ozeki?".

May be we might have a different perspective now!

It certainly would appear that way, wouldn't it? Seeing him in 3 Yokozuna fights this basho, it's obvious that he's not intimidated by them. He goes right in and starts doing his thing, largely controlling all 3 of the matches. He's not intimidated by them because he's one of them.

By the way, I see no problem with still calling him Ama, as some have suggested there should be. It's now a catchy nickname, just like there are nicknames for lots of rikishi on this forum. I prefer Ama, and will continue to use it. It's shorter to type, for one :)

[Kimyouzan 2]

I think he has a chance, especially if Asashoryu decided to retire soon (he's been holding his elbow a lot and didn't look very genki this basho).

Also, people are that lazy that they can't say/type Harumafuji? Besides, however nice Ama was, it's not a name fit for an Ozeki, especially if we're talking about his possible promotion to Yokozuna.

[Kozaru 0]

Also, people are that lazy that they can't say/type Harumafuji? Besides, however nice Ama was, it's not a name fit for an Ozeki, especially if we're talking about his possible promotion to Yokozuna.

Didn't realise how formal we had to be here! Yes, sir! Lighten up.

But what about Sexy, Giku, Hit-and-Miss, Oshu, Pup, Genghis, Robocop, Twin Peaks, the Kid, or whatever other nicknames we use for rikishi?

[Kintamayama 42,357]

Also, people are that lazy that they can't say/type Harumafuji? Besides, however nice Ama was, it's not a name fit for an Ozeki, especially if we're talking about his possible promotion to Yokozuna.

Didn't realise how formal we had to be here! Yes, sir! Lighten up.

But what about Sexy, Giku, Hit-and-Miss, Oshu, Pup, Genghis, Robocop, Twin Peaks, the Kid, or whatever other nicknames we use for rikishi?

Except for Robocop (which isn't used a lot anymore..), I haven't seen any of those names used here. Maybe on the other side..I'd say, it's more like Geeku, Osh, YMY, Cockeye (remember that??), Asa, the Hak, Shogun, O3, Wackymountain, Angelina Jolie, etc.., all used out of love and respect.

[Barang 0]

It is more like question when Ama will be Yokozuna. If he will get at least 13-2 in next basho then it will be very soon.

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

Well, I'm not putting my money on him making Yokozuna just yet. I can still see him as some Araiwa-type who wins several yusho, but doesn't quite manage to string them together. But admittedly, he is in a good spot right now, and when he can even win yusho with all top contenders against him, I do admit I might be too cautious. But we'll see...

[Jejima 1,080]

Harry's last 3 opps next basho should be Day 13 - Asashoryu, day 14 - Hakuho and day 15 Kotooshu....

Not wanting to start another conspiracy, but just how friendly are his fellow Mongolians? If (say) the YDC give him a target of a 'yusho equivalent' 13-2 (which I think was given to Tochiazuma when he was making his 'run'), and he goes into those last few days with a 11-1, or 10-2 record, and if (say) either (or both) the Yokozunas had already picked up a couple of losses, could (perhaps) one (or both) 'lend' him a win?

Or if one (or both) were undefeated, perhaps they could 'lend' the win, with the understanding that the 'kettei-sen' would go the other way?

:-)

However, as there are now 2 strong Yokozunas (unlike when Tochiazuma was having a go), I'd guess he'd be required to get a 'good' yusho.....

Edited May 25, 2009 by Jejima

[Asashosakari 17,343]

Yubi said pretty much everything I was going to say. Other than pointing out that this thread is only half a year old, not one and a half. (Holiday feeling...)

FWIW re: Jejima's point, perhaps I'm getting Sumotalkish in my old age, but somebody over there made the IMO quite sensible point recently that Hakuho's first tsuna run might well have been an example of such - Hakuho picking up a senshuraku 13th win over an already yusho-winning Asashoryu - with the YDC not being particularly impressed afterwards. Now that could simply be a reaction they would have shown to any candidate in a comparable situation, but I wouldn't be shocked if some type of "uh, no, not like that, please" consideration at least entered their conversation; it's not like the committee members have to justify their decision all that much when it's not a clear-cut two-yusho case.

[wanderer 159]

I don't know what he has in his mind. But considering his young age and years of prospect in front of him, it may play against his career if he makes it to Yokozuna, which may lead him to retirement prematurely. I still could not see him running for yusho on a regular basis. But, Harumafuji exceeded everybody's expectations on a regular basis, so we will just have to wait and see.

Another note: I could tell from the way things happened in the last 3 days that he won this yusho fair and square. Hakuho was eager to make a statement before his wedding ceremony, and Asa was on fire for his pride. Harumafuji just stormed in and obliterated his compatriots in an outstanding manner. Being in the same beya with Aminishiki plays imortant role here I guess. These two are the masters on their own right, who never flinch facing the two Yokozuna, and constantly explore ways to defeat the immortals.

[Kintamayama 42,357]

If (say) the YDC give him a target of a 'yusho equivalent' 13-2 (which I think was given to Tochiazuma when he was making his 'run'),

There was a reason for that yusho equivalent garbage, remember? "WWAJYDI*" ?

*We want a Japanese Yokozuna, damn it!

[_the_mind_ 0]

If (say) the YDC give him a target of a 'yusho equivalent' 13-2 (which I think was given to Tochiazuma when he was making his 'run'),

There was a reason for that yusho equivalent garbage, remember? "WWAJYDI*" ?

*We want a Japanese Yokozuna, damn it!

and for this reason it will take nothing less then yusho next basho to get a promotion....IMO

[skycruiser 0]

Other than pointing out that this thread is only half a year old, not one and a half. ;-)

Sorry, I am getting old and having problems with numbers (Holiday feeling...)

I corrected that to: 8 months, that should be close enough (On the banzuke...)