Day 9 results and day 10 pairings

[Doitsuyama 1,192]

Day 9

Juryo

Ms2e   Takanoyama (3-2)	shitatenage	J14w   Tsurugidake (3-6)
J13e   Masuraumi (2-7)	 oshidashi	  Ms2w   Kanbayashi (2-3)
Ms1w   Kakizoe (2-3)	   tsukiotoshi	J11e   Shironoryu (3-6)
J9e	Masunoyama (7-2)	tsukiotoshi	J12w   Tamaasuka (4-5)
J6w	Kokkai (3-6)		shitatenage	J13w   Yoshiazuma (5-4)
J12e   Sagatsukasa (7-2)   sukuinage	  J4e	Daido (4-5)
J10w   Hochiyama (5-4)	 yorikiri	   J3e	Takarafuji (6-3)
J9w	Sadanofuji (4-5)	hikiotoshi	 J2e	Bushuyama (3-6)
J8e	Sadanoumi (4-5)	 yorikiri	   J1w	Tamanoshima (1-8)
J1e	Takayasu (5-4)	  uwatenage	  J7w	Akiseyama (3-6)

Makuuchi

M14e   Gagamaru (4-5)	  oshidashi	  M16e   Miyabiyama (4-5)
M13w   Tokitenku (3-6)	 okuridashi	 J8w	Fujiazuma (6-3)
M16w   Kaisei (9-0)		uwatenage	  M12w   Toyohibiki (6-3)
M11w   Tochinowaka (3-6)   oshidashi	  M15e   Takamisakari (3-6)
M9e	Tosayutaka (6-3)	yorikiri	   M17e   Kimurayama (5-4)
M14w   Tochinonada (5-4)   tsukiotoshi	M8w	Shotenro (2-7)
M7w	Yoshikaze (7-2)	 yorikiri	   M9w	Asasekiryu (4-5)
M6w	Tochinoshin (8-1)   yorikiri	   M10w   Wakakoyu (4-5)
M6e	Tamawashi (5-4)	 oshidashi	  M8e	Kyokutenho (4-5)

M3w	Aminishiki (3-6)	oshitaoshi	 M5w	Wakanosato (4-5)
M1e	Goeido (5-4)		yorikiri	   M3e	Kitataiki (2-7)
S1w	Kisenosato (4-5)	hatakikomi	 M2w	Tochiozan (2-7)
S1e	Kotoshogiku (7-2)   oshidashi	  M2e	Homasho (2-7)
O2w	Harumafuji (5-4)	yorikiri	   M5e	Aran (3-6)
O2e	Baruto (8-1)		yoritaoshi	 K1w	Toyonoshima (1-8)
K1e	Kakuryu (6-3)	   oshidashi	  O1w	Kaio (6-3)
M4e	Okinoumi (5-4)	  kotenage	   O1e	Kotooshu (3-6)
Y1e	Hakuho (9-0)		oshidashi	  M4w	Takekaze (4-5)

Day 10

Juryo

Ms3e   Arawashi (2-3)					 J14w   Tsurugidake (3-6)
J13e   Masuraumi (2-7)					J10w   Hochiyama (5-4)
J8e	Sadanoumi (4-5)					J13w   Yoshiazuma (5-4)
J9e	Masunoyama (7-2)				   J8w	Fujiazuma (6-3)
J12w   Tamaasuka (4-5)					J7w	Akiseyama (3-6)
J3e	Takarafuji (6-3)				   J12e   Sagatsukasa (7-2)
J2e	Bushuyama (3-6)					J11e   Shironoryu (3-6)
J1e	Takayasu (5-4)					 J9w	Sadanofuji (4-5)
J4e	Daido (4-5)						J1w	Tamanoshima (1-8)

Makuuchi

M15e   Takamisakari (3-6)				 J6w	Kokkai (3-6)
M17e   Kimurayama (5-4)				   M12w   Toyohibiki (6-3)
M16e   Miyabiyama (4-5)				   M11w   Tochinowaka (3-6)
M9e	Tosayutaka (6-3)				   M14e   Gagamaru (4-5)
M14w   Tochinonada (5-4)				  M9w	Asasekiryu (4-5)
M8e	Kyokutenho (4-5)				   M10w   Wakakoyu (4-5)
M13w   Tokitenku (3-6)					M7w	Yoshikaze (7-2)
M16w   Kaisei (9-0)					   M6w	Tochinoshin (8-1)
M8w	Shotenro (2-7)					 M5w	Wakanosato (4-5)

M3e	Kitataiki (2-7)					M4e	Okinoumi (5-4)
M6e	Tamawashi (5-4)					M3w	Aminishiki (3-6)
K1e	Kakuryu (6-3)					  M2e	Homasho (2-7)
M1e	Goeido (5-4)					   K1w	Toyonoshima (1-8)
S1e	Kotoshogiku (7-2)				  M2w	Tochiozan (2-7)
O1e	Kotooshu (3-6)					 M5e	Aran (3-6)
O2e	Baruto (8-1)					   O2w	Harumafuji (5-4)
M4w	Takekaze (4-5)					 O1w	Kaio (6-3)
Y1e	Hakuho (9-0)					   S1w	Kisenosato (4-5)

[Washuyama 641]

M16w   Kaisei (9-0)					   M6w	Tochinoshin (8-1)

Looks like Kaisei gets his first "real test" on Day 10. Ought to be a good one!!

[Jaak 7]

Day 10

Makuuchi
O2e	Baruto (8-1)					   O2w	Harumafuji (5-4)

Already? (5 ozekis and yokozuna could meet in 5 days).

Sounds like a time to start ozeki games, Harumafuji needs some and Baruto does not.... Or else Baruto is motivated despite this being a play basho.

[Asashosakari 19,543]

Day 10

Makuuchi
O2e	Baruto (8-1)					   O2w	Harumafuji (5-4)

Already? (5 ozekis and yokozuna could meet in 5 days).

Already? The typical schedule with 5 Y/O starts on Day 8 or 9, they're actually compressing it, probably due to not knowing if Kotooshu will stay in until the end.

Edited May 16, 2011 by Asashosakari

[Jejima 1,406]

Ms2e Takanoyama (3-2)

It was mentioned on another thread that 3 wins at ms1 would be enough for promotion to Juryo. How about at ms2? I was introduced to Takanoyama by Shiroikuma at a Junior World Championship before he joined Ozumo. I would be very happy to see him as a sekitori (Sign of approval...).

[Asashosakari 19,543]

Ms2e Takanoyama (3-2)

It was mentioned on another thread that 3 wins at ms1 would be enough for promotion to Juryo. How about at ms2? I was introduced to Takanoyama by Shiroikuma at a Junior World Championship before he joined Ozumo. I would be very happy to see him as a sekitori (Sign of approval...).

I don't think anyone knows for sure right now. One thing to consider: Takanohana may be the chief of judging, but he's not really an appointed spokesperson on banzuke-making matters, so his comment that 3-4's can be sufficient for promotion might not mean more than that the shimpan group met, looked at a few reference banzuke and figured, "well, guess we're going to have some trouble finding 13 promotees the usual way, huh?" They haven't necessarily made a firm commitment that small makekoshi will be promotable. Maybe they'll get lucky and there's a whole bunch of equally borderline records (like this: 4-3's, 5-2's, 6-1's) that can all be promoted and there's no need to think about promoting MK records. On the other hand, maybe the 3-4's will fall in a convenient way - say, two or three of them between Ms1 and Ms3, and no more until about Ms8 - so that it's easy to justify why those 3-4's are getting promoted and not any others. I don't think they want to get into a situation where e.g. Arawashi (Ms3e) goes up with 3 wins, but Nionoumi (Ms4e) doesn't.

In any case, there's a lot of confusing information out there. I don't remember to whom the statement was credited, but somebody said something to the effect of, "any makushita rikishi who has to face juryo opponents should be promoted", which prompted some over-eager folks on 2ch to claim that Aoiyama was assured his juryo promotion as soon as he finished his Day 1 bout. (Of course that's complete nonsense; nobody's going to go to juryo with a 1-6 just because one of his bouts involved a juryo rikishi. If they wanted to do it that way, they would have filled up juryo before the basho.) There was also a supplemental comment by Takanohana (Edit: it was Nakamura) that the effective "promotion zone" will be likely expanded from the usual Ms1-Ms5 down to Ms10, which some people have taken to mean that any KK in the top 10 ranks will be sufficient - but on closer consideration it means no such thing. A 4-3 from Ms5 may be in the normal promotion zone, but it's usually not a promotable record, so likewise one shouldn't necessarily expect a 4-3 from Ms10 to suffice.

Edited May 17, 2011 by Asashosakari

[Pippooshu 1]

Ms2e Takanoyama (3-2)

It was mentioned on another thread that 3 wins at ms1 would be enough for promotion to Juryo. How about at ms2? I was introduced to Takanoyama by Shiroikuma at a Junior World Championship before he joined Ozumo. I would be very happy to see him as a sekitori (Sign of approval...).

Me too! (Applauding...)

I would like to see him Sekitori. I think can be a very good spot for sumo, b'cause he has e good technic and a slim, curious figure.

[Asashosakari 19,543]

There was also a supplemental comment by Takanohana (Edit: it was Nakamura) that the effective "promotion zone" will be likely expanded from the usual Ms1-Ms5 down to Ms10, which some people have taken to mean that any KK in the top 10 ranks will be sufficient - but on closer consideration it means no such thing. A 4-3 from Ms5 may be in the normal promotion zone, but it's usually not a promotable record, so likewise one shouldn't necessarily expect a 4-3 from Ms10 to suffice.

And right on cue, this morning's Sports Hochi is blaring the headline, "Hamanishiki back in juryo after 7 years!" I'm not so sure he should rest on his 4 wins just yet. FWIW, if he does make it, he's obliterating the "longest time spent in the toriteki wilderness before returning" record - he's been down there for 38 basho, the current record is 32, held by Dewanoshima.

Edited May 17, 2011 by Asashosakari

[Kuroyama 715]

Ms2e Takanoyama (3-2)

It was mentioned on another thread that 3 wins at ms1 would be enough for promotion to Juryo. How about at ms2? I was introduced to Takanoyama by Shiroikuma at a Junior World Championship before he joined Ozumo. I would be very happy to see him as a sekitori (Sign of approval...).

Me too! (Applauding...)

I would like to see him Sekitori. I think can be a very good spot for sumo, b'cause he has e good technic and a slim, curious figure.

Agreed. I don't think he'll last long, but after 10 years in ozumo and for the amount of time he's been hovering around the top of makushita he at least deserves a cup of coffee.

[Asashosakari 19,543]

Agreed. I don't think he'll last long, but after 10 years in ozumo and for the amount of time he's been hovering around the top of makushita he at least deserves a cup of coffee.

In normal times I would have agreed, but considering that basically the entire lower half of juryo will be made up of rikishi just like Takanoyama (and many worse) next basho, he might be competitive for a bit. His biggest obstacle might well be getting too much banzuke luck - if he's in juryo for Nagoya, scoring a small KK might send him to something like J6 in Aki where he'd be at risk of getting battered to 12+ losses by the makuuchi-juryo cruisers. If he could do the Kyokunankai thing and somehow manage to remain mostly in the J8-J13 corridor he might be able to get a year or more of juryo time...it's going to take a while to sort out who's actually a top 70 rikishi in these new times and who has just fluked his promotion, and I think Takanoyama has the edge on many others who will accompany him to juryo if/when he makes it.

[Flohru 176]

In normal times I would have agreed, but considering that basically the entire lower half of juryo will be made up of rikishi just like Takanoyama (and many worse) next basho, he might be competitive for a bit. His biggest obstacle might well be getting too much banzuke luck - if he's in juryo for Nagoya, scoring a small KK might send him to something like J6 in Aki where he'd be at risk of getting battered to 12+ losses by the makuuchi-juryo cruisers. If he could do the Kyokunankai thing and somehow manage to remain mostly in the J8-J13 corridor he might be able to get a year or more of juryo time...it's going to take a while to sort out who's actually a top 70 rikishi in these new times and who has just fluked his promotion, and I think Takanoyama has the edge on many others who will accompany him to juryo if/when he makes it.

And then of course it is quite possible that with all those intais and the fact that Takanoyama is now clearly at the peak of his career (a peak that could easily last longer than one year) he is in fact a top 70 rikishi just now.

BTW, Hamanishiki might still be surpassed in the quest for the "longest time spent in the toriteki wilderness before returning"-record as Towanoyama should have an outside shot at promotion, too...

[Kintamayama 45,445]

BTW, Hamanishiki might still be surpassed in the quest for the "longest time spent in the toriteki wilderness before returning"-record as Towanoyama should have an outside shot at promotion, too...

And maybe this time, he might even step on the dohyo in Makuuchi!!

[Asashosakari 19,543]

And then of course it is quite possible that with all those intais and the fact that Takanoyama is now clearly at the peak of his career (a peak that could easily last longer than one year) he is in fact a top 70 rikishi just now.

I agree. On re-reading I see I didn't actually make my argument very well - ordinarily, the problem is that somebody who is just inside the top 70 probably isn't a very steady juryo rikishi, rather somebody bouncing between juryo and makushita, or at least constantly at risk of demotion. (Hard to think of a good example...Kanbayashi in his first juryo days maybe? Or Asofuji from late 2007 to early 2009.) But the way juryo is going to be for the next few basho, somebody who's a true-talent #70 will probably be afforded career stability like a #60 or better in normal times (e.g. Kyokunankai), because there are going to be quite a few guys (much) worse than #70 who will be making up the numbers in juryo until all these cup-of-coffee'ers have been replaced with rikishi with true sekitori upside (after interim replacement by other cup-of-coffee guys, probably).

Actually, Takanoyama might have the Hokutoriki effect going for him, too. It was my impression that after Hoku lost the ability to be a meatgrinder-level rikishi, he mostly managed to hang on in lower makuuchi because his fighting style was so unusual, and the frequent new guys in that banzuke area were at a loss how to handle him so he got a lot of easy wins when he faced them the first couple of times. (After which they either figured him out, or moved up or down and didn't have to face him again.) Takanoyama's style might be too much to handle for a few supposedly stronger veterans at first, too.

And speaking of guys probably worse than #70...

BTW, Hamanishiki might still be surpassed in the quest for the "longest time spent in the toriteki wilderness before returning"-record as Towanoyama should have an outside shot at promotion, too...

Wow, you're right. I've completely lost track of how long Towanoyama has been gone. That's going to be quite the press story, should they both make it.

Edited May 17, 2011 by Asashosakari

[Yubinhaad 11,737]

If he could do the Kyokunankai thing and somehow manage to remain mostly in the J8-J13 corridor

Phew... Glad you established which Kyokunankai thing he might do. (Zabuton flying...)

[Kuroyama 715]

I'd be very glad to be wrong about it then. I haven't had the opportunity to see Takanoyama fight too often, so I'm not in the best place to make a guess at his chances. On a philosophical level, it would be very nice to see a guy that small be successful on technique alone.