Harumafuji's 2nd Yusho

[Kaji 1]

It is great to see HAruMAfuji doing a fantastic basho, in being able to face Hakuho and taking his second yusho.

I hope it'll be a zensh

[aderechelsea 125]

He was superb today. He blocked Hakuho's right hand and cemented his head in the yokozuna's chest for a very tense stalemate in the centre of the ring. Not even the change of grip by hakuho fazed him and he looked like the dominant rikishi throughout the bout.

A deserving Yusho.

nice to see his progress from just a lanky Mongolian with great technique to a steady force at the Ozeki ranks. I am not convinced he can double the feat next basho for the tsuna but a yusho once or twice a year is more than any fan would expect.

[Harry 67]

Big congrats to Harumafuji! I hope he can follow it up! It will be tough but he has shown that he can do it when he is physically and mentally in the right state for a whole basho. Here's hoping for an exciting Akibasho.

[Chinonofuji 35]

What a bout! (Showing respect...) What a win for Harumafuji, and what a big win for sumo -- finally, some drama at the very top. Could we have a second yokozuna? Can Shogun keep it going next basho and rise to ozeki? Some good story lines for sure, but again, what a win for Harumafuji. Great bout. (Sign of approval...)

[Vikanohara 171]

A pity for the spoiler, as I read the title of this thread before being able to watch the bout.

But well done Harumafuji ! (Sign of approval...)

[aderechelsea 125]

A pity for the spoiler, as I read the title of this thread before being able to watch the bout.

But well done Harumafuji ! (Showing respect...)

that's why i did't open a new topic on this one after the match even though i was tempted .... (I am not worthy...)

i know you know that but try to steer clear from the Honbasho Talk subforum when you want to watch the bouts later.

maybe we should move Kinta's video topic to another place just for the honbasho days as i am sure many people watch the bouts from there.

just a thought.I am pretty sure an administrator can explain to me why this is not functional. (Clapping wildly...)

[shumitto 419]

that's why i did't open a new topic on this one after the match even though i was tempted .... (Showing respect...)

i know you know that but try to steer clear from the Honbasho Talk subforum when you want to watch the bouts later.

maybe we should move Kinta's video topic to another place just for the honbasho days as i am sure many people watch the bouts from there.

just a thought.I am pretty sure an administrator can explain to me why this is not functional. (I am not worthy...)

You better go to youtube and search his name or yskohyama and you have the videos before the results !

[Asojima 2,874]

No matter who won or lost, Harumafuji would still have been in line for a second yusho. Technically, the title was not a spoiler.

[Vikanohara 171]

A pity for the spoiler, as I read the title of this thread before being able to watch the bout.

But well done Harumafuji ! (Showing respect...)

i know you know that but try to steer clear from the Honbasho Talk subforum when you want to watch the bouts later.

maybe we should move Kinta's video topic to another place just for the honbasho days as i am sure many people watch the bouts from there.

That's indeed how it happened.

Wanted to watch the bouts from what he has been putting up this basho before going to sumo database to check all results, and first thing my eyes fell on were this topic title. Anyway, not such a big deal. Just a little spoiler, that's all.

[ryafuji 825]

A pity for the spoiler, as I read the title of this thread before being able to watch the bout.

But well done Harumafuji ! (Sign of approval...)

i know you know that but try to steer clear from the Honbasho Talk subforum when you want to watch the bouts later.

maybe we should move Kinta's video topic to another place just for the honbasho days as i am sure many people watch the bouts from there.

That's indeed how it happened.

Wanted to watch the bouts from what he has been putting up this basho before going to sumo database to check all results, and first thing my eyes fell on were this topic title. Anyway, not such a big deal. Just a little spoiler, that's all.

Yes, similar thing happened to me - did a new posts search before seeing the bout and up it popped. Should have gone to Youtube first. Oh well.

[Fujisan 537]

Well done to Harumafuji (Sign of approval...)

Its nice to see Hakuho isn't getting it all his own way....

[Ashikawazu 43]

Ama for Yokozuna!! (Thats right.. I propose a shikona change upon a successful promotion... ;) )

[Treblemaker 254]

Well done to Harumafuji (A yokozuna...)

Its nice to see Hakuho isn't getting it all his own way....

Fujisan, ironically, I have my deep-rooted suspicions that the opposite is exactly what happened.

Hak, with nothing to lose and Osumo with everything to gain, might just have helped ramp up the game by letting HF in the back door. Now, I'm not saying this is true, and whether it is or not is irrelevant. The fact that Hak (at just about any time in the middle of the bout) had his inside grip and could have dumped HF on his can - and didn't - is significant.

In fact, if you watch that bout frame-to-frame, HF had momentum and lost it. Once in that clinch, Hak almost never loses. (In fact, the only time Hak does lose is when he's caught off-guard and off-balance. This time, he wasn't.)

I think Hak fully realizes the need for another Yok and a new crop of Ozeki - for the good of sumo in general. And after a basho where 2 popular people are gone (Kaio and Takamisakari), there's a need for signs of new hope and beginnings. I think between HF being promoted to Yok and Geeku and Kakuryu ultimately becoming Ozeki, you effectively push the "re-set" button on the game console.

Whether Hak helped HF out a bit or not, the result is good.stuff.

How cool would it be to have 3 promotions before the Nov basho? I think Hak helps the process along, with the blessings of all concerned.

[Kintamayama 47,384]

Well done to Harumafuji (A yokozuna...)

Its nice to see Hakuho isn't getting it all his own way....

Fujisan, ironically, I have my deep-rooted suspicions that the opposite is exactly what happened.

Hak, with nothing to lose and Osumo with everything to gain, might just have helped ramp up the game by letting HF in the back door. Now, I'm not saying this is true, and whether it is or not is irrelevant. The fact that Hak (at just about any time in the middle of the bout) had his inside grip and could have dumped HF on his can - and didn't - is significant.

Never. Not with an eight straight yusho record on the line and a chance to get in the books. It's much simpler-Hakuhou got smug and complacent. He hardly trained before the basho (at least, nowhere near the usual, and his shisho was lamenting about it loudly and often). Harumafuji has been plagued by injuries for almost a year. He had enough time finally to cure his wounds and had the momentum and drive, as opposed to a guy who lately wins the yusho before he enters the car that takes him to the venue where he enters the ring, and knows it.

The whole theory will collapse when Hakuhou comes back next basho and personally sees to it Harumafuji will pay, starting with the upcoming keiko sessions.

We had so many loud conspiracy theories this basho which crumbled one by one, as the theorists themselves vanished into thin air.

Come on guys.. (I am not worthy...)

[Asashosakari 20,301]

He hardly trained before the basho (at least, nowhere near the usual, and his shisho was lamenting about it loudly and often).

Not that he had much time, considering his schedule from early June to about one week before the basho seemed to feature 10 charity appearances per week...and that's just the ones the press guys wrote about.

[Kintamayama 47,384]

He hardly trained before the basho (at least, nowhere near the usual, and his shisho was lamenting about it loudly and often).

Not that he had much time, considering his schedule from early June to about one week before the basho seemed to feature 10 charity appearances per week...and that's just the ones the press guys wrote about.

Eggs-sactly. And shisho was wondering aloud.

[Treblemaker 254]

Well done to Harumafuji (A yokozuna...)

Its nice to see Hakuho isn't getting it all his own way....

Fujisan, ironically, I have my deep-rooted suspicions that the opposite is exactly what happened.

Hak, with nothing to lose and Osumo with everything to gain, might just have helped ramp up the game by letting HF in the back door. Now, I'm not saying this is true, and whether it is or not is irrelevant. The fact that Hak (at just about any time in the middle of the bout) had his inside grip and could have dumped HF on his can - and didn't - is significant.

Never. Not with an eight straight yusho record on the line and a chance to get in the books. It's much simpler-Hakuhou got smug and complacent. He hardly trained before the basho (at least, nowhere near the usual, and his shisho was lamenting about it loudly and often). Harumafuji has been plagued by injuries for almost a year. He had enough time finally to cure his wounds and had the momentum and drive, as opposed to a guy who lately wins the yusho before he enters the car that takes him to the venue where he enters the ring, and knows it.

The whole theory will collapse when Hakuhou comes back next basho and personally sees to it Harumafuji will pay, starting with the upcoming keiko sessions.

We had so many loud conspiracy theories this basho which crumbled one by one, as the theorists themselves vanished into thin air.

Come on guys.. (I am not worthy...)

Methinks I'm not totally convinced. Mealsothinks that, since he's already in the books and well on his way to becoming a Mega-Alpha-Dai-Yok, that at this precise moment in time, what the sumo world didn't need was yet another yusho and an 8-in-a-row record. What was needed instead was something new and different, and the "appearance" of some degree of vulnerability in the Yok. There isn't, of course, and look for the Big Guy to spank people good in Sept.

It's just that, here and now, what was needed was exactly what was delivered. Records can wait. People need to feel good about something.

Mission accomplished. Well done, Mr. Hak.

[Kintamayama 47,384]

Methinks I'm not totally convinced. Mealsothinks that, since he's already in the books and well on his way to becoming a Mega-Alpha-Dai-Yok, that at this precise moment in time, what the sumo world didn't need was yet another yusho and an 8-in-a-row record. What was needed instead was something new and different, and the "appearance" of some degree of vulnerability in the Yok. There isn't, of course, and look for the Big Guy to spank people good in Sept.

It's just that, here and now, what was needed was exactly what was delivered. Records can wait. People need to feel good about something.

Mission accomplished. Well done, Mr. Hak.

So what you are saying is, a yusho by someone else was needed, and that's it? Some momentary excitement for sumo fans? The need to show his vulnerability? That's the "master plan"? I'd understand it if you say he was setting up the stage for Harumafuji to become Yokozuna (wouldn't agree, but understand..). Yet you add the big guy will spank em good in September. All this just to give someone else a lone yusho at the expense of his record? No grand master plan?

I don't see the point here, sir.

[Pandaazuma 1,310]

Harumafuji consistently showed the best sumo this basho. Hakuho didn't seem to have his heart in proceedings for whatever reason. The best goat took home the prom/rose queen or something.

[Treblemaker 254]

I suppose it's hard to write history when you're in the middle of it. As always, time will tell.

If the end result of this first real basho (significant by being the first "real" one since the earthquake, and one memorable through the loss of Kaio, and the imminent demotion of crowd-pleaser Sakari) is that HF starts his Yok run, and Kak and Geeku put the finishing touches to their Ozeki runs, the crowds start to return through interest in these scenarios. along with the possible promotion of Takanoyama and others... If all these things come to fruition, then this basho will be the one that "Turns the Corner".

What I'm suggesting, reading solely of the backs of my eyelids, is that the significance of this wasn't lost on the one man who could certainly make a difference in this basho without incurring any blame, and that would be Hakuho. I don't accept the "lack of training" excuse for his abnormal performance. Like Asa in his later years, keiko is something Hak could skip if he really wanted to and win on sheer skill and strength of will alone.

Records he doesn't need. Really he doesn't. He's proven himself.

No sense being the top athlete in a league that is showing less and less public popularity..

Interest in sumo he needs. Positive interest. Positive and favourable press for all of sumo he needs. Competition he needs. Bodies in seats he needs. Increased interest and a carry-over of said interest into the next basho in Tokyo, he needs.

You can't be a big fish in a small pond if that pond is evaporating before your eyes.

Read the WWF playbook. There are strategies for building interest and maintaining popularity. Now, not only am I NOT comparing Sumo to WWF, NOR am I suggesting that the Kyokai has resorted to McMahon-ism. But there are ways and means to begin to generate popularity and there is only one guy in the position to do it.

All I'm saying is that, given the opportunity for Hak to step out and give HF a win, and realizing that this will help kick-start interest in sumo, if only for people to keep an eye on the next basho to see how the rivalry plays out (as it once did only a couple of years ago with the Hak-Asa rivalry) and realizing that this one motion will sell more cushions and generate more positive press than anything said or done in the last several months, then this is a good thing.

Let's be honest. In the last several months, how many people turned off the basho before the last match, assuming it was yet another foregone conclusion? When the Ozeki matches were the climax of the day, then you have a real problem.

The next basho could see the return of the Hak of Old, a zensho yusho, and more of the dominance we saw before. Or not. Maybe HF continues his magic over Hak, and takes his second yusho, leading to a promotion. At least right now, there is the notion that there is some competition at the top, and near the top. And for once in more than a year, there's is already interest in the next basho.

Now, as we speak, I'm not sure HF is ready to be a Yok yet, but I could be wrong. For sure Kakuryu and Geeku are sure-fire Ozekis, and that might take only a few months.

But having HF win this yusho, and Kak and Geek having such good bashos, and Kise and Wakanosato finishing well, all this hopefully points to sumo hopefully heading in a positive direction, one that the Kyokai (with all of their efforts) could never construct by themselves.

This could be the "Turn-Around" basho that leads Sumo back into the limelight.

Or not. Time will tell....

[shumitto 419]

...

It's hard to believe an orchestrated plot to popularize Ozumo would not promote a Japanese Ozeki right after Kaio is gone. Moreover, Hakuho's "poor performance" if that is what you call it, is perfectly normal. As an Oyakata said some years ago, the most difficult thing in being a sole Yokozuna is the lack of rivals. He is on top and alone, so it is really hard, even for a champion his caliber, to keep the hungry spirit in every tournament. Either way, orchestrated or not, next Basho will be packed with good surprises and I hope one of them will be Harumafuji's non-promotion to the rank of Yokozuna. He is a B student who sometimes works his ass off (hate this expression) to get an A+. But he still is that B student. Very good, but not Yokozuna-level.

[Jejima 1,498]

Might as well put it here....

Dragging up an old theme....

When Harumafuji last had a chance at making Yokozuna, I suggested that if he went into the last three days still in with a chance of promotion, he would get the necessary wins against fellow countrymen Hakuho and Asashoryu. He lost three times in the first nine days (including to a nasty henka by Aran on day 5), basically wiping out his promotion chances - and he lost to both Yokozunas.

However, if he gets himself into a position requiring a win on senshuraku against good friend Hakuho in November (either to win the 'yusho' or 'yusho equivallent' for Yokozuna promotion), I reckon he'll get it :-D

Harry's big problem (I think), is that Kakuryu and Kotoshigiku will be gunning for promotion too, so he may have some determined rikishi to fight in the second half of the basho. (Although, perhaps, if Mongolian Kakuryu has already destroyed his Ozeki promotion chances by the time these two meet.....)

Edited July 26, 2011 by Jejima