Natsu Basho 2012 - Discussion

[Kintamayama 47,171]

The NHK anouncer tried to give the Men in Black some slack by pointing out that the dohyo is elevated and the couldn't see very well if the knee really touched down or not.

And here I was thinking that that's what the video gyoji is there for..

[Akinomaki 41,728]

I wondered why the Morinaga-kensho is always called last,

Possibly they are heavy contributors so they get special treatment?

Many seem to have special agreements. Nagatanien is nearly always called first, Power Health near the end, as is Ozeki sake. The order of announcing is not equal to the order of being carried around as well. I always like information about the Kensho, but I won't go as far as posting the sponsor list for each bout. With the internet feed, that wouldn't be that difficult.

[Asashosakari 20,215]

In the beginning (as a sumo fan) I found yorikiri a boring thing, but bouts like Myogiryu-Kotoshogiku can cure you of that attitude. Migoto. So much for the first Japanese tournament leader in years.

Well, if it wasn't for those meddling kids Kakuryu, we'd now have a lead consisting of four Japanese rikishi...

Edited May 12, 2012 by Asashosakari

[Igordemorais 79]

This day was amazing. Goeido, Takanoyama, Myogiryu showing some badass sumo.

[Naganoyama 6,024]

This day was amazing. Goeido, Takanoyama, Myogiryu showing some badass sumo.

I agree. Those guys were amazing. Sakaigawa Beya is a really exciting place to be at the moment. I bet that Goeido and Myogiryu are firing each other up. Even Toyohibiki had some of the magic Sakaigawa pixie dust on his skin today. The emotion of it all almost swept him away.

[Akinomaki 41,728]

The NHK anouncer tried to give the Men in Black some slack by pointing out that the dohyo is elevated and the couldn't see very well if the knee really touched down or not.

And here I was thinking that that's what the video gyoji is there for..

According to Nikkan Sports it was the video room which called for the mono-ii of the mono-ii.

Kagamiyama-shinpancho: At first we thought it was according to the gunbai (which was for Takarafuji), but we received from the video room a "can we get a little while". Being a close thing, we thought it was OK to do it again.

[Akinomaki 41,728]

And a virtual "seppuku" was imminent. Kimura Shonosuke had his war fan pointed in the wrong direction and offered his resignation. Talked out of it of course by the riji-cho.

The tategyoji: I thought it was going like that the pace of the yokozuna. I should have watched carefully till the end. From the rijicho I got a "be careful, from tomorow on do your best"

[kuroimori 1,634]

The NHK anouncer tried to give the Men in Black some slack by pointing out that the dohyo is elevated and the couldn't see very well if the knee really touched down or not.

And here I was thinking that that's what the video gyoji is there for..

According to Nikkan Sports it was the video room which called for the mono-ii of the mono-ii.

Kagamiyama-shinpancho: At first we thought it was according to the gunbai (which was for Takarafuji), but we received from the video room a "can we get a little while". Being a close thing, we thought it was OK to do it again.

I wasn't aware there is such a thing as "bideo-gyoji". How often does this TV replay master intervene? is it restricted on mono-ii only or can he also trigger a mono-ii?

[Torabayama 51]

Tokitenku did it again, a clean foot sweep which every Karate-ka would be proud of. I love it, especially against Miyabiyama.

Disgraceful sumo from Tokitenku, IMHO. But of course, this is nothing new.

That being said, Day 7 was a great show to behold. Takanoyama, Myogiryu, Goeido, and Toyohibiki made the day.

Edited May 12, 2012 by Torabayama

[Kintamayama 47,171]

Interesting stat- this is the first time since he became Yokozuna that Hakuhou has two losses before nakabi (day 8).

[Kaioshoryu 68]

What is wrong with Hakuho this basho?

[Harry 67]

Hak is hurt as already mentioned. KYUJO possible.

[Igordemorais 79]

Some say he is injured. To me it looks like he was outwrestled today, pure and simple

[Maguroyama 27]

It's the last thing what we all need - sumo without yokozuna. Degeiko time did'nt get any hints for this.

Actually, for a basho or two, wouldn't it be rather exciting, with six ozeki expected to take their big chance as the top dog is missing? Of course I don't like to see Hakuho out, but it wouldn't be all bad. I think the current race is very cool, with three ozeki who has yet to win the yusho, in the lead. And two of them Japanese, could it happen...?

[Igordemorais 79]

God knows who's gonna win this one... When they start fighting each other things can go either way.

Personally I am rooting for Kaisei > Harumafuji > Kotoshogiku > Kotooshu> Kisenosato > Kakuryu > Baruto

Let a man hope!

[Treblemaker 254]

Let's say Baruto come back from nowhere, and wins this basho... and it could happen, with playoffs, etc... Does that qualify him for Yok Promotion?

I know he's 5-3 after only a week, but there's a lot more Ozeki-Ozeki to come, and Hak looks shaky. (I'm surprised he hasn't stepped out as I write this.)

Still, in the back of my small mind, I think this one's Kise's.

Edited May 14, 2012 by Treblemaker

[Akinomaki 41,728]

The desperate Aran tried his hatakikomi again, which was nearly all he displayed last basho. But it was without any force and could not even make Goeido stumble a bit.

[Jaak 7]

Let's say Baruto come back from nowhere, and wins this basho... and it could happen, with playoffs, etc... Does that qualify him for Yok Promotion?

As much as I would like to see that, it would not. He was 10-5 last tournament which was not even close to being runner-up. When Konishiki was 13-2 (yusho), 12-3 (third place) and 13-2 (yusho) the fact that he finished in third place was what I heard at the time, kept him from getting promoted.

Agreed.

On the other hand, Wakanohana Masaru was promoted after 2 consecutive yushos first 14:1 but the second 12:3.

If Kakuryu were to finish 12:3 yusho on his ozeki debut AND the second weak yusho like 12:3 in July, would he get the tsuna?

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

Agreed.

On the other hand, Wakanohana Masaru was promoted after 2 consecutive yushos first 14:1 but the second 12:3.

If Kakuryu were to finish 12:3 yusho on his ozeki debut AND the second weak yusho like 12:3 in July, would he get the tsuna?

If that happened to Kisenosato, promotion would be a real possibility. If Kakuryu or Baruto did that, likely not.

[Asashosakari 20,215]

If that happened to Kisenosato, promotion would be a real possibility. If Kakuryu or Baruto did that, likely not.

Oh please. Like anybody's going to be denied with consecutive yusho whatever the win-loss scores.

Edited May 14, 2012 by Asashosakari

[Yubinhaad 11,954]

Huh. A Makuuchi rikishi with a 5-3 record and a dodgy ankle goes kyujo... but not the one we were expecting.

This isn't just Hakuho having a bad basho though, there are two rikishi in every bout. For perhaps the first time, his opponents are now scenting Yokozuna blood. The aura of invincibility began to erode when Kisenosato stopped the winning streak, but I think this is different - I think the opponents see and feel weaknesses that weren't there before. So they're rightly taking full advantage because they need wins as well.

Hakuho has been a superb ambassador for sumo during some very dark times. He's earned the right to take a basho or two off to get back to full health, even if it's for a completely spurious reason (although I'm sure there's truth in at least some of the injury reports). Sumo still needs Hakuho, but it can manage for a basho or two while he takes the time to recover, even if that time only ends up acting as a reminder of what we're missing while he's absent.

[Masumasumasu 902]

Agreed.

On the other hand, Wakanohana Masaru was promoted after 2 consecutive yushos first 14:1 but the second 12:3.

If Kakuryu were to finish 12:3 yusho on his ozeki debut AND the second weak yusho like 12:3 in July, would he get the tsuna?

If that happened to Kisenosato, promotion would be a real possibility. If Kakuryu or Baruto did that, likely not.

Oh, really?

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

If that happened to Kisenosato, promotion would be a real possibility. If Kakuryu or Baruto did that, likely not.

Oh please. Like anybody's going to be denied with consecutive yusho whatever the win-loss scores.

That's my opinion, but you may well be right. All I have is a vague sense that the most recent Wakanohana's short tenure as yokozuna may have made the YDC a bit more wary of so-called weak yusho. I also feel that Asashoryu didn't do any favors for aspiring foreign yokozuna in convincing the YDC that non-Japanese have the necessary hinkaku to play the role. Hakuho has done well, but that has not completely erased the memory of the black yokozuna. Baruto has been caught publicly breaking NSK rules once or twice, and along with the impression that a rikishi that big and powerful ought to dominate a 12-3 yusho or two might concern the YDC enough to balk. I think Kakuryu would fare better, but still might raise some eyebrows about whether he had the power to dominate if his yusho were somewhat weak. Kisenosato would fill the desire to see a native son rise to yokozuna again sooner rather than later, and I'm not aware of any hinkaku or ability to dominate concerns.

OTOH, your post elsewhere about being spoiled by the last string of dai-yokozuna made a lot of sense.

Edited May 14, 2012 by Otokonoyama

[Akinomaki 41,728]

That was real good sumo by Aran. He can do it after all. If he can reach this on a permanent level, he'll be sanyaku regular.

[Asashosakari 20,215]

That was real good sumo by Aran. He can do it after all. If he can reach this on a permanent level, he'll be sanyaku regular.

Who could possibly want to see that? (Not Aran himself, that's for sure...)