Kyushu Basho 2013 discussion thread

[shumitto 417]

rikishi like Goeido, Toyonoshima, Tochiozan and Aminishki, who are perennial Komosubi / M1 level rikishi can now finally have a crack at an Ozeki run? Or will they be bypassed by the younger guys like Ikioi, Chiyotairyu, Myogiryu, and I think this is jumping the gun for both of them, but Osunaarashi and Endo? Or someone else? Who is the next Ozeki?

Sorry to nitpick, but age-wise Ikioi, Myogiryu, Goeido and Tochiozan belong in the same group.

That slot-opening would depend on Osh and Giku actually dropping out of the top 16 though (or outright going intai). As long as they remain in the mix the level of competition at the top won't change much, and so it wouldn't be any easier for Goeido et al. to get promoted.

With the pressure to perform gone and injuries + age taking their toll, former Ozeki have shown a tendency to be much more irregular in their results. There are off course not so many examples of this, but I wouldn't expect the Sadogatake duo to differ too much.

[Akinomaki 36,900]

The 4 Kokonoe juryo rikishi all won today – and the winners announcement for Chiyoō is the one with the best “oh” I ever heard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi00IT43C9U&t=58

[ALAKTORN 346]

While leaving in good mood, Ōsunaarashi was told by guard-duty Sekinoto-oyakata that he had done the wrong gesture when receiving the kensho: “Suimasen” (sorry) – with a bitter smile.

Why was it wrong? I don’t see it.

[Masumasumasu 902]

Who's photo is this?

[Fukurou 534]

Nice henka by Takageppo in his match vs Byakko down in Makushita. You could almost see Takageppo's cape as Byakko rushed past. Almost makes you want to shout ¡Olé!

Edited November 17, 2013 by Fukurou

[Treblemaker 254]

The sound setup on the dohyo is incredible for this basho. (I wish the picture was as clear as the sound...) I'm not sure how they did any differently from the usual setup, but everything said, every sound, grunt, etc, comes through loud and clear.

I'm pretty sure that if someone fahrted, you could...

Oh, wait...

[Asashosakari 17,282]

The mono-ii explanation here seems to be rather messed up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vyh9frpeYvY

At least the right guy was declared the winner...

Edited November 17, 2013 by Asashosakari

[Akinomaki 36,900]

While leaving in good mood, Ōsunaarashi was told by guard-duty Sekinoto-oyakata that he had done the wrong gesture when receiving the kensho: “Suimasen” (sorry) – with a bitter smile.

Why was it wrong? I don’t see it.

From looking at the video he does the gesture rikishi make when no kensho is involved in the match first and then he does the gesture for collecting kensho. If he did something else wrong then I missed it...

He was criticized for doing some unnecessary rei and tegatana moves.

http://www.daily.co.jp/sumo/2013/11/17/0006503483.shtml

Who's photo is this?

Original photo from here, by 岡本肇

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/sumo/news/f-sp-tp3-20131114-1218298.html

Edited November 17, 2013 by Akinomaki

[Akinomaki 36,900]

Day 7: full house with 6759 spectators

http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20131117/sum13111705030001-n1.html

Ōsunaarashi got his first win from a makuuchi rikishi (an injured one), but he needed a henka (and a matta) for this.

A reason for Isegahama-oyakata in hospital is said to be the stress of Harumafuji not performing yokozuna-like for the last 4 basho. This basho's performance so far thus is a good medicine for the oyakata, who fortunately has no impairment of consciousness.

http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/sports/sumou/205248/

[Mark.Buckton 68]

Day 7: full house with 6759 spectators

http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20131117/sum13111705030001-n1.html

Was in the stadium on Day 7 and it was close to being full. Much more than the 60% ;) that brings the banners down in Tokyo, but still a few hundred empty seats and a few dozen empty masu.

On that score, heard that there is concern again over folks accessing better seats than they actually have, and staying there until the owners turn up. Few complaints received about gaijin taking over a box early on, and only moving on when told but with barely a word uttered.

FWIW - for those in Fukuoka, the 'pair seats' get scant PR but are a cracking combination of masu and real seats - with a table! Well worth it.

[ALAKTORN 346]

The mono-ii explanation here seems to be rather messed up:

At least the right guy was declared the winner...

He started laughing at the end! :-D That was a very close call, I didn’t think he had won at first.

[Akinomaki 36,900]

Hakuho got his 700^th makuuchi win in his 57^th makuuchi basho (fastest, Kitanoumi needed 61) and his 30^th straight kachi-koshi, expanding his own record. Next records are Takanohana's makuuchi win record of 701 (6^th most) and Musashimaru's of 706.

http://www.asahi.com/articles/SEB201311170014.html

http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=spo_30&k=2013111700174

Harumafuji so far got the yusho (all of his 5) each time he started with 8 straight.

http://www.jiji.com/jc/c?g=spo_30&k=2013111700183

Kotooshu now has definite make-koshi, not being in tomorrows line-up, and is sekiwake next basho.

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2013/11/17/kiji/K20131117007031030.html

[ALAKTORN 346]

He was criticized for doing those unnecessary rei and tegatana moves.

http://www.daily.co.jp/sumo/2013/11/17/0006503483.shtml

I think I get it now– it’s about the ones he did after accepting the kenshō, right? He should’ve just walked off.

[rzombie1988 157]

So it looks like this basho is potentially going to go down as one where we see a changing of the guard. Kotooshu's tenure as Ozeki is over, and Kotoshogiku has an injury with an average of three months healing time, meaning he could be struggling to get back to a point where he can win eight in January. I'm not sure I see either of them winning the ten required to make it back to Ozeki. So we could potentially have a situation in a couple of basho where there are only two Ozeki. I suspect Osh will follow the Baruto path and go intai, but I'm not sure about the Geek.

Given that there is now less competition at the top, and there are a number of younger quality rikishi coming through the ranks, I'm interested in who now makes the next step and why? Without the six Ozeki log jam we had 18 months ago, the potential exists for one or two of the current top rankers to step up. So does this mean veteran rikishi like Goeido, Toyonoshima, Tochiozan and Aminishki, who are perennial Komosubi / M1 level rikishi can now finally have a crack at an Ozeki run? Or will they be bypassed by the younger guys like Ikioi, Chiyotairyu, Myogiryu, and I think this is jumping the gun for both of them, but Osunaarashi and Endo? Or someone else? Who is the next Ozeki?

I definitely think we are seeing Kotooshu's swan song. He has been declining for a while and combining his lack of heart with injuries just screams that retirement is near.

I think Kotoshogiku will come back and maybe have a chance at making Ozeki again, but I really can't see him getting 12 wins. He always has a problem with losing stupid matches early, so he may have issues.

Goeido is definitely the next Ozeki. I said at the start of this that this basho should be an easy 11 wins for him and that was before Kotooshu and Kotoshogiku were out. I can see him making a stronger effort next basho to finally get to Ozeki.

Not sure who else can make the jump besides Goeido at the moment. It's too early to judge whether Endo can or not, but he's realistically the next best shot.

[Akinomaki 36,900]

He was criticized for doing those unnecessary rei and tegatana moves.

http://www.daily.co.jp/sumo/2013/11/17/0006503483.shtml

I think I get it now– it’s about the ones he did after accepting the kenshō, right? He should’ve just walked off.

I think you are right.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu0C04maSx8&t=52

Edited November 17, 2013 by Akinomaki

[Akinomaki 36,900]

Kotooshu promises a comeback for next basho: “It's regretful, isn't it. There is nothing but curing it solidly and doing my best aiming for 10 wins. This is the first shoulder injury, but such a time also comes.”

http://www.daily.co.jp/newsflash/general/2013/11/17/0006504774.shtml

Kitanoumi-rijicho clearly doesn't think he'll make it.

[Yubinhaad 10,934]

Two well-earned ashitori wins for smaller men in lower Sandanme. First win for Tsugaruumi - I initially thought his knee had touched down earlier in the bout, but no mono-ii so apparently not. Good effort from Baraki as well to move to 4-0.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFNi5q58igU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsG_7HQEjjU

[ALAKTORN 346]

Kitanoumi-rijicho clearly doesn't think he'll make it.

Where did you read that?

[Koorifuu 621]

Is my impression wrong, or are we witnessing many more after-bout shoves than usual?

[Masumasumasu 902]

Is my impression wrong, or are we witnessing many more after-bout shoves than usual?

Your impression is 100% correct.

The Yokozuna worshipers, however, saw nothing.

Did you see Harumafuji's face-palm on Takayasu long after the match was over?

[krindel 671]

Kokonoe-beya are having a hell of a basho...

5 sekitori, all at 6-3 or better, with injured Chiyotairyu in Makuuchi being behind only the Yokozuna, and the 4 Juryo rikishi occupying the leading positions in Juryo, with only Satoyama between them.

[Akinomaki 36,900]

Kitanoumi-rijicho clearly doesn't think he'll make it.

Where did you read that?

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2013/11/17/kiji/K20131117007031030.html

The talk from him most articles printed yesterday is more or less the same that was reported before.

The "kibishii" to get 10 from then is now "muzukashii". He also said:

“Recently it's mostly the pattern that he goes kyujo after he enters the basho. In respect to his physical strenght he dropped as well.”

And about Kotooshu's chance to return after a drop: “In the upper ranks there now are many tough opponents. 10 wins are hard to get.”

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/sumo/news/f-sp-tp3-20131113-1217867.html

[Akinomaki 36,900]

Day 8: full house with 6261 spectators

http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20131118/sum13111805030002-n1.html

Masunoyama has more back pain again, esp. during the dohyo-iri yesterday. After it he cooled the affected part with ice.

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/sumo/news/f-sp-tp3-20131117-1219622.html

Kaisei also is suffering from back pain: “If I do swift sumo it isn't painful.”

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/sumo/news/f-sp-tp3-20131117-1219637.html

Wakanosato has now 848 career wins, all-time 8^th

He still wants to go on for 10 more, 100 more years.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/sumo/news/20131118-OYT1T01003.htm

Kyokutenho has surpassed Terao and is now sole 6^th with 861. 5^th is Taiho with 872.

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/sumo/news/f-sp-tp3-20131118-1220015.html

Edited November 18, 2013 by Akinomaki

[Akinomaki 36,900]

Kokonoe-beya are having a hell of a basho...

5 sekitori, all at 6-3 or better, with injured Chiyotairyu in Makuuchi being behind only the Yokozuna, and the 4 Juryo rikishi occupying the leading positions in Juryo, with only Satoyama between them.

Today for the 4^th time this basho all 5 Kokonoe sekitori won. In that case they have a dinner party.

http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20131118/sum13111820260008-n1.html

[Tony 16]

Kokonoe-beya are having a hell of a basho...

5 sekitori, all at 6-3 or better, with injured Chiyotairyu in Makuuchi being behind only the Yokozuna, and the 4 Juryo rikishi occupying the leading positions in Juryo, with only Satoyama between them.

Kyushu basho is often a very successful basho for Kokonoe's deshi!