Aki 2014 Basho Comments

[Masumasumasu 902]

Do the yokozunae and ōzeki enter somewhere else or something? Didn’t see them there (I admit I didn’t watch the whole video, though).

They go in through the underground garage.

[Morty 1,480]

Ōsunaarashi is being disappointing. Endō too, but he had tough opponents. Let’s hope he can turn it around.

Osunaarashi looks like he is carrying an injury and I worry that he is going to be another guy who never makes the most of his potential because his body can't stand up to the rigours of sumo. But also, I think the others are working him out. Same with Endo. They have got his number now and he has lost the element of surprise. Endo has also looked completely without confidence in this basho and he needs to get his head right again before he'll be able to start winning consistently again.

Yeah, Osunaarashi is very obviously carrying a serious injury...he is limping daily down the hanamichi. I expect he's just hoping to pick up a few pull-down wins so that he doesn't fall too far down the banzuke. He certainly can't fight straight up at the moment.

Which brings me to Masunoyama. One of the things that absolutely infuriates me about sumo is the seeming lack of care the bosses have for their charges. How is he even allowed on the dohyo in that condition? He's one of their biggest draws but they're forcing him to choose between his salary and risking his career. Kosho was abused, of course, but it has to be brought back with modifications: say, two or three doctors have to agree that a rikishi is not faking an injury. Also, perhaps something like a 7-8 record equivalent for the first basho missed, then a 6-9 for the second, then a 5-10 for the third etc. No need for them to keep the exact rank. Obviously that wouldn't work very well for someone who picks up an injury at J14W but I suppose the original kosho could be used if it's a genuine injury for people close to the bottom of the sekitori ranks.

Yeah, it's too complex...but I'd rather have that than see Masunoyama risk his entire career daily for no good reason.

Yep, but there are lots of totally insane systems in sumo that risk the health of the rikishi, but which seem to be considered more important. For example I'd love to see how many knee and ankle injuries are the direct result of failing to stick a landing when flying off the dohyo, rather than as a result of an injury sustained on the dohyo. Running the whole show on a platform 3 feet higher than the surrounding floor, with inches between the edge of the ring and the drop and the potential for 150+kg men to be attempting moves like utchari on the edge of that platform just screams that they want people to get hurt. Of course, they clearly don't have much regard for the safety of the ringside spectators either. But, you know, tradition...

[Masumasumasu 902]

Ōsunaarashi is being disappointing. Endō too, but he had tough opponents. Let’s hope he can turn it around.

Osunaarashi looks like he is carrying an injury and I worry that he is going to be another guy who never makes the most of his potential because his body can't stand up to the rigours of sumo. But also, I think the others are working him out. Same with Endo. They have got his number now and he has lost the element of surprise. Endo has also looked completely without confidence in this basho and he needs to get his head right again before he'll be able to start winning consistently again.

Yeah, Osunaarashi is very obviously carrying a serious injury...he is limping daily down the hanamichi. I expect he's just hoping to pick up a few pull-down wins so that he doesn't fall too far down the banzuke. He certainly can't fight straight up at the moment.

Which brings me to Masunoyama. One of the things that absolutely infuriates me about sumo is the seeming lack of care the bosses have for their charges. How is he even allowed on the dohyo in that condition? He's one of their biggest draws but they're forcing him to choose between his salary and risking his career. Kosho was abused, of course, but it has to be brought back with modifications: say, two or three doctors have to agree that a rikishi is not faking an injury. Also, perhaps something like a 7-8 record equivalent for the first basho missed, then a 6-9 for the second, then a 5-10 for the third etc. No need for them to keep the exact rank. Obviously that wouldn't work very well for someone who picks up an injury at J14W but I suppose the original kosho could be used if it's a genuine injury for people close to the bottom of the sekitori ranks.

Yeah, it's too complex...but I'd rather have that than see Masunoyama risk his entire career daily for no good reason.

Yep, but there are lots of totally insane systems in sumo that risk the health of the rikishi, but which seem to be considered more important. For example I'd love to see how many knee and ankle injuries are the direct result of failing to stick a landing when flying off the dohyo, rather than as a result of an injury sustained on the dohyo. Running the whole show on a platform 3 feet higher than the surrounding floor, with inches between the edge of the ring and the drop and the potential for 150+kg men to be attempting moves like utchari on the edge of that platform just screams that they want people to get hurt. Of course, they clearly don't have much regard for the safety of the ringside spectators either. But, you know, tradition...

Both the rikishi and the spectators know what they're getting themselves into.

Tradition is underrated.

[Asashosakari 18,786]

Yep, but there are lots of totally insane systems in sumo that risk the health of the rikishi, but which seem to be considered more important. For example I'd love to see how many knee and ankle injuries are the direct result of failing to stick a landing when flying off the dohyo, rather than as a result of an injury sustained on the dohyo.

I must admit I've never understood why people expend so much focus on the raised dohyo. After watching for over a decade I feel pretty confident in saying that leg and knee injuries sustained on the dohyo not only outnumber the "bad fall off the dohyo" injuries by a factor of at least 5:1, they're usually also of the severe kind with ruptured ligaments and the like, while awkwards falls off the dohyo rarely seem to cause more than twisted ankles. In fact, I bet if you took away the possibility for rikishi to fly off the dohyo, you'd see even more bad knee injuries because yoritaoshi-type moves would be even more likely to result in rikishi collapsing right on top of their own (or their opponent's) legs/knees than they do already.

Edit: Why does nobody ever question why so many rikishi seem to be carrying knee injuries from practice into the honbasho? Just because we're not there to witness how they happened? Maybe they should train on raised dohyo, too...

Edited September 22, 2014 by Asashosakari

[yorikiried by fate 1,989]

I recall that one of the privileges Ozeki get that was listed in an article on Goeido making Ozeki is that they do have a separate entrance.

They've earned the privilege of having a reserved parking lot underground or some such. Also, they get rewarded the Key to the Big Loo.

[Masumasumasu 902]

Both the rikishi and the spectators know what they're getting themselves into.

Tradition is underrated.

Even invented tradition?

Yes.

For example, in America no one says 'Merry Christmas' anymore.

It's 'Happy Holidays' or 'Season's Greetings'. That way, no one gets hurt or offended.

So-called 'progress' is nothing of the sort.

[Masumasumasu 902]

Will Ichinojo one day surpass Hakuho?

[Chiyozakura 130]

Will Ichinojo one day surpass Hakuho?

He definitely cannot stop now that he is so close. He is only trailing with 30 Makuuchi Yusho, 10 zensho Yusho, 18 Jun-Yusho and more than 750 Makuuchi wins.On the other hand he has today defeated Sadanoumi which Hakuho has not accomplished so far so I think they are pretty much even now.

But seriously, give that guy a break. He has the perfect build for Ozumo but he has not achieved anything, yet. When Hakuho was his age he was already an Ozeki, had won a Yusho and had already missed Yokozuna promotion by a hair once. Ichinojo on the other hand has started his career late and up to now has only won one Yusho in Juryo. He is making a convincing Makuuchi debut but let us wait until he has faced the Sanyaku for several bouts before we make a first judgement.

[kuroimori 1,634]

Talking about well-balanced milestones:

Tokitenku today suffered his 500th loss of his career.

If he wins his next three bouts, he will reach 500 career wins.

[Gernobono 455]

Will Ichinojo one day surpass Hakuho?

He definitely cannot stop now that he is so close. He is only trailing with 30 Makuuchi Yusho, 10 zensho Yusho, 18 Jun-Yusho and more than 750 Makuuchi wins.On the other hand he has today defeated Sadanoumi which Hakuho has not accomplished so far so I think they are pretty much even now.

best comment in months.....

come back christian....all is forgiven

[Masumasumasu 902]

Will Ichinojo one day surpass Hakuho?

He definitely cannot stop now that he is so close. He is only trailing with 30 Makuuchi Yusho, 10 zensho Yusho, 18 Jun-Yusho and more than 750 Makuuchi wins.On the other hand he has today defeated Sadanoumi which Hakuho has not accomplished so far so I think they are pretty much even now.

But seriously, give that guy a break. He has the perfect build for Ozumo but he has not achieved anything, yet. When Hakuho was his age he was already an Ozeki, had won a Yusho and had already missed Yokozuna promotion by a hair once. Ichinojo on the other hand has started his career late and up to now has only won one Yusho in Juryo. He is making a convincing Makuuchi debut but let us wait until he has faced the Sanyaku for several bouts before we make a first judgement.

It was a bloody joke. Edited September 24, 2014 by Masumasumasu
Edited to be rules compliant

[Shitamachi 21]

Did anyone else find the way Kakuryu lost today surprising? To me, it didn't look like he was in that much trouble when he stepped out... Maybe I just misread the situation though.

In other bouts, Goeido's win over Kisenosato was sublime, perhaps the best show of the tournament so far. Kind of a shame to see Kisenosato's chances slip, but it's nice to see Goeido proving that he was worth his promotion.

Think Hak can manage his 11th zensho?

Edit: Thanks to Kintayamaa's vids I could watch the Kakuryu bout again more closely. Looks like Yoshikaze basically headbutted him out of the ring. I guess that is still called an oshidashi?

Edited September 22, 2014 by Shitamachi

[kaiyo 2]

Did anyone else find the way Kakuryu lost today surprising? To me, it didn't look like he was in that much trouble when he stepped out... Maybe I just misread the situation though.

In other bouts, Goeido's win over Kisenosato was sublime, perhaps the best show of the tournament so far. Kind of a shame to see Kisenosato's chances slip, but it's nice to see Goeido proving that he was worth his promotion.

Think Hak can manage his 11th zensho?

Kakuryu never had a change, as a Yokozuna you need to go forward - specially against lower ranks

Goeido kubinage was awesome

Ichinojo surely will take Baruto's spot, he's our next Ozeki

[Morty 1,480]

Did anyone else find the way Kakuryu lost today surprising? To me, it didn't look like he was in that much trouble when he stepped out... Maybe I just misread the situation though.

In other bouts, Goeido's win over Kisenosato was sublime, perhaps the best show of the tournament so far. Kind of a shame to see Kisenosato's chances slip, but it's nice to see Goeido proving that he was worth his promotion.

Think Hak can manage his 11th zensho?

Re Kak vs Yosh: Yosh was waiting for the pull attempt. He wasn't trying to tsuppari but just kept trying to block Kak's strikes and knock his arms away. He knew Kak would go for his standard Plan B, ie, a pulling move. As soon as Kak went for the pull, Yosh, knowing Kak would be moving backwards, went full forward, added to Kak's backward momentum and put him out. I know Yosh often looks like a windmill who just tries to beat the other guy by waving his arms faster than his opponent in the hope he will whack him more times than he gets whacked, but I reckon that move today was entirely premeditated. His Plan A was better than Kak's Plan B.

[Gurowake 3,919]

Did anyone else find the way Kakuryu lost today surprising? To me, it didn't look like he was in that much trouble when he stepped out... Maybe I just misread the situation though.

In other bouts, Goeido's win over Kisenosato was sublime, perhaps the best show of the tournament so far. Kind of a shame to see Kisenosato's chances slip, but it's nice to see Goeido proving that he was worth his promotion.

Think Hak can manage his 11th zensho?

Re Kak vs Yosh: Yosh was waiting for the pull attempt. He wasn't trying to tsuppari but just kept trying to block Kak's strikes and knock his arms away. He knew Kak would go for his standard Plan B, ie, a pulling move. As soon as Kak went for the pull, Yosh, knowing Kak would be moving backwards, went full forward, added to Kak's backward momentum and put him out. I know Yosh often looks like a windmill who just tries to beat the other guy by waving his arms faster than his opponent in the hope he will whack him more times than he gets whacked, but I reckon that move today was entirely premeditated. His Plan A was better than Kak's Plan B.

That's exactly what I noticed. Kakuryu does like to go for the pull when his forward moving attacks are blocked, and that pull attempt got him absolutely nowhere except out of the ring. Yoshikaze 6-3 with all the Ozeki and Yokozuna fought already; he gets Ichinojo tomorrow.

[dingo 1,160]

Did anyone else find the way Kakuryu lost today surprising? To me, it didn't look like he was in that much trouble when he stepped out... Maybe I just misread the situation though.

In other bouts, Goeido's win over Kisenosato was sublime, perhaps the best show of the tournament so far. Kind of a shame to see Kisenosato's chances slip, but it's nice to see Goeido proving that he was worth his promotion.

Think Hak can manage his 11th zensho?

Re Kak vs Yosh: Yosh was waiting for the pull attempt. He wasn't trying to tsuppari but just kept trying to block Kak's strikes and knock his arms away. He knew Kak would go for his standard Plan B, ie, a pulling move. As soon as Kak went for the pull, Yosh, knowing Kak would be moving backwards, went full forward, added to Kak's backward momentum and put him out. I know Yosh often looks like a windmill who just tries to beat the other guy by waving his arms faster than his opponent in the hope he will whack him more times than he gets whacked, but I reckon that move today was entirely premeditated. His Plan A was better than Kak's Plan B.

That's exactly what I noticed. Kakuryu does like to go for the pull when his forward moving attacks are blocked, and that pull attempt got him absolutely nowhere except out of the ring. Yoshikaze 6-3 with all the Ozeki and Yokozuna fought already; he gets Ichinojo tomorrow.

Additionally today Kakuryuu didn't really even move forward. His tsuppari was more or less from a standing position and he never even stepped over his tachiai line.

[ALAKTORN 346]

Great sumō today. I forgot everything I had meant to say, though.

Ah, one thing. I think now that he’s in the lower ranks, Kyokutenhō is trying harder for the wins. That smart thinking gave him his longevity, I think. Or maybe I’m completely wrong.

Edit: Gōeidō’s kubinage was amazing. And I must’ve jinxed Kakuryū.

Yoshikaze and Takekaze are doing really well.

Edited September 22, 2014 by ALAKTORN

[Highway 46]

-Icninojo continues to be impressive. The way he stops and comes back in the match is impressive.

- What a match between Goeido and Kotoshogiku, two of my favourite. Goeido showed that spirit that has gotten him this far.

- Happy for my man Aoiyama to win, though I will be surprised if he gets past Ikioi tomorrow.

- Happy for Toyonoshima to win, he deserves it having to battle so much this tourney.

- Yet the most impressive so far for me are Yoshikaze and Hakuho. Real determined and fighting well.

Admittedly I am always surprised that Osunaarashi's strikes are allowed. I mean with some of these blows to the head he practically knocks down opponents. And if it is allowed, how come no one else seems to be using the strategy ? (Have only watched sumo for 1.5-2 years)

[wanderer 159]

And there goes Kisenosato. As soon as start hoping that this could be the time.

[Monnodo 60]

Awesome Kubinage by Goeido. Too bad for kisenosato though.

Ichinojo did not look great today, I really thought, he would lose during the bout, but a victory is a victory.

I was so amazed by Yoshikazes match. I have the feeling Yoshikaze goes always with a plan in a match like "whhen Goeido wants to throw me, I grab his leg, when Kakuryu does not go forward I have to be very carefull" and so on.

And I have no idea what is up with Terunfuji. It is like Karma strikes back for his Henka :D

I am really excited for Tochinoshins comeback, I wish him the best of luck.

Satoyama is doing incredible well, what makes me wonder what he did wrong last basho, I can't remember :D

And last but not least Tokushoryu is surprising me, I guessed he would do well, but 8-1 is quite good. (Sadly Gagamaru is doing not as well).

An awesome day of sumo. Judging by Day 9, Hakuho will take it home without a problem, maybe even a Zensho Yusho. But he has to face Kisenosato, Goeido and Kakuryu, so of course everything is still undecided

[Kaioshoryu 62]

And there goes Kisenosato. As soon as start hoping that this could be the time.

Yeah. It's always like that. I'm starting to believe that the time will never come unfortunately.

[Randomitsuki 2,768]

As nobody mentioned Sadanoumi since day 3, I'd like to mention Sadanoumi.

[Monnodo 60]

As nobody mentioned Sadanoumi since day 3, I'd like to mention Sadanoumi.

If he would have stayed on Ichinojos belt, he might have won.

In general he is really doing good and fights quite intelligent, he is really enjoyable to watch^^

[Kintamayama 44,354]

- What a match between Goeido and Kotoshogiku, two of my favourite.

That's today. Yesterday was Goueidou-Kisenosato. Unless you are from the future, in which case do you happen to know any relevant lottery numbers?

[yorikiried by fate 1,989]

I for one am from the future and I'm trying to go back even further, but it's tricky as I don't want to end up without antibiotics. (And licking random mould is sooo 3rd century).