Hatsu 2015 Comments

[Yubinhaad 11,783]

Cough...

Cough...

Chiyootori's grip on the unraveled end of Kotoyuki's mawashi probably helped him win the bout - without that, Kotoyuki's sukuinage grip might have been enough to throw Chiyootori down. I don't think I've ever seen that happen before.

Delighted to see Kisenosato win today, kept control of Ichinojo and gave him no chance to draw it out into a long bout.

While I'm here, anyone want to play Spot The Takarafuji?

[kuroimori 1,634]

Hahaha! Terunofuji is my man! So scary inside and so funny outside the ring. :-D

[ALAKTORN 346]

Especially because he's the one who has caused Homasho's fatal injury in their bout in Nagoya - for which he said he's sorry, after hearing the intai news.

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/sumo/news/f-sp-tp3-20150116-1422496.html

Do you have a video of that bout?

Edit: I still think Hakuhō is playing with his food by the way.

Edited January 17, 2015 by ALAKTORN

[Akinomaki 40,895]

Especially because he's the one who has caused Homasho's fatal injury in their bout in Nagoya - for which he said he's sorry, after hearing the intai news.

http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/sumo/news/f-sp-tp3-20150116-1422496.html

Do you have a video of that bout?

starting at 14m

Day 5:

[Vikanohara 171]

Late summary of the Day 6 bout Kotoyuki vs. Chiyootori:

Kotoyuki had the flow

while

Chiyoootori had the flu

And eventually one flew out,

fleeing for a flea. Phew.

[Vikanohara 171]

limping jokoryu must be the favorit for "upset of the year" with 5,6 basho to come

If Harumafuji would just have froliced around, performing some Muhammed Ali dance moves, Jokoryu might have limped out by himself by losing balance.

[Pica-Pica 24]

What the heck is Osunaarashi wearing under his mumification...?

Egyptian = mummification.........good one! :-D

[Asashosakari 19,760]

Cough...

Chiyootori has been practicing for his flu for years!

[Vikanohara 171]

Hatsu '15 ~ halfway point

SANYAKU

(7-0) Y Hakuho didn't drop one yet, but dodged a couple of bullets, looking forward to his second week
(6-1) Y Harumafuji was looking strong and agile, but a severely injured Jokoryu proved to be a slippery hurdle
(5-2) Y Kakuryu had a surprise defeat against no-neck, and keeps dividing well in his rivalry with T-zan
(6-1) O Kisenosato lost to Terunofuji, but at least won for the first time in three attempts to Ichinojo
(5-2) kadoban O Kotoshogiku is not having a bad basho so far, but he'll need to beat Tochinoshin tomorrow
(4-3) kadoban O Goeido has to prove his Ozeki promotion was justified, perhaps starting by beating Kisenosato ?

(3-4) S Ichinojo didn't take off well with losses to Endo & Aminishiki, but meanwhile managed to beat his fellow-S & two O
(3-4) S Aoiyama won against this M3 pair and his other Maegashira matchup, but proved to be no match for other Sanyaku

(2-5) K Takayasu has beaten both Sekiwake and put up some nice efforts against the masters, let's see what week 2 will bring

(2-5) K Tochiozan has played all Y&O already and managed to beat Kak & Giku, but still I feel he's been performing rather poorly

MAEGASHIRA

(3-4) M1 Tochinoshin took off with 4 defeats, but his 3 successive wins might bring him a 6th KK in a row, though probably not double digits

(3-4) M2 Terunofuji has been pretty impressive, having beaten 2 Ozeki already, though his loss to Kaisei came pretty unexpected

(0-7) M2 Ikioi still winless without performing badly

(5-2) M3 Aminishiki keeps amazing at his age, but I imagine him still ending up MK this basho

(6-1) M6 Okinoumi is having another nice basho so far, but he should be ranked higher of course

(5-2) M8 Myogiryu might seem good, but losses to Tamawashi & Kaisei aren't to be proud of

(4-3) M9 Tamawashi is having a nice WLWLWLWLW pattern so far

(3-4) M10 Sokokurai wasn't looking very well after 4 days but 3 victories in a row give him hope to climb to another new career high

(4-3) M11 Shohozan didn't take off well with 1-3, but I still expect him to finish into double digits this basho

(5-2) M12 Kykoshuho is looking good to climb to another career high, with now 5 wins in a row

(5-2) M13 Osunaarasi clearly hampered by his knees, but still having won 5 out of 7, should finish KK this basho

(5-2) M13 Tokitenku has been pretty entertaining to watch, I must say

(2-5) M14 Chiyomary better starts winning if he wants to stay in top division

(0-2-5) M16 Tosayutaka, how unlucky can you get, to finally be back and then having to leave after just 1 fight ?

JURYO

(4-3) M1 Amuru took on former Makuuchi regulars first 4 days, beating both former S, but losing to Gagamaru, Kitataiki & a Maegashira

(2-5) M1 Wakanosato looked to have a chance for repromotion at 2-1, but the question now is whether we will see him back on top level ?

(1-6) M2 Asasekiryu is already in Juryo for 2 full years and not looking to get out yet

(6-1) M2 Gagamaru is looking to get back to Makuuchi after half a year

(7-0) M3 Kitataiki's last basho in Juryo dates from 2009, also his first ever Yusho. Will he grab a 2nd one ?

(3-4) M3 Daido still finished 9-6 after a 0-3 start last basho, can he do this again ?

(2-5) M7 Satoyama's only KK in 2014 came in Aki, when he was aiming for a possible Yusho after that 9-1 start. Will he drop back to Ms this year ?

(5-2) M8 Kagayaki, former Tatsu, keeps steadily climbing on the banzuke, after it took him 3 years to get out of Makushita

(3-4) M11 Onosho, can't say I expected him to struggle to get KK in his maiden sekitori basho

(3-4) M14 Masunoyama is on a LWLWLWL record, I'd like to see him stay in Juryo so he better breaks this pattern

MAKUSHITA HIGH

(3-1) Ms1 Kotoeko is looking good to make an immediate Juryo return, with only a defeat against Kizenryu so far

(2-2) Ms1 Kawanari, with losses to Kotoeko & Horikiri he can be happy to still have a nice KK chance

(2-2) Ms2 Keitenkai recovered from a 0-2 start, and thus still on the run for his 9th KK in a row

(2-2) Ms2 Horikiri is going the other way around after a 2-0 start, so Juryo is not there yet

(1-3) Ms3 Sasanoyama still not readt yet for promotion, after he followed his stable-mate Jokoryu so well in the beginning of their careers

(3-1) Ms4 Kizenryu clearly has become too good for Makushita, I suspect him to become a sekitori regular this year

(0-4) Ms4 Yoshiazuma might be close to intai, as it is 5 years since he dropped this low on the banzuke

(1-2) Ms5 Irie, clearly aiming for 3 full years of Makushita

(4-0) Ms6 Ishiura might dream of a promotion ?

(2-1) Ms8 Abiko took a career start with a 27-1 record, but got his first MK last basho, and lost to Kotomisen this basho

(1-2) Ms10 Kyokutaisei, the docu guy, has not managed a KK since his Juryo debut in Nagoya of last year

(4-0) Ms10 Gochozan has beaten Kyokutaisei, Hakuyozan, Takagi & Chiyoarashi !

MAKUSHITA MID

(3-1) Ms12 Kawabata, the former MsTD still not much higher than where he started from

(2-2) Ms12 Takagi who managed a 23-3 career start last year, went from 2-0 to 2-2

(3-1) Ms14 Yamatofuji lost to Chiyoarashi on the opening day, but now has beaten Takagi

(3-1) Ms14 Chiyoarashi, who is rather injury prone, lost to Gochozan to miss out on a perfect start

(1-2) Ms15 Sagatsukasa might also be rather close to intai, I assume

(2-2) Ms17 Masunoumi, former Saishin, seems to become a Makushita regular

(3-1) Ms18 Meisei, 1995 born, keeps improving steadily, beating 4 years older Masunoumi on the way

(2-1) Ms21 Aokishin, who suffered from 3 injuries, might get to a 4th new career high in a row

(2-1) Ms27 Ohara might succeed in doing this for a 3rd time in successive

(4-0) Ms26 Sasakiyama almost dropped out of Makushita after a rocket career start, perhaps the sign for a turnaround ?

(4-0) Ms26 Masakaze, with this former J12 to be undefeated as well things are looking interesting for the Ms Yusho this basho !

(1-3) Ms28 Dairaido got to Ms8 two basho ago, but that seems far gone again

MAKUSHITA LOW

(3-1) Ms31 Wakayama is having a better basho than his maiden Ms basho back in 2013, ending 1-6 back then

(2-1) Ms32 Masutoo, the Hungarian, still aiming to beat his career high of Ms22 of 2011

(1-2) Ms32 Dewaotori is on a 5 KK-streak, but will it end here ?

(3-1) Ms33 Kaonishiki, quite some former ex-Juryo in mid Makushita

(1-2) Ms33 Higonojo, yet another one, but this one might suffer his 6th consecutive MK record

(1-2) Ms36 Kotaro, so far no MK for him yet, lost to Shodai & Rikishin

(3-0) Ms37 Shodai is on a 27-4 record now

(1-2) Ms39 Ikeru, will he suffer an other MK after many KK in a row ?

(0-3) Ms40 Shiba will have to win all remaining bouts to avoid hitting the wall this time around

(3-1) Ms43 Noinoumi has dropped from M16 to Sd22, so all credits to his persistence

(2-1) Ms45 Hamaguchi susprisingly lost to Masunosho

(2-1) Ms45 Hitenryu, another one on his way back

(1-2) Ms46 Koba keeps hanging in the Ms Low region

(4-0) Ms48 Masunosho, 1994 born, won against f.i. Hamaguchi & Nionoumi

(4-0) Ms52 Hitachigo has already has quite some 4-0 starts in Sandanme (one leading to a Yusho), it's his second one in Makushita

(1-2) Ms55 Goshi has been having quite poor records (2 KK, 6 MK) after his Makushita Yusho 1,5 years ago

(3-1) Ms58 Kaito, the youngest of whole Makushita, though Ms38 Mizuta & even J11 Onosho are also 1996 born

(2-1) Ms60 Mankajo, looking to break his streak of 5 MK ?

SANDANME

(2-2) Sd3 Maenofuji, not a big name, but a chance at his first ever Ms basho for this veteran is worth noticing

(4-0) Sd6 Okoryu's last ever 4-0 start dates from 2009, way back at Sd80

(3-1) Sd6 Takayoshitoshi, the highest ranked 1997 born rikishi, still making steady progress

(2-1) Sd9 Shoketsu with 75 Ms basho in his career, wants to secure his spot again

(1-3) Sd10 Daikiho, still busy dropping away further and further

(2-1) Sd11 Hakiai is back in Sandanme after he started 10 years ago as MsTD, never reaching Juryo

(2-1) Sd14 Wakakeisho, similar story for him, he even debuted with a Yusho as MsTD in 2006

(4-0) Sd20 Ryuden, you might wonder what made him wait so long to start playing full basho

(2-2) Sd33 Musashikuni, recovering from that 0-2 start, but still far from his Makushita debut

(1-3) Sd39 Shuji has to win all in order not to hit the wall

(1-3) Sd48 Koike hit the wall in his 6th basho, but keeps hitting it with a 6-1 in between

(4-0) Sd52 Sakae is finally showing his potential again

(2-2) Sd53 Narumi is still to hit the wall, will it be now ?

(3-0) Sd59 Nagao back on track after his first MK

(4-0) Sd70 Kotoryusei, by his last measurements <170cm & <90kg, now on 7 wins in a row

(2-2) Sd80 Fujinohana, with his twin brother at Sd38 not competing this basho, he has the chance to surpass

(3-1) Sd85 Ishii, bringing his career record to 18-7, having lost to Sd84 Tamakongo who's on a 21-10 record

(2-2) Sd90 Dewanosato, can this former Juryo avoid demotion to Juryo, which would be for the first time since 1993

(2-2) Sd91 Sadahihari, also no MK yet

(0-3) Sd100 Kaiho, once being said to keep an eye on after that 5-2 6-1 start

LOWER

(4-0) Jd10 Sato, still undefeated

(3-0) Jd58 Miyauchi after 3 MK in a row

(2-1) Jk5 Hokutosato on his way to a 2nd ever KK with that 35-115 career record ?

(3-0) Jk15 Kansei, one of two former Makushita to be on 3-0 in Jonokuchi, which therefor no new recruit managed to do

(3-1) Mz Hishofuji, former Juryo, lost to 22 year old new 'kid' Omoto

[sekitori 492]

Oosunaarashi doesn't do sumo. He is street brawler. He belongs in the UFC or pro wrestling.

This is a quote from the same person who stated that "Hakuho's shiko is beyond pitiful. Winning is his only goal. It's a shame."

Hakuho's shiko looks okay to me, but I am not the expert this person seems to be. I thought the primary goal of every rikishi is to win while following the rules. Hakuho seems to have done that 32 times. Such an attitude sounds really shameful to me. :-D :-D

By the way, this individual has stated in this forum that American football should be played without the use of helmets or other protective equipment. He said they aren't necessary because the players' sense of self-preservation will control how much contact they make and will make up for the lack of protection. He doesn't seem to realize that these athletes take part in an extremely violent sport where self-preservation is not a consideration. Without having any equipment to protect themselves, the injury rate will skyrocket. One more thing--it will also destroy the sport.

Otokonoyama made the following comment about this person:

"Boorish comments from one with no knowledge of Japan, sumo, or history." You can add American football to that list. From his past comments, it seems there probably are other subjects in which this person has an equal or even greater lack of knowledge--and sooner or later will be more than willing to share it with the rest of us.

He calls himself the "Community Punching Bag". Because he comes up with asinine statements to back up things he knows little or nothing about, he opens himself up to every negative comment he receives. He has selected a very well deserved title for himself.

[Akinomaki 40,895]

The Tenno has not arrived - a pity, I had hoped to see the special dohyo-iri when he's watching.

[kuroimori 1,634]

The Tenno has not arrived - a pity, I had hoped to see the special dohyo-iri when he's watching.

The Tenno arrived just in time to watch Kyoku-tenno... ;-)

Kyokutenho is closest to the emperor - age... I mean life-experience-wise...

[kuroimori 1,634]

Hakuho just recorded his 600th win as Yokozuna.

Up next: Taiho with 622 wins.

Edited January 18, 2015 by kuroimori

[sesom 55]

The Tenno arrived just in time to watch Kyoku-tenno... ;-)

Maybe somebody can explain, why we saw the audience applauding the Tenno, but not the Tenno himself on TV? The camera just showed people applauding and looking up to - I assume - some special VIP lounge.

[torquato 1,075]

No, it's just that the NSK uses more or less 'fixed' cameras. NHK has shown the Tenno before when he attends a sumo tournament. He is usually accompanied by his wife (as today) and they sit open visibly in the top ranks.

Nevertheless, I'm impressed by this hurlyburly the audience makes...

Edited January 18, 2015 by torquato

[sesom 55]

Ah, thanks for the clarification. Just thought it is some japanese do-not-show-the-tenno-on-tv-rule ...

[Jakusotsu 6,063]

Maybe somebody can explain, why we saw the audience applauding the Tenno, but not the Tenno himself on TV? The camera just showed people applauding and looking up to - I assume - some special VIP lounge.

Eh? The Tenno has been on the screen, several times.

[Adil 232]

One thing I love about Chiyotoori is that although he bends down very low to make it difficult for his opponents to get a good grip on his mawashi, he is still very difficult to slap down. When a rikishi ducks that low, the slightest of slaps usually results in a hatakikomi, but Chiyotoori clings on. Another youngster I will be watching very closely. Guys like him, Terunofuji, Osunaarashi and Ichinojo have me very excited for the future.

On the other end of the spectrum, Kyokutenho keeps making things interesting with his longevity. Toyonoshima is also a delight. Of course, I don't have to say anything about the Shahanshah (ancient Persian title for "King of Kings"), Hakuho. It's a real privilege watching this guy.

[Tsubame 368]

I never watched the special dohyo-iri for the royal family live. When was it the last time that this occurred?

[Tochinoumi 4]

Hey guys,

does anybody know why Kenjiro leaded the last three! bouts in Juryo? Shikimori Kindayu was sitting at the dohyo, but had no bout. I think that's not normal

[Akinomaki 40,895]

I never watched the special dohyo-iri for the royal family live. When was it the last time that this occurred?

The last time the Tenno watched was 4 years ago, but the last gozen-gakari dohyo-iri at a tenran-zumo may be this from 11 years ago on niconico (login required, but then DownloadHelper gets that - but without the explanations).

From a much older one, for the crown price, a (bad quality) video on Youtube is in my video presentation, part 8, starting at 7:15

Part 8

Makuuchi-dohyo-iri, applause, ranks, sanyaku, yokozuna dohyo-iri: Takanohana, dohyo-iri before the Tenno etc.

Olympic dohyo-iri, Shonosuke, yumitorishiki, drums

Edited January 18, 2015 by Akinomaki

[Fay 1,677]

[Masumasumasu 902]

Looks like Yakekaze may have suffered a broken nose. Oosunaarashi doesn't do sumo. He is street brawler. He belongs in the UFC or pro wrestling.

Boorish comments from one with no knowledge of Japan, sumo, or history.

'No knowledge'? Sounds like ad-hominem to me.

I'm pretty sure that the match that you posted was a bit of an aberration. They looked as if they wanted to kill each other. I realize that Chiyotaikai was a rough houser, but this particular match seems rather extreme. Even for him.

[ronnie 221]

Anyone remember Wakakirin?

He was a bit of a slapper!

[Jakusotsu 6,063]

Anyone remember Wakakirin?

He was a bit of a slapper!

I wish I didn't, and if I posted all that I have to say about him, I'll probably get banned myself.