Masumasumasu 902 Posted July 20, 2015 I'm the first to defend Hakuho, but that was uncalled for. Despicable. Mike Tyson had more respect for his opponents. Cassius Clay, too. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
inhashi 2,363 Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) What I thought to be a lukewarm tounament so far has heated up real fast. Yay for Tochiozan! Bad Hakuho! だめよ! (No, no, no...) Edited July 20, 2015 by inhashi 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pandaazuma 1,310 Posted July 20, 2015 Not defending Hakuho or anything but I think a lot of fans fail to realise that these lads are generally pretty rough with each other all the time. You'll note that Ichinojo didn't react at all to the push in the face, probably because for him it's no big deal. Obviously Hakuho as a yokozuna should be mindful that dame-oshi does not befit the dignity of his rank, but I really don't think it's that big a deal. No doubt the press will MAKE it one, though. Hakuho has made it clear (to his credit, in my view) that he doesn't give a damn what the gutter press think...but he should also bear in mind that some fans will disapprove. Would be interested in hearing Nishinoshima's views on this, as he'll know far better than most of us the attitude the lads have towards this kind of thing. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 44,646 Posted July 20, 2015 The bully punches Ichinojo in the face long after the match was finished. I'm not surprised. A bully is always a bully. He didn't punch anyone-just shoved his neck. Let's not go overboard with what is obviously overboard anyway.. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akinomaki 40,053 Posted July 20, 2015 Looked like a bit kawaigaru, giving Ichinojo a keiko lesson. That maybe was to say, "You did beat me last basho, but you're still nothing compared to me." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WAKATAKE 2,644 Posted July 20, 2015 Just the thing he needs to feed the media, a dame oshi. I guess he learned nothing from when he and Asashoryu almost got into it. He may have the most yusho but to me he's been losing his hinkaku. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
I am the Yokozuna 188 Posted July 20, 2015 Amazing day of sumo. A great tournament so far. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shitamachi 21 Posted July 20, 2015 Wow. Major props to Tochizan stepping up to his potential this tournament. I thought he would begin to stall after a yokozuna, but he really impressed with a convincing win over Kakuryu. Hope he can maintain this level and that we see a rise towards ozeki. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mongolith 51 Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) I have not seen anything in a Hak-Ichi bout or even interaction that would merit that kind of treatment. Ichi has not henkaed Hak, used hari-te, or used a dangerous move at the edge when he is obviously going to lose. Other than a bit fluky slapdown win what has Ichi done to tick of Hak. Even in there training sessions Ichi just takes his beatings. Not really digging this side of Hak. Edited July 20, 2015 by Mongolith 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CT3* 331 Posted July 20, 2015 No one has yet commented on Tochinoshin's amazing feat! At the 9:30 mark of Kintamayama's video digest, he actually manages to grab Takarafuji's neck!! 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CT3* 331 Posted July 20, 2015 As for the Hakuho/Ichinojo flap, none of us really knows what goes on between these guys. Bad form on the part of Hakuho to do that on the dohyo, in my opinion. And the usual, "it was all in the flow" response probably won't cut it. LOL! But none of us have any real idea what the catalyst for that was. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WAKATAKE 2,644 Posted July 20, 2015 Yes it's unfortunate that Hakuho's behavior today has deterred the conversation from the true highlights of the day, which was Kise-Teru and Kaku-Tochi. Kise gave Teru a run for his money, Teru had to earn that victory today. Tochiozan seems to be reaching his potential, as he is wrestling like an ozeki having beaten some and a yokozuna. I look forward to see what he can do against Hakuho. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
torquato 1,075 Posted July 20, 2015 Looked like a bit kawaigaru, giving Ichinojo a keiko lesson. That maybe was to say, "You did beat me last basho, but you're still nothing compared to me." Exactly. Hakuho was acting just the way he is allowed by rank and experience to act in a keiko session. "Babyface, come back later when you're grown up and need to shave!" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amanogawa 79 Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) >As for the Hakuho/Ichinojo flap, none of us really knows what goes on between these guys No matter what was going on between them personally or not personally, it shouldn't have mattered at that moment. That behavior was just disgraceful and ugly. If Hakuho did that out of his "kawaigaru"-mind, that was just as ridiculous and may show how Hakuho was not being able to control himself. This was not any casual keiko but a real bout on hon-basho dohyo where both rikishis are to show respect not only for the opponent but for sumo itself - or maybe I'm wrong to think being yokozuna ( the embodiment of sumo god, by the way ) takes far more than only being a strong guy with lots of yusho cups and kensho money. Edited July 20, 2015 by Amanogawa 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CT3* 331 Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) Somehow, I don't see Hakuho as guy that is "not able to control himself". He strikes as someone who does things like that to deliberately send a message. No idea what that message may be, and as I noted, it was bad form to do it atop the dohyo during competition. Edited July 20, 2015 by CT3* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jakusotsu 5,874 Posted July 20, 2015 Yeah, maybe that was a "what's wrong with you guy? I know you can do better!" kind of slap. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Masumasumasu 902 Posted July 20, 2015 The bully punches Ichinojo in the face long after the match was finished. I'm not surprised. A bully is always a bully.He didn't punch anyone-just shoved his neck. Let's not go overboard with what is obviously overboard anyway.. Ok. Suppose that Hakuho told you, "I'm going to either punch you in the face with a fist or strike your head with an open hand. It's you're choice." Which would you choose? Is one option less painful (or less destructive) than the other? I know this...a fist can break easily when a person doesn't know how to make a proper one. Perhaps that is why the fist rule exists in the first place(?). In any case, I'd rather be punched because there is a strong chance that the puncher will break his hand. An open-handed strike protects the metacarpals, and that could be why sumo (intelligently) employs this rule. I suppose you're right, though. Hakuho is beyond criticism and therefore should be allowed to do whatever he likes, whenever he likes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Masumasumasu 902 Posted July 20, 2015 Yeah, maybe that was a "what's wrong with you guy? I know you can do better!" kind of slap. If that's the case, he should do it before the match ends. Slap to the face during the match = Sumo. Slap to the face after the match = Bullying. The former is kosher. The latter is a shameful spectacle. Why is winning the match not enough for him? Why does he feel the need to be a bully? 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shikona 139 Posted July 20, 2015 Who knows, really, but my guess would be that Hakuho was very mindful of being made to look bad in their last bout and wanted to emphasize his superiority. In a sport where you routinely toss your junior practice opponents into the dirt and then kick them if they don't get up fast enough, not so hard to understand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 44,646 Posted July 20, 2015 Fujishima Oyakata: "That was ugly. Especially since he is who he is, his conduct should be exemplary". (This from the guy that singlehandedly caused the abolishment of kosho, but I digress..) Hakuhou: "I will be careful." Yeah, right.. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ALAKTORN 346 Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) By the way, Hakuhō was trying to win with a throw. When he won failing to throw Ichinojō down, he opted to shove him in the face instead. I’m not sure why he wanted to do either, but I didn’t see anyone mention the throw attempt that started it so I did. Edited July 20, 2015 by ALAKTORN Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kuroimori 1,634 Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) What a message Terunofuji sent to Kisenosato today, bumping him off of the dohyo after a great fight. "Gimme that Ozeki East spot! That's my place! But don't cry, you can have it back after 3 more basho - when I move to the next level." Edited July 20, 2015 by kuroimori 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kotoshoumi 31 Posted July 20, 2015 I've always thought that the post-match pushes of Hakuho were made into something much bigger and that people tended to exaggerate. But I must say, that when he slapped Ichi after their bout, I was kind of shocked for the first time. Wich doesn't mean that I'm on the I-Hate-Hakuho bandwagon, but still, I found it inaproppriate. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
808morgan 805 Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) I've always thought that the post-match pushes of Hakuho were made into something much bigger and that people tended to exaggerate. But I must say, that when he slapped Ichi after their bout, I was kind of shocked for the first time. Wich doesn't mean that I'm on the I-Hate-Hakuho bandwagon, but still, I found it inaproppriate. It felt like an internal Mongolian issue, like you can do better and I want you to show some effort. You know the current Yokozuna want these young guys they have mentored for years to get better. Terunofuji is clearly on his way. Ichi had an injury but I didn't think it was an issue right now, he just seems sluggish. Hakuho was telling him to wake up and show some spirit, make us proud. Edited July 20, 2015 by 808morgan 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Treblemaker 254 Posted July 20, 2015 This is why I like sumo. A few throws, and couple of nice, juicy henkas, some belly-flops, and a good ol' fashioned face wash. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
