Basho Talk - Nagoya 2015 +++ Spoiler alert! +++

[Gurowake 4,016]

So despite Terunofuji being in the yusho race and Goeido not, Terunofuji has Hakuho Day 11 instead of day 13/14 with Goeido getting the Yokozuna Day 11/12. The only other thing doing this scheudling would affect is which of Ichinojo and Tochiozan get their last Ozeki match on Day 11/12 or Day 13/14. And with Tochiozan in the yusho race it might even have made sense to postpone his Ozeki match as well, but instead they are running Goeido against Tochiozan Day 11 and thus giving Tochiozan maegashira the last 4 days of the tournament. Maybe it was specifically so they would have Tochiozan and Terunofuji available both Days 13 and 14 to fight maegashira just in case, so that those in contention would be the ones that would be charged with putting out of contention Yoshikaze and/or Kagamio should they continue to win.

I'd also find it very interesting if we see a 7-win Kotoshogiku face a Yusho-bound Terunofuji on Day 15. Would be some great drama for sure. <CT> Maybe that's what the script's said the entire time! </CT>

[inhashi 2,363]

Otokonoyama, on 20 Jul 2015 - 07:52, said:

[video clip "Bruce Lee says kick me"]

But Bruce Lee was quite a pompous thinks-i'm-a-know-it-all.

As much as I love Hakuho, such behavior should be saved for keiko. Today was not keiko.

Can let it slide since he's been around for a long time and is bound to get much criticism racked up, but it adds up and can stand out more than his achivements. Also, I'm spending my time to watch a beautiful, traditional art. Not a dumb WWF or MMA dance and pony show.

[Kintamayama 44,646]

Miyagino Oyakata received a reprimanding phone call from the judging department regarding Hakuhou's dame-oshi yesterday. He was on ticket-collecting duty this morning and said this after his shift:

"Yesterday, I received a phone call from the judging department asking me to pay attention. I answered that I will. It's something he (Hakuhou) did so I don't know..Maybe it's because he lost to Ichinojou last basho. I really have no idea.. I am always warning him about this. Perhaps the Mongolians have this thing - when they get heated up they don't hold back. When they get too worked up, they don't know themselves. He is probably reflecting on his actions. He always has that 'I screwed up' look when it happens. He knows better than anyone what he's going through. I will be cautioning him"

Edited July 21, 2015 by Kintamayama

[grigorian 10]

Just a question. Coudl Tochiozan rise up to ozeki rank at the end of this basho?.

Sorry for my ignorance, I´m just begining to learn how this works. :-P

[Jakusotsu 5,874]

Just a question. Coudl Tochiozan rise up to ozeki rank at the end of this basho?.

Sorry for my ignorance, I´m just begining to learn how this works. :-P

Usually 30+ wins over three basho as Sanyaku are needed to be considered for promotion. Terunofuji's promotion was an exception of this rule, but Tochiozan isn't likely to break it this time.

[Masumasumasu 902]

I just threw my seat cushion. Can Tochiozan take the yusho?

[Asashosakari 18,968]

Yusho co-leader Tochiozan after 10 days? Why yes, I'll have some of that, please.

[luispereira 383]

ooh...it's on fire!

[krindel 671]

Just a question. Coudl Tochiozan rise up to ozeki rank at the end of this basho?.

Sorry for my ignorance, I´m just begining to learn how this works. :-P

Usually 30+ wins over three basho as Sanyaku are needed to be considered for promotion. Terunofuji's promotion was an exception of this rule, but Tochiozan isn't likely to break it this time.

If he does succeed in taking a 14-1 Yusho, I'd be surprised if they DON'T promote him, first Japanese yusho in ages and all. After all, most of the latest Ozeki promotions have had "special considerations" involved.

Yusho co-leader Tochiozan after 10 days? Why yes, I'll have some of that, please.

And him having noone above M1 left to fight...

Edited July 21, 2015 by krindel

[inhashi 2,363]

He has Goeido tomorrow

[Asashosakari 18,968]

If he does succeed in taking a 14-1 Yusho, I'd be surprised if they DON'T promote him, first Japanese yusho in ages and all. After all, most of the latest Ozeki promotions have had "special considerations" involved.

I can't see that happening (that promotion, that is) - even with the slightly relaxed standards of the last few years I highly doubt they'll promote somebody on the basis of just one ozeki-worthy tournament result.

[krindel 671]

He has Goeido tomorrow

Drat... True. Somehow I always end up forgetting Goeido :-P

[grigorian 10]

Hakuho musts face 1 yokozuna and 2 ozeki.

Terunofuji, 2 yokozuna 1 ozeki and 1 sekiwake.

kakuryu, 1 yokozuna and 3 ozeki.

It´s plausible, the yusho, I mean.

Edited July 21, 2015 by grigorian

[krindel 671]

If he does succeed in taking a 14-1 Yusho, I'd be surprised if they DON'T promote him, first Japanese yusho in ages and all. After all, most of the latest Ozeki promotions have had "special considerations" involved.

I can't see that happening (that promotion, that is) - even with the slightly relaxed standards of the last few years I highly doubt they'll promote somebody on the basis of just one ozeki-worthy tournament result.

I do hope you are right, as (just to be clear) I don't believe that he should be promoted. But with a (completely hypothetical) 14-1 Yusho he'd have 32 wins at M1 - K - S, wins over most of the Ozeki - Yokozuna (bar Terunofuji) and the first Japanese Yusho in forever. I am afraid that the slippery slope of relaxing the standards after every promotion to accommodate the next one can stretch far enough to cover him in that case.

[Shikona 139]

Tochiozan had a year in sanyaku before his last injury, and consistent results since. If he can pull off the yusho, I wouldn't mind seeing him promoted, and it might be likely if Kotoshogiku is dropping down.

[WAKATAKE 2,644]

Personally I do not see Tochiozan getting the automatic nod if he were to get the yusho this time. Musoyama won the yusho as a sekiwake but was promoted after he had an equal performance the next basho. If Tochiozan were to theoretically win the yusho, I am sure that they will ask for an equal performance in September. I have to say though, well done to him for pulling the big win today against Hakuho. Hakuho seems to have problems processing his losses on the dohyo lately, taking his time to get back to his corner or not leaving the dohyo right away. Big matches tomorrow as Hakuho takes on Terunofuji and Tochizan takes on Goeido. We have us a yusho race for sure. Also, Kyokutenho got a win today, three more can keep him in the division. Homarenishiki is now 3-2, which I'm pretty sure with the way the bottom division works is enough for him to get promoted for the next basho.

[Shikona 139]

Hakuho's post-bout stare showed he was ready to have at it. I see a face-slap for Tochiozan next basho. Suggest the men in black make a reminder call before the match.

[Shitamachi 21]

I don't really understand Oosunarashi's air slapping. He seems to land few blows on his opponent but then wins despite this. How does he keep his balance whiffing so much? Is he summoning a sandstorm from the dohyo?

[Gurowake 4,016]

Terunofuji at least had 33 wins in 3 joi basho, and more importantly 25 in two consecutive basho as sekiwake, to go along with his Yusho. Tochiozan will only have 32, and has not had any back-to-back double digit basho in the joi (although he did have 11-9-10 once and was closer to promotion than Goeido ever was until the next tournament). If Tochiozan gets to 14 this tournament, it'll just mean that he'll have a much easier task next basho. 25 combined in both tournaments will almost certainly get him there, and 24 will probably be good enough given his history of double-digit joi tournaments.

[Kintamayama 44,646]

Just reminding everyone this is Tochiouzan we're talking about. After tomorrow, he will still have 4 days of fierce joi opponents. I am willing to steak that "the bobble head" will finish 11-4. And I am a fan who actually prophesied that he will be promoted to Ozeki a while ago..

Also, he already lost once in a playoff, against Kyokutenhou the mighty. He does choke rather well.

[Asashosakari 18,968]

Ironically, his long-time rival Tochiozan also making it to ozeki might be the only thing capable of lighting enough of a fire in Goeido to turn him into a proper ozeki...

[krindel 671]

Just to be clear:

a) I never said I believe that Tochiozan will get the 14-1 Yusho (as Kintamayama pointed out his past performances don't inspire any sort of confidence he can finish so strong)

b) I don't believe he SHOULD be promoted to Ozeki, just like I didn't believe Goeido should have, and just like I thought Terunofuji's promotion was a tad premature (although thankfully he is proving more than deserving, I can't help but wonder if he would have gotten the nod with the exact same results, but without the lucky jump from M2 to S on a 8-7. Would a M2 8-7, M1 13-2, S 12-3Y have been enough?)

What I am trying to point out is that it seems to me that the rules for Ozeki promotion seem to have become very personalized lately, so who knows?

[Asashosakari 18,968]

What I am trying to point out is that it seems to me that the rules for Ozeki promotion seem to have become very personalized lately, so who knows?

That would arguably be a knock against his promotion chances though, considering the Kasugano guys haven't been treated too kindly by the banzuke committee of late. ;-)

[Tsubame 359]

And for something completely different...

I thought that only ozeki and yokozuna are allowed to wear purple fringes on kesho-mawashis. What about Kyokushuho? (with thanks to Kintamayama)

[Yubinhaad 11,594]

And for something completely different...

I thought that only ozeki and yokozuna are allowed to wear purple fringes on kesho-mawashis. What about Kyokushuho? (with thanks to Kintamayama)

Presumably that footage is from Day 8. That kesho-mawashi is part of a Hakuho set - Kyokushuho served as his tachimochi on Day 8, because Hakuho's opponent was his regular tachimochi Kaisei. Attendants do not serve in a Yokozuna dohyo-iri if they are fighting against the Yokozuna or the other attendant.

Edit: Actually, Kyokushuho must be the regular tsuyuharai this basho since he outranks Kyokutenho. I guess I haven't quite gotten my head around the idea of him being in the single-digit Maegashira ranks.

Edited July 21, 2015 by Yubinhaad