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

[inhashi 2,363]

I've always had the impression that Kisenosato is very consistent where he has never missed a tournament and has gone kyujo for only one day in his entire career (Kotoshogiku got the fusen win). Kotoshogiku well...another story.

[Taigiin khuu 42]

I'm impressed with Terunofuji and like the excitement that he brings. But my enthusiasm is a bit tempered because I think some of his success is based on his size/strength moreso than technique; and this current Ozeki crew may be making him look a bit better than he is (at this point).

But he's young and has time to improve his technique and will undoubtedly gain more experience. If he remains injury free, he will likely remain a force to be reckoned with for some time.

I think Terunofujii has plenty of technique, and he has developed the right techniques to fully utilize his size/strength. And he often has an effective plan B technique too.

As a case of his developed technique: he now seldom gets into poor positions like he did with Yoshikaze earlier in the basho. In the past, he frequently got into really poor positions and lost several bouts he should not have lost. This is not really happening lately.

The 'kid' is truly incredible in how quickly he developed all this, and the right mental approach too. I think his concentration prior to bouts and his calmness in the heat of a bout is also learnt from experience. It was not always so easy for him and Fay will tell you of the Wakamisho and early sekitori days when at times things were more of a struggle for him.

[CT3* 331]

I didn't say Terunofuji has no technique. However I do think that his size/strength is what often bails him out in instances where his technique is lacking or ineffective. But I think his technique will continue to improve. He's a beast, but still a work in progress, imo.

[dingo 1,302]

I think Terunofuji has this one in the bag. Kotoshogiku is doing a bit better than average this basho, Kisenosato is his average and Goeido is below average -- I don't think any of them will be a real threat. Maybe not even Kakuryu, who's having a good but not great basho. So yeah, unless Terunofuji loses 2 and Ikioi pulls a Kyokutenho, I'd say Terunofuji will start his tsuna run this basho.

[Shikona 168]

Some good action today. Kaisei A showed up to face Goeido C. But I don't give up hope for G. to heal up and make a comeback--Kotoshogiku barely kept his rank over the last couple basho, and he's looking pretty genki this time. Terunofuji today had another hallmark of a champion--bringing out the best in a rival. There was more starch in the Ta-mawashi today than I recall ever seeing before. And even Ichinojo finally managed to get it into second gear.

[Katooshu 3,335]

Sumo newcomer question: Ikioi is 9-1 but hasn't beaten anyone higher than M6, has only beaten two opponents above M10, and is scheduled to face a 6-3 M14 tomorrow. Will they make him face significantly tougher opposition if he's still a contender after a few more matches? To me he seems out of place being in 2nd right now....

Edited September 23, 2015 by Kotooshu's Revenge

[Gurowake 4,109]

He almost certainly will faced someone closer to the top of the banzuke starting on Day 12 (the pairings for which will come out in a few hours). Ichinojo, Osunaarashi, Tochinoshin, or maybe even Goeido. If he continues to win, he'll most likely face Kotoshogiku and/or Tochiozan on Days 13 and/or 14, and Myogiryu on Day 15. The schedule of the sanyaku is designed having a few matches like that available the last few days to provide tough opponents for maegashira theoretically in the yusho race who have faced all low-ranked opponents so far. The big deal with Kyokutenho a few years ago was that there was no one at the top of the banzuke with a good score, and too many maegashira were in the Yusho race until almost the very end such that Kyokutenho got very little top-ranked opposition. But he still got a couple, and managed to beat them anyway. I don't give Ikioi much of a chance for the Yusho unless he hires someone to club the legs of the opponents he's scheduled against. Oh, and Terunofuji.

edit: Looks like I forgot about Yoshikaze, who he actually ended up with.

Edited September 23, 2015 by Gurowake

[808morgan 814]

Osunaarshi vs Okinoumi: What a crushing victory! Reminded me of a similar victory by Harumafuji vs Kisenosato; I believe it was Hatsu of this year, and Harumafuji's victory over Kise in the Haru basho of this year was also somewhat similar, but slightly less humiliating. There should be a new name for this kimarite: Chokeslam-o-toshi

Edited September 23, 2015 by 808morgan

[haboki 4]

I'm impressed with Terunofuji and like the excitement that he brings. But my enthusiasm is a bit tempered because I think some of his success is based on his size/strength moreso than technique; and this current Ozeki crew may be making him look a bit better than he is (at this point).

But he's young and has time to improve his technique and will undoubtedly gain more experience. If he remains injury free, he will likely remain a force to be reckoned with for some time.

I think Terunofujii has plenty of technique, and he has developed the right techniques to fully utilize his size/strength. And he often has an effective plan B technique too.

As a case of his developed technique: he now seldom gets into poor positions like he did with Yoshikaze earlier in the basho. In the past, he frequently got into really poor positions and lost several bouts he should not have lost. This is not really happening lately.

The 'kid' is truly incredible in how quickly he developed all this, and the right mental approach too. I think his concentration prior to bouts and his calmness in the heat of a bout is also learnt from experience. It was not always so easy for him and Fay will tell you of the Wakamisho and early sekitori days when at times things were more of a struggle for him.

I think what really tops off his skill set is that he has no fear. He has said himself that he doesn't get nervous, at all, and he looks it. This is really powerful since it allows his mind to focus freely on what he needs to do. Rikishi who get nervous can only act on instinct and can't think themselves out of a bad situation like he does.

[luispereira 383]

come on Ikioi...you can do it!

[grigorian 10]

Sumo newcomer question: Ikioi is 9-1 but hasn't beaten anyone higher than M6, has only beaten two opponents above M10, and is scheduled to face a 6-3 M14 tomorrow. Will they make him face significantly tougher opposition if he's still a contender after a few more matches? To me he seems out of place being in 2nd right now....

Ikioi is doing great, but I think he does not yet belong to sanyaku.

M10 9-6

M5 8-7

M9 9-6

M5 9-6

M6 11-4

M5 11-4

M5 10-5

M13 8-7

M10 10-5

M12 10-1 ....

against...

M3 4-11

M1 5-10

M2 6-9

M4 7-8

M1 5-10

K1 6-9

M2 1-14

M3 2-13

...

By the way, What about Tochinoshin lifting one Ichinojo... (200 kg).. awesome...

Edited September 23, 2015 by grigorian

[charliki 16]

The Yokozuna making a henka, it's not very glorious. (No, no, no...)

[ScottyJoyJrBebe 97]

Ichinojo is 1.5 years younger than Terunofuji and has 2.5 years less in sumo.

Last year hardly anybody else than insiders imagined Terunofuji to become ozeki already in his 2nd makuuchi year.

Look at his first 6 basho in makuuchi: m10 8-7, m9 9-6, m6 9-6, m1 6-9, m3 8-7, m2 8-7

Much superior Ichinojo in contrast: m10 13-2, s 8-1, s 6-9, m1 9-6, k1 8-7, s1 4-11

In his first year in makuuchi 4 out of 6 in sanyaku, already half of the year sekiwake!

If he manages to get his weight under control, he'll be ozeki in no time.

I must agree. I do respect the views of everyone else that sees him as a fluffy teddy bear. unfortunately as a fan of Ichinojo, I see him getting that Ozeki before long. All the greats had their weaknesses, Ichinojo is no different. I still say he will be a contemporary of Terunofuji at Yokozuna.

[Jakusotsu 6,050]

Once he starts winning against Tochinoshin again, he'll be ready.

[Washuyama 641]

Watching Terunofuji lately makes me think he's spent ALOT of time studying Hakuho. Similar styles, similar results...

[orandashoho 720]

Ichinojo looks clueless, but this could all be due to inexperience. He is still learning how to deal with experienced sekitori, he still needs time employing different techniques against them. So far, so good.

What is not so good is his lack of speed. It is giving his opponents too much opportunity to exploit the moments he is out of balance.

[luispereira 383]

anyone else thinks that Yoshikaze's starting position is just awesome? :>

http://imgur.com/yn1KsMN

this guy reminds me of a fierce honey badger aha!

[Tony 16]

anyone else thinks that Yoshikaze's starting position is just awesome? :>

http://imgur.com/yn1KsMN

this guy reminds me of a fierce honey badger aha!

Actually, I prefer Myogiryu's position.

[Akinomaki 40,814]

A repost from my pic post since there is a part for discussion and a bit too much text for that thread.

In the 30 year old kokugikan, as part of many renovations to come - the main part to start in 2017, the kimarite display on the electric scoreboard has been changed to LED, with larger characters and from Mincho to a sumo-ji font (used to write the banzuke etc.)

92 different kimarite etc. can now be displayed, before only 77 - is a reform in the making? At the moment there are 82 kimarite +5 non techniques.
http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASH9L6DL5H9LUTQP02Z.html

Terunofuji was partly knocked out by the effects of the initial head butt and one well placed harite of many from Tamawashi, but recovered while being on automatic for a while - and gave it back the customary twofold (bai-gaeshi) with a hefty throw.

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2015/09/23/kiji/K20150923011185660.html

[Harry 67]

Off topic now, just wondering: When did they add the previous electric kimarite display? I don't recall seeing it before. They don't have one in the Aichitaiikukan in Nagoya, do they? Or did they add one recently? I always thought that was half of the fun while scoring on your daily torikumi, asking around or being able to provide the answer when people didn't catch the kimarite announcement after the bout.

[d_golem 213]

I have been honestly very impressed with Giku this basho, a total turnaround from the July basho and looking very strong doing his brand of sumo, so I was rooting for him to win against Terunofuji. Fuji's win against the rejuvenated Giku then cemented my amazement and respect for this future great Yokozuna. Now if there's just a suitable Japanese rival to challenge him, sumo's popularity will undoubtedly reach unprecedented levels.

[Asashosakari 19,673]

Ichinojo looks clueless, but this could all be due to inexperience. He is still learning how to deal with experienced sekitori, he still needs time employing different techniques against them. So far, so good.

What is not so good is his lack of speed. It is giving his opponents too much opportunity to exploit the moments he is out of balance.

Since comparing Terunofuji and Ichinojo is all the rage right now - what's interesting is that both guys' bouts have a tendency to become rather slow-moving if they're not over after a few seconds, but the major difference is that Terunofuji slows them down intentionally while Ichinojo just can't go any faster.

[Kintamayama 45,534]

Off topic now, just wondering: When did they add the previous electric kimarite display? I don't recall seeing it before. They don't have one in the Aichitaiikukan in Nagoya, do they? Or did they add one recently? I always thought that was half of the fun while scoring on your daily torikumi, asking around or being able to provide the answer when people didn't catch the kimarite announcement after the bout.

It's always been there, at the KKan at least, AFAIK.

[808morgan 814]

The Yokozuna making a henka, it's not very glorious. (No, no, no...)

Yeah that was lame. He knew Tochiozan had a chance to get him.

[808morgan 814]

You spin me right round Yoshikaze. I had never stood next to Yoshikaze before May, he walked by me and I had thought he was a bit smaller, he's not really that small!

It was a dynamic day. Didn't anyone tell the Barking Bower that that was going to happen?

Bumpity stopper

Kind of looks like he just pulled Goeido down on top of himself, I think the Ozeki was just along for a mistaken ride. He has not been very Ozeki like lately.

Edited September 23, 2015 by 808morgan