Basho Talk - Hatsu Basho 2016 +++ Spoiler Alert! +++

[Kishinoyama 582]

at his age, will they promote him if he wins the next basho(not that I think thats going to happen)?

If he wins the next tournament I think they would have no choice. If he finishes in a tie and losses in a playoff with a 14-1/13-2, I think he would get promoted judging by Kakuryu's promotion.

[Jyuunomori 226]

GEEK DID IT! This days is a moment. All japanese rikishi know that it can be done now, so get to work Kise.

I am still weirded out by the fact that Gino-Sho is not being awarded apparently.

Toyonoshima, Shodai and Takayasu all used multiple kimarite this basho to win. In fact Takayasu used 8 different kimarite to win his 11 bouts.

While Shodai used 7 different techniques to win in his very first makuuchi basho.

Edited January 24, 2016 by Jyuunomori

[Morty 1,480]

at his age, will they promote him if he wins the next basho(not that I think thats going to happen)?

I think they definitely will. They have with other older Ozeki in the past (eg. Asahifuji) and Japan would love a Japanese Yok. It would be interesting if that happens. He has always been a 9-10 win Ozeki rather than a 11-12 winner and 9-10 isn't Yokozuna worthy. However, a lot of that has been while he has been carrying serious injuries and he has only ever gone kadoban when injured. When fully fit he is usually good for 10 wins. Becoming a Yok would allow him to sit out the bashos where he is injured and maybe get 12 or 18 months as a Yok with a decent record. Becoming a Yok has made Kakuryu a much better rikishi than he was as Ozeki. But I couldn't see him going much longer than that before intai.

But there are much more knowledgeable people on here than me - I'm interested to see what they think

[Morty 1,480]

I'll also be interested to see what this does to his great rival Kisenosato. Will this be the motivation he needs to take the next step and get a yusho?

[luispereira 383]

congrats kotoshogiku! nice!:D yes, I hope this win will serious motivate kise... already wanting the next basho..come on.....

Edited January 24, 2016 by luispereira7cv

[Fukurou 534]

Congratulations to Kotoshogiku. I never thought I'd see him on a Yokozuna run, but then again I never thought I'd see him win a basho either.

And....

that was very strange.

WOW! WOW! WOW！

Ya know, if you (and others) are going to post like this, it might be a good idea to give us an idea of what you're posting about. This isn't an IM/PM chat after all.....

Edited January 24, 2016 by Fukurou

[hamcornheinz 839]

that was very strange.

WOW! WOW! WOW！

Ya know, if you (and others) are going to post like this, it might be a good idea to give us an idea of what you're posting about. This isn't an IM/PM chat after all.....

The who situation was very fishy..... then half an hour later, they revealed it was the butler all along.

[d_golem 213]

All these posts about a long-awaited Japanese Yusho winner and all I want is a Youtube link from a certain aging Polish (or Hungarian? can't remember) rocker.

[Fay 1,677]

11 years of continuous support (not to mention the time I saw him on Eurosport before I started travelling to Japan). And now he made it KOTOSHOGIKU!!!!

I don't like to mention it (hahaha that's a lie), but I always was the only one in this forum who never stopped believing in him and alwas said he would win a yusho and go on a yokozuna run. I'm really more than happy for him :-D :-D :-D

Edited January 24, 2016 by Fay

[Akinomaki 39,782]

Shodai beats Gagamaru to earn the kanto-sho, breaking the record for fastest sansho winner at 12 basho (excluding makeshita tsukedashi).

In the 6 basho era, the overall record is 9 by Wakanohana I.

[theonlyw1ll 0]

Congratulations Kotoshogiku and nicely done. ✋

[Fukurou 534]

11 years of continuous support (not to mention the time I saw him on Eurosport before I started travelling to Japan). And now he made it KOTOSHOGIKU!!!!

I don't like to mention it (hahaha that's a lie), but I always was the only one in this forum who never stopped believing in him and alwas said he would win a yusho and go on a yokozuna run. I'm really more than happy for him :-D :-D :-D

Try a little harder to not have a great smile on your face Fay. :-D

Herzlichen Glückwunsch an Sie, auch (Applauding...) (Cheers...) (Holiday feeling...) (Zabuton flying...) (Yusho winner...)

Edited January 24, 2016 by Fukurou

[Tenshinhan 1,599]

I am still weirded out by the fact that Gino-Sho is not being awarded apparently.

Toyonoshima, Shodai and Takayasu all used multiple kimarite this basho to win. In fact Takayasu used 8 different kimarite to win his 11 bouts.

While Shodai used 7 different techniques to win in his very first makuuchi basho.

The Gino Sho is the most valuable Sansho and is given out very rarely, in fact they awarded only five Gino Sho in the last three years. And as Akinomaki says every basho, the number of different kimarite is not the criterion for it.

I imagined another Kanto Sho for Takayasu but an 11-4 as M8 maybe is not enough overperforming for a guy who should belong to the joi.

Edited January 24, 2016 by Tenshinhan

[Dwale 419]

Congratulations to Kotoshogiku. I'm sorry I said he looks like an amorous potato when he has someone against the bales (although it is true).

Just wonderful for the Japanese fans, and hopefully inspiration for all the young, up-and-coming Japanese rikishi to get out there and bring that cup home more than once a decade.

[WAKATAKE 2,631]

After getting a lopsided win over Ichinojo, Kaisei expressed concern about his opponent.

"It was a little weird. I'm glad that I won. When we hit, I thought 'Huh?' His sonkyo wasn't right either."

http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/1596293.html

[Kishinoyama 582]

Congratulations to Kotoshogiku for winning this tournament. I have always admired him because I have never thought he asked for any favors or gave out any.

[Treblemaker 254]

I'm not sure what the Vegas Oddsmakers had Geeku, but I'm pretty sure he was a long-shot, at best. I think this is wonderful. Yes, some of the bouts looked very strange, and we'll never know for sure if he had "help". but in his own bouts, there was absolutely no doubt. With a little care, this could have been a zensho yusho. I, for one, am happy with the result.

And again, an important THANK YOU! to The Great Kintamayama for the videos. A lot of hard work goes into the editing and co-ordinating of those things. I know for a fact that it's a labour of love for him, but it's still an effort, and I thank him.

[Dwale 419]

After getting a lopsided win over Ichinojo, Kaisei expressed concern about his opponent.

"It was a little weird. I'm glad that I won. When we hit, I thought 'Huh?' His sonkyo wasn't right either."

http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/1596293.html

Lots of talk about Ichinojo having physical issues that hamper his performance, and while I'm sure that's a factor, it looks like he's simply lost his will to fight. I wonder if he isn't depressed. Homesickness, maybe?

[ALAKTORN 346]

Now that I can watch the whole day’s bouts, I have a question: shouldn’t Kagayaki’s kimarite have been tsukidashi rather than tsukiotoshi? That decision looked puzzling to me.

Love Aoiyama when he thrusts to victory.

Kisenosato–Kakuryū was nice.

Harumafuji–Hakuhō was weird. I felt like Harumafuji was surprised at Hakuhō’s weakness.

I personally don’t really like Shōdai. I’m happy for him and he looks like a solid rikishi, but he’s just very “standard” (not sure what word to use) that he doesn’t stand out as anything exciting to me. I was more hyped for Mitakeumi, but, maybe also due to the flu, he didn’t do very well this basho. We’ll see what happens in Haru.

[BuBa 72]

A good day for Ozumo. Congrats to Kotoshogiku.

[Dapeng 232]

at his age, will they promote him if he wins the next basho(not that I think thats going to happen)?

I think they definitely will. They have with other older Ozeki in the past (eg. Asahifuji) and Japan would love a Japanese Yok. It would be interesting if that happens. He has always been a 9-10 win Ozeki rather than a 11-12 winner and 9-10 isn't Yokozuna worthy. However, a lot of that has been while he has been carrying serious injuries and he has only ever gone kadoban when injured. When fully fit he is usually good for 10 wins. Becoming a Yok would allow him to sit out the bashos where he is injured and maybe get 12 or 18 months as a Yok with a decent record. Becoming a Yok has made Kakuryu a much better rikishi than he was as Ozeki. But I couldn't see him going much longer than that before intai.

But there are much more knowledgeable people on here than me - I'm interested to see what they think

Sure. I think 13 wins will be unconditionally enough; and even 12 wins may be considered, depending on how strong the public and NSK demanding for the promotion. But if he is promoted to Yokozuna, he will probably become another Wakanohana. Being an Ozeki or Yokozuna is very different.

The problem with Kisenosato is that he easily lose to low-level rikishi, and it seems it's impossible for him to overcome that.

[ALAKTORN 346]

^The talks within the kyōkai have been surprisingly harsh in terms of Kotoshōgiku’s yokozuna run. IIRC both Isegahama oyakata and Hakkaku rijichō have said that it will depend on the contents of Kotoshōgiku’s sumō, rather than naming a win–loss target. Personally I think a 12–3 yūshō or a 13–2 dōten would be enough for promotion. (If I misused any terms please rectify me… wasn’t too sure.)

[lackmaker 432]

Yoshikaze makes kachikoshi! So three sanyaku slots are open for next basho.

Tochiozan will surely stay in sanyaku so two slots available

[Kishinoyama 582]

Yoshikaze makes kachikoshi! So three sanyaku slots are open for next basho.

Tochiozan will surely stay in sanyaku so two slots available

I wonder if they will just switch spots with Yoshikaze going to East Sekiwake and Tochiozan going to West Sekiwake. Let the banzuke speculation begin. (On the banzuke...)

Edited January 24, 2016 by Kishinoyama

[inhashi 2,363]

I personally don’t really like Shōdai. I’m happy for him and he looks like a solid rikishi, but he’s just very “standard” (not sure what word to use) that he doesn’t stand out as anything exciting to me...

Being "standard" is what is exciting about him. He came from under the radar (unadulterated by media) and proved that he is capable. Be careful of the quiet ones.... like a Keyser Söze.