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

[evilwaldo 11]

^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.)

I am not sure it is harsh. You are looking at 36 wins, runner up positions, etc. Given the previous body of work they are holding him to that standard. Part of it might be due to Kisensato when they lowered the bar and he was unable to cross it.

If Kotoshogiku had a book of 11 or 12 win bashes it might be a different story but his previous body of work is not that attractive for a promotion. This could be a motivator from the committee.

[Yubinhaad 11,501]

What a wonderful basho, and a thoroughly deserving champion. I've been cheering for Kotoshogiku from afar for most of his career, but this has exceeded all my expectations and hopes for him. I hope this sends a wave of confidence coursing through some of the other talented rikishi, because more variety in the yusho race (and yusho winners) would be great to see.

I really feel for Goeido. In the run-up to his promotion he was in the form of his life, but then he gets injured in the promotion-clinching basho and hasn't been the same since. Aside from physical injury, he must be mentally weary as he toils away, desperately trying to recapture that earlier form. His tachiai is not what it was, and it feels like the fluency of his sumo has gone, but he's doing the best he's capable of at the moment. You can't blame him for being promoted and for managing to hang on to the rank to this point. When the decision is made and the messengers come calling, is he supposed to turn them away? "Sorry, I'm not up to it, please find someone else and leave me at Sekiwake." Of course not.

The closest parallel to Goeido's struggle is that of Maenoyama, who had 10 basho as an Ozeki in the early 1970s. Like Goeido he started his tenure injured, sitting out the whole of his shin-Ozeki basho, and never reached double-digit wins at the rank. He was kadoban for what would be his final Ozeki basho, 1972 Haru, and was demoted with an injury-hit 6-7-2 record. Like Maenoyama an Osaka native, the 2016 Haru basho will be Goeido's 10th basho as an Ozeki.

Happy to see Hidenoumi take the Juryo yusho and heading up to Makuuchi. With Endo and Jokoryu both dropping down, there was a real danger of the next banzuke having no Nichidai presence in the top division. Daishomaru should be joining Hidenoumi on the way up, and maybe Akiseyama and Satoyama too?

Now that I can watch the whole days bouts, I have a question: shouldnt Kagayakis kimarite have been tsukidashi rather than tsukiotoshi? That decision looked puzzling to me.

The winning moment was Kagayaki's push under Tamawashi's armpit (bad screenshot below) which resulted in Tamawashi stepping out of the dohyo. That particular push is standard for a tsukiotoshi, it just looks strange here because it caused the loser to step out, rather than the usual result of being pushed down.

Definitely not tsukidashi though, for that see Tamawashi himself against Homarefuji on Day 14.

[Asashosakari 18,662]

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.

But the missing hype is really all that's different. He was an extremely accomplished collegiate rikishi just like Mitakeumi and Endo, he just didn't fulfill the narrow requirements for a makushita start. It's not like he's any sort of overachiever to date.

[inhashi 2,363]

Yes, thank you, I am aware of that. I should have added ...under the radar (unadulterated by media) after becoming pro...

[dingo 1,119]

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

Age has nothing to do with it, the Kyokai would promote Aminishiki if he had back to back yushos (Laughing...) It's all about the performance so if Kotoshogiku posts the necessary numbers he'll be a yokozuna.

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.

I think Mitakeumi's performance was hampered by the flu. He's young, but still it's not an easy thing to come back to a sport at top level only a couple of days after having flu -- I mean, he didn't go kyujo in the middle of the basho just because his nose was a bit runny, it's more likely he had high fever and that really takes a toll on anybody's body. I hope Mitakeumi will have a better basho next time.

Once Kotoshogiku's yusho run started taking shape I felt really superstitious and tried to avoid posting here about his victory, but now that it's done I'm really happy for him. After having a long and pretty successful career he well deserves it. I think it doesn't really even matter if he makes yokozuna or not (although Kotoshogiku himself may disagree), I'm just glad he got the yusho. Seeing his father after his final bout was a moving sight as well.

Now then, for a more important question -- is Yoshikaze on an Ozeki run? ;-)

[Kuroyama 715]

I'm so happy for Kotoshogiku! It was a long time coming, and it was very pleasant to see so much truly motivated sumo from him. Not that I think he ever purposely does unmotivated sumo, but after his bout with Hakuho this time around I looked at the one between them from last basho for comparison and it was like night and day. Perhaps when you're really start to feel you have a chance at winning, things are different for you.

It just goes to show how accustomed we've become to utterly dominant dai-yokozuna that a 12-win performance is shocking.

Edited January 24, 2016 by Kuroyama

[bettega 422]

It just goes to show how accustomed we've become to utterly dominant dai-yokozuna that a 12-win performance is shocking.

Absolutely true!

Hakuho in his actual condition (physical/psycological) is "just" a Yokozuna.

[ScottyJoyJrBebe 97]

May I happily join the rest in giving strong congrats to Ozeki Kotoshogiku :-D Good Ol' "Humpety Bumpety" knocked it out of the ball park!! I am not going to jump on the bandwagon, but I will offer my genuine admiration for how he did this basho. This was hands-down the best performance of his career. Even from earlier basho, I could hear my self saying "Kooooooooooooooootoshogiku Strrrrrrrretch!" Now, it has a whole new meaning.

I read somewhere that 12-3 is the expected performance of a Yokozuna. If that is the case, both Harumafuji and Hakuho did their jobs.

Yoshikaze KK :-)

Kotoyuki KK I jumped on the bandwagon from those VERY RESPECTFUL bows, and those BARKS. I am very excited for next basho, so we can ALL SEE HIM give Hakuho a BARK, that in itself will be worth the wait ;-)

Toyonoshima 12-3, is that a West Sekiwake coming?

Ichinojo 2-13 :'-( For the first time, I got genuinely MAD at him. I have been so supportive (Along with Elaine ;-) ) this whole time, but something IS WRONG. I pray that he can clear things up, hopefully East Maegashira 16 is a spot he can rebuild from

I guess were not gonna see the Kagayaki Swim for a bit?

All in All, a very memorable basho, especially for me. Senshuraku makes ONE YEAR since I started watching sumo regularly again, and so much has changed!

I would like to thank Jason for his Videos with commentary, as it was his channel I first found out about, as well as Kintamayama for his efforts. Also thanks to My Jet Set Life for posting the victory celebrations and many extras!!!!

[Katooshu 3,079]

Some various thoughts:

-Onosho has been a real spoiler for Daishomaru over the last two basho, beating him on day 15 both times to save juryo rank and enable Daishomaru's co-leader to grab the yusho with a win.

-Ura was great to watch as usual and proved this basho that he can get it done against Ms10 and higher.

-For the third consecutive basho Aoiyama shows that while he's out of his depth and prone to big tumbles against sanyaku level opponents, he's quite capable against virtually everyone else.

-Despite the barking and bowing I find it hard to cheer for Kotoyuki...maybe it's his violent style.

-I admire the way Ishiura battled back from the injury against Amakaze to finish the basho with three straight wins and his KK.

-And of course Kotoshogiku! I am very happy to see him win and this has probably been my favorite tournament to watch since I started following sumo. I enjoy things much more when the yusho race is open and not just a matter of which Mongolian yokozuna will take it.

Edited January 24, 2016 by Kotooshu's Revenge

[Asameshimae 220]

All division winners are Japanese! Someone please tell me the last time that happened!

That's a point I had not considered yet. Perhaps they were ALL fixed. ;)

No, I kid, congratulations to them all - and congrats to Shogiku, though I do have trouble being 100 percent convinced it was completely legitimate. I'm not much of a doubting Thomas and have never questioned any bouts before this tournament since 2011. I also deliberately stayed away from this forum until after the basho as I wanted to form my own conclusions (call it my own confirmation bias if you will) before I came here. I hope it was legitimate and I believe there is a good chance it was. Short of incontrovertible proof I'm sorry to say there will always be a bit of lingering doubt in my mind.

[Asameshimae 220]

Kotoshogiku looked so happy in the corridor before coming out to accept the trophies. The last person I remember being this thrilled at winning a yusho was Baruto. [/quote

This is one point for me; Giku looked pretty choked up and proud- and unless he took some acting lessons beforehand - it would be a hard face to put on if there was cheating. I was watching closely for this because I do want his yusho to be real. I suppose there is always the chance that he wasn't told the Yokozuna(s) had been told to lose to him.. (ahem)

[WAKATAKE 2,614]

Oitekaze Oyakata reveals that Endo will not be getting surgery done on his knee. He will be missing the hanazumo tournament after the Hatsu basho. Currently he is doing training for his lower body at the beya.

http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/1596309.html

[bettega 422]

One things I must say - what a hell of a basho. Hakuho is the best all time Yokozuna, but with him less dominant the bashos are much less predictable.

[orandashoho 720]

And it is much more enjoyable to have the suspense of there being more than one contender for the yusho this time.

[Wakaebala 151]

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.

About Shodai-Mitakeumi.

I also thought that Mitakeumi is interesting (I think because of his hair in Kyushu), and yes, on the first 5-6 days I didn't really care about Shodai, but maaaan! I can see some kind of an elegance in his motion (kinda like Kisenosato), he doesn't really do anything unnecessary, he moves like an old and very wise lion... On the last 3 days, I became a Shodai fan.

I will follow both of them, and we'll see!

[Fukurou 534]

Something odd to my eyes after the Harumafuji - Hakuho match was decided. After Hakuho was down Harumafuji stepped around to in front of him and reached toward Hakuho's chest area (can't tell where due to the camera angle) for a couple seconds before stepping away. Almost like he was making sure Hakuho was ok or helping him up or something. For that matter Hakuho went down so "softly" that it was almost as if, by holding on to the belt, Harumafuji was lowering him to the ground. Perhaps Hakuho is hurt. It just looked a little strange to me, and maybe someone else could give an opinion? The video timestamp is 1:23 - 1:28.

Edited January 25, 2016 by Fukurou

[Masumasumasu 902]

[Masumasumasu 902]

[hamcornheinz 839]

Something odd to my eyes after the Harumafuji - Hakuho match was decided. After Hakuho was down Harumafuji stepped around to in front of him and reached toward Hakuho's chest area (can't tell where due to the camera angle) for a couple seconds before stepping away. Almost like he was making sure Hakuho was ok or helping him up or something. For that matter Hakuho went down so "softly" that it was almost as if, by holding on to the belt, Harumafuji was lowering him to the ground. Perhaps Hakuho is hurt. It just looked a little strange to me, and maybe someone else could give an opinion? The video timestamp is 1:23 - 1:28.

Harumafuji has been known to continue in the fight for a few seconds, just remember this basho how he sorta half-threw a couple more slaps at Goeido when it was finished. I think he has to finish his thoughts. I read a bit of worry/compassion on Harumafuji's part though, he knows his rival wouldn't go down like this unless something was really wrong.

[808morgan 805]

https://45.media.tumblr.com/490310d11dbc8158cea1516046ce7177/tumblr_o1hlk71TEy1tu97pzo1_400.gif

gif of THE match

So happy to see Giku do it, he is a nice guy. Toyonoshima is my favorite but no problem with Geek doing the job. Something is wrong with Hakuho, no question. Kise choked when he shouldn't have as usual and could have been up there too.

[Bumble 0]

Kotoshogiku's yusho is a good occasion for me to register on this forum, after years of silent reading.

When I started watching bashos back in 2011, I knew not many wrestlers expect big names like Hakuho, Baruto, Kaio... Soon Kotoshogiku became my absolute favorite.

I really thought his explosive tachi-ai, and intense, relentless charge was a beautiful thing to see. And even now, when he's healthy and can do his thing, he's the rikishi I enjoy the most watching.

It was a bit sad to see him struggling with injuries since his ozeki promotion, and not always being able to exert his awesome pushing power, but I still had some secret hope (even if would not tell anyone).

I'm also really glad he took the yusho before Kisenosato, because I always thought that without injuries, Kotoshogiku would have been the better rishiki.

[rhyen 1,799]

I wish the mods could snip pg4-22 from this thread and let people see the different comments from the shonichi & Senshuraku.

[Kasutera 258]

Something odd to my eyes after the Harumafuji - Hakuho match was decided. After Hakuho was down Harumafuji stepped around to in front of him and reached toward Hakuho's chest area (can't tell where due to the camera angle) for a couple seconds before stepping away. Almost like he was making sure Hakuho was ok or helping him up or something. For that matter Hakuho went down so "softly" that it was almost as if, by holding on to the belt, Harumafuji was lowering him to the ground. Perhaps Hakuho is hurt. It just looked a little strange to me, and maybe someone else could give an opinion? The video timestamp is 1:23 - 1:28.

With that throw, Hakuho had actually used up the remaining life force in his vampiric body that he replenishes by draining it from young Japanese hopefuls. Because the official NSK yaocho-hyogi-in-kai told him to throw matches, he didn't replenish his supply enough, and in the moment after the throw, Harumafuji was transferring some of the excess life force he earned from last basho's yusho directly into Hak's heart.

I mean, even a child could see that's what happened.

[WAKATAKE 2,614]

All division winners are Japanese! Someone please tell me the last time that happened!

Okay everyone, after skimming through all the yusho winners up to some time back, I have finally found the answer to my own question.

The last basho where all six division winners were Japanese was Nagoya 2003. This was the fourth yusho won by former Ozeki Kaio.

http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Banzuke.aspx?b=200307#M

[Swami 245]

Congratulations to Kotoshogiku. Before the basho out of all the top-rankers I would have said he and Goeido had least chance of getting the yusho. But magnificent effort.

Goeido looks like demotion isn't far away, and as for Ichinojo - he'll be in Juryo if he doesn't do something soon.

Swami