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

[dingo 1,160]

Well, I don't think he'll be cautioned for injuring a shinpan. The risk is all part of the game and known to all the shinpan. He'd be cautioned if it was a ridiculously over-the-top shove, perhaps, but I don't think he was cautioned even for the blatant dame-oshi on Okinoumi so this one probably won't qualify either.

As for questions like 'Does it matter that Hakuho's foot was already out?' Well, yes it probably might to people watching who have never done sumo and have no true appreciation of how it feels in the middle of a battle as intense as that and that perhaps may not appreciate that there is the occasional loss of perfect awareness of where your feet are etc. I am including myself here, of course...I don't know either - which is precisely the point. And this is why I don't condemn people in their field for doing things I have no appreciation of...and, where possible, give them the benefit of the doubt.

Agreed, but it's just a bit hard to give the benefit of the doubt again and again, especially when others manage to refrain from this kind of thing... Does anyone know if there has been much response in the Japanese media?

and that Hakuho was totally unaware of where he was on the dohyo.

Say what you want about the push (I'm kinda in-between myself), that is one thing I wouldn't ever believe of Hakuho.

[Kintamayama 44,354]

Great basho so far, but I´m pretty disapointed about the two wins group. One sekiwake two komusubi, one M1 and two M2.

Meanwhile, Goeido "Hulk Smasssh". :-D Best basho so far since 2007

That's normal. Don't be disappointed.

[Kintamayama 44,354]

In happier news, Kotoshogiku v. Kisenosato today should be a good one, with both of them being in good form!

Well..

[WAKATAKE 2,631]

Turns out Izutsu really did get hurt after getting a nice helping of Yoshikaze courtesy of Hakuho on him. Left thigh injury that looks like a broken bone, will take three months to heal.

http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASJ3P4QR5J3PPTQP00W.html

[Jyuunomori 226]

Osunaarashi, Ura and Kotokamatani probably suffered from compacancy syndrome. ''Well I already have KK...so...''

And they all lost. Ura and Kotokamatani had tough opposition though. Osu however had Chiyoshoma who has improved tremendously this past year. But I don't think he is same caliber as Osunaarashi. Egyptian got sloppy.

Ichinojo shows good sumo today. Shodai is having trouble fighting this high up, and by trouble I mean not blazing through everyone. His KK streak may be in jeopardy.

Kotoshogiku drove way too low and paid the ultimate price, losing his Yusho hopes. Kisenosato is full of fire this basho, he wants the Yusho and you can tell.

Kakuryu is also pretty much out of the Yusho race along with Ikioi (unfortunate). Goeido is having his best basho since forever, could he maybe...nah...no way.

Hakuho elbows and smashed the poor Tochiozan. If I was Tochiozan I would just duck and faceplant myself. Much less painful and better chance to win that way.

Edit: WAKATAKE holy shit. That is terrible news. Any news about Nishikido?

Edited March 21, 2016 by Jyuunomori

[lackmaker 432]

Great basho so far, but I´m pretty disapointed about the two wins group. One sekiwake two komusubi, one M1 and two M2.

Meanwhile, Goeido "Hulk Smasssh". :-D Best basho so far since 2007

That's normal. Don't be disappointed.

Not so unusual after day 9. But all the junior sanyaku have no wins against maegashira or ozeki(19 bouts). That feels a little extreme.

[mikawa 1,794]

Such an exciting bout today between Sato and Ura. I've kept an eye on Sato ever since his famous semi-final victory at the 23rd wanpaku tournament, he showed loads of skill and tons of ring awareness in that bout. Those qualities helped him today against Ura. Certainly looking forward to both of them joining Juryo (or even Makuuchi) soon!

For those who haven't seen that semi-final bout, I've included a video below, it's well worth a watch (a strategic masterclass from Sato):
(from 7:47)

Edited March 21, 2016 by mikawa

[mikawa 1,794]

It's probably still a bit early, but I'm inclined to say that Kotokamatani is about the same level as Meisei

[orandashoho 720]

Good to see Kyokutasei picking up a little after that bad start.

[hamcornheinz 839]

Osunaarashi lost today. Almost a Juryo equivelant of a kinboshi, isn't it

[Morty 1,480]

Picture this: Senshuraku, for the second basho in a row an Ozeki takes the cup, and it gets handed over to... Goeido. And as a result, he's on a tsuna run...

[rhyen 1,809]

The twitterverse is overflowing with praise for Harumafuji's gentleness and sportmanship gesture...

Is this part of the new Mongolian conspiracy?

[Morty 1,480]

And I know Tochiozan got an elbow in the face, but he couldn't get out of there fast enough. Hak is in a very, very bad mood. It will be interesting to see how he goes tomorrow against someone who can match him physically in Teronofuji. I know he is injured but I can't see him putting up with getting slapped around like that.

New theory: Hak's treatment of the meat-grinder fodder this week has had nothing to do with them, and everything to do with sending a message to the Ozeki and Yoks that he isn't done yet, and when they face him they better be ready. Especially Kise.

[rhyen 1,809]

And I know Tochiozan got an elbow in the face, but he couldn't get out of there fast enough. Hak is in a very, very bad mood. It will be interesting to see how he goes tomorrow against someone who can match him physically in Teronofuji. I know he is injured but I can't see him putting up with getting slapped around like that.

New theory: Hak's treatment of the meat-grinder fodder this week has had nothing to do with them, and everything to do with sending a message to the Ozeki and Yoks that he isn't done yet, and when they face him they better be ready. Especially Kise.

So basically Hakuho is telling them that he will win the Yusho by putting them all in the hospital and kyujo list?

[Morty 1,480]

Are we slowly watching Hak morph into Asashoryu in his later years? He's employed some pretty brutal tactics this basho during the matches, and then has acted like a spoilt child after them by trying to injure his opponent. Poor Tochiozan probably won't get much sleep tonight based on how Hak has messed around with him lately...

Do you really think this is something new with him? Have you forgotten the semi-recent basho when his first move was slam his forearm/elbow right into his opponent's jaw? I forget who it was that was out on his feet because of that move. (wasn't Hak thought to be injured when that was going on?)

I will also point out that Hakuho has been giving the extra shoves off the dohyo after the matter was decided for years. He was the golden boy when Asashoryu was around because the PTB's did not care for Asashoryu one bit, but Hakuho has never been a choirboy.

Hak has always been a bit of a prick to his opponents on the dohyo, but what I meant here is that he is starting to not care what others think about him in general. In the past he has mostly smacked up his opponents during the match, but the last few days the "flow" has been well over by the time he has launched them into the crowd. Especially Yosh yesterday. I can't believe that Hak didn't know what he was doing there, when every other rikishi worth his salt is capable of grabbing their opponent at the end to stop them falling off the dohyo, and after all, Hak is the best ever so should be able to work that out. So my point was that Hak has always pulled himself up at the last moment because he has clearly cared what the public think about him - so has he stopped caring?

[Tsubame 356]

New theory: Hak's [...] sending a message to the Ozeki and Yoks that he isn't done yet, and when they face him they better be ready. Especially Kise.

Some years ago, Hakuho would just have won by superior sumo. Nowadays he has to rely on intimidation?! ;-)

[kumasama 28]

In happier news, Kotoshogiku v. Kisenosato today should be a good one, with both of them being in good form!

Well..

Sigh...

[orandashoho 720]

Sticks and stones.... there is a proper time and place for intimidation, at that is before the tachiai on the dohyo. Anything else is childish and a yokozuna unworthy.

But we all know how Hakuho can forget himself and lose his dignity. Happened before, will happen again. It's Hakuho.

[CT3* 331]

Really enjoyed the Tochinoshin/Okinoumi bout!

Here's hoping the ailing Terunofuji gets his kachikoshi.

Was really looking forward to the all Ozeki clash, but Kisenosato's henka of the Geekster rendered it pretty anticlimactic. Oh well.

Tochiozan looked petrified from the beginning and offered up little resistance after Hakuho's kachi-age.

On a related note, I've never understood why some refer to kachi-age as an "elbow to the face". A properly thrown kachi-age utilizes the forearm to land on the opponent's chest or chin to bring them upright. There was much complaining when Osunaarashi used the technique pretty regularly; but it is a legal technique and part of sumo.

[dingo 1,160]

Haha, Tochiozan was so mortified by Hakuho that he decided the best way is just to stand up and let Hakuho escort him out peacefully :D

[hamcornheinz 839]

Tochiozan looked petrified from the beginning and offered up little resistance after Hakuho's kachi-age.

On a related note, I've never understood why some refer to kachi-age as an "elbow to the face". A properly thrown kachi-age utilizes the forearm to land on the opponent's chest or chin to bring them upright. There was much complaining when Osunaarashi used the technique pretty regularly; but it is a legal technique and part of sumo.

Asashoryu used to actually throw the elbow in the face. I guess its a very risky move because the forearm goes fowards while the elbow goes to the side, and you might accidentally give your back if you miss. And Tochiozan's tachiai was screwy last basho too, and in that 1 day tourney they do. Against Hakuho, that is. I think after that nekodamashi he is permanently scarred psychologically.

[rzombie1988 157]

Thoughts on today:

- Truthfully, Kotoshogiku beat himself. He was too low and Kisenosato barely moved.

- Terunofuji was not good today. He was standing straight up and Toyonoshima should have beaten him.

- Goeido's looked pretty decent all basho. I guess the threat of demotion has fired him up.

- Shodai was brilliant today against Gaga.

- Ichinojo actually wins when he doesn't wrestle passively. Will he figure this out?

- Was surprised there was no henka from Aminishiki today. Going inside was not the right call.

- This is Kisenosato's best start since 5/2013.

Edited March 21, 2016 by rzombie1988

[lackmaker 432]

Picture this: Senshuraku, for the second basho in a row an Ozeki takes the cup, and it gets handed over to... Goeido. And as a result, he's on a tsuna run...

No,tried my best,just can't picture that. But I respect your creative imagination.

[hamcornheinz 839]

Ikioi vs Harumafuji

Hakuho vs Tochiozan

[Dwale 419]

Alright, guys, if you watch the slow-mo replay of Kisenosato vs. Kotoshogiku, that's not really a henka he does there. Watch it again, they do collide.