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

[inhashi 2,363]

Funny scene in the audience, just seconds after Ura hit the clay.

Watch the guy holding the white Ura 宇良 banner (top left behind the gyoji) from 1:52 min :-)

I love Osaka's enthusiasm (Laughing...)

[d_golem 213]

Great stuff. I'll be very surprised if either of the two fails to be a Makuuchi mainstay.

They look to be two very-promising, small-sized rikishis, don't they? An Ura supporter since the start, but Sato looks to have a bright future too.

[Treblemaker 254]

A Kisenosato henka?

How was that a henka?

How wasn't it a henka? After a couple of cool stare-downs (the likes we haven't seen since the Asa days), Kise plays matador to Geeku's bull. And The Geek NEVER looks up. Possibly the most henka-prone guy up there. Loved every minute of it.

Edit: Ok, so it wasn't a PURE henka, but it was enough of a side-step to thoroughly punish The Geek who clearly wasn't paying attention. Still, great shock value. (Dribbling...)

Edited March 22, 2016 by Treblemaker

[Treblemaker 254]

Preface: Having been away and out of touch for the first 9 days of this basho, tonight I had the luxury of sitting down and watching just the Sanyaku bouts from the start. (Sumo Binge-Watching, a phrase used by nobody ever.)

Here's what I've noticed:

Yes, Hakuho is nothing like the guy we saw 5-10 years ago. Gone is the sit-back-and-take-what's-given-go-with-the-flow-etc-etc.He's far more aggressive, but not to the same degree that, say. Asa or Chiyonofuji or even Kitanoumi could be. But we've realized for years that someone was going to get hurt by a small piano falling off the dohyo. I don't know about you, but I only saw that action from one camera angle, one view. And when something is coming right at you, in art, we call it fore-shortening. Things don't quite appear properly in perspective. Would love to have seen that from a totally different angle.

And I'm not blaming Hakuho for trying to "aim" a human missile at anyone. People have been thrown out farther and faster. Asa once threw Baruto half-way up the hanamanchi. (Or was it Kotooshu? Someone big.) It just happened that some poor guy (who happens to be the head of the shinpan) was on the receiving end of a few kilos of brisket. It could have easily been that really old guy in the front row beside the judge from a few bashos back that narrowly escaped becoming salsa when Toyonoshima was bowled out. This stuff goes with the territory. I'm still not sure that Hak used extra sauce on that shove. It LOOKS like it from the one perspective I've seen, but the jury is still out. And I give Hak credit. In his old age, he's finally becoming someone to watch! Kind of like when Hulk Hogan went from a babyface to a villain in his latter years, to protect and extend his career. After years of turning off the basho before Hak's bouts, he's now the one to watch! What I'd love to see - now - is the current Hak vs the THEN Asa, circa 2009.

I'm thinking that there must be something going on with Kakuryu. He doesn't have the same arsenal of weapons that HF has, but he's always been consistent and reliable. He doesn't seem himself. An injury or something?

Enjoying the re-birth of Kise. Been a long time since he's gone this deep into the pool. Of course, the proof is how well he does against the Yoks. And all of them look do-able.

Ok, so whose basho is it? There's so much parity now in the top levels that anyone with enough staying power could walk away with the flag. And frankly, it's good to finally see that. After years of what essentially a one- or two-horse race, on any given day, it seems anything can happen. And at this point, I really don't care who wins. I'm just enjoying the action. IMHO.

And as always, and huge Thank You to Kinta for the videos. What would be incredible is for him to do an audio track over the action, as a commentary! But that so much more work. I'm thankful for whatever he can provide.

[Jyuunomori 226]

Probably going to do the live color commentary thing in the last few days but not today. :P

Sato vs Ura match was great, but there always has to be a loser. I retract the statement that Ura was sleeping, he wasn't. Ura got impatient though and Sato was well awake. I bet Sato has been following Ura or watching his matches to prepare for his awkward style.

We also saw Ura's wonderful backstep-dash to create distance. How does he even perform that? He has done it few times while pro.

[gijo 27]

It's too early, it's too early, he may fall, he will start to lose (I'm trying not to think at Kisenosato's yusho).... but man... yeah!!!

[Irakusamaru 77]

Man, the Takarafuji that just picked up Tochinoshin should come to the basho more often!

[d_golem 213]

We also saw Ura's wonderful backstep-dash to create distance. How does he even perform that? He has done it few times while pro.

Yeah I saw that and thought "Wow, is that move common in sumo?", cause I never saw it during my one-year history of watching Kinta's makuuchi digest.

[hamcornheinz 839]

Kisenosato vs Kakuryu

Harumafuji vs Toyonoshima

Hakuho vs Terunofuji

[CT3* 331]

Ten days in and Hakuho finally grabs the belt..

[d_golem 213]

The calm before Kinta's video got uploaded...

[mikawa 1,794]

Could it really happen, after all these years of nearlies? Surely not? But then again, he is 10-0 at the moment......

[Kintamayama 44,810]

The calm before Kinta's video got uploaded...

I did promise to be a few hours late..

[Pandaazuma 1,310]

I dedicate this basho to everyone who slagged Goeido off while he was injured!

[Morty 1,484]

Kise really got out of it there. For a split second a Yokozuna had a morozashi on him and he still won. That's an unlikely scenario. He needed a motivator and the Geek getting a yusho seemed to be it. Nobody believed the Geek would win last basho (I certainly didn't think it was actually going to happen, until it did) so this time, when nobody believes Kise can actually do it, I'm thinking it could actually happen. Maybe. So long as Kise doesn't spend too long in the room of mirrors taking a good long hard look at himself. Then things could go pear shaped.

[Jyuunomori 226]

What the hell is happening in this basho? Kisenosato looks like...like a Yokozuna contending Ozeki? Is this even possible?

Goeidou in the other hand is having the best basho he has ever had while being an Ozeki. Kotoshogiku's win in last basho surely lit something in both of them.

Talking about Kotoshogiku is tragic though. He was doing so very well this basho too, but you cannot win them all and the reason why Yokozuna is so coveted becomes apparent.

Kotoshogiku doesn't have the youth and nerves to become a Yokozuna. Such a damn shame, I really rooted for him.

Ikioi's record hurts me now. Ikioi is known to streak and I am afraird. Could he perhaps even go...makekoshi?

Ichinojo is showing embers of his first flame, he needs to feed the fire and make it roar again. Or cut of his mage, he performed better without it.

Shodai's KK streak is in jeopardy.

Meanwhile Kotoyuuki and Amuuru are working miracles. Could Kotoyuuki get 10+ wins?

Harumafuji and Kakuryuu both fall. I am extremely worried for my favourite Yokozuna. Is this finally it for him? His knee has been an issue for a while now and I don't know if the association will tolerate him much longer. Pray for Harumafuji. Kakuryuu can go instead, no one will miss him.

Hakuho decided to be a civilized person today and no batter and murder his opposition. Also is this seriously the first time he took the belt this basho?

Also:

Homarenishiki has bounced back from losing his first two bouts. Now he needs one more for KK and maybe atleast one more win to secure higher position in Sandanme. We pray for Brody also.

[Asashosakari 19,104]

I dedicate this basho to everyone who slagged Goeido off while he was injured!

Like this is anything else than Goeido's annual 12-3 before he turns back into a pumpkin again. ;-)

[Tsubame 359]

Hakuho decided to be a civilized person today and no batter and murder his opposition.

can't resist... (Being hypocrite...)

The past gentleman Hakuho would lend his hand to his opponent, that he does not fall of the dohyo. Or leave his hand there, that his opponent can grap it, if he wants. But he clearly raised his arms, so that hisoppoent have to fall of the dohyo...

[hamcornheinz 839]

I dedicate this basho to everyone who slagged Goeido off while he was injured!

Like this is anything else than Goeido's annual 12-3 before he turns back into a pumpkin again. ;-)

Do you hear the crickets chirping?

[Akinomaki 40,223]

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...

I'm seeing it now before my eyes: a Japanese yusho in a row - and the pics flood would drown me without the help I have now.

Kisenosato will beat Hakuho, Goeido Kisenosato and Hakuho - each will lose one to an unexpected, preferable the 2 at 2 wins now, who will each lose one other, and then -

Goeido wins the ketteisen.

Edited March 22, 2016 by Akinomaki

[Pandaazuma 1,310]

I dedicate this basho to everyone who slagged Goeido off while he was injured!

Like this is anything else than Goeido's annual 12-3 before he turns back into a pumpkin again. ;-)

That depends on injuries, mate! ;)

[Pandaazuma 1,310]

Goeido at full strength without injuries is ozeki level. Sadly he's had a nightmare since he got promoted.

I hope he wins it!

[Washuyama 639]

Ten days in and Hakuho finally grabs the belt..

I thought the same thing, which make me wonder if Hakuho has been staying off the belt on purpose as a challenge to himself. Kind of a "I can beat EVERYBODY easily on the belt, let me try THIS." Going for Teru's mawashi may be a sign of great respect for his (Teru's) size and skill. Thinking "This guy's good, I have to be at my best."

[Asashosakari 19,104]

I thought the same thing, which make me wonder if Hakuho has been staying off the belt on purpose as a challenge to himself. Kind of a "I can beat EVERYBODY easily on the belt, let me try THIS." Going for Teru's mawashi may be a sign of great respect for his (Teru's) size and skill. Thinking "This guy's good, I have to be at my best."

C'mon, you think a Hakuho who has failed to win the yusho for three straight basho actually believes straight-up competition isn't challenging enough for him right now?

[Pandaazuma 1,310]

Hakuho knows a maemawashi grip on an injured Terunofuji is an easy win. And even if he failed in maemawashi, he will win anyway. Hakuho avoids the belt because he can win easily otherwise without risk of injury. But if he has to, he can. And only Ama and Asashoryu had a chance against Hakuho on the belt.

Edited March 22, 2016 by Pandaazuma