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

[Morty 1,480]

Hakuho... oh, Hakuho. End of an era?

What? No. Everybody loses from time to time. I don't remember wich, but is not long ago since hahuko started with a loss in the first day and all wins from there. What "era" are you talking about?

Last time he got a yusho after losing on the first day was 2008

I have to admit, that my first thought after watching him lose easily like that was that maybe, just maybe, the era of Hakuho invincibility is over...

[Dwale 419]

Wow, an unusually heated day one with some excellent matches.

Always enjoy Terunofuji and Tochinoshin, even if it's a bit predictable. Tochinoshin is one hell of an appetizer, boy, phew.

Daishomaru launching his opponent was super cool, I want to see some more of that.

Amuuru is really growing on me lately. I wonder if he wouldn't do better packing on a few kilos?

Ichinojo...I remember when he was new to makuuchi, I was like, "Oh my God, this kid is going to own the division!" Now he's desperate enough to change his mawashi color. Well, let's see if it helps! He still looked sluggish, even though he won.

Ah, my favorite kind of Gagamaru win, kaplow! <3 I feel like he could win more than he does, but there are obviously some holes in his game. Still, I enjoy the wins he does get and that was a nice one.

Shoudai has good balance! o.o; He looks agile in there, quick and springy.

Ikioi serves Aminishiki a great big bowl of "Not today, old man."

Takayasu's at a good rank for him, I think. Let's see how he does, he didn't look too bad in there, despite eating a loss.

Aoiyama with a weird, floaty victory, actually beautiful in its way, even if Aoiyama's one of the goofier-lookin' guys.

How about Toyonoshima! Wow.

An unusually heated day one. I think now that Kotoshogiku's dispelled the illusion of Mongolian invincibility, it's got everyone's fighting spirit going full blast. Not only that, but two yokozuna losses! Can't wait for day two. Kanpai!

EDIT: I keep forgetting to ask, is there somewhere you can go to post questions and discuss particular rikishi?

Edited March 13, 2016 by Dwale

[Dwale 419]

And I expect Oosunaarashi crush Juryo. The whole lot.

Curious to see Kotokamatani and Ura back in the lower divisions. Will they keep their momentum. GO URA GO!

I really hope so, on all counts!

[mikawa 1,794]

It surprises me how well Akiseyama seems to be doing, especially with his physique.

It's great to have Satoyama back in Makuuchi, wouldn't it be interesting to see a bout between him and Ura? (after him comes up that is)

Wonder how long Sato's going to take to reach sekitori? He's not done that well recently.

And Kagayaki's back to winning ways again down in Juryo.

Edited March 13, 2016 by mikawa

[Benevolance 2,478]

I think credit should go to Takarafuji for winning, rather than Hak for losing. Takarafuji displayed really, really good sumo, even as he displayed really, really questionable fashion sense in mawashi colours. Hakuho may have simply been confused, expecting Endo-like opposition.

[Akinomaki 39,790]

Aoiyama has managed to lose 15 kilo before the basho and that makes him move much better and reduces the strain for the knees. He was 11-7 in keiko against his heya-mates, esp. Tochinoshin.

http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/1614764.html

Ichinojo should pay him a visit to get advice.

Edited March 13, 2016 by Akinomaki

[Gurowake 3,922]

Aoiyama has managed to lose 15 kilo before the basho and that makes him move much better and reduces the strain for the knees. He was 11-7 in keiko against his heya-mates, esp. Tochinoshin.

http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/1614764.html

Ichinojo should pay him a visit to get advice.

Aoiyama certainly looked much better, not hesitating to go for the belt, like he apparently did back when he was first a sekitori, against the notorious frenetic slapper of Yoshikaze. If he's lost some weight and gained agility, he would probably do well to swing back in that direction against guys like Yoshikaze. Whether he could actually win a belt-fight against guys liek Terunofuji is another matter, but presumably he could switch things up.

I had a very bad feeling about both Yokozuna matches they ended up losing right from the tachi-ai. I was totally not surprised to see them lose those matches after how they were started. Kakuryu didn't get a very good position at all against Toyonoshima, and figured he was at a disadvantage if he didn't win quickly. Hakuho just looked a bit like he did against Kisenosato last basho, being hesitant and not getting in quickly with his grip like he's normally good at.

[Yubinhaad 11,546]

Round of applause to whoever chose the picture on the right for the Kyokai's preview tweet of one of tomorrow's highlight bouts...

[Naganoyama 5,841]

Aoiyama has managed to lose 15 kilo before the basho and that makes him move much better and reduces the strain for the knees. He was 11-7 in keiko against his heya-mates, esp. Tochinoshin.

http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/1614764.html

Ichinojo should pay him a visit to get advice.

Perhaps 'Stop eating sweets' would be a good first suggestion for Ichinojo.

[Katooshu 3,135]

-I imagine that we'll be seeing Osu blast out a lot of opponents like that. He doesn't have to be 100 percent to cruise to double-digit wins at this level.

-Ooooh, the drama of another Hakuho loss. Takarafuji always gives his best and I'm glad to see him finally beat Hak.

-Aoiyama with a day 1 win for the first time in 5 basho...we'll see what happens, but maybe the lost weight will make a significant difference.

Also, Jokoryu going for a swim before facing Endo...perhaps him and Kagayaki could have a race:

Edited March 13, 2016 by Katooshu

[Senkoho 552]

Doesn't Hakuho also look slimmer than usual?

[hamcornheinz 839]

Japanese morning replay of yesterday's action.

[Kasutera 258]

I think Hakuho's injured and just not telling us. Injured either physically or psychologically. He has every reason to be out for blood and wanting to cream Takarafuji, and there is no reason why he wouldn't if he were healthy. Takarafuji IS good, he's no pushover, and his head-in tachi-ai was textbook, but I just don't believe he is yet at the level where he could beat a healthy Hakuho. Hak has the image of being someone who very rarely goes kyujo/fusen, so he may be trying to gaman his way through it, but there is definitely something going on that can no longer be dismissed as intentional mukiryoku or yaocho.

[CT3* 331]

I've heard that there has been talk in the Japanese papers that Hakuho is having a significant issue with his right elbow. He had it pretty well wrapped today.

Edited March 14, 2016 by CT3*

[inhashi 2,363]

oh rats... circulating atm is that Sokokurai will be withdrawing. No details.

[Dwale 419]

I've rewatched the Hakuho/Takarafuji match a few times now with special attention. Ok, so we know Takarafuji has power, but how often does Hakuho lose out to power alone? Wasn't that.

I think this battle was decided by the minds rather than the bodies. A pity we cannot know what was happening there. (Not attempting to start a discussion of how important the mental game is in sumo...at least not here!)

[kosomo 32]

Amuuru is really growing on me lately. I wonder if he wouldn't do better packing on a few kilos?

Same here.

as for the weight, Isn't he one of those guys that has trouble putting on weight? I feel like I read that somewhere?

Edited March 14, 2016 by kosomo

[orandashoho 720]

Wish I had that problem.

[rhyen 1,809]

Yeap, Hakuho right elbow is injured.

Too bad he couldn't shove Kotoyuki into the hanamichi like Terunofuji.

[Dwale 419]

Takanoiwa wins by, er, ballet?

[Atenzan 1,074]

Oh my, Kotoyuuki... Hakuho+bark+matta+history= maximum drama. I havent seen this much saltiness in Ozumo since Ichinojo cooked for himself.

[CT3* 331]

Notice how forcefully Hakuho swung his right forearm toward's Kotoyuki's mug? Looks like Hakuho was aiming to inflict some hurt!

[Dwale 419]

What can I even say? Another great day of sumo with some excellent matches. I realized this is the first tournament I've ever watched where I didn't feel like the name of the game was, "Which Mongolian will take the yusho?" That's very exciting.

[Atenzan 1,074]

Truth be told though my money is on Ama this time around. Surprisingly, he seems to be the most match-fit at the moment, with Giku and Kisenosaato standing a chance too.

[rhyen 1,809]

Truth be told though my money is on Ama this time around. Surprisingly, he seems to be the most match-fit at the moment, with Giku and Kisenosaato standing a chance too.

With the knee bandaged like Aminishiki?