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

[Gurowake 3,890]

Goeido has this annoying habit of getting into situations which require using it. He's very good at it, but, as he admitted even today, it's bad sumo. It's a signature move, for sure, but if you really want to see "focus", just look at Furuichi.

I'm surprised he gets wins off of it. It's very easy to counter it and leaves you with nothing else if it fails.

Won't work against Takarafuji, though.

You sure?

Takarafuji has actually lost to kubinage about 3 times more than average, although that's still only 2 bouts. Even the one to Goeido would be above average. Also, "kubi" can be "head" just as much as "neck".

Edited March 26, 2016 by Gurowake

[kuroimori 1,634]

Goeido has this annoying habit of getting into situations which require using it. He's very good at it, but, as he admitted even today, it's bad sumo. It's a signature move, for sure, but if you really want to see "focus", just look at Furuichi.

I'm surprised he gets wins off of it. It's very easy to counter it and leaves you with nothing else if it fails.

Won't work against Takarafuji, though.

You sure?

Takarafuji has actually lost to kubinage about 3 times more than average, although that's still only 2 bouts. Even the one to Goeido would be above average. Also, "kubi" can be "head" just as much as "neck".

Well, that was a very controversial call there, as Kinta's comment cleary shows ;-)

[808morgan 805]

Ura's match today. Kid is the real deal.

I liked it when he had wild hair and he was like Future Boy Conan or something, crazy moves. He is getting hefty, I hope he can balance out some other skills because the upper division may not work out with this all the time. He is unique, like Satoyama but I think he could be more rounded than he is. I will enjoy seeing him progress for sure.

Edited March 27, 2016 by 808morgan

[Kintamayama 44,278]

Kubinage in rikishi jargon is a euphemism for having sex.

[ScottyJoyJrBebe 97]

As Per the NSK Website:

Outstanding Performance awarded to M1e Kotoyuki

Fighting Spirit (will be) awarded to M4e Ikioi (If he wins)

HHHHUUUU!!!!

[rhyen 1,803]

Now we see why Hakuho was doing the face plant on Tochiozan, he was practicing for using it on Harumafuji.

[Senkoho 552]

Despicable. Avoiding a fight against an injured opponent...

Edited March 27, 2016 by Senkoho

[SkinnySumo 32]

Terunofuji hopefully will heal soon so that he can give Hakuho some trouble...But 36th yusho for that Goat...not one of his best concerning the dignity aspect, but definetly a memorable basho... Congrats Hakuho. I hope you are now satisfied...equaling your father. Now no more Asashoryu, please!!! :)

[Pandaazuma 1,310]

Incredible scenes at the interview. Never seen that before. He apologised for the henka, saying he hadn't planned it. And cried. The tabloid press will be all over this now.

[Asojima 2,870]

Despicable. Avoiding a fight against an injured opponent...

Without a replay, it appeared to me that the injured opponent tried a sidestep and got caught at it.

Edit: After replay, there was no evident Harumafuji sidestep.

Edited March 27, 2016 by Asojima

[Tsubame 355]

36 Yusho and Intai, because of his father.

[ScottyJoyJrBebe 97]

Kotoyuki 12-3 S. WOW. I was hoping for 10. I was thinking that he would give the breakout performance this basho, and he DID. 12 wins at M1 is something not achieved since 2004 (coincidentally by Hakuho). No doubt the start of an Ozeki run, here's hoping he will continue with double digit scores in May. HHHHUUUU!!!!

Ichinojo also chalked up 11, great turn of events for him. Hoping he can get a KK in May, as he will be back in the joi (my prediction is M2w)

So...will they announce a tsuna run for Kisenosato? 13-2 J in contention till the last day sounds like qualification to me.

Great basho IMO. Even Goeido was on a mission.

[rhyen 1,803]

I want to see a replay of Harumafuji leaping into Kaio's lap.

[Atenzan 1,074]

36 Yusho and Intai, because of his father.

Any confirmation for this?

[Tsubame 355]

So...will they announce a tsuna run for Kisenosato? 13-2 J in contention till the last day sounds like qualification to me.

No, never.

If he would have beaten Hakuho (the yusho winner), then a jun-yusho can be considered as part of a tsuna run.

But it didn't happen, so, no tsuna hype for Kisenosato.

[Iginishiki2 8]

The final bout was more of... I don't know? Kind of "if you fight with a sword, you die by a sword" type of lesson to me. Not exactly the classic non-henka Harumafuji pulls off sometimes, but also not too far away from that.

[Blue_Wolf 24]

Without the blessing of dai yokozuna no yusho for you, Hagiwara.

[dingo 1,134]

Incredible scenes at the interview. Never seen that before. He apologised for the henka, saying he hadn't planned it. And cried. The tabloid press will be all over this now.

Link to the interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b2_Rw5RuaY The quality is kinda bad, but you can see enough

Btw, Kotoyuuki kinda evokes Chiyotaikai for me a little bit. I'm glad to see we have another high-level tsuppari specialist in the high ranks. Now let's see next basho how the sanyaku deal with him.

[hamcornheinz 839]

HD version of the victory moment

[hamcornheinz 839]

C'mon guys. Kisenosato looks solid. Definitely gunning for the jun-yusho.

Hey guys, I don't want a medal but I'm just sayin.... called it on day 5.

[CT3* 331]

I love when the Hakuho detractors get all indignant and emotional. Always good for a chuckle.

[Pocari 3]

Incredible scenes at the interview. Never seen that before. He apologised for the henka, saying he hadn't planned it. And cried. The tabloid press will be all over this now.

Link to the interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b2_Rw5RuaY The quality is kinda bad, but you can see enough

Btw, Kotoyuuki kinda evokes Chiyotaikai for me a little bit. I'm glad to see we have another high-level tsuppari specialist in the high ranks. Now let's see next basho how the sanyaku deal with him.

The guy just needs a hug...

[lackmaker 428]

C'mon guys. Kisenosato looks solid. Definitely gunning for the jun-yusho.

Hey guys, I don't want a medal but I'm just sayin.... called it on day 5.

A medal or a mirror?

Fair enough, good call.

[Pandaazuma 1,310]

Disappointing from Hakuho but I really don't think he planned it - he probably just saw the opportunity and reacted instinctively.

The fans were really heckling him very badly, using very aggressive Japanese. A lot of fans left the stadium before Kimigayo was played - also very rare. For someone who has achieved as much as Hakuho, a bit more respect from the fans would have been nice. Some were probably half drunk, of course, but it wasn't nice to see them haranguing a clearly upset Hakuho. A tournament is fifteen days and Hakuho was the best over that period and deserved the yusho.

Hope this episode is not blown out of proportion and doesn't ruin his deserved yusho party.

[CT3* 331]

Well stated, Pandaazuma.

Although it'll likely get blown out of proportion right here on this thread..