Preparations of the Y/O - July 2016

[Kintamayama 47,335]

The preparations are getting serious. Kisenosato has been training for a while now and is seriously looking forward to taking the yusho and getting promoted to Yokozuna. He has been training a lot at home, especially with Takayasu. Yesterday they had 14 bouts and he won 13. He has been able to keep his hips low and maintain sharp movements. "I've been doing mostly pretty well, " he welled. Even though the number of bouts was pretty low, his concentration was very high. "In order to get an advantage over my opponents I am using all my power. . I will be doing more bouts soon.. " he explained. "My stamina is nothing like his. He is undaunted. I've got to be able to keep up with him at least a bit.. "added Takayasu.

Today they has an additional 14 bouts, but this time Kisenosato had a long butsugari session with Takayasu as well. "Use yer legs!! " he was heard shouting at Takayasu in perfect Japanese, helping him forge his lower body power. "I've got to get him angry somehow.. I am expecting things from him!!" declared Kisenosato. Takayasu was seen struggling to push the heavy Ozeki. "Totally useless.." he said, exhausted.

.

Edited July 1, 2016 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 47,335]

Yokozuna Hakuhou needs 13 more wins to become the third rikishi ever to reach the career 1000 win mark. He has formally abandoned his Futabayama-ish gono-sen "before the after" or "after the before" or whatever tachiai tactic that he has been using lately. "One mistake and you find yourself outside of the ring. I'm done with that," he explained very efficiently. He is probably referring to his loss to Kisenosato on day 14 of the Hatsu basho, when he seemed to have finally understood that this is a high-risk move. He met the Mayor of Nagoya two days ago. The Mayor wondered if this was a difficult move, to which Hakuhou replied in the affirmative. "Maybe now I'll go for the 'before the before' tachiai," he joked with the Mayor.

Then the journalist proceeds to use a heavy round of Japanese puns, feeling this is quite clever. I shall bring you the original in Japanese:

今後は「先の先」で“先勝”し、“千勝”に挑む。

It is indeed quite clever. Roughly translated as "from here on, he will try to win by 'before the before' and is looking forward to his 1000th win." Sensho in Japanese is 1000 wins, and also means "winning the first bout" though written differently , and sen no sen is before the before, so the punny use of sen is funny and very clever indeed.

Thank you for your time. I am also available for Bar-Mitzvahs and weddings.

Hakuhou "before the befores" Nagoya Mayor Kawamura:

Edited June 30, 2016 by Kintamayama

[kosomo 32]

so has there been any set criteria communicated on what would get Kisenosato the promotion to yokozuna? (e.g., yusho of at least 14 wins? 13? etc...)

[Kintamayama 47,335]

so has there been any set criteria communicated on what would get Kisenosato the promotion to yokozuna? (e.g., yusho of at least 14 wins? 13? etc...)

Yusho. I think 13 wins will seal it. 12-no.

[Kintamayama 47,335]

_{Harumafuji started full training today at home, winning 21 of 22 bouts against the likes of Takarafuji and Homarefuji, looking as nimble as ever. "I sweated well," he improvised. At first he only did shiko and teppo, then entered the ring. When told of Kisenosato's excellent condition he replied: "I guess he is going about it calmly.." As for the position of Yokozuna. "I guess whoever is destined to become Yokozuna becomes one.." His right elbow and knee injuries are still bothering him. "Put up with, endure, make an effort- I will be gambarizing day by day.." he promised.}

Edited July 1, 2016 by Kintamayama

[luispereira 383]

any news from Terunofuji? I wonder at what level is he injured and if he's being training good...

[Kintamayama 47,335]

Terunofuji, although worried about his kadoban status, vows to return with a vengeance!! He was seen training vigorously at home yesterday. After facing some Sandanme rikishi for 9 bouts and beating them all, he went on to face Takarafuji and Homarefuji for 16 more bouts, winning 11. He looked much stronger compared to how he was last basho when he lost 13 bouts, but "when I was being pushed back I felt some pain," referring to his left knee, which had him grimacing with pain at times. Two days ago, he had 38 bouts, so yes, he is training quite seriously indeed..

Edited July 1, 2016 by Kintamayama

[Morningstar 118]

I hope he does not overtrain and reinjure himself. You have to be careful with your training, as most combat sport injuries happen in training and not in competition.

[Kintamayama 47,335]

Kisenosato today-again the magic number of 15 bouts against his magical opponent Takayasu, 13 wins, keeping his body low and looking strong. Hot day today and a lot of perspiration. "It's really hot.." observed Kisenosato. It's important to maintain good physical condition but it's also important to take into consideration the hot summer in Nagoya. Is he taking any special measures to counter the heat? "Not especially.." he answered, smiling wryly but not waving.

[Atenzan 1,084]

On the subject of go-no-sen tachiai, here our best loved speedfreak counters it with a sen-no-sen-no-sen tachiai.

https://gfycat.com/AcrobaticGracefulBuckeyebutterfly

[Akinomaki 41,849]

Yokozuna Hakuhou needs 13 more wins to become the third rikishi ever to reach the career 1000 win mark. He has formally abandoned his Futabayama-ish gono-sen "before the after" or "after the before" or whatever tachiai tactic that he has been using lately.

1000 career wins was not that inspiring a goal, but the thought of aiming for 1000 makuuchi wins rejuvenated Hakuho:

caused by a friend who told him "I'd like you to reach that" - he's top in the category with 893 now, next year he might reach the 1000.

http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/1671972.html

And for Futabayama - Hakuho might have abandoned the goal of mastering that go-no-sen sumo, but maybe not that of reaching Futabayama's record of consecutive 69 wins - by switching to the win-by-all-means sumo.

After the 63 in 2010 and 43 in 2013 - both stopped by Kisenosato - he had 36 last year, and suddenly is at 29 again now.

http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/sports/sumou/559864/

Either Kisenosato's yokozuna dream will be slaughtered by Hakuho going for 69 or he grabs it by stopping Hakuho again.

Edited July 2, 2016 by Akinomaki

[Kintamayama 47,335]

The Nishonoseki Ichimon rengo-keiko was held today at Nishonoseki beya. Present were Ichimon members Ozeki Kisenosato and Kotoshougiku, and outsiders Yokozuna Harumafuji and Ozeki Terunofuji, among others. Kisenosato faced Harumafuji and Kotoshougiku in 14 bouts, winning 8. "I think I did well. the lower half of my body is quite stable, " said Kisenosato at the quiet stable. "He is moving forward well. When he gets his hands on the belt he is strong.." observed Nishonoseki Oyakata. The place where the keiko was held used to be the old Futagoyama beya lodgings, where Kisenosato's now deceased Oyakata Naruto used to belong, and Kisenosato used to train here a lot. When Kisenosato was a Sekiwake he visited this place. "I was schooled here by the shisho and got double figure wins at the Nagoya basho which eventually propelled me to Ozekihood.." he reminisced.

With Harumafuji:

Edited July 2, 2016 by Kintamayama

[Atenzan 1,084]

Ama looks quite bandaged.. Any news concerning that, Moti or anyone else?

[Kintamayama 47,335]

Kadoban Ozeki Terunofuji had 13 bouts at the RK, facing Takayasu and Yoshikaze and winning 9. He was seen stopping his opponents' yori and throwing here and there. "I'm being able to stand firm most of the time.." he said. It did seem, however, that he showed more fatigue than usual, training with the sekitori. "Keiko is something that causes fatigue, but in the past I never felt it so badly.." he said, smiling wryly.

[Kintamayama 47,335]

Ozeki Goueidou is in passable condition. The eye -socket injured Ozeki trained at home today and faced the likes of Myougiryuu for 25 bouts, winning 23. The sumo wasn't that great though. "I still have a long way to go. I am not afraid. Well, what is OK, is OK.." he said.

[Kintamayama 47,335]

Ozeki Kotoshougiku had 12 bouts at the RK against Harumafuji and Terunofuji, winning only 4. "I was trying to see how far I could go with raw power. I'm feeling good. It's a good result for the first day, " he said. He was 2-6 against Kisenosato. "Well, he IS strong.. doing sanban-geiko with him causes me to give it all I've got," he added.

[Kintamayama 47,335]

Harumafuji was also there as stated above and had some heated bouts against Kisenosato and Kotoshougiku, winning 6 of 9. "I perspired well.. " he admitted later. "I will be training while listening to my body. I'll decide daily depending on how my body is reacting, We just got started-there's a week left, so.." he added.

[Kintamayama 47,335]

Ozeki Terunofuji's situation is still quite worrisome. The Nishonoseki rengo-keiko continued today, this time at Shibatayama beya. Terunofuji faced the likes of Kotoyuuki for 14 bouts and was guarding his left knee visibly. "It's not good, huh?" he said.

Harumafuji faced Kisenosato and Kotoshougiku for 10 bouts, winning six. "I perspired well. I'm doing fine.." he said.

[Kintamayama 47,335]

Ozeki Kotoshougiku was having a bad day at the rengo-keiko today. He was 3-9 against Yokozuna Harumafuji and Ozeki Kisenosato. It may have been the increasingly hot weather, but he was all over the place and lacked concentration from the outset. "At the beginning, I felt weird.. I'm not in that bad a shape though," he mumbled. "Still, I'll make a switch in my mindset and do what I have to do!!" he vowed to himself.

[Kintamayama 47,335]

Terunofuji faced Kisenosato and Kotoshougiku for 7 bouts today and won 2 at the Nishonoseki Rengo Keiko. He was seen withstanding some yoris at the edge and it seemed like his knee was not a problem today. "I think it's OK.. I am able to dig in.." he said.

[Kintamayama 47,335]

Ozeki Kotoshougiku had a bad day at training yesterday. Today was better. Nishonoseki rengo keiko at Oguruma beya today. He faced Terunofuji and Kisenosato 9 times and won 7. He even won six straight with his explosive hitting style. "I've been saying all along that I'm in good shape. My opponents are strong but I'm strong too!! " he said. (No proof that this was followed by "nanananana, I'm stronger than youooouuu.." but I'm still checking that.)

He still has left chest pains and was seen grimacing but it didn't seem to interfere with his sumo. The rengo keiko is over. "This was keiko with good opponents. I will show my gratitude by trying to win this basho," he added.

[inhashi 2,363]

[rhyen 1,858]

Seems like the Yokozunas are doing a lot more asageiko (Hakuho normally waits until the penultimate week).

Is it due to policy change or some other factor?

[Kuroyama 715]

Seems like the Yokozunas are doing a lot more asageiko (Hakuho normally waits until the penultimate week).

Is it due to policy change or some other factor?

We're already past the penultimate week. The basho starts in 5 days. (Since "penultimate" means "next-to-last", it means Hakuho could have started asageiko last week.) Edited July 6, 2016 by Kuroyama

[kuroimori 1,634]

Seems like the Yokozunas are doing a lot more asageiko (Hakuho normally waits until the penultimate week).Is it due to policy change or some other factor?

We're already past the penultimate week. The basho starts in 5 days. (Since "penultimate" means "next-to-last", it means Hakuho could have started asageiko last week.)

A classic go-no-sen...

Hakuho seems to try it everywhere now... ;-)