Preparations of the masses -Haru 2017

[Kintamayama 40,632]

We welcome Kotoshougiku to this subject, hopefully for one basho only. He showed up for morning training at his Sadogatake beya yesterday but did not enter the dohyo. His left knee injury has not healed yet. He went for an MRI examination after the last basho. "I'm OK. My not entering the dohyo today is by chance," he said, playing down the severity of his injury. He did grapple with young ones from the stable outside the dohyo to "affirm his body movements", a favorite saying used by sumo journalists. He needs ten wins to return to Ozeki. "I shall gambarize," he said.   "Oh, and I heard Kintamayama said I would get nowhere back in 2007. Tell him to go eat matzoh balls!" he summed.

[Rocks 1,725]

I think his time is over but I'm going to root for him anyway. I love underdogs and comebacks.

Edited February 18, 2017 by Rocks

[Dapeng 231]

Very slim chance in getting 10 wins, but if he gets a kachikoshi I believe he will not retire. 

[MumboJumbo 32]

I underestimated how run down he was. Surely somebody who won his first basho a year ago would still have a lot left in the tank? Maybe not....

It would truly be quite a feat if he could make it back to ozeki, much less make it through all 15 days of Haru if he is as crippled as it seems.

[Benevolance 2,265]

Winning the yusho was simply a feather in the cap of an improbably successful career. 

[Philioyamfugi 378]

I hope Koto fights well. My understanding is that he has a job in sumo after he retires and may realize  that his rikshi career is short no matter how well he does and for whatever time. He was in the mix making the rope for Kisenosanto and really enjoys being a rikishi and hanging with the boys. Look at Takekaze at 37 and looks great. Go Kotoshugiku ! 

[PawnSums 59]

I believe last time somebody was demoted from ozeki was in 2014

[Kintamayama 40,632]

Endou started his training today at home against heyamate Daishoumaru and was 10-3. Nishikigi was there as well for degeiko and Endou beat him twice. His heya Oitekaze left Isegahama Ichimon and joined Tokitsukaze Ichimon last year. Nishikigi came to Oitekaze for the first time today. "Since we now belong to the same Ichimon, there were a lot of sekitori and we perspired well.." he said. Endou now has a lot of options, but he says he hasn't given any thought regarding degeiko yet.

[Dapeng 231]

On Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 13:54, Benevolance said:

Winning the yusho was simply a feather in the cap of an improbably successful career. 

Few ozeki retired without a yusho.

[Kintamayama 40,632]

Sekiwake Kotoshougiku who needs 10 wins to regain his lost Ozeki status was at the Nishonoseki rengo-keiko today, facing the other two Sekiwake Tamawashi and Takayasu, 13 bouts, 9-4 and looking favorable. "I've got to gambarize. My battle is with myself. It's time I showed what I'm made of.. I will gambarize from this difficult place," he declared.

They were at the same rank last Basho. This basho- two ranks between them:

 

Edited March 2, 2017 by Kintamayama

[Dapeng 231]

9 hours ago, Kintamayama said:

They were at the same rank last Basho. This basho- two ranks between them:

I remember Geeku beat Kise at some critical moments. Let's see if he still can......  

[Kintamayama 40,632]

Komusubi Mitakeumi came to Oitekaze for his second straight day of degeiko. He faced some sekitori including Endou who beat him and was 6-7. "I'm taking this step by step but my body is now moving. Step by step.. ". He faced 7 different opponents. "The whole point of degeiko is to face all types of opponents. I'm testing my tachiai and I know to what extent to show it..My aim is kachikoshi for Haru," he added.

 

Edited March 3, 2017 by Kintamayama

[Yubinhaad 10,557]

Found some asageiko pictures. First a visit to Onomatsu-beya, with members of Chiganoura-beya visiting for degeiko.
 

Spoiler

Onomatsu-oyakata (former Sekiwake Masurao) casts an observant eye over the keiko.

Amuru has dropped to Makushita after a three-year stint in the sekitori ranks. Here he warms up with a sandbag.

Shokkiri performer Shinohara tackles the serious business of keiko with a bout against the heya's rising star, Takemasa.

Takemasa won the Sandanme yusho in January and has leapt to a new high rank of Makushita 13e, so it will be interesting to see if he hits the wall here after such a big jump.

Among the degeiko visitors is Masunosho, not quite at a new high rank but certainly a mainstay of the Makushita joi these days.

Masunosho and Takemasa fight, and Takemasa gets a solid left uwate grip.

Some advice from Chiganoura-oyakata (former Komusubi Takamisugi).

Also overseeing the keiko is Shiranui-oyakata (former Komusubi Wakakoyu).

Onosho towels off before heading back into the ring. He is Onomatsu-beya's only sekitori this basho and holds his highest career rank of Juryo 2w. He was very active in this keiko session as he tries to earn his Makuuchi debut, fighting 30 bouts against the assembled Makushita opposition with a 26-4 result.

Masunosho and Onosho fight. Onosho tries for a mae-mawashi grip, Masunosho counters with some solid pushing.

After finishing his bouts Onosho was given a further working over by Onogawa-oyakata (former Maegashira Daido).

Finally, Onosho offers some advice to Masunosho as the session comes to an end.

 

On ‎01‎/‎03‎/‎2017 at 22:38, Kintamayama said:

Endou started his training today at home against heyamate Daishoumaru and was 10-3. Nishikigi was there as well for degeiko and Endou beat him twice. His heya Oitekaze left Isegahama Ichimon and joined Tokitsukaze Ichimon last year. Nishikigi came to Oitekaze for the first time today. "Since we now belong to the same Ichimon, there were a lot of sekitori and we perspired well.." he said. Endou now has a lot of options, but he says he hasn't given any thought regarding degeiko yet.

And some pictures from this session at Oitekaze-beya.
 

Spoiler

Oitekaze-oyakata (former Maegashira Daishoyama) watches over the keiko.

Daieisho.

Degeiko visitor Nishikigi.

Iwasaki prepares for a bout. A fine 6-1 record in January has put him back at his highest career rank of Makushita 3e, so he will be hoping to earn his Juryo debut this time.

Iwasaki and former Juryo Daishoho fight. Daishoho is also in the upper Makushita ranks.

Daishoho now takes on Daishoryu, who has been a constant presence in Makushita for over four years now, but needs a kachi-koshi this basho to continue that run.

Daiamami enters the ring, I think fighting Iwasaki.

And now an all-sekitori bout between Tsurugisho and Daiamami.

Daishomaru warming up at the side of the keikoba.

Now in the ring for a bout against Daieisho.

Heyagashira Endo now joins the action, fighting Daiamami, Nishikigi and Daishomaru. [3]

Daishomaru still going, opponent unknown.

Daishoho and Iwasaki back in the ring now.

Daieisho vs. Daishoho.

Nishikigi in action, opponent unknown. Look closely and you can see a tiny bit of his orange mouthguard.

Tsurugisho towels off after the end of the session.

Daishomaru and Daiamami chat.

Daiamami chats with heya coach Nishino (former Juryo Daishodai).

And finally a look at the heya's ranking board, a simple paper version at the keikoba for the non-Tokyo basho.

 

Edited March 3, 2017 by Yubinhaad

[Akinomaki 34,817]

7 hours ago, Yubinhaad said:

And finally a look at the heya's ranking board, a simple paper version at the keikoba for the non-Tokyo basho.

a simple Daisho-sth. shikona is only for the tiny hopes, so it seems - Daishomaru is the only one in the higher ranks

[Kintamayama 40,632]

Maegashira 2 West Takanoiwa went to the Takanohana Ichimon (looks strange when I write that..) rengo keiko held at Tatsunami beya today and was looking strong. He faced lower ranked Makuuchi Takakeishou, Juryo Ounoshou and Rikishin and some Makushita guys for 6 matches, winning them all. Then he took on Ounoshou for 24 straight bouts - 30 straight matches in all with no rest, winning 25 and showing excellent stamina. During his session with Ounoshou, the latter got a bloody nose but they kept on relentlessly as Takanoiwa was aggressively aggressive.  Ounomatsu Oyakata, who was overseeing the session with Takanohana away on business: "He's increasingly looking like his Oyakata.. Strong sumo from the heart and body. It's a wondrous thing. He has become strong and has gained confidence.." he said of Takanoiwa. He started getting noticed after beating Hakuhou on day 14th last basho, effectively handing Kisenosato his first yusho and as a result, the Yokozuna promotion. "Sumo is not a team sport. All I did was win for myself.." he explained humbly. "It did help boost my confidence somewhat," he added. He's back at the joi ranks for the first time since last Aki basho. "Of course I want to win. There are guys my age too so I also want it. I'm not that young anymore (27) and my target for this year is Sekiwake," he summed.

Edited March 5, 2017 by Kintamayama

[ronnie 221]

On 02/03/2017 at 11:24, Kintamayama said:

 

 

 

C'mon Giku, don't tell me you're another one who can't see this water bottle!

[Fukurou 534]

Is there any news about what's going on with Kaisei and his knee? I'm wondering how bad it is, and am unclear if he went against Hakuho when he visited the other day.

[Kintamayama 40,632]

Ozeki contender Takayasu is training very seriously towards his goal. He had 30 bouts today at home, going 9-14 against Yokozuna Kisenosato and dominating degeiko-ing Yoshikaze 6-1. Excellent yori and fierce tsuki-oshi were reported. "Still not there. I've got to build sturdy legs and loins. I am fighting for my life!!" he exaggerated, but in a good way.

Edited March 7, 2017 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 40,632]

7 hours ago, Fukurou said:

Is there any news about what's going on with Kaisei and his knee? I'm wondering how bad it is, and am unclear if he went against Hakuho when he visited the other day.

He did face Hakuhou, but I don't know for how many bouts and he did leave the training session early due to pain in his knee.

Edited March 7, 2017 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 40,632]

New Makuuchi promotee Ura trained at home and faced visiting Juryo Azumaryuu and Fujiazuma and others for 12 bouts and was seen doing quick, forward-moving sumo. "I've got a lot to worry about.." he said, although it did not look like that at all. He has become famous for his unorthodox and varied style and has many fans. This basho will be his local basho and amid the flurry of interest and pressure surrounding him he is still able to concentrate on doing serious training. "It's difficult but I am trying to go about it as usual," hinting that he isn't being swept away by all the festivities.

 

.

Edited March 7, 2017 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 40,632]

 

On 7.3.2017 at 09:50, Kintamayama said:

Kaisei did face Hakuhou, but I don't know for how many bouts and he did leave the training session early due to pain in his knee.

Brazilian Kaisei is kyujo for the first time in his career. He injured his knee during training with Hakuhou on March 6th. Right knee meniscus. "It's not as bad as we initially thought so he may enter later.." explained his Oyakata. He is the only Sekitori missing from day 1.

[Kintamayama 40,632]

OK, so Kaisei won't be back any time soon. ACL tear and meniscus injury, three months to heal.

[Jyuunomori 225]

 

2 hours ago, Kintamayama said:

OK, so Kaisei won't be back any time soon. ACL tear and meniscus injury, three months to heal.

So it means we will see him day 3? 

[Kintamayama 40,632]

2 hours ago, Jyuunomori said:

 

So it means we will see him day 3? 

Of Nagoya, yeah..

Edited March 10, 2017 by Kintamayama

[Yubinhaad 10,557]

A final appetizer ahead of the basho, an asageiko triple header starting with Shibatayama-beya.

Spoiler

Shibatayama-oyakata (former Yokozuna Onokuni) gives some advice to heavyweight Komanokuni.

Hamadayama keeping loose on the sidelines.

In the ring, Hasugeyama is ready for a practise bout, opponent unknown.

Sanbangeiko for Ryuseio and Shoketsu, both among the surviving rikishi of Hanaregoma-beya. Veteran Shoketsu has never missed a bout in his 22-year career, and is one of six currently active rikishi aged over 40. [3]

Ryuseio now has a bout with Hasugeyama.

Wakanoshima has dropped to Makushita this basho, and as you can see he has some precautionary strapping on the knee which he injured towards the end of the Hatsu basho.

Wakanoshima in action against Daiseiho.

Another former Juryo, Sakigake.

Daiseiho still going, next a bout with Sakigake.

Kagamiyama-beya visited for degeiko in this session. Here, Ryusei does some tachiai practise. Unfortunately we don't see him in action with his near-namesake Ryuseio.

Former Maegashira Kagamio does some suriashi across the dohyo.

Lastly, Kagamio lends his chest to his senior stablemate.

 

Now a visit to Dewanoumi-beya.

Spoiler

One of the Fujino- twins works on the teppo pole.

Komusubi Mitakeumi waits at the side.

Former Juryo Dewahayate lends his chest for some butsugari-keiko. [2]

And now practises his double no-flag technique.

Dewanojo and Dewaizumi have a practise bout.

Dewaazuma, a new shikona this basho, takes a breather.

Aomihama in action, opponent unknown.

Matsuyama towels off.

Kairyu pushes out Dewaazuma. Kairyu has been a constant presence in Makushita for over six years now, and lately a fixture in the top ten ranks. I'd like to see him make it to Juryo.

Finally, heavyweight Dewanojo gets a thorough working over from heyagashira Mitakeumi.

 

Finally to Tokitsukaze-beya, with a degeiko delegation from Isegahama-beya, and Ichinojo was there as well.

Spoiler

Sanoyama-oyakata (former Maegashira Tosayutaka) lends his chest to one of the rikishi.

Former Sekiwake Toyonoshima is now up to Makushita 2e after his achilles injury last year, and will be hoping to secure a return to Juryo this basho.

Terutsuyoshi and Oyanagi wait for their turn in the ring.

Ichinojo offers some water to Ozeki Terunofuji.

Toyonoshima and Oyanagi.

Terutsuyoshi and Oyanagi.

Ichinojo keeps an eye on the keiko from the sidelines.

Now in the ring with Oyanagi.

Komusubi Shodai now enters the ring, and he too is pushed out by Ichinojo.

Ichinojo and Homarefuji.

And finally, Ichinojo and Terutsuyoshi.

 

Edited March 11, 2017 by Yubinhaad