Basho Talk Hatsu 2018 (SPOILERS)

[Rocks 1,810]

3 hours ago, PawnSums said:

DIT:  but does anyone know how to do a query on shikona length?

It's not how long your shikona is, it's what you do with it that counts. 

[sekitori 492]

On 1/17/2018 at 10:10, word20 said:

Maybe Hakuho's moves does not work anymore

His moves didn't work because he was injured. When he's healthy, they work better than anyone else's.

[Tiger Tanaka 227]

Tochinoshin vs. Goeido match was the best of the basho so far (stating the obvious!)

If Tochinoshin can get past Takekeisho and Kakuryu past Kotoshogiku, it would set up a delicious day 7 match between an undefeated Kakuryu and Tochinoshin

[word20 21]

Hokutofuji's win shows what I mean with Hakuho's moves. He tried to pull but that did not work because of good lower body work and reading from Hokutofuji. This was the first loss for Hakuho and I do not think he was injured in this bout

[Asojima 2,874]

2 minutes ago, word20 said:

I do not think he was injured in this bout

The toe injury occurred on Day 1 during keiko.

[Qwerry 25]

11 hours ago, ALAKTORN said:

Things not looking good for Isegahama-beya…

Seems like Takarafuji will be the only maegashira next basho. 

[Yukiarashi 195]

Kotoyuki got tired of simply falling into the audience all the time, so he tried steamrolling them instead today!

[rhyen 1,862]

1 hour ago, Qwerry said:

Seems like Takarafuji will be the only maegashira next basho. 

no different from Sakaigawa beya this basho. Only Ozeki Goiedo in the top division.

[wys 55]

Damn, my favorite tadpole, Takakeisho, is not doing too well in this basho. He's already half way to make-koshi. I wonder if his heavy reliance on oshi zumo is catching up to him in this tournament where the level of sumo seems to be higher.  To his credit  it did seem like he tried an arm throw against Tochinoshin but had trouble given his height disadvantage and his opponent's relentless drive forward. Despite his troubles in this basho, I am thoroughly enjoying the basho so far with all these exciting matches!

Cheers,

[Atenzan 1,084]

2 minutes ago, wys said:

Damn, my favorite tadpole, Takakeisho, is not doing too well in this basho. He's already half way to make-koshi. I wonder if his heavy reliance on oshi zumo is catching up to him in this tournament where the level of sumo seems to be higher.  To his credit  it did seem like he tried an arm throw against Tochinoshin but had trouble given his height disadvantage and his opponent's relentless drive forward. Despite his troubles in this basho, I am thoroughly enjoying the basho so far with all these exciting matches!

Cheers,

What's a tadpole? Promising newcomer? 

[Katooshu 3,485]

And my favourite Hokutofuji not doing well either. I'm not even sure if he'll get enough wins to have the chance at that record setting 5th straight kinboshi.

On the other hand, I find the race very exciting with 3 of the 4 leaders not having yusho'd before, and the other being a non-dominant yokozuna. Mitakeumi and Tochinoshin are both very much in this, and the former is really establishing himself as a serious ozeki contender (among many, many other suggested names who arent as credible).

I have to admit that I enjoy the tournaments where the Y/O arent doing so great.

Edited January 19, 2018 by Katooshu

[word20 21]

Mitakeumi seems strong this basho, It seems he will get at least 11 wins if not more wins this basho. There is many candidates for the win for this basho

[Rocks 1,810]

Well I have to say I am starting to believe Tochinoshin may take this thing. Takakeisho changed up on him and he still managed to pull it out but the last 3 bouts have taken a lot out of him. BUT Kakuryu's last 3 have taken more out him IMO and I think Tochinoshin will take him. If Tochinoshin can get over his Yokozunaitis. Like Ikioi to me it seems he gets flustered more than most when facing a Yokozuna.  Kakuryu is looking good to me  but not overly strong, he has just been smart so far. His bouts have been long and hard. If Tochinoshin can avoid nerves ora mistake he will beat Kakutyu. Even Goeido and Takyasu look stronger that Kakuryu this basho to me. Without dumb mistakes both would only have the 1 loss to Tochinoshin I think. 

[Morty 1,519]

38 minutes ago, Rocks said:

Well I have to say I am starting to believe Tochinoshin may take this thing. Takakeisho changed up on him and he still managed to pull it out but the last 3 bouts have taken a lot out of him. BUT Kakuryu's last 3 have taken more out him IMO and I think Tochinoshin will take him. If Tochinoshin can get over his Yokozunaitis. Like Ikioi to me it seems he gets flustered more than most when facing a Yokozuna.  Kakuryu is looking good to me  but not overly strong, he has just been smart so far. His bouts have been long and hard. If Tochinoshin can avoid nerves ora mistake he will beat Kakutyu. Even Goeido and Takyasu look stronger that Kakuryu this basho to me. Without dumb mistakes both would only have the 1 loss to Tochinoshin I think. 

It isn't just that he has "yokozunaitis" it is also that he is extremely one-dimensional and so the better rikishi can exploit the fact he has only one real plan. He is very good at that plan but doesn't have much capacity to change to another if it doesn't work. Rikishi that will go chest to chest with him in an old fashioned belt battle will struggle, but there are many other options beyond that. He is one of my favourites but I would be extremely surprised if he kept winning and took the yusho. 

[robnplunder 978]

How many wins in this basho is needed for promoting Mitakeumi to Ozeki?   13, 14, or 15?

[Atenzan 1,084]

2 minutes ago, robnplunder said:

How many wins in this basho is needed for promoting Mitakeumi to Ozeki?   13, 14, or 15?

12 should do it. Then another 12 in March. 

[dada78641 884]

From Jyuryou, my favorite match-up. Oosunaarashi vs Gagamaru.

Kakuryuu dohyo-iri.

Something vaguely interesting shown early in the broadcast, an old people sumo club. Wasn't really paying attention so I'm not sure what the deal was, but there are some funny photos.

[dada78641 884]

Oh, and I forgot. Today's panorama shot, from just outside of the Kokugikan looking at the Sky Tree.

[Dwale 419]

Daaaaaang, Tamawashi got wrecked! I want to see more of that flavor of Ichinojo. 

Tochinoshin still looking like a monster, which is typical for him, really, but more so this basho. You let this guy grab you, better have a plan.

Mitakeumi showing that same tenacity he's always had, but also poise and focus. I think (and hope) these two have leveled up.

The surprise bout of the day for me was Kakuryu v. Kotoshogiku. I figured this one would be over in a blink, but no. Amazing defensive work on display here. Kakuryu isn't taking chances. 

Where was Yoshikaze on days one to three? Glad to see him getting wins, but what the heck, dude?

[orandashoho 720]

52 minutes ago, robnplunder said:

How many wins in this basho is needed for promoting Mitakeumi to Ozeki?   13, 14, or 15?

His 8-7 KK last Stptember isn't good enough for starting an Ozeki run. His 9-6 KK in November isn't either but may count if his results this basho and next basho are both excellent.
Which means, at least 12-3 (preferably more, but that will get him to 33 in three basho) plus being a strong contender in the yusho race, or a yusho.

[Katooshu 3,485]

1 hour ago, Morty said:

It isn't just that he has "yokozunaitis" it is also that he is extremely one-dimensional and so the better rikishi can exploit the fact he has only one real plan. He is very good at that plan but doesn't have much capacity to change to another if it doesn't work. Rikishi that will go chest to chest with him in an old fashioned belt battle will struggle, but there are many other options beyond that. He is one of my favourites but I would be extremely surprised if he kept winning and took the yusho. 

The rikishi he's struggled the most with in recent years have been Hakuho (0-25), Harumafuji (1-21 since 2011), Kakuryu (1-20), and Kotoshogiku (5-24). He also had losing records, though much less one-sided, in double digit matches vs Kisenosato, Goeido, and Takayasu.

But Hakuho is out. Kisenosato is out. And Harumafuji is retired. Tochinoshin's also beaten both ozeki.

Now, he will probably lose to Kakuryu, but I give him a fair chance vs the faded Kotoshogiku, who he actually managed to beat in September, and after that he's facing a level of opposition that is tough, but IMO very beatable for him when he's on form.

So I think he has a good chance of being in this thing deep into the race, though I favour Kak to win it all. I am also a Tochinoshin fan, so maybe there's a touch of optimism in this 

 

Edited January 19, 2018 by Katooshu

[Yukiarashi 195]

Another exciting day, tomorrow looks to be the most important yet!

Kakuryu-Kotoshogiku might have been the second best bout this far, behind Tochinoshin's win yesterday. As I've said before Kotoshogiku has had fantastic fighting spirit this basho and nearly pulled another upset. I wish he'd bring back his stretch, Takamisakari did his entertaining routine for years as a hiramaku. Kakuryu has looked like Hakuho this basho. When he gets marched back at the start, he's been able to calmly and patiently win twice now against Ichinojo too. 

Theory on Kotoshogiku: I think honestly he's not as declined from where he was a little over a year ago as an Ozeki. He won't have another 14-1 yusho basho, but he's really been performing competently and doesn't feel pressure to pull out all the time as he did when he got off to bad starts as an Ozeki. I think the reason he looks bad is the inverted schedule. He's facing all the opponets he usually ends the basho losing too at the beginning and beats up a slightly lighter schedule as a top Maegashira than an Ozeki has. This could explain him putting off retirement. Every basho starts I think he's toast but he's actually been fighting pretty well in most bouts. 

Chiyotairyu won easily! It's almost as if Kisenosato didn't show up

Onosho getting into it now. I was worried at first, but 3-3 is actually quite respectable against his competition so far. How does Takayasu look so powerful one day and like this the next day? Atleast Goeido doesn't have that problem......                                                                                                        

[pmac 34]

i have a question to the experts! in case mita wins the next 2 bashos (not that i think so), would he be promoted to yokuzuna directly without ever been a ozeki?

[Bumpkin 438]

1 minute ago, pmac said:

i have a question to the experts! in case mita wins the next 2 bashos (not that i think so), would he be promoted to yokuzuna directly without ever been a ozeki?

No. Minimum 2 bashos as an Ozeki needed for Yokozuna promotion. There is a very slight possibility that if Mitakeumi goes 15-0 Y he would be promoted to Ozeki after this basho.

[Dwale 419]

Oh, and I'm pretty sure Shohozan was intentionally trying to provoke Kotoyuki. Kotoyuki can be pretty fast, but only in a straight line and he's not good at stopping, either. Looked like Shohozan wanted to get him riled and then use Kotoyuki's charge against him. Kotoyuki really needs to learn to chill, he defeats himself half the time by being too hasty.