Katooshu 3,090 Posted January 21, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, wys said: What's up with the hopefuls Takakeisho and Hokutofuji in this basho? Despite their victories over yokozunas, they are having a really bad tournament so far. Is it the nerves and pressure from being promoted and public expectations? Well, no one here can really answer that definitively but thought I would pose the question since it's kind of bothering me to see them not live up to their expectations so far in this basho. Cheers, Well, to be honest, unless someone's an absolute red hot prospect I don't usually expect much when they're in the joi-jin without a whole lot of experience that high up. Takakeisho's only been there two previous times and was 5-10 in one of them, Hokutofuji's been there three previous times and that included an 8-7 and a 7-8, and even the now stable sekiwake Mitakeumi started with a 5-10 and 6-9. So I'm not sure if anything unusual is really occuring, beyond the normal fluctuations and fitting in process. Lots of guys need more time to settle in at that level, and many simply won't be good enough to repeatedly have success there, even if they can occassionally produce standout tournaments. Edited January 21, 2018 by Katooshu 7 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akinomaki 39,585 Posted January 21, 2018 (edited) 10 minutes ago, Katooshu said: unless someone's an absolute red hot prospect I don't usually expect much when they're in the joi-jin without a whole lot of experience there And Takakeisho is new sanyaku - that is a whole new experience for him. Hokutofuji is also at his career height - and as top maegashira in a special position Edited January 21, 2018 by Akinomaki Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jakusotsu 5,761 Posted January 21, 2018 2 hours ago, ALAKTORN said: Kagayaki has a belt game?! Even more weird was Tochinoshin battering Yoshikaze with tsuppari. I almost expected Ichinojo to do a henka. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kishinoyama 582 Posted January 21, 2018 15 minutes ago, Jakusotsu said: ....I almost expected Ichinojo to do a henka. I thought he had tried doing a henka in the past but he lost because his alter ego Ichi-slo-jo showed up.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dapeng 232 Posted January 21, 2018 (edited) 4 hours ago, rhyen said: He needs 5-10 to stay in. The sandstorm Osuna will probably be forced to kyujo, or even worse to retire, due to his driving without license. Edited January 21, 2018 by Dapeng Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocks 1,805 Posted January 21, 2018 1 hour ago, orandashoho said: Methinks Ishiura was robbed. I don't see any part of his body touching down before Sokokurai lands on his knee, Sokokurai's body wasn't flying, it had been Ishiura's attack all the way. What is it that I missed? Or were the shimpan sleeping? Too late now. I thought Sokokurai was dominating but it doesn't matter as they are both entirely within the ring. Ishiura got robbed. Lots of iffy non-calls this basho. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocks 1,805 Posted January 21, 2018 17 minutes ago, Dapeng said: The sandstorm Osuna will probably be forced to kyujo, or even worse to retire, due to his driving without license. Well that explains why he's looked so lame this basho. Even injured he usually fights hard. He probably will be glad to go kyujo. I doubt they will make him go intai but they might suspend him for next basho which, combined with this one, will put him pretty deep into makushita. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocks 1,805 Posted January 21, 2018 1 hour ago, Akinomaki said: And Takakeisho is new sanyaku - that is a whole new experience for him. Hokutofuji is also at his career height - and as top maegashira in a special position Takakeisho has been streaky so far. His record has been 2 KKs then an MK in Sekitori so far and that is holding true. But he does it during basho a lot too. He's due for a win now and when he does I won't be surprised if he gets another 2 right after. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
word20 21 Posted January 21, 2018 It seems to go well for onosho this basho in spite of the difficult matches that he has faced Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bumpkin 438 Posted January 21, 2018 8 hours ago, Rocks said: Will be interesting to see the video of Sokokurai-Ishiura tomorrow. Was Sokokurai's knee down first? Yes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maorencze 144 Posted January 21, 2018 It seems Ichinojo has finally put it together and also that for once his back is OK as well - great! Show us what you REALLY got, giant! Also, it seems that Takakeisho got figured out - not good for him, if he doesn't find a way to change a pace and keep balance, it's gonna be difficult for him to defend against slapdowns/pulldowns to which his cannonball forward sumo can be weak against Finally, Goeido has started to give this basho some sense of normality, can't decide if I like it or not but he's definitely "back on track" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yorikiried by fate 1,987 Posted January 21, 2018 4 1 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ALAKTORN 346 Posted January 21, 2018 3 hours ago, Jakusotsu said: I almost expected Ichinojo to do a henka. I mean, he beat like 2 yokozuna with henka in his first encounters… or maybe it was Kotoshōgiku + a yokozuna. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tiger Tanaka 218 Posted January 21, 2018 Mitakeumi tried to use brute strength to force Ichinojo back, which he's done once in the past, but now Ichinojo is back to 215kg so that wasn't happening. After the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd attempt failed it left Mitakeumi pretty tired. His only chance was pulling a throw, which he attempted but Ichinojo was prepared and moved forward immediately and appropriately and that was that. I think the misstep on MItakeumi's part was not using more lateral movement to try getting Ichinojo off balance. That being said, the winner of Mitakeumi vs Tochinoshin tomorrow will still very much be in the yusho race. Mitakeumi has beaten Kakuryu twice out of five attempts and both Takayasu and Goeido have a shot at preventing a zensho. That being said, Kakuryu has not looked this genki in quite a while and it's great to see. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WAKATAKE 2,624 Posted January 21, 2018 What was the name for this Hatsu basho so far? I am in the camp that believes Ishiura was not at least given the benefit of a monoii. It looked to me liked Sokokurai's knee touched first. From the stories I'm hearing about Osuna, it could be a lot worse for him if his wife was driving like she said and she doesn't have a license either. Visa issues will start to abound all around. Tochinoshin on top of his game and still in the running for that yusho. Despite his record Ichinojo is legit, we may be seeing him back in sanyaku next basho. The ozeki both are mediocre and are not yusho contenders this time around. I think it is safe to say that we will be seeing Kakuryu for a little while longer now. He is calm and collected, some bouts he's been challenged but for the most part he is wrestling like a yokozuna. If he takes the yusho the YDC is going to have no complaints. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yorikiried by fate 1,987 Posted January 21, 2018 22 minutes ago, WAKATAKE said: I am in the camp that believes Ishiura was not at least given the benefit of a monoii. It looked to me liked Sokokurai's knee touched first. I am in the camp that looked at the scene frame by frame. It was a ridiculously bad decision. Even in real time it was obvious enough from the TV angle, with such a big time difference that it must have been at least a big question mark from a ringside view. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PawnSums 59 Posted January 21, 2018 (edited) Kagayaki Should Get A Name Change To Dabudabumune. Takarafuji To Nashikubi. Edited January 21, 2018 by PawnSums Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yukiarashi 195 Posted January 21, 2018 Kakuryu looks to be running away with it a bit, but watch for Arawashi today, he's like a Mongolian Yoshikaze against Yokozunas. Strange bout, Shodai just fell over. CHIYOTAIRYU!!! Just leave it to Goeido to be blasted out by a 1-6 rikishi. What happened to Mitakeumi? Had a feeling he'd lose before the bout even started. Ichinojo just being heavy again, but is effective Hokutofuji-Onosho was a fantasic bout, Tochinoshin looked strong again Chiyonokuni-Okinoumi was brilliant! What happened to Ikioi? 1-7! Daieisho 7-1!, keep an eye on him in case the top guys start beating each other. Nishikigi-Daishomaru was such a mundane bout I forgot who won seconds after it was over Ryuden looking strong, Kagayaki won on the belt?, Sokokurai lost that I think, should have been a monoii, Takekaze's done, Kyokutaisei 6-2, almost there! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yatagarasu 352 Posted January 22, 2018 32 minutes ago, Yukiarashi said: What happened to Ikioi? 1-7! He injured his right elbow a while back and as he seems to rely on his right side a lot to execute his throws, it's been a problem for him. Either it hasn't healed 100% or he hasn't regained full strength in it after the injury. But you can really see him struggling. I think he's picked up a new ankle injury as well though, which has set him back even more. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kawabata 270 Posted January 22, 2018 Ishiura vs Sōkokurai, really bizarre call Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asojima 2,870 Posted January 22, 2018 15 minutes ago, Kawabata said: Ishiura vs Sōkokurai, really bizarre call Have watched this several times, and I do not see the knee as touching. It's close, but it is not there. I must be getting old. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dapeng 232 Posted January 22, 2018 (edited) 11 minutes ago, Asojima said: Have watched this several times, and I do not see the knee as touching. It's close, but it is not there. I must be getting old. Me too. I checked the video several time and didn't see Sokokurai's knee touched down. Edited January 22, 2018 by Dapeng Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocks 1,805 Posted January 22, 2018 I don't know why that frame would be chosen because it's 7 or 8 more at least before Ishiura's own knee is down which is the first point he is down. He is nowhere near down yet in this picture. Sokokurai is down there. In full motion you can even see the recoil in his thigh muscle as his knee hits the ground. I would upload a pic but it says I have a 20 KB limit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sakura 1,465 Posted January 22, 2018 18 hours ago, Yukiarashi said: Absolutely bonechilling command to a slow Tochiozan by Konosuke What about Tochiozan irritates so many people before a bout starts? Hakuho seems irritated by him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
