Preparations of the Y/O Haru 2018

[Atenzan 1,084]

17 minutes ago, Rocks said:

I don't know. The half they get in cash for winning those 5 last matches comes out to about $45,000. I think even Haukho would show up for 45K for a couple hours work a day for a week.

45K is 150 kensho worth. Unrealistic as even Kisenosato didn't amass that many in his 5-0 start last March, which was his maiden basho as a yokozuna. 24K is more realistic. For someone who's been getting that amount of money per month for the past 11 years, plus 40 100K makuuchi yusho bonuses, plus the 150K retirement money that he'll be due, plus the exorbitant kyuukin he's racked up, I think his avarice will be a lesser concern than his injury. Though I do admit tuppence ha'penny is a bit of an exaggeration. 

[Rocks 1,810]

1 hour ago, Atenzan said:

Unrealistic as even Kisenosato didn't amass that many in his 5-0 start last March

Kise had 133 last March in 5 wins and that is with Kakuryu taking the final match 2 days. Any Yokozuna having the final match to themselves will rack up 150 easy for 5 wins. Even with an injury Hakuho can milk out a few wins without risking much. Especially with the Kyokai pushing him hard to enter if Kakuryu drops out.

[Kintamayama 47,350]

Kyokai people are now saying Kakuryuu is in. We shall see.

Hakuhou: "I need  another day to think about it and will notify my Oyakata of my decision, and he will notify the press." If he goes kyujo, it will be the first time in his career that he will be kyujo for two consecutive bashos. 

In a few hours, we shall know everything.

Edited March 9, 2018 by Kintamayama

[Kishinoyama 625]

12 hours ago, Rigel said:

I don't really disagree with any of this. He should have had the surgery, and not doing so likely doomed any chances he ever had of coming back to Yokozuna-level sumo. He and/or his coaches either didn't listen to the doctors or they idiotically ignored their advice to rush him back.

Glad to see that you agree.

[specialweek 2 138]

Two down, Hakuho out.

[Kintamayama 47,350]

Hakuhou-out. "Left toe joint injury-three weeks to heal" is the official diagnosis."He did train seriously.. He told me he he has other pains as well. I don't know where, but one thing is for sure-his left toe is injured. The right toe is fine," said Miyagino Oyakata. "It's the leg, where he exerts the most power. It's regretful but that's the way it is. I think he really wanted to yusho here in Osaka as he missed this basho last year .  He did gambarize from the onset here in Osaka, but.." added the Oyakata. Haru jungyo? "I think he will participate," summed the Oyakata.

Edited March 9, 2018 by Kintamayama

[WAKATAKE 2,759]

Unless stated otherwise, looks like Kakuryu is in. He has Chiyotairyu on day 1 and Endo on day 2.

https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/201803090000318.html

[Kintamayama 47,350]

So Kakuryuu is in. After yesterday's keiko, Kakuryuu consulted with his Oyakata Izutsu. "He was worried.." says the Oyakata. But after dinner, Kakuryuu said he wants to enter and that he will gambarize. "His entering this basho is a big mental leap for him, I think. I hope he will do some serious sumo and fulfill his responsibilities,," added the Oyakata.

My take? You know my take.. Suddenly after dinner, he's in? No pressure at all, huh?

[Yamanashi 4,088]

6 hours ago, Kintamayama said:

So Kakuryuu is in. After yesterday's keiko, Kakuryuu consulted with his Oyakata Izutsu. "He was worried.." says the Oyakata. But after dinner, Kakuryuu said he wants to enter and that he will gambarize. "His entering this basho is a big mental leap for him, I think. I hope he will do some serious sumo and fulfill his responsibilities,," added the Oyakata.

My take? You know my take.. Suddenly after dinner, he's in? No pressure at all, huh?

Do you mean someone (YDC?) had dinner with him and "made him an offer he couldn't refuse"?

 

[Mufuu 13]

Well, as I understand it, Kakuryu met the YDC's ultimatum with his performance at Hatsu, albeit not exceptionally.  I'm sure anyone at the dinner table could have  suggested that his participation in Haru would be a greater benefit to Sumo (overall) than the potential career harm of under-performance (or non-completion).

Sure, it's pressure... but putting aside the prospect of worsening injuries, it's kind of compelling.

I mean: we have three "active" Yokozuna.  Everyone involved would like at least one to show up.

[Asojima 2,874]

The last time we had no healthy yokozuna available to perform the dohyo-iri, Harumafuji lost the coin toss and ended up winning the yusho.

[Akinomaki 41,851]

Kakuryu after degeiko to Tokitsukaze on the 8th - 18-0 against Shodai and Yutakayama, but he can't hide his anxiety: "I think I can win 8 if I enter, but if a yokozuna enters, he has to win and deliver some results." Izutsu-oyakata: "I think if we had 10 more days, he could fully recover, but - not 100% (now)"

o

[Asashosakari 20,288]

1 hour ago, Akinomaki said:

Kakuryu after degeiko to Tokitsukaze on the 8th - 18-0 against Shodai and Yutakayama, but he can't hide his anxiety: "I think I can win 8 if I enter, but if a yokozuna enters, he has to win and deliver some results." Izutsu-oyakata: "I think if we had 10 more days, he could fully recover, but - not 100% (now)"

And that's the thing - I suspect Kakuryu is hoping he'll get through the easier first week relatively unscathed as far as his W-L goes, and then his hand will be in better shape for the rest. It's a gamble, but with Hakuho out it just might pay off.

[Kintamayama 47,350]

6 hours ago, Yamanashi said:

Do you mean someone (YDC?) had dinner with him and "made him an offer he couldn't refuse"?

 

YDC? No. Hakkaku/Kagamiyama/PR guys put pressure on Izutsu Oyakata, who in turn convinced Kakuryuu to at least enter, avoiding that "first time in ages that all yokozunae are missing from day 1" stamp.

[Churaumi 753]

...while getting out the ink for the “no yokozuna left on day 5” stamp.

[Suwihuto 145]

7 hours ago, Churaumi said:

...while getting out the ink for the “no yokozuna left on day 5” stamp.

It doesn't seem so long ago that we were hopeful for four Yokozuna for fifteen days...

[ryafuji 825]

Is it the finger injury that’s bothering Kakuryu, the ankle or both? 

[Churaumi 753]

Looks like the finger injury is the problem this time, although I think his back and his ankle are going to be recurring problems dragging down his performance for the rest of his career.