Basho Talk Haru 2018 (SPOILERS)

[Dwale 419]

I don't think I've ever seen Takayasu bounce off someone at the tachi-ai like that. Wow. 

Congrats to Tochinoshin, that was a hell of a performance. 

Mitakeumi v. Shodai was a tense match. Entertaining stuff.

 

[Akinomaki 41,739]

1 hour ago, maorencze said:

16 hours ago, Yukiarashi said:

What on earth is wrong with Takanoiwa? 5-6 at J12? Didn't the injury report say he'd be ready for Kyushu?

Entering Haru was a gamble to begin with, training for so short after being away for so long

Nobody has more wins than him in that heya: http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Query.aspx?show_form=0&columns=1&heya=108&form1_year=2018&form1_month=3

 

[WAKATAKE 2,759]

Chiyomaru is in my book the most improved rikishi of the basho. I’m hoping those two wins can get him at least a nod for a sansho.

Loved the Shodai-Mitakeumi match, the young guns not quite finding their identities and still having to duke it out.

Tochinoshin snapped a 19 match losing streak against Kakuryu. I really do hope he finishes with 10 plus wins, it should put him in prime position for an ozeki run in Natsu.

[Rocks 1,810]

11 minutes ago, WAKATAKE said:

Chiyomaru is in my book the most improved rikishi of the basho. I’m hoping those two wins can get him at least a nod for a sansho.

He'll have to KK first and that's hardly a given.  I'm thinking even if he manages an 8-7 it's unlikely.

[Amamaniac 2,091]

Just when I thought Kakuryu had avoided handing out any gold stars, the powers that be decided to match Kaisei against Kakuryu on day 13 (today).  Rarely does a hiramaku sekitori (i.e., M6E) go up against a Yokozuna this late in a tournament (i.e., day 13), so this is pretty special.  Both wrestlers are coming off losses.  They are still separated by one win, so this will be make-or-break for Kaisei's yusho chances.

Kakuryu will have the two Ozekis as opponents on the last two days.  No guarantees there, so this tournament is far from over!

That also means that Kakuryu will finish the tournament without having faced S1E Mitakeumi!  When was the last time a Yokozuna did not face all active sanyaku?

Edited March 22, 2018 by Amamaniac

[Kuroyama 715]

7 hours ago, Akinomaki said:

Nobody has more wins than him in that heya: http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Query.aspx?show_form=0&columns=1&heya=108&form1_year=2018&form1_month=3

 

I wouldn't be a bit shocked to learn there was a significant morale problem there just now.

[Gurowake 4,148]

5 hours ago, Amamaniac said:

Just when I thought Kakuryu had avoided handing out any gold stars, the powers that be decided to match Kaisei against Kakuryu on day 13 (today).  Rarely does a hiramaku sekitori (i.e., M6E) go up against a Yokozuna this late in a tournament (i.e., day 13), so this is pretty special.  Both wrestlers are coming off losses.  They are still separated by one win, so this will be make-or-break for Kaisei's yusho chances.

Kakuryu will have the two Ozekis as opponents on the last two days.  No guarantees there, so this tournament is far from over!

That also means that Kakuryu will finish the tournament without having faced S1E Mitakeumi!  When was the last time a Yokozuna did not face all active sanyaku?

The last time I can recall a Yokozuna being pulled off a regularly scheduled sanyaku match to meet someone in the Yusho race is Ichinojo's Makuuchi debut.  That was Aki 2014.   However, there was a tournament since then in which Harumafuji didn't face Komusubi Kotoyuki, but if I recall correctly it wasn't for any particularly good reason other than Kotoyuki was doing just about as well as he's doing this tournament.

[Rocks 1,810]

Kaisei got Daishomaru on Day 14. I gues they are really sure there is no way Kaisei beats Kakuryu. 

[Jakusotsu 6,389]

3 hours ago, Rocks said:

Kaisei got Daishomaru on Day 14. I gues they are really sure there is no way Kaisei beats Kakuryu. 

I'm rather surprised Kaisei won't meet Tochinoshin (who'll face the beast Chiyomaru instead). Are they afraid Daishomaru will run away with the cup?

[Akinomaki 41,739]

NHK before Kyokutaisei's bout told that his shisho Tomozuna is sitting in the mukou-shoumen commentator seat to watch his kachi-koshi

[Mihasan 13]

Congrats to Kyokutaisei for Makauchi promotion! Well deserved.

 

[Valdenor 3]

Is it only a impression or had Tochinoshin attempted to change his favored style in this bout? I did not understand his strategy.

Edited March 23, 2018 by Valdenor

[Katooshu 3,482]

The voice cracking yobidashi from Kyushu was back at it, this time on centre stage 

Oh ya, and  at Tochinoshin losing. I want exciting ozeki run drama for May!

And are we finally going to see sanyaku Endo? Will the hype roar again?

Edited March 23, 2018 by Katooshu

[Mihasan 13]

Ex Kaio? reaction at 0:15 is priceless :)

[Kishinoyama 623]

I'm so happy for Kyokutaisei. I know some of us have been following him ever since the documentary. Their will be no bad banzuke luck this time.

Edited March 23, 2018 by Kishinoyama
typo

[Qwerry 25]

Tochinosin - Ichinojo on 15th day? 

Would be interesting...

 

[Jakusotsu 6,389]

2 minutes ago, Qwerry said:

Tochinosin - Ichinojo on 15th day? 

Most likely, yes.

[Yatagarasu 352]

Seems Ichinojo’s back trouble might have returned given his performance over the last two days.

Nice to see a glimmer of the old Yoshikaze we all know and love. Asanoyama was enjoyable to watch as well today  

Ikioi doing well with double figures. Hopefully he’ll be fully healed by May and we can see more of this. 

Kaisei did well to get this far but he’s not yusho material just yet. 

Was it just me or did Goeido fail to touch the ground before the tachiai? Seems there been a bit of that going unchecked this basho. 

[Taikoubana 144]

1 hour ago, Yatagarasu said:

Was it just me or did Goeido fail to touch the ground before the tachiai? Seems there been a bit of that going unchecked this basho. 

Let's not forget: this is Goeido's house! He'll charge when he pleases, hands on the ground or not!

[Yatagarasu 352]

1 minute ago, Taikoubana said:

Let's not forget: this is Goeido's house! He'll charge when he pleases, hands on the ground or not!

Indeed. And there’ll be no monoii for Ikioi to query whether the top of his toe touched the ground before Chiyonokuni! (Clearer camera angles gratefully received.)

[ALAKTORN 346]

Kaisei was pathetic there.

No idea what Tochinoshin was trying to do. That looked terrible too.

Who’s even in the yūshō race anymore? Looks like a lock for Kakuryū, good to see he wasn’t as badly injured as he seemed I guess.

[Rocks 1,810]

Wow, 6-7 Takanoiwa vs 6-7 Terunofuji on Day 14. Loser is MK. Terunofuji is safe but I'm sure he'd like to get a KK.  Takanoiwa probably needs another win to avoid makushita. I'm sure there will be a lot of eyes on this match.

[Dwale 419]

Woo! We had some heated matches today, great stuff. Well, the final match wasn't anything to write home about, but never mind.

Where the hell is that Shodai the rest of the time? He has so much potential, but half the time he's on the dohyo it's like he's having cerebral flatulence. ^.^;

[Amamaniac 2,091]

2 hours ago, ALAKTORN said:

Who’s even in the yūshō race anymore?

Takayasu, Kaisei, and Ikioi (10-3) are all still in the race.  They have to win both of their final bouts, and Kakuryu (12-1) has to lose both of his to force a playoff.  Takayasu is in the best position since a win for him on Day 15 will automatically mean a loss for Kakuryu.  But it all depends on whether Goeido can pull off an upset win tomorrow...  Then again, it could be all over tomorrow (Day 14).

Edited March 23, 2018 by Amamaniac

[Yubinhaad 11,956]

I love seeing Endo when he's in top physical shape, his sumo is just outstanding. Today he relentlessly tried to get that right hand mae-mawashi grip (I counted at least five attempts), all the while inching forwards and nullifying Chiyomaru's oshi attack. More please.