Basho Talk Natsu 2018 (SPOILERS)

[since_94 650]

22 hours ago, Eikokurai said:

Sounds exciting! I haven’t seen it yet. Endo has impressed so far in his sanyaku debut, even when he’s lost he’s been in the contest, and that’s one Ozeki and one Sekiwake scalped to date.

ABI! Obviously reports of zabuton being bolted down in the Ryogoku Kokugikan have been grossly exaggerated 

[Eikokurai 3,433]

1 hour ago, since_94 said:

ABI! Obviously reports of zabuton being bolted down in the Ryogoku Kokugikan have been grossly exaggerated 

Great result for the basho, particularly with Kakuryu and (especially) Tochinoshin picking up wins as well. I never want to see Hakuho breeze unmolested to the yusho.

[since_94 650]

14 minutes ago, Eikokurai said:

Great result for the basho, particularly with Kakuryu and (especially) Tochinoshin picking up wins as well. I never want to see Hakuho breeze unmolested to the yusho.

And Goeido folding just about on schedule. Kakuryu still pulling, but at least he tried going forward today.

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

24 minutes ago, since_94 said:

And Goeido folding just about on schedule. Kakuryu still pulling, but at least he tried going forward today.

My take on that bout was that Goeido took an eye poke. He was already being overwhelmed, but that turned his head reflexively away and finished it.

[Jakusotsu 5,772]

48 minutes ago, since_94 said:

Kakuryu still pulling, but at least he tried going forward today.

If you want to see the real Kakuryu, watch Kyokutaisei today.

And Sadanoumi kissing the Shinpan was nice.

[Morty 1,480]

The look on Abi's face after he won that was priceless. It was a mixture of "I want to celebrate but I must be stoic" and "oh shit, what have I done". He couldn't believe he had beaten the GOAT. The fist bump with his Tsukebito in the corridor afterwards was a nice touch as well.

And Ichinojo didn't lose that one, Tamawashi won it with some excellent, excellent sumo. Fabulous job of keeping Ichinojo away from his belt and when he can't get the belt he tends to be clueless. But it was completely Tamawashi's skill that stopped him getting that grip. Top work.

 

[Yatagarasu 352]

Nice result for Abi, though interesting that Hakuhou didn't go for the slap on the tachiai, but rather reached straight for the mawashi, which is normally Abi's weakness.  Abi was quickest off the mark so took the advantage.  I don't know where he got the strength to drive back Hakuhou like that - I guess the adrenaline really kicked in.    

I think Chiyonokuni is being quietly overlooked this basho.  He has been putting in some really strong and consistent performances.  I didn't really rate him that much in the past but he's obviously been working hard and is improving.

Nice to see Uncle Giku experimenting a bit - there were some things that just weren't working for him last basho and he's obviously learned from it.  I think he's still got some solid maegashira mileage left in him.

The Takanoiwa-Terutsuyoshi bout was very interesting viewing.  Ounoshou also put in another solid performance, though the makuuchi he left will be a very different place should he successfully return.  It will be interesting to see how he copes with the challenge. 

I like that we are nearly halfway and there are some strong contenders in addition to Hakuhou.  This will be a real test of their mettle now that the Hak is back.  Everything to play for! 

[orandashoho 720]

9 minutes ago, Yatagarasu said:

I think Chiyonokuni is being quietly overlooked this basho.  He has been putting in some really strong and consistent performances.  I didn't really rate him that much in the past but he's obviously been working hard and is improving.

I was surprised that yesterday's win didn't earn him 'Spirited rikishi' points. OK, Aminishiki gets there just by the feat of winning, but Chiyonokuni escaped several times and pulled all the stamina he possessed to lift Daiamami over the taware tawara without letting up, that takes some doing.

Edited May 18, 2018 by orandashoho

[Yatagarasu 352]

3 minutes ago, Yatagarasu said:

Nice result for Abi, though interesting that Hakuhou didn't go for the slap on the tachiai, but rather reached straight for the mawashi, which is normally Abi's weakness.  Abi was quickest off the mark so took the advantage.  I don't know where he got the strength to drive back Hakuhou like that - I guess the adrenaline really kicked in.    

Actually, upon seeing it from the other angle on slow-mo, it looks like Hakuhou's right hand went high - maybe going for a slap? - while the left went low, but Abi had already made contact before Hakuhou could get anywhere near his face.  Really interesting bout.  

[Eikokurai 3,433]

25 minutes ago, Yatagarasu said:

Actually, upon seeing it from the other angle on slow-mo, it looks like Hakuhou's right hand went high - maybe going for a slap? - while the left went low, but Abi had already made contact before Hakuhou could get anywhere near his face.  Really interesting bout.  

On first viewing I thought Abi had charged Hakuho out with his head with a new kimarite: atamadashi.

[Yamanashi 3,693]

So, assuming Abi, at 24, has 10 more years in sumo, that win over Hakuho will generate a total of about $22 000 (if the published numbers are up-to-date).  Is that math correct?

 

[Qwerry 25]

1 minute ago, Yamanashi said:

So, assuming Abi, at 24, has 10 more years in sumo, that win over Hakuho will generate a total of about $22 000 (if the published numbers are up-to-date).  Is that math correct?

He got 34 kensho just today. Soooo... 

[Yamanashi 3,693]

Just now, Qwerry said:

He got 34 kensho just today. Soooo... 

Sorry, I should have specified, just the kinboshi.

 

[Eikokurai 3,433]

2 minutes ago, Qwerry said:

He got 34 kensho just today. Soooo... 

A kinboshi bonus is paid out for as long as the rikishi is still active. That’s what Yamanashi was working out. 

[Yubinhaad 11,509]

Abi is only the third rikishi to win a kinboshi from Hakuho in their first encounter. The previous two, Arawashi and Takanoiwa, both did it in the famous 2017 Hatsu basho, but neither have fought Hakuho since for varying reasons.

[YoungSumo 93]

I had a feeling Abi would make life difficult for Hakuho. Its a good style match up. His balance is amazing so he wouldn't succumb easily to the quick throws Hakuho has been employing this tournament, he's strong enough not to get bulldozed and his long arms aren't something Hakuho really has a clear answer for. That said, while I expected a competitive bout I did not expect the win. That was great, I was screaming.

Also loved Ishiura throwing down a guy almost twice his size like its nothing.

[CT3* 331]

That Hakuho/Abi bout was odd. 

[Dwale 419]

Wow, I didn't expect that. Was anybody favoring Abi in that match? Just goes to show that anything can happen in sumo!

I don't know if Tochinoshin will make ozeki or not, but he certainly looks the part. Indeed, he looks more like an ozeki than our active ozeki this basho. Keeping my fingers crossed that knee will hold out. 

Glad to see Mitakeumi coming out strong and aggressive. Perhaps the demotion has reignited his toukon. Time will tell.

Kotoshogiku looking better than he has in a while. I find myself supporting him more now since he's an underdog. 

Solid day of sumo, and an intensifying basho. Kanpai!

[robnplunder 974]

3 hours ago, Dwale said:

Wow, I didn't expect that. Was anybody favoring Abi in that match? Just goes to show that anything can happen in sumo!

I don't know if Tochinoshin will make ozeki or not, but he certainly looks the part. Indeed, he looks more like an ozeki than our active ozeki this basho. Keeping my fingers crossed that knee will hold out. 

Glad to see Mitakeumi coming out strong and aggressive. Perhaps the demotion has reignited his toukon. Time will tell.

Kotoshogiku looking better than he has in a while. I find myself supporting him more now since he's an underdog. 

Solid day of sumo, and an intensifying basho. Kanpai!

The way Hak lost was shocking.   He didn't do anything it seems.

Tochinoshin seems to be worthy of Ozekiship now.   If he picks up another Yusho, he will be an Ozeki.   Even with a double digit wins, he should be strongly considered for the promotion, I hope.

Kotoshogiku is showing signs of life.   So is Endo notwithstanding today's loss to Mitaeumi.

We saw a a few blatant hard slaps thrown by little guys, short arms and all.  Watch out for wild slaps against them the next time.  

Ishiura picked up a win.  How many henkas is he going to try in this basho?  12? 14?

[Benihana 1,901]

5 hours ago, Eikokurai said:

A kinboshi bonus is paid out for as long as the rikishi is still active. That’s what Yamanashi was working out. 

You get a bonus of 10 hoshokin-points, a yusho gives you 30. Not bad.

"The kinboshi bonus is one reason why the NSK strongly encourages a declining yokozuna to retire. Besides blemishing the yokozuna's "honor", losses accrue unwelcome, life-long payments for the Kyokai!"

http://www.lemondedusumo.com/english/MDS16_wages.php?mag=mds&num=16

[ALAKTORN 346]

Ishiura showing some meanness and getting a win. I hope he can figure out a way to win.

Hakuhō tried to tsukiotoshi Abi when he should’ve just stood his ground in my opinion. Again no slap at the tachiai and a loss…

[ryafuji 806]

11 hours ago, since_94 said:

ABI! Obviously reports of zabuton being bolted down in the Ryogoku Kokugikan have been grossly exaggerated 

As has already been pointed out, they are only bolted down in the Kyūshū basho. 

[Feginowaka 53]

6 hours ago, CT3* said:

That Hakuho/Abi bout was odd. 

Why odd?
It was impressive!
I like this Abi much more than the other "3-letter-shikona-rikishi" (Ura) as he fights attractive and clean (unlike Ura, who is a Clown and can't fight proper)

[dingo 1,134]

And suddenly Tochinoshin is the sole leader after day 6. Now how likely is that sentence... 

Kakuryuu has been only pulling these few days. Guess he didn't learn from his loss to Shohozan. 

Ishiura was a totally different rikishi today. I agree with others who have said that he hasn't been very good recently, but his sumo today was really enjoyable. 

It seems like the theory about Ichinojo losing his confidence after the first loss might really have some truth in it. Totally feckless today. 

And Abi... Holy crap, that's all I can say. 

Edited May 18, 2018 by dingo

[Philioyamfugi 378]

Ishura...hit and move..he can do this and be effective. Kotoshugiku looks like he has knee's again. Abi got the Hak quickly good job.