Hatsu Basho 2019 Discussion [SPOILERS]

[Kuroyama 715]

39 minutes ago, Asashosakari said:

Does that article strictly refer to kyujo rikishi who were in their first bout back, or to anybody who had been kyujo earlier in the basho?

The former, it seems. In January 1952, the 40th Yokozuna Azumafuji went kyujo on Day 8, then returned on Day 13 to beat the 41st Yokuzuna Chiyonoyama. http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Rikishi_basho.aspx?r=3850&b=195201

[Amamaniac 2,020]

I worry about Mitakeumi in his upcoming bout against Ichinojo.  In his last two bouts (since returning from injury on day 6), he has managed to direct his opponents out of the ring thanks in part to their own movement.  But Ichinojo is another bag of "bricks", and Mitakeumi will need major knee strength to budge the Mongolian anywhere.  If he tries too hard, he may just aggravate his injured left quad/knee.  If I were his oyakata, I think I might suggest that he be extra careful in the ring against Ichinojo, and perhaps save himself for days 14 & 15...  But something tells me that he will go full out against Ichinojo, because that is what a warrior would do.  Hopefully, nothing bad happens.  Aside from looking as though he will get his KK and probably a shukunsho, Mitakeumi is further setting an example (a potentially dangerous example) that an injured sumo wrestler can return midway through a tournament and still have significant success.

[Eikokurai 3,419]

18 minutes ago, BroadMeadow said:

First of all, thank you for doing the hard work of posting the bouts every day. You are a big reason I recently started following sumo.

But what should I have been looking for to see that Hak had a poor basho when he started it 10-0? Was it that he seemed to escape in a few of the early matches? Or was it that he simply seemed to expend more effort than a yokozuna should against opponents with those ranks? I guess I thought I was seeing skill, control, and wiliness; but better eyes were seeing weakness.

‘Poor’ is a relative term. What it means for Hakuho isn’t what it means for others. Early in the basho he was caught out of position or knocked off his game plan more easily than in years past. He still possesses the skill to work himself out of trouble, which is what you saw, but seasoned watchers who’ve been seeing him fight for a decade can see the difference. Hakuho of even just a couple of years ago would rarely have found himself in trouble to begin with. That’s what is meant by ‘poor’ here: it’s all compared to his former self. 

[Amamaniac 2,020]

Just rewatched the Tamawashi upset of Hakuho.  The move that seemed to set up his victory was an effective left-hand shove to Hakuho's right upper arm just as the latter's shove slipped off Tamawashi's chest.  That caused Hakuho to lose balance and he had no where to go except spin because he was right up against the tawara.  Great defensive offence by Tamawashi!

And if you look at Shikimori Inosuke's (the gyoji's) face after the bout, it almost looks (to me anyway) as though he was pained (as in disappointed for Hakuho) to raise his gumbai towards Tamawashi's side.

Edited January 25, 2019 by Amamaniac

[Asashosakari 17,639]

39 minutes ago, Kuroyama said:

1 hour ago, Asashosakari said:

Does that article strictly refer to kyujo rikishi who were in their first bout back, or to anybody who had been kyujo earlier in the basho?

The former, it seems. In January 1952, the 40th Yokozuna Azumafuji went kyujo on Day 8, then returned on Day 13 to beat the 41st Yokuzuna Chiyonoyama. http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Rikishi_basho.aspx?r=3850&b=195201

I know that, I'm asking for confirmation of the phrasing used in the article, because it appears to imply the other, less strict interpretation to me (in which case their trivia fact would be wrong).

Edited January 25, 2019 by Asashosakari

[Amamaniac 2,020]

5 hours ago, Jakusotsu said:

On the other hand, Kotoshogiku demonstrated in his bout against Takakeisho that he is completely clueless when he needs to do oshi.

Wasn't that amazing?  I don't think I've ever seen Kotoshogiku fight that way in a tournament bout, and for good reason, as you point out.  It looked sooo odd.  Did Kotoshogiku decide that he would try a different tactic against the 22 year-old, or did Takakeisho actually force the ex-Ozeki off his own game?

And at what point did Kotoshogiku give up his trademark pre-bout ritual Koto Bauer back bend?  I tried Goggling it and ,,,

https://laughteryoga.org/koto-bauer-laughter-or-ina-bauer-laughter-as-a-laughter-yoga-exercise/

[Dwale 419]

The thing about Takakeisho needing to learn to grapple is that, no matter how good he is at thrusting, sometimes the opponent is going to manage to grab him or his mawashi. Diversity in technique is only going to become more important as the sport develops. Rikishi who hope to be successful at the highest levels need options for when things don't go to plan. Takakeisho doesn't need to become a yotsu master, but he does need a bag of tricks for the times when his thrusting attack isn't enough.

[robnplunder 972]

Takakeisho is going to be an one trick pony, a very effective one at that.   He will be a decent Ozeki and that's quite an overachievement for someone of his size.

[wys 55]

I personally don't think my man Takakeisho will be able to develop yotsu-zumo because of his physical limitations. There's nothing he can do about those short arms and he doesn't have the height to be able to effectively leverage any throws. As he has said repeatedly, he will be faithful to his style of sumo and try to take it to the limits. I don't disagree with his approach.

[Jabbamaru 162]

4 hours ago, robnplunder said:

his arms too short to be effective

You can have short arms an still work some yutsu...Look at Enho.

[Eikokurai 3,419]

10 minutes ago, Jabbamaru said:

You can have short arms an still work some yutsu...Look at Enho.

Enho doesn’t have a large belly getting in the way. Takakeisho’s reach is diminished by his girth. 

Edited January 25, 2019 by Eikokurai

[robnplunder 972]

43 minutes ago, Eikokurai said:

Enho doesn’t have a large belly getting in the way. Takakeisho’s reach is diminished by his girth. 

I couldn't have said it better.   Arigato.

[robnplunder 972]

2 hours ago, wys said:

I personally don't think my man Takakeisho will be able to develop yotsu-zumo because of his physical limitations. There's nothing he can do about those short arms and he doesn't have the height to be able to effectively leverage any throws. As he has said repeatedly, he will be faithful to his style of sumo and try to take it to the limits. I don't disagree with his approach.

+1 and I may add ... if TKO wants to develop yotsu-zumo, he has to devote additional practice time for something that he may use once in a basho.   It would not be good use of his time.   Or, he needs to grow longer arms.   Neither option is doable. 

[Kintamayama 42,781]

6 hours ago, BroadMeadow said:

 

But what should I have been looking for to see that Hak had a poor basho when he started it 10-0? Was it that he seemed to escape in a few of the early matches? Or was it that he simply seemed to expend more effort than a yokozuna should against opponents with those ranks? I guess I thought I was seeing skill, control, and wiliness; but better eyes were seeing weakness.

He simply had some narrow escapes against opponents who should have lost just getting on the dohyo with him.. It's the quality of the bouts, not the record. The reason that he still  managed to go 10-0 is because he is Hakuhou after all, but the feeling was that once the competition got stiffer, it wasn't going to be enough. Sho nuff, it's exactly what happened. And he still has the two Ozekis (as bad as they are doing, they need the wins now..) and Takakeishou. We shall see.

[robnplunder 972]

Enho had another great win today.   He's just a joy to watch, like Ura was.  

 

Someone please check under the bandage on Sadanoumi's head.  He may be hiding a weapon there, a small metal object, perhaps. 

Edited January 25, 2019 by robnplunder

[Eikokurai 3,419]

Phase 1 incomplete. Kaisei loses and won't share the lead tonight.

Phase 2 incomplete. Endo loses and won't share the lead tonight.

I totally jinxed them.

Edited January 25, 2019 by Eikokurai

[Eikokurai 3,419]

Yago! Finally …

[Rocks 1,790]

Onosho, what a joke.

[Sakura 1,341]

Just now, Rocks said:

Onosho, what a joke.

Don't worry. That's great for you in Bench.

[Eikokurai 3,419]

2 minutes ago, Rocks said:

Onosho, what a joke.

His name does sound like a (lame) comedy programme. "Tonight on the 'Oh no!' Show … fat people falling over!"

Edited January 25, 2019 by Eikokurai

[robnplunder 972]

Yago is KK finally.   Good going.  Yay, go, Yago.  That's the way to get out of slump. 

[Rocks 1,790]

Just now, Sakura said:

Don't worry. That's great for you in Bench.

We both had him at 3 so that's a wash.  I mean he's a joke for losing 6 out of 7, but who am I to talk? 

[Sakura 1,341]

1 minute ago, Rocks said:

We both had him at 3 so that's a wash.  I mean he's a joke for losing 6 out of 7, but who am I to talk? 

He's been a disappointment in the 2nd week for sure. He seems to go on long streaks of wins or losses.

[robnplunder 972]

2 minutes ago, Rocks said:

We both had him at 3 so that's a wash.  I mean he's a joke for losing 6 out of 7, but who am I to talk? 

Well, it was a match of the two rikishi who were fading fast after a fast start.  One had to win as there is no tie in ozumo.   Onoshow was worse of the two.

[Jabbamaru 162]

Nice mata call Yoshi!