The new mongolian generation

[Rainoyama 1,157]

My goal with this thread is to follow  the career of the young mogolian hopes in the same way I did in my previous topic on the young japanese talents.

Mongolian rikishi's domination of sumo started in the early 2000 with the rise of the great but turbulent Asashoryu. When he retired in 2010 after winning his 25th tournament, Hakuho had already won 12 and continued the domination. Since then he became the greatest and most dominant yokozuna in history winning 30 more for a total 42 tournaments (so far).  Fellow mongolian yokozuna Harumafuji (9 yusho) and Kakuryu (5 yusho) were the only ones able to snatch a few yusho away from him. With young talent Terunofuji winning a yusho and reaching the rank of Ozeki the domination became complete and set to last even longer.

Things  slowly started to change though. In 2016 Ozeki Kotoshogiku became the first japanese to win a yusho in over ten years and others followed. Shortly after that Kisenosato won back to back tournaments and became the first japanese yokozuna since . Kotoshogiku lost his rank and Kisenosato retired but the mongolian ranks suffered heavy blows as well. Harumafuji retired and their best hope for the future Terunofuji completely fell down the ranks. Hakuho is now 34 and gets injured more often, same goes 33 years old Kakuryu. 36 years old Tamawashi is on the form of his life but he is not the future. Can the young guys follow the footsteps of the yokozuna before them.

 

Makuuchi talents

 

Ichinojo Takashi (26) Minato beya

Highest rank : Sekiwake   2 jun-yusho 3 special prizes ( 2 shukun-sho 1 Kanto-sho)  7 kinboshi

193 cm 227 kg  Style : Migi-yotsu yori (and the infamous leaning machine).

Ichinojo stormed in Makuuchi in 2014 and reached Sekiwake in just two basho, after a few tournaments at the top he fell down the ranks and the stagnation began. Lately his career was somewhat revived though, he managed to come back to sanyaku, almost won a yusho and his staying close to the top. With Terunofuji's quick decline and fall from the ranks Ichinojo became the best young mogolian rikishi in Makuuchi and yet is still very inconsistent. At 26 years old can he turn things around ?

Strengths: power and techique on a 227 kg body and pretty agile when is back is ok.  Weaknesses: Back problems that slow him down a lot, doesn't show at all some days, gives up too quickly sometimes, can be very slow and passive.

Daishoho Kiyohiro (24) Oitekaze beya

Highest rank M16E 

183 cm 180 kg Style : Migi yotsu-yori

Daishoho is the only other young mogolian in the top division so far, he is still pretty new to makuuchi but has shown some good things in his first few tournaments. He has the advantage to have a japanese education which is mentioned a lot and therefore speaks fluent japanes which makes him more popular than the average foreign rikishi. Can he become one of the faces of his generation ?

Strengths : Powerful, all around sumo, raised in Japan for the most part   Weaknesses : still quite clumsy and raw.

Juryo rikishi

Juryo is filled with mongolian rikishi but a lot of them are past their prime and stayed in juryo most of their career ( Azumaryu, Seiro, Kyokushuho...) but a few young guys are climbing the ranks. 

Mitoryu Takayuki (25) Nishikido-beya

Highest rank J9

188 cm 200 kg  Style Migi-yotsu yori

Mitoryu started sumo at Ms15TD which allowed him to make his way to juryo quickly, he's been worse than mediocre since (never ranked higher than J9) and has not shown any signs of progress at all. He doesn't seem capable to ever reach makuuchi at the moment, I don't consider him as a prospect but he made the list because he is young and mongolian.

Strengths : No idea, his weight I guess ?    Weaknesses : Slow, clumsy, very raw.

Kiribayama Tetsuo (23) Michinoku beya

Highest rank J11

184 cm 129 kg Style Hidari-yotsu nage

Kiribayama is fairly new to juryo but managed to get a KK in his first two tournaments. He is just 23 and is by far the best mongolian hope in juryo at the moment. Can he make his way to the top division ?

Strengths : very good technician Weaknesses : could probably add a few kilos and a bit more power 

 

Not sure on whether to include Chiyoshoma, he is already 27 and just average anyway ...

Extra

Hoshoryu Tomokatsu (20) Tatsunami beya

186 cm 115 kg

Asashoryu's nephew just missed juryo promotion this time but is very close now and will have a shot next tournament. He is quite new to sumo but you can see he has the potential to be great. I think he can be the best of for the future of mongolian sumo.

Strengths : from the little I've seen he is very crafty and technically gifted    Weaknesses: Still quite light and lacks experience.

 

 

Edited May 29, 2019 by Rainoyama

[Asapedroryu 227]

Mitoryu is definitly the biggest disappointment from your list. Was expecting for him to be at least a middle maegashira by now, but agree with you that he doesn't even look like he can reach makuuchi.

Too soon to discard a Terunofuji come back? He is only 27 and still has time to reach higher ranks if doesn't get injured again.

[R.G 13]

Roga? Also rising through the ranks, should be Makushita next tourney? 

Edited May 29, 2019 by R.G

[Rainoyama 1,157]

37 minutes ago, RPedro44 said:

Mitoryu is definitly the biggest disappointment from your list. Was expecting for him to be at least a middle maegashira by now, but agree with you that he doesn't even look like he can reach makuuchi.

Too soon to discard a Terunofuji come back? He is only 27 and still has time to reach higher ranks if doesn't get injured again.

Makushita is going to be Terunofuji's first  real test, he may come back to the sekitori ranks but I highly doubt he'll ever be the same, he had so many knee surgeries and it won't get better with age. If he comes back to the top that would be close to a miracle imo.

[Amamaniac 2,078]

1 hour ago, Rainoyama said:

Hoshoryu Tomokatsu (20) Tatsunami beya

186 cm 115 kg

Asashoryu's nephew just missed juryo promotion this time but is very close now and will have a shot next tournament. He is quite new to sumo but you can see he has the potential to be great. I think he can be the best of for the future of mongolian sumo.

Strengths : from the little I've seen he is very crafty and technically gifted    Weaknesses: Still quite light and lacks experience.

I am glad that you included this young Mongolian.  He has eked out nine straight KKs.  He probably won't match Tomokaze's rise (Makuuchi debut after 11 tournaments), mainly because, as you pointed out, he doesn't have the necessary body mass.  But once he does have it, he will be a force to be reckoned with.  He exhibits more hunger, technical talent, and sumo sense than any of the other names on your list IMHO.

[Rainoyama 1,157]

1 minute ago, Amamaniac said:

I am glad that you included this young Mongolian.  He has eked out nine straight KKs.  He probably won't match Tomokaze's rise (Makuuchi debut after 11 tournaments), mainly because, as you pointed out, he doesn't have the necessary body mass.  But once he does have it, he will be a force to be reckoned with.  He exhibits more hunger, technical talent, and sumo sense than any of the other names on your list IMHO.

It's very early to tell but he is the true number one in my list, I think he is going to be a star.  Ichinojo is the current number one by default because he is the more experienced and talented right now but as you can see the list is pretty short and weak. The one one foreigner per heya rule is working , the pool is quite depleted and you have to dive deep down the ranks to find foreign talents, there are a couple of young mongolians left but not many talented guys from any other countries. Roga is another young mongolian that seems talented but he is very deep down the ranks yet so it's too early to tell.

[Jakusotsu 5,869]

2 hours ago, R.G said:

Roga? Also rising through the ranks, should be Makushita next tourney? 

Why not add Yoshoyama as well? The lad is about the same age as Roga and had only one MK so far.

And talking about Mitoryu, for me Kyokushuho is an even bigger disappointment. The once hailed next yokozuna from the last decade is now mucking around in Juryo without ever reaching double-digits.

[Katooshu 3,179]

Mitoryu regularly tossed around Asanoyama like nothing in the amateurs, and also didn't have a hard time beating future makuuchi rikishi like Yutakayama, Yago,  and Enho,. He became amateur yokozuna at 165kg, but, despite suffering from serious back pain even in university, he added another 35kg and seems to have lost control over his weight and stability. As someone who followed his college career he has been a big disappointment for me, and I do believe he has actually regressed from the peak of his amateur days. He makes me say 'wow that was awful' more than any other current sekitori.

I agree that Hoshoryu stands out as the most promising, and a run like his straight from high school is very impressive. He is excellent technically and has the ability to make much larger opponents fall like nothing with trips and throws. With extra weight and more development of conventional sumo skills, I think he has very good potential, though of course tougher proving grounds await.

Roga is future sekitori I believe, but it's hard to tell at this point where his ceiling may be.

Yoshoyama does not impress me at all, and while he's only had one MK he's also been puttering by with 4-3s and is barely over 50 percent wins in sandamne. I don't believe he ever left a mark on the national amasumo scene when he competed, and I can see why to be honest. I'm not sure he's even as good as the likes of Tsushida.

Edited May 29, 2019 by Katooshu

[Morty 1,483]

If Ichinojo could lose about 30 kg I reckon he would be unstoppable. But he is way too heavy, which is definitely not good for a bad back, and at that weight he is one basic knee injury away from following Terunofuji. When Ichinojo made the top rank at about 190kg he looked incredible, but since he ballooned, not so much. I doubt he will drop the weight, meaning I can't see him going any higher than Sekiwake. He has the size and talent to go higher, but not at 227 kg I don't think

[Churaumi 728]

Ichinojo is a tough one. He is very definitely over his ideal weight, but his greatest weakness is that if you can get his back bent backwards at all he’ll walk out of the ring. Having the extra weight oddly seems to help by simply making him harder to bend. He seems to be doing better while over 220, when I think he wrestled better at 180. He will probably hang out in sanyaku for a while but he’s just not ozeki-ready yet.

[Tsuchinoninjin 1,261]

To be honest if you have a bad back I don't think dropping to 190kg is going to help all that much. To treat that I think you need some serious weight loss, probably enough to be incompatible with oosumo. It's just a bit of a dismal situation. I hope his back holds out long enough that he can retire in however many years, shed the weight and not have too many chronic issues.

[Joaoiyama 307]

8 hours ago, Tsuchinoninjin said:

To be honest if you have a bad back I don't think dropping to 190kg is going to help all that much. To treat that I think you need some serious weight loss, probably enough to be incompatible with oosumo. It's just a bit of a dismal situation. I hope his back holds out long enough that he can retire in however many years, shed the weight and not have too many chronic issues.

Either he grows a strong mucle heavy back or he drops weight, staying at 200+kilos won't help now or never.

[Churaumi 728]

He’s a big dude. He can wear 180 kilos on his frame better than I could on mine. He seemed to do better at 180, he could move better and was surprisingly agile on occasion. Then he started to gain and had a dip in performance until he got big enough the other wrestlers couldn’t bend him backwards at the waist and walk him out. Now that only seems to happen on bad tachi ai when they get a running start. The added weight will eventually take its toll but that’s the nature of the sport.

[Genjurooo 6]

Ichinojo is the single mongolian I've ever truly liked. Asashoryu was a punk. Hakuho isn't as bad, but still has an attitude. 

Ichinojo on the other hand seems always composed. I hope he gets his weight right and becomes yokozuna.

 

[Tsuchinoninjin 1,261]

Everyone always forgets about Kakuryu 

Edited June 5, 2019 by Tsuchinoninjin

[Genjurooo 6]

Yeh, Kakuryu is fine too as far as attitude goes. But I don't know, it isn't as exciting to watch him fight.

[RabidJohn 1,719]

4 hours ago, Tsuchinoninjin said:

Everyone always forgets about Kakuryu 

 

40 minutes ago, Genjurooo said:

Yeh, Kakuryu is fine too as far as attitude goes. But I don't know, it isn't as exciting to watch him fight.

Off topic! How is Kakuryu part of the new Mongolian generation!

[Asojima 2,873]

7 minutes ago, RabidJohn said:

 

Off topic! How is Kakuryu part of the new Mongolian generation!

For some of us, ALL of the Mongolians are new.

[Rainoyama 1,157]

Pre Nagoya basho update.

Ichinojo is down to M4W after his losing record last basho.

Daishoho got a nice promotion, new highest rank M9W

In juryo Mitoryu got lucky and kept his rank (J9e) despite finishing 7-8 last basho.

Kiribayama new highest rank J9W

Exciting prospect Hoshoryu is now ranked Ms2W, very very close to becoming sekitori now !

[robnplunder 975]

On 29/05/2019 at 12:46, Amamaniac said:

I am glad that you included this young Mongolian.  He has eked out nine straight KKs.  He probably won't match Tomokaze's rise (Makuuchi debut after 11 tournaments), mainly because, as you pointed out, he doesn't have the necessary body mass.  But once he does have it, he will be a force to be reckoned with.  He exhibits more hunger, technical talent, and sumo sense than any of the other names on your list IMHO.

+1.   I see him pass by other Mongolians on his way to joi.  He has a potential to be a complete package.

[Rainoyama 1,157]

POST NAGOYA 2019 UPDATE

Like for the other tread following the young japanese rikishi's progress, here's the first update of this topic foccussing on the young mongolian talents. And same as the other topic I added what's new in red so it's easier to see.

Makuuchi

 

Ichinojo Takashi (26) Minato beya

Highest rank : Sekiwake   2 jun-yusho 3 special prizes ( 2 shukun-sho 1 Kanto-sho)  8 kinboshi

193 cm 227 kg  Style : Migi-yotsu yori, lean machine

Record this basho M4W 9-6  After a brief return to Sekiwake last basho, Ichinojo found himself back at the rank where he posted a fantastic 14-1 two basho ago. That 14-1 record would have given Ichinojo his first yusho if Hakuho didn't win 15. The mongolian giant could not reproduce his amazing performance this time, "only" racking up 9 wins and dropping bouts to veterans Kotoshogiku and Myogiryu as well as against young talents Mitakeumi and Hokutofuji. Oddly enough, Ichinojo used forward sumo a lot more this time only winning one of his bouts via Hatakikomi ( 5 yorikiri, 2 oshidashi, 1 oshitaoshi). Unlike last time Ichinojo faced Hakuho on day 9 and it was without a doubt the highlight of this tournament for him. The 227kg lean machine bulldozed his way to a yorikiri win leaving no chance to the great Yokozuna. 8th career Kinboshi for 26 years old Ichinojo, tying  veterans Yoshikaze and Aminishiki. No return to sanyaku next basho for the big man who should find himself back in the meat grinder zone.

Daishoho Kiyohiro (24) Oitekaze beya

Highest rank M9W

183 cm 180 kg Style : Migi yotsu-yori

Record this basho M9W 6-9   After finishing 9-6 from M16E, Daishoho found himself bumped to M9W thanks to banzuke luck. The jump was just too much 24 years old for just his third basho in the first division. 6 wins at this rank will be enough to garantee his stay in makuuchi for a 4th consecutive basho though. Daishoho will be back to the bottom ranks and will look to bounce back next time. I noticed that like Terunofuji, he has the bad habit of letting his opponents get and inside grip on him way too easily.

 

Juryo rikishi

Mitoryu Takayuki (25) Nishikido-beya

Highest rank J9

188 cm 200 kg  Style Migi-yotsu yori

 

J9 9-6   Just as I calling him mediocre, Mitoryu posted a 9-6 score at his highest rank ever. 9 wins in mid juryo is nothing too crazy but it'll be enough for him to finally leave the bottom half of juryo and get a new career rank which is progress I guess...

Kiribayama Tetsuo (23) Michinoku beya

Highest rank J9W

184 cm 129 kg Style Hidari-yotsu nage

J9W 10-5   5th consecutive KK for Kiribayama. His third straight since his juryo debut, 10 wins at his highest rank. This guy has potential and is a bag of tricks,  just look at the winning kimarite:  1 oshidashi, 1 okuri dashi, 3 yorikiri, 2 uwatenage, 3 shitatenage.

 

 

 

Extra

Hoshoryu Tomokatsu (20) Tatsunami beya

186 cm 115 kg

Once again Hoshoryu found himself at 3-3,  leaving his final bout decide of his fate. It didn't go his way this time. First career makekoshi and it's a cruel one at the doors of juryo. Hoshoryu who could not hold back his tears . One step backward but hopefully it'll be many step forwards after that and maybe that'll teach him to get his kk earlier...

 

[Rainoyama 1,157]

POST HATSU 2020 UPDATE

The japanese version of that topic takes quite a lot of time to write so I've been neglecting this one for a while so I'd like to apologize. 2020, new decade and a lot of things happened since my last update post Nagoya.

Makuuchi

Kiribayama Tetsuo (23) Michinoku beya

Highest rank M17 1 Kanto-sho

184 cm 129 kg Style Hidari-yotsu nage

M17e 11-4 K Just like that Ichinojo and Daishoho, who were the two makuuchi regular young mongolian found themselves down in Juryo. 23 years old Kiribayama was the only young mongolian up in makuuchi for Hatsu.  Ranked M17e following a very nice 11-4 showing down in juryo in december, he posted the same impressive result for his makuuchi debut this tournament. His performance was somewhat overshadowed by the other M17, Tokushoryu, who took the yusho,  but Kiribayama collected 11 wins, once again using a lot of different kimarite and was awarded a well deserved Kanto-sho. He is just 23 and amazingly talented, he is really someone to watch. I also appreciate the fact that he respectful and is well behaved.

Juryo rikishi

 

Terunofuji Haruo (28)  Isegahama

Highest rank: Ozeki  1 yusho, 4 jun-yusho, 1 shukun-sho, 3 kanto sho.

192 cm 180 kg      migi yotsu-yori

J13w 13-2 Y   A lot of things happened since my last update and this is the most important one, the heir is back... well back in juryo for now, but back in good shape. With his talent and a body in good condition Terunofuji is unstoppable, and he was unstoppable until he was stopped. 13 straight wins to easily clinch the juryo yusho but two losses on day 14 and 15 to Nishikigi and Daiamami. He is in good shape for sure but he may not be fully ready to dominate as much in makuuchi yet. Moreover, these  losses may well end up costing him his promotion to makuuchi next basho. One thing is certain, he'll face stronger opposition next basho and it'll be interesting to see how he performs.

 

Ichinojo Takashi (26) Minato beya

Highest rank : Sekiwake   2 jun-yusho 3 special prizes ( 2 shukun-sho 1 Kanto-sho)  8 kinboshi

192 cm 200 kg (-27kg)  Style : Migi-yotsu yori, lean machine

J7e 6-9   Just as Terunofuji is climbing his way back, Ichinojo, the main guy in his absence is falling down.  He is still listed at 200 kg after a 27 kilos loss, I think there's nothing more to say... Since my last update,  Ichinojo's back finally completely quit on him and the big guy fell all the way down to mid juryo  juryo after almost two entire basho off.  If we consider his dramatic weight loss and the lack of training a MK even down there seems logical. Let's hope for him that he'll be able to climb his way back up soon.

 

Daishoho Kiyohiro (25) Oitekaze beya

Highest rank M9W

185 cm (+2) 185 kg (+5) Style : Migi yotsu-yori

J5w 9-6  Daishoho did ok in Makuuchi for a bit but turned  into a morozashi surrendering machine and quickly fell down the ranks. Down in juryo this tournament he did quite well until day 11 but lost his last four bouts and his promotion back to the first division at the same time.

 

Mitoryu Takayuki (25) Nishikido-beya

Highest rank J9

188 cm (+2) 195 kg (-5)  Style:  Being 195 kg and kinda hard to move.

J4w 6-9 Instead of being mediocre and dissapointing in low to middle juryo, Mitoryu is now mediocre and dissapointing in middle to top juryo... He was up in makuuchi on day 8 and actually won the bout (against shimanoumi) but I'm still wondering wether he'll really make his way up there some day.

 

Hoshoryu Tomokatsu (20) Tatsunami beya

Highest rank juryo 13

186 cm 131 kg (+16)  migi yotsu yori nage

J14 8-7 Asashoryu's nephew is now up in juryo and after a 7-8 mk, his 8-7 kk for hatsu ensured he'll remain there for the third straight basho. Hoshoryu is showing some really cool things at times, his throws in particular but he is still so young, green and maybe still too light ( despite being up 16 kilos since my last update ) to do better than that for now even in low juryo. With a bit more experience and a few more kilos I reckon he'll start killing it, I bet he is going to do better next basho.

Extra

Roga Chikara (20) Futagoyama

Ranked Ms17e this basho, the 20 years old is also a young guy to watch, never makekoshi since his debut he finished 5-2 this time, a record that should put him in the promotion zone for juryo next time. Very promising talent.

 

[apraxin 56]

Perhaps a silly question, but should Roga be considered part of the new Mongolian generation?

His entry on SumoDB says he's a Russian from Ulan Bator (the Mongolian capital), which obviously doesn't make much sense; looking into it a bit further, I found this article from last year: http://nyarunuko.com/archives/1849...

...which says he was born in the autonomous Russian republic of Tuva to a Mongolian dad and a Russian mum, and when asked about nationality he says he considers himself Russian. Has there been any change/update since then?

 

[Akinomaki 40,034]

43 minutes ago, apraxin said:

Perhaps a silly question, but should Roga be considered part of the new Mongolian generation?

His entry on SumoDB says he's a Russian from Ulan Bator (the Mongolian capital), which obviously doesn't make much sense; looking into it a bit further, I found this article from last year: http://nyarunuko.com/archives/1849...

...which says he was born in the autonomous Russian republic of Tuva to a Mongolian dad and a Russian mum, and when asked about nationality he says he considers himself Russian. Has there been any change/update since then?

A good question. He is officially Russia shusshin only since this basho, but from the start emphasized that he was

On 24/12/2019 at 00:33, Yubinhaad said:

Roga has changed his shusshin from Mongolia to Russia, I seem to recall Akinomaki reporting earlier this year that he wanted to make that change.

On 26/04/2019 at 17:09, Akinomaki said:

Jonokuchi yusho winner Roga doesn't like to be called a Mongolian: "I'm Russian"

On 04/09/2018 at 17:35, Akinomaki said:

... has a Mongolian father and a Russian mother, lived in the Russian republic of Tuva till age 14 and his father (a 2m man) is 3 times champion of Tuvan sumo Khuresh - equal to yokozuna.

His father lived in UlaanBaatar when he moved to his place at age 14, that's why his shusshin is listed as UlaanBaatar, but he's born and raised in Tuva.

Roga came to Japan at age 15 +2months, so he only lived 1 year in Mongolia

He should have a claim to a double nationality, so also to an honorable mention in this thread

Edit: my prediction when he was still Mongolia shusshin

On 26/04/2019 at 06:40, Akinomaki said:

Yokozuna Musashimaru was content to be announced Hawaii shusshin, Yokozuna Roga will be fighting to have it be Russia, Tuva shusshin.

Edited January 28, 2020 by Akinomaki

[Jabbamaru 166]

As a Mongolian wrestlers fan i have to say that, despite the picture of the moment, i think the next sanyaku guard (stablish) will be full of mongolians. Some may call wishful thinking...But Teru and Ichi, when healthy, are better than everyone of the new generation. And guys like Roga, Hoshoryu and Kiribayama are very talented and focused. A little more experience and mass and they will go for the kill!