Nagoya 2019 Discussion (here be spoilers)

[mt fuji 976]

4 hours ago, Sumo_da said:

I congratulate Ryuden on his wins, but I can't help but find his sumo very unappealing. The way he clings to the belt and just doesn't let go, coupled with his non-existent character. He's a fighter and his endurance is mind-boggling but it's simply not the sumo I enjoy... Atm he's one of the rikishi I can't warm up to but that may change. I really disliked Shodai before and now I actually root for the guy.    

I love Ryuden, most rising stars are oshi wrestlers and he and Asanoyama are very strong on the belt. Read into his back story and injury history and you might be more of a fan.

[sekitori 492]

12 hours ago, Amamaniac said:

Hiro Morita's commentary suggested the judges determined that both Takayasu and Endo went out at the same time.  Watching the slow motion replay, it looked as if Endo's right ankle dropped down inside the ring before he and/or Takayasu went out.  

It all depends on the meaning of the phrase "went out". Endo definitely touched the clay first. At that time, Takayasu was also out of the ring but he was in midair, not even close to touching the ground. I thought the rules are that the first rikishi to touch the ground with anything but the soles of his feet is the loser. If that's the case, Endo was clearly the loser. This was another very strange decision.

Edited July 10, 2019 by sekitori

[neonbelly 226]

4 hours ago, Sumo_da said:

I congratulate Ryuden on his wins, but I can't help but find his sumo very unappealing. The way he clings to the belt and just doesn't let go, coupled with his non-existent character. He's a fighter and his endurance is mind-boggling but it's simply not the sumo I enjoy... Atm he's one of the rikishi I can't warm up to but that may change. I really disliked Shodai before and now I actually root for the guy.    

 

[Eikokurai 3,433]

13 minutes ago, sekitori said:

It all depends on the meaning of the phrase "went out". Endo definitely touched the clay first. At that time, Takayasu was also out of the ring but he was in midair, not even close to touching the ground. I thought the rules are that the first rikishi to touch the ground with anything but the soles of his feet is the loser. If that's the case, Endo was clearly the loser. This was another very strange decision.

There’s no way the ‘dead body’ ruling can be applied to this situation. Takayasu was airborne but still in meaningful contact with Endo, as his left arm was pushing forward on his chest. By the time he lost contact and thus could be seen to no longer be influencing the outcome, the outcome was decided. Endo was on his arse long before Takayasu lost any sort of control. So yeah, strange decision indeed!

Edited July 10, 2019 by Eikokurai

[Tiger Tanaka 222]

Ryuden will never be the most exciting rikishi, but I absolutely love his fundamentals. He seems to always put himself in the right positions to do everything he can to neutralize his opponent's best weapon and gain leverage to pull a throw. It's not flashy, but it's effective and takes tremendous skill. Keep gambarizing Ryuden!

This was one of those Hakuho matches that just lets you take a step back and appreciate that you are watching the best to ever do it. His reflexes and reactions are unmatched and far superior to any other active rikishi. His mind is doing thousands of permutations of every possible little movmenet by his opponent and knows each and every counter move to imploy at just the right moment in the blink of an eye with absolute percision. Fantastic.

Let's go Mitakeumi! He has shaken off a rare lapse on Day 1 where he lost his normally superior balance and center of gravity, leading to only his 3rd loss via slapdown in the past year. I hope he can rally for a 10-12 win basho.

[robnplunder 974]

8 hours ago, Sumo_da said:

I congratulate Ryuden on his wins, but I can't help but find his sumo very unappealing. The way he clings to the belt and just doesn't let go, coupled with his non-existent character. He's a fighter and his endurance is mind-boggling but it's simply not the sumo I enjoy... Atm he's one of the rikishi I can't warm up to but that may change. I really disliked Shodai before and now I actually root for the guy.    

I enjoy watching Ruden.  A lot happens (things we see and don't see) when rikishi are holding on to the belts.   A lot of people don't like out boxing style either but for those who boxed before understand it takes more thinking and skill to fight  from distance.   

[robnplunder 974]

Hmm, both Enho and Terutsuyoshi are listed at 169 cm.   One of them is surely lying about his height and I think it is Enho .   

Enho does not do well against compact opponents and it continue today.  Now he is 1-4 against Terutsuyoshi.  

[Jakusotsu 5,813]

14 hours ago, Jakusotsu said:

Now let's wait for his first loss. If he does a proper bow after that, I might even warm up to the guy.

Well, at least there was a nod that went way deeper than he used to.

[Eikokurai 3,433]

Terutsuyoshi yusho. You heard it here first and last.

[robnplunder 974]

24 minutes ago, Jakusotsu said:

Well, at least there was a nod that went way deeper than he used to.

Takanofuji also lost (curse of robnplunder) and his nod barely registered .

[Jakusotsu 5,813]

Is Mitakeumi copying Takakeisho's moves?

[Eikokurai 3,433]

Tochinoshin to do as in January and go kyujo from day five?

[specialweek 2 136]

Asanoyama tomorrow.

 

[robnplunder 974]

26 minutes ago, Jakusotsu said:

Is Mitakeumi copying Takakeisho's moves?

LOL.   I thought that too.   Well, if it is effective, why not?   

Despite 1-3 record, Asanoyama looks good so far.   Still, MK is likely.  I am going to predict 7-8 record for him.  (He will surely go 8-7 now.)

 

 

[Eikokurai 3,433]

6 minutes ago, specialweek 2 said:

Asanoyama tomorrow.

 

Well, he’s doing so well against yotsu guys right now, he’ll be sure to stay in the basho then. :)

[Rainoyama 1,157]

 

Nikkan article on 4-0 Tomokaze. Asked about  his great start to the basho so far he answered "I don't really know the reasons, somehow I've been able to move spontaneously since day 1"

He also had a word about his ani-deshi Yoshikaze who is kyujo due to a knee injury. Tomokaze explained that usually Takekaze is always around in the training room or in the changing room to give him advice but since he is injured right now, they call each other for about 20 minutes when Takekaze is in the car to go to or come back from the arena. "We stay in touch with each other like if we were lovers" joked Tomokaze "I believe it's thanks to his advice that I am where I am now. He told me he wants me to do my best for him as well so I'm trying to do well for the both of us" he added.

https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/201907100000794.html

[Eikokurai 3,433]

Well, that was fun. Endo continues to struggle against Endo-like opponents. Terutsuyoshi is flying.

Yago and Chiyomaru certainly enjoyed one another’s company today. They couldn’t bear to part.

Nishikigi seems to have shaken off some his early rust and has started picking up wins, which I’m glad to see.

Poor Meisei can’t seem to buy a win. He had Aoiyama on the bales but the Blue Mountain decided today was a day he’d resist and Meisei ended up slapping the clay in frustration.

I thought Myogiryu was a little fortunate to get a second shot at Onosho. The latter appeared to have done enough to win in my eyes, but there you go. These calls happen.

Ichinojo let Takarafuji feel the palm of his hand several times. The first of his big harite had the crowd gasping. I wonder what it’s like being slapped by a 500lb man ...

Tochinoshin will surely pull out tomorrow? 

Asanoyama is fighting better than his record suggests, but that’s life in the joi for you. Takayasu is showing great stamina for a guy who has effectively fought six bouts in four days, and most of those bouts were high-energy and/or drawn out. I hope he can maintain it going into week two as he’s looking like he could make a decent yusho challenge.

Goeido and Hokutofuji served up the most back-and-forth bout so far. It was fantastically entertaining and I’m pleased for Hokutofuji that he’s picked up his first win.

Ryuden did his best to stay inbounds as he tried to find room with his lateral moves, but Hakuho was always in control and never going to let Ryuden generate the sort of power he was going to need to get him back in the centre. Comfortable win for the probably yusho winner.

Another good day in Nagoya!

 

Edited July 10, 2019 by Eikokurai

[Dwale 419]

This has been an unusually heated basho. Quite a few of the rikishi in the top division seem fired up, which is great news for fans. Just a couple thoughts...

I never fail to be surprised by Aoiyama's agility. He has a high center of gravity that should result in abysmal balance, but he's done quite a bit of dancing on the bales in his career, to good effect. I'll never understand.

Ichinojo in "scary mode" is always nice to see. Let's hope he can keep it up.

Tamawashi is not himself. Age and injuries catching up with him, or just in the wrong frame of mind?

Asanoyama gave Takayasu a run for his money. He's been fighting well, despite losses. Lots to admire about this kid. If he can stay healthy then I expect big things from him in the future.

Heh, as soon as Ryuden got turned, it was over. You can't generate power from that position and Hakuho is too savvy to get caught by any last-ditch bale shenanigans. And speaking of Hakuho, who is going to give him a loss? I guess a couple of guys have a puncher's chance, but he seems to be focused. 

Tochinoshin needs to go home and address whatever's plaguing him. I hate it for him, but I don't see any point in his staying.

[Andreas21 182]

19 hours ago, Jakusotsu said:

... but apparently Takagenji is starting to show some respect to his opponents. ...  If it took Chiganoura to teach him that, it's telling much about Takanohana as a person IMO.

Yes, agreed!

When I first saw the twins in Makushita, I considered them as extremely talented but lacking consistency, discipline, patience. Later I learned about their arrogant ways. Sometimes, success comes with humbleness. There, the young "wild" Roger Federer comes into my mind, the one that broke rackets, not records!

[Rocks 1,807]

Great night of sumo. Loving the way they are handling monoii as a fan but I have wonder if the rikishi might be grumbling.

Terrible watching Tochinoshin and Tamawashi. Kaisei looks weak as a kitten and light as a feather, not a good combination for sumo. Hokotofuji may be 1-3 but he's looking next level. Legs look solid as a rock. Mitakeumi seems to be cruising too so their match tomorrow should be good, or over in 2 seconds.

Kind of amazing the way Terutosyoshi, of all people,  tosses Enho down like a rag doll. 

[nelimw 80]

Some thoughts:

Tomokaze has POWER! Really looking forward to his match with Myogiryu tomorrow.

How about Aoiyama winning on the bales?! How can a man with such a high center of gravity pull that off?

Asanoyama's record can't properly reflect the energy and effort he is pouring into every match. You can tell he is giving it his all and you have to respect that. With the way Tochinoshin is looking, Asanoyama will probably make him 0-5 tomorrow with ease. 

Also.... we might need to check on Takarafuji... with the way he was getting slapped he might not be able to hear!

[Eikokurai 3,433]

29 minutes ago, Rocks said:

Kind of amazing the way Terutosyoshi, of all people,  tosses Enho down like a rag doll. 

Enho takes Terutsuyoshi on differently to the larger guys. Notice that he went straight inside, aiming for a left-hand grip on the mawashi that came up short, and made none of his usual evasive movements at the tachiai. He seems to believe that against someone like Terutsuyoshi he can compete on a more equal footing. No reason why he shouldn’t think that, of course, but it does mean Terutsuyoshi can fight a more conventional bout. Enho doesn’t let the likes of Kaisei get that chance (or tries not to let them anyway).

Edited July 10, 2019 by Eikokurai

[RabidJohn 1,663]

3 hours ago, Eikokurai said:

Enho takes Terutsuyoshi on differently to the larger guys. Notice that he went straight inside, aiming for a left-hand grip on the mawashi that came up short, and made none of his usual evasive movements at the tachiai. He seems to believe that against someone like Terutsuyoshi he can compete on a more equal footing. No reason why he shouldn’t think that, of course, but it does mean Terutsuyoshi can fight a more conventional bout. Enho doesn’t let the likes of Kaisei get that chance (or tries not to let them anyway).

I think there's also the fact that Terutsuyoshi is small and agile enough to keep up with anything Enho can do, whereas the latter can run rings around much larger. less mobile rikishi - quite literally in Kaisei's case.

[Sumo_da 34]

Could Terutsuyoshi be the better Enho in the end?

What really surprised me today were Ichinojos face slaps and it seems Takarafuji was surprised as well. To me it looked like he was told to use them. Ichinojo just doesn't strike me as the sort of rikishi who goes "today I'm just gonna slap the **** out of my opponent!"

 

[Kishinoyama 582]

I just want to say that I am a big Ryuden supporter. His sumo may not be very exciting to some but I like his technique. He made it to Juryo and then got injured. He almost fell off the banzuke and now look at what he has accomplished. I am hoping that Terunofuji can follow his example and make it back to Makuuchi.