Haru 2020 Basho Discussion (SPOILERS)

[Yokozuna Hattorizakura 153]

3 hours ago, robnplunder said:

As I have guessed, Mitakeumi beat Shodai to even their record at 10-10.  IMHO, Mitakeumi looked stronger of the two in this basho so far.   12 more wins to go for Mitakeumi.

Tokushoryu is paying for his yusho and the promotion.  He will go MK for sure.

I too had mitakeumi over shodai. he's looking great so far, hoping his injury issues are gone and he returns to sanyaku where he belongs.

[Nantonoyama 252]

This bout between Yutakayama and Enho was really entertaining

Edited March 10, 2020 by Nantonoyama
typo

[sumojoann 1,268]

46 minutes ago, Nantonoyama said:

This bout between Yutakayama and Enho was really entertaining

You're right about that!  I laughed the entire time it was going on and it went on seemingly for several minutes!  I remember the last time they were in the ring together.  Gyoji Konosuke could not get them to engage.  They just stood there, making clawing motions at each other.  I had never seen anything like it!

[RabidJohn 1,855]

Some very entertaining sumo today.

-Ikioi-Kaisei was a great yotsu battle with a great turnaround by Ikioi.

-I've said before that Ishiura's shitatehineri is a thing of beauty and today's against Tochiozan was no different.

-Takanosho-Sadanoumi was very spirited with another great turnaround by Takanosho.

-Ryuden looked great against Myogiryu.

-I've never seen extended hand holding such as featuref in the Yutakayama-Enho bout, and I really appreciated Yutakayama's patience, waiting for his chance to flatten the tricky small guy.

-Mitakeumi is looking good again; very decisive in his bout vs Shodai.

-(Ozeki-to-be) Asanoyama showed his versatility, beating Daieisho as his own oshi game.

-Kakuryu looked really good today against Okinoumi, but Hakuho looked a bit wild against Takayasu. The senior yokozuna is pretty clearly on his last legs, but that fantastically wide repertoire and lengthy experience keep pulling out the wins.

Edited March 10, 2020 by RabidJohn

[Catalin B 13]

A professional wrestling test-of-strength in a sumo bout?! Every basho with Enho in makuuchi brings something new and amazing.

Daieisho at 0-3 while still looking strong, Takayasu not so much... :(

[Kintamayama 45,527]

Day 1- what did they say?

Terunofuji, ex-Ozeki who dropped all the way to Jonidan due to injuries to both knees and more, now at Juryo 3 and at Makuuchi's doorstep, starting with a win: " I was able to come this far thanks to the people who have cheered for me. I'd like them to see me healthy and doing well in Makuuchi!'

Nishikigi, back in Makuuchi after two bashos, giving up a morozashi and being overwhelmed: "Man, that was lousy sumo. I wanted to get my hand on his belt but it was bad.."

Tokushouryuu coming off the yusho, loses on day 1: " Last basho is over. Everyone ranked around me is strong. I won't be able to win without finding my own strength."

Takakeishou, local boy, returning home as an Ozeki for the first time, but the hall is empty: "I have been reminded of the importance of the cheering of the fans. I feel the fans have an important part in the building of sumo as well."

Enhou loses, without the backing from the crowd: "I had no fighting spirit.. I couldn't find the reason for battling today.."

Ikioi, Osaka native, his local basho is now a non-spectator basho: "After the bout was over, I was thinking how quiet it was. I'll gambarize, hoping those that are watching this on television are rooting for me, as the stands are empty.. I was able to give it all I had. We live in times where the whole world is in the same situation."

Kotoshougiku, the active rikishi with the most career appearances, and no one in the stands to appreciate that: "The atmosphere was as if I was in a shrine and it felt holy.. I'd like to face this as if it was a holy basho .."

Mitakeumi, beating Enhou, facing him for the first time, tongue in cheek: "No problem whatsoever. It was good. On the contrary, I could concentrate better."

Yutakayama, first day of un-audience over: "I can't 'borrow' the fans' power this basho.. I am fighting against myself on the dohyo..'

Okinoumi, loses to Asanoyama by yorikiri: "You let him get his favorite grip and it's over.."

 

Edited March 11, 2020 by Kintamayama

[Benihana 1,937]

4 hours ago, RabidJohn said:

-I've never seen extended hand holding such as featuref in the Yutakayama-Enho bout, and I really appreciated Yutakayama's patience, waiting for his chance to flatten the tricky small guy.

Opposed to a certain Yokozuna Yuta at least was so kind to hold Enho's hands, not his forehead.

Looks like the guys are getting used to the situation and the basho gets rollin'. 

[Jabbamaru 167]

This is an unusual basho for sure...Enho X Yutakayama...Man, so cool...And what about yesterday assoshidashi by Hidenoumi? Sugoi! Who cares for the audience anyway, the good stuff happends on dohyo!

[Jabbamaru 167]

12 hours ago, Otokonoyama said:

Back with the dame-oshi for Terunofuji.

Kaiju mode: ON

[Kintamayama 45,527]

Day 2- the rikishi talk again:

Meisei, gets his first win after his injury last basho, katasukashi: "I'm still all over the place. My sumo sense is rusty but the technique emerged quickly so that was good.."

Hokutofuji, beating Kakuryuu with a quick first step, like last basho: "I was telling myself to go about it calmly. My body responded well, as did my legs..'

Kotonowaka, first Makuuchi loss: "I was confused a bit and was over-eager when it counted.. But my body was moving. I'm learning new things in Makuuchi every day!"

Kotoshougiku, surpasses Takanohana's career Makuuchi wins-702 and is now 9th all-time: " Records are to be talked about after one retires..'

Terutsuyoshi, the petite salt throwing rikishi is now sponsored by Hakata salt, the company, with kenshos: " It's finally happening, a year after my promotion to Makuuchi!"

Abi, first win of the basho, beats Ryuuden, without any crowd-cheering: "It's lonely but what can I do.. For the sake of those watching this on TV, I have to take this seriously.."

Shouhouzan, injuring his brow on day 1 against Tamawashi, going to the medical center after today's bout as well: "It's a graze.. I don't want it to suppurate and cause a  fever.."

Shoudai, beating Takayasu via sukuinage for his second consecutive win: "I got into a bad position so I threw with all I had. I didn't just stand there awkwardly, I was able to turn things around, and that's good.."

Okinoumi, beating the Ozeki for his first win: "I managed to have a good tachi-ai. I know my opponent comes at you with all he has, so I had to counter that with all I had as well.."

Daieishou, losing to both Yokozunae: "I'm still totally inexperienced, so I want to do the best I can. I'm able to stand up to them a bit, but I'd like to be able to do that till the end.."

Edited March 11, 2020 by Kintamayama

[Gospodin 219]

6 hours ago, RabidJohn said:

The senior yokozuna is pretty clearly on his last legs, but that fantastically wide repertoire and lengthy experience keep pulling out the wins.

I wouldn´t say a rikishi who was never in danger of loosing is on his last legs, just because he had some difficulty in finishing off his opponent.

[Benevolance 2,511]

When a yokozuna is performing no better than Aoiyama, it's clearly time for them to retire. 

[Asojima 2,874]

22 minutes ago, Benevolance said:

When a yokozuna is performing no better than Aoiyama, it's clearly time for them to retire. 

Hakuho is gradually losing it, but there is no active rikishi who would be favored to defeat him on any given day, and there is no rikishi in the process of replacing him as a yokozuna. 

Kakuryu lacks Japanese citizenship, and the day he retires, he will kiss sumo and the kyokai goodbye.  He is earning a great living, and, so far, there have been no serious calls for his retirement. He is putting in his time and going to the bank until something better comes along.

With that said, it is extremely unlikely that either of them will survive to Hatsu 2021.

[Kintamayama 45,527]

Day 3:

Hakuhou, mixing slaps and quick steps before beating Takayasu for his third win: "I feel I went with the flow. I'm getting better every day but we're only on day three.."

Kakuryuu, beating Okinoumi and avoiding two straight losses: "I was able to make the correction. Today is today, tomorrow is tomorrow. I want to regain my concentration."

Shoudai loses his first bout of the basho, pushed out by Mitakeumi: "My opponent was lower than me.  It was one-sided sumo..'

Yutakayama, three straight wins, regarding the atmosphere at the fan-less venue: "I have not gotten used to it at all but I am not getting stiff.. I am more nervous at the keiko-ba.."

[Amamaniac 2,079]

The Yutakayama–Enho bout attracted a lot of attention – surely it topped the JSA app views.

Yutakayama seems to have wee Enho's number.  Today marked three straight wins for Yutakayama in his rivalry with Enho.  Normally, Enho uses the element of surprise against his larger, conventional opponents.  What Yutakayama seems to be doing (i.e., his strategy) is not fighting Enho in a conventional way.  Essentially, he is giving Enho some of his own medicine: using the element of surprise on him.  

The locking of fingers was also an effective tactic in that it prevented Enho from making any quick moves.

I can't wait to see what will happen the next time the two men meet on the dohyo.

Edited March 10, 2020 by Amamaniac

[Amamaniac 2,079]

1 hour ago, Benevolance said:

When a yokozuna is performing no better than Aoiyama, it's clearly time for them to retire. 

At least both Yokozunas are performing better that the Top Division champion in the previous tournament!  So there is that...  

[Benevolance 2,511]

Nope. Only immediate kyujo for both of them will suffice. And Hakuho has to give me a car, too. 

[Rainoyama 1,157]

Much more entertaining day today, after two weird and average days, I guess the guys are a little bit more used to fight with no audience and I am a bit more used to it too. Let's hope we'll continue to see more of the same for the rest of the basho.

[since_94 650]

6 hours ago, Kintamayama said:

Kotoshougiku, the active rikishi with the most career appearances, and no one in the stands to appreciate that: "The atmosphere was as if I was in a shrine and it felt holy.. I'd like to face this as if it was a holy basho .."

I feel the same way when I’m in the Kokugikan. Albeit a shrine with beer and chanko nabe.

[Katsunorifuji 65]

I kept expecting to see Takayasu some how pull that one out as the match went on. He was never in control but it just seemed like he’d pull that one out of nowhere and win. But instead the struggles continue.

[sekitori 492]

The fact that Hakuho doesn't overwhelm his opponents in a few seconds means nothing. He simply waits for them to make a mistake and he takes advantage of it. His bouts against Daiesho and Takayasu ware never in doubt. Not bad for a rikishi whose skills are on the decline and who  is on his "last legs". Despite his age and some nagging injuries, he's still far better than anyone else. 

If he cared to, I believe he could go on for a couple more years. He probably would have to go kyujo on occasion because of his injuries, but  he would still be good for even more  yushos. However, that won't happen. After the Olympics (if they will be held at all), I expect him to retire. This forum will then see virtually everyone, including his detractors, comment on how much they will miss following the greatest yokozuna ever. 

Edited March 11, 2020 by sekitori

[robnplunder 976]

15 minutes ago, sekitori said:

The fact that Hakuho doesn't overwhelm his opponents in a few seconds means nothing. He simply waits for his opponent to make a mistake and he takes advantage of it. His bouts against Daiesho and Takayasu ware never in doubt. Not bad for a rikishi whose skills are on the decline and who  is on his "last legs". Despite his age and some nagging injureies, he's still far better than anyone else. 

His experience, sumo IQ, intimation factor are compensating for aging.   Plus the fact that there is no exceptional young talent (emphasis on exceptional) makes Hakuho an odds on favorite for the yusho.  He'd be my hero except for his super-ego and antics.  

Edited March 11, 2020 by robnplunder

[sumojoann 1,268]

Happy Birthday, Hakuho!!  Today is his 35th birthday!  Wishing him many more!!

[robnplunder 976]

Wow, what a win by Hakyuozan vs Chiyonoumi!  It must be a rare kimarite.

Edited March 11, 2020 by robnplunder

[yohcun 401]

Very weird, that Mitoryu - Akua bout. It's almost like Akua took a soccer-style dive off the ring to fake being dame-oshi'd.