This IS the July 2020 Basho thread!! Spoilers!!

[Kaninoyama 1,338]

10 hours ago, RabidJohn said:

Takakeisho is looking like he will comfortably hang on to his rank, but he still looks to me like he's struggling compared to Asanoyama. I'm beginning to suspect the former is performing at the limits of his capability, whereas the latter has not yet found his. Lovely, calm, patient sumo from Asanoyama today.

Mitakeumi needs to take a leaf out of Asanoyama's book and stop drinking during the basho. Again, it's only speculation, but I reckon his dips in form come from celebrating too much. He's got everything he needs to be ozeki. Takakeisho is proof that you don't need very much in the way of yotsu skills.

Takakeisho is dealing with injuries, so we're not seeing him at his best right now. 

On the other hand, an injured Takakeisho is starting to become a regular thing, and if he can't overcome his physical issues, then he might indeed be at the limit of what he is capable of. 

[Kaninoyama 1,338]

4 hours ago, robnplunder said:

What was Enho doing at Tachihai?   

 

A quick nap?

He was clearly angry following the match, either at the gyoji for not calling a matta, or at himself for falling asleep at the tatchiai (I suspect it was the latter).

Edited July 23, 2020 by Kaninoyama

[robnplunder 949]

50 minutes ago, Kaninoyama said:

On the other hand, an injured Takakeisho is starting to become a regular thing, and if he can't overcome his physical issues, then he might indeed be at the limit of what he is capable of. 

His size and sumo style is going to be a challenge for his avoiding injury.   

Enho won't make the same mistake today.  He will be extra alert.  Endo, too.   

[Dapeng 231]

2 hours ago, Kaninoyama said:

Takakeisho is dealing with injuries, so we're not seeing him at his best right now. 

On the other hand, an injured Takakeisho is starting to become a regular thing, and if he can't overcome his physical issues, then he might indeed be at the limit of what he is capable of. 

He has new injury? His old injury is supposed to have healed during the past 4 months. 

[Ichimawashi 573]

4 hours ago, dada78641 said:

Oh yeah, forgot, there was this... certain unknown masked individual doing security.

The hanamichi security chair has become the entry level job for recently retired celebrities.

[sumojoann 1,151]

4 hours ago, dada78641 said:

In case anyone missed the Enho jump:

Looks like Enho has been getting some coaching from Mainoumi.

[Gaijingai 1,322]

On 22/07/2020 at 20:28, Yamanashi said:

My before pandemic/after pandemic headshots look similar to yours ...

My corona virus beard. It comes off when the virus leaves. I might look like ZZ Top before then. 

[Kaninoyama 1,338]

22 minutes ago, Dapeng said:

He has new injury? His old injury is supposed to have healed during the past 4 months. 

NHK commentators have remarked that the knee that wasn't originally injured (I forget which one) began bothering him leading up to this basho, to the point where he sat out doing any on-the-dohyo keiko for the week prior to the tourney. 

[Sue 459]

8 hours ago, dada78641 said:

"Johnny's in the basement, mixing up the medicine..."

I'm on the pavement, thinking 'bout the government.

[Yangnomazuma 59]

13 hours ago, RabidJohn said:

Takakeisho is looking like he will comfortably hang on to his rank, but he still looks to me like he's struggling compared to Asanoyama. I'm beginning to suspect the former is performing at the limits of his capability, whereas the latter has not yet found his. Lovely, calm, patient sumo from Asanoyama today.

Mitakeumi needs to take a leaf out of Asanoyama's book and stop drinking during the basho. Again, it's only speculation, but I reckon his dips in form come from celebrating too much. He's got everything he needs to be ozeki. Takakeisho is proof that you don't need very much in the way of yotsu skills.

Agreed that Asanoyama seems to be blossoming even more.  He'll be a good Ozeki, I believe and quite possibly the next Yokozuna.  Takakeisho is a favorite of mine as I like a good strong oshi guy (a la Chiyotaikai), but he really doesn't seem to be able to get that strong left hand push that got him to Ozeki right now.  Hopefully it will come back and he'll be a long term Ozeki.  If he can't find that power, I fear he may be another kadoban-prone Ozeki.

[CT3* 331]

 

Takayasu's comment cracked me up! "He has returned from way down and far away..."

Hilarious! 

[since_94 638]

4 hours ago, Ichimawashi said:

The hanamichi security chair has become the entry level job for recently retired celebrities.

Tochiozan’s build does not invite challenges. There’s a very palpable “Do not mess with this man” vibe to that shot

 

Edited July 24, 2020 by since_94

[Kashunowaka 269]

Good bout in juryo between Wakamotoharu and Churanoumi, who are now both 5-1. Two contrasting styles, yotsu vs oshi. Both looks set to enter a new highest rank next basho.

[Akinomaki 35,647]

Sounds like there is a small child in the hall that doesn't refrain from loud cheering - I wonder if it at least takes care to wear a mask - and what about social distance to the parent?

(kids up to a certain age need no extra ticket - at a usual basho)

Edited July 24, 2020 by Akinomaki

[Kashunowaka 269]

Even the Japanese commentator and Kyokudozan have problems pronouncing Wakatakakage.

[robnplunder 949]

I am impressed with Kotoshoho.  He lost  Terunofuji today but seems to know what he is doing.   At just 20 years old and only one MK in 14 bashos, I can see him getting to Ozeki rank soon.   

44 minutes ago, Akinomaki said:

Sounds like there is a small child in the hall that doesn't refrain from loud cheering - I wonder if it at least takes care to wear a mask - and what about social distance to the parent?

(kids up to a certain age need no extra ticket - at a usual basho)

So, that's what it was.  I thought I heard a baby crying and yelling.  

[Kashunowaka 269]

Shodai...  Not exactly ozeki sumo, but a win is a win.

[robnplunder 949]

Shodai vs Endo match was fun to watch.  Not to be missed.

Awesome win by Enho.

Ishiura wins a la Enho.

[Akinomaki 35,647]

On 22/07/2020 at 08:17, Jakusotsu said:

On 22/07/2020 at 07:09, Asojima said:

FWIW, for the July basho, the next day's torikumi is being announced about 2 hours later than normal.

It's already been that way in March.

At least the makuuchi torikumi get presented at the usual time on the dohyo (not every day though). The complete torikumi on the site and the pdf torikumi sheet are maybe worked on parallel and they need extra time to put the kensho into the pdf. At the moment jonidan and jonokuchi are still missing.

[Dwale 419]

Some fun stuff today. I'm cautiously optimistic about Takayasu maybe extending his career a bit.

Really enjoyed Shodai v. Endo in all its sloppy glory. Crazy match. Nice to see Shohozan finally show up, too.

[Hakuryuho 277]

I have to say, I cannot wait for the bouts of Asanoyama, Mitakeumi and Hakuho against one another after seeing them fight once again today. They all look fantastic and on top of their game. The second week of the basho will be awesome to say the least!

[Amamaniac 1,996]

Today's bout between Shodai and Endo was a tad sloppy, but quite entertaining none the less.  

Endo tried a tottari arm pull and Shodai went for his signature sukuinage when he was forced to the bales.  Then both men spun in opposite directions (can I hear a do-si-do?).  Endo attempted another arm pull, but Shodai countered with a strong left hand shove, and out went Endo...

Dare I say, the better man won?

[Jakusotsu 5,001]

1 hour ago, Kashunowaka said:

Shodai...  Not exactly ozeki sumo, but a win is a win.

Shodai's sumo is looking more and more like Sakaizawa to me.

[Tigerboy1966 1,054]

My first cheer out loud and frighten the neighbours moment of the basho as Kiribayama beats Takakeisho. He deserved a big win after his efforts yesterday. He's probably heading for a make-koshi with Hakuho and Mitakeumi still to come, but he should be around for a few years at the sharp end of the banzuke. I haven't been in the least bit impressed with Takaeisho this time. I thought a couple of his wins were down to errors by his opponent rather than any big move on his part. He'll be doing very well if he gets out of kadoban.

[Amamaniac 1,996]

On 23/07/2020 at 00:44, Eikokurai said:

Do some of you genuinely think Takakeisho is going to lose his Ozeki rank? He’s only kadoban, not an Ozekiwake. He needs just eight wins and he’s already got three after four days. I know his schedule gets a little tougher moving forward but the sanyaku aren’t that much of an obstacle at the moment. I don’t see him struggling to get five more over the remaining 11 days at all.

If you had asked me after day 1, I would have said, "Takakeisho is back!"  We haven't seen him use that powerful left side swipe for quite a while.  But he started looking vulnerable again on day 3.  That's when I started to fear he was not all that "back" after all.  However, he rebounded well.  

But look what happened today against a determined Kiribayama.  That was a rather embarrassing ginboshi loss, especially since he ended up on his ass (pardon my French).  [Nice touch seeing the young Mongolian hop down off the ring to check if Takakeisho was alright.]  

So now Mr Kadoban has 9 bouts left to get those 4 crucial wins.  The odds are definitely still in his favour ... somewhat.  But I am seeing a disturbing inconsistency in his sumo, something not worthy of an Ozeki.  To quote a certain celebrity doctor, I am "cautiously optimistic" about Takakeisho's chances of saving his rank.  Read that as you will.