Non-K-November basho 2020 Discussion (spoiler space)

[since_94 650]

3 hours ago, Reonito said:

M17 yusho are best in small doses. (And I don't think it makes sense to lump Terunofuji with the likes of Tokushoryu and Shimanoumi.)

This.

Terunofuji was inspirational and I dare say his efforts to get there earned him redemption in the eyes of fans who had scorned him following his infamous henka on a kadoban Kotoshogiku. Tokushoryu was likewise an endearing sort of Cinderella story because of the poignancy of his college coach’s passing during the tournament, his rather advanced age (sumo wise) and general mediocrity, and his emotional reaction when he defied the odds and pulled off a late career triumph. If Shimanoumi wins this one from M17, it will just highlight problems and focus attention on the the way the torikumi is fixed, the predictably absent Yokozunas, the weak Ozeki ranks, etc.

[Akinomaki 39,802]

NHK reported that the intai of ex-juryo Hitenryu has been filed and accepted

[Seiyashi 4,071]

1 hour ago, pricklypomegranate said:

Nope, don't think so - he'll be juryo joi (J2 - J4) in January if he doesnt get 4 or 5 wins, and then he'll be in like J14/J13, so he'll be fine, I think.

DB suggests otherwise. I did a quick check last night and the drop seemed guaranteed, so I didn't bother to chip in, but in cases where kosho didn't kick in, going 15 losses from J2-4 almost always got dropped. Latest notable case was Baruto, I believe.

[since_94 650]

6 hours ago, Kaninoyama said:

I'm watching every day as I always do, and enjoying every day as I always do. Some basho are more exciting than others. Even with the upper ranks depleted we still have some interesting story lines, including:

• Ura's resurgence.
• Midorifuji on the cusp of becoming another exciting new Makuuchi rikishi.
• Shimanoumi with a chance to pull a Tokushoryu.
• Takakeisho with a chance for his first Ozeki yusho.
• And the most likely outcome: Terunofuji running the tables and beginning his own Ozeki comeback run. 

• Ura's resurgence. — long anticipated, closely followed, and great fun to watch. What a story. What determination. Go Ura!
• Midorifuji on the cusp of becoming another exciting new Makuuchi rikishi. — Really a heck of a fighter. How can you not be a fan?Glad he didn’t try anything chancy today (like izori) against Jokoryo when they were locked up because I was genuinely worried he might get hurt. His bouts are always well contested and exciting.
• Shimanoumi with a chance to pull a Tokushoryu. — Yeah.
• Takakeisho with a chance for his first Ozeki yusho. — Let’s hope not.
• And the most likely outcome: Terunofuji running the tables and beginning his own Ozeki comeback run. — The very thing I’d enjoy seeing most at this point. Really rooting for him to start a run to reclaim Ozeki rank.

[robnplunder 974]

Midorifuji has been just as impressive as Enho was when he was rising up to Makuuchi.  Midorifuji is not as flash as Enho but appears to have more versatile - e.g., today's win.

[pricklypomegranate 730]

57 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

DB suggests otherwise. I did a quick check last night and the drop seemed guaranteed, so I didn't bother to chip in, but in cases where kosho didn't kick in, going 15 losses from J2-4 almost always got dropped. Latest notable case was Baruto, I believe.

37 minutes ago, robnplunder said:

Midorifuji has been just as impressive as Enho was when he was rising up to Makuuchi.  Midorifuji is not as flash as Enho but appears to have more versatile - e.g., today's win.

Well, I am very confident he can come back up should he be demoted to Makushita joi, like Ura, whom I argue has a worse injury. And it's definitely worth it in the long run. What's up with Kitanofuji complaining about Kotoshogiku staying in Juryo? After Terunofuji, a former Ozeki bearing the enormous indignity of falling to Jonidan, Enho being back to unsalaried ranks is really just a small peck, and somewhat expected, if you ask the right people.

Haha, Midorifuji might just be Mainoumi's successor, and not the pretender Enho.  Enho is just a publicity perfect storm. Famous, successful, eccentric shisho? Check. Good looks? Check. Flashy sumo? Check. Good results? Not so much these days, but might the three factors might be enough to tide him through the demotion and return.

If Shimanoumi wins today, I might never be sane again.

Edited November 20, 2020 by pricklypomegranate

[Kaninoyama 1,694]

The NHK broadcast just flashed a graphic prior to Hoshoryu's match: he's won with a different technique for each of his 7 wins so far.

He lost today, but if he gets kachikoshi with still yet another technique, I wonder if that's ever been accomplished before? 

[Tigerboy1966 1,376]

Looking at Terunofuji's prospects and jumping the gun a little but... It appears that only one person has gone yusho-not yusho-yusho and not started the next basho at ozeki or better. And that one person was Asashoryu, who had been ejected.

http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Query.aspx?show_form=0&columns=4&n_basho=3&form1_y=on&form1_m=on&form2_yd=on&form2_jy=on&form2_oy=on&form2_m=on&form3_y=on&form3_m=on

[Karasukurai 165]

Nice to see Aoiyama win but he was going backwards. I fear his knees are shot and he's not generating any power. Third straight MK since a great basho at the start of the year.

A Chiyotairyu henka - what is the world coming to? 

Hoktofuji for the fighting spirit prize too!

Edited November 20, 2020 by Karasukurai

[robnplunder 974]

3 minutes ago, Kaninoyama said:

The NHK broadcast just flashed a graphic prior to Hoshoryu's match: he's won with a different technique for each of his 7 wins so far.

He lost today, but if he gets kachikoshi with still yet another technique, I wonder if that's ever been accomplished before? 

Yes, the guy has a lot of skills.  But, today, he was manhandled by a struggling Aoiyama. If Hoshoryu bulks up, he will be a legit force.  

Enho continues to get beat up.   I think he lost a pound of blood today, poor kid.

[mt fuji 976]

Just wanted to point out we had a harimanage, an okurinage, and a zubuneri today in Juryo. Midorifuji's zubuneri is the first one by a sekitori since 1998!

[Raishu 207]

1 hour ago, Akinomaki said:

NHK reported that the intai of ex-juryo Hitenryu has been filed and accepted

Do we know whether he will become wakaimonogshira/sewanin (can't remember which post), or is he set to leave the NSK alltogether?

[since_94 650]

29 minutes ago, mt fuji said:

Just wanted to point out we had a harimanage, an okurinage, and a zubuneri today in Juryo. Midorifuji's zubuneri is the first one by a sekitori since 1998!

Well spotted. I will definitely have to watch again.

[Karasukurai 165]

Nice work Tobizaru!

[Seiyashi 4,071]

Finally the big men are coming to life - Tochinoshin, Ichinojo and Aoiyama all score wins today.

Am I the only one who dislikes Tobizaru's sumo the more I watch it? It feels like he just throws everything and the kitchen sink at his opponents and does whatever he can out of the chaos; hardly a joy to watch especially when he doesn't win as often with it.

Amazing conclusion to Terunofuji's bout. Nice explosive move, breaking Ryuden's hold and contact, and then out with him.

Edited November 20, 2020 by Seiyashi

[robnplunder 974]

1 minute ago, Seiyashi said:

Am I the only one who dislikes Tobizaru's sumo the more I watch it? It feels like he just throws everything and the kitchen sink at his opponents and does whatever he can out of the chaos; hardly a joy to watch especially when he doesn't win as often with it.

I love Tobizaru.  He threw another kitchen sink today.  Rather, he threw two kicks one of which worked to perfection.  

[Karasukurai 165]

2 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

It feels like he just throws everything and the kitchen sink at his opponents and does whatever he can out of the chaos;

Ha ha, great description - but I like the chaos - it's not great sumo but fun nonetheless.

[Seiyashi 4,071]

2 minutes ago, robnplunder said:

Rather, he threw two kicks one of which worked to perfection.  

I would dispute something "working to perfection" if you'd have to use it twice because it failed the first time.

Edited November 20, 2020 by Seiyashi

[pricklypomegranate 730]

6 minutes ago, robnplunder said:

I love Tobizaru.  He threw another kitchen sink today.  Rather, he threw two kicks one of which worked to perfection.  

Yes, I am growing to love the flying monkey. He swept Takayasu's KK hopes till tomorrow. Haha. 

Please, Mitakeumi. Don't get a MK now! 

And as much as I want a Shimanoumi yusho, Takakeisho, don't choke now. 

Edit: Ugh, Mitakeumi. Well, it looks like the Sekiwake spot might be open for Terunofuji, especially with Takakeisho tomorrow. Will Mitakeumi spoil it? Very exciting. 

Edited November 20, 2020 by pricklypomegranate

[robnplunder 974]

Ura's 2nd izori win was not to be.  Twice in the same basho?  Nah.

[robnplunder 974]

3 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

I would dispute something "working to perfection" if you'd have to use it twice because it failed the first time.

Ok, I rescind.   Only the 2nd kick was a "near" perfection move.   

 

[Seiyashi 4,071]

4 minutes ago, pricklypomegranate said:

Edit: Ugh, Mitakeumi. Well, it looks like the Sekiwake spot might be open for Terunofuji, especially with Takakeisho tomorrow. Will Mitakeumi spoil it? Very exciting. 

Terunofuji has already done enough to force an extra slot. We could see three sekiwake next year - Terunofuji, Takayasu (if he wins one more) and Takanosho.

[pricklypomegranate 730]

Takakeisho damn near lost his nerve today - you could see a split second of emotion there on his face - that was so damn close. Shimanoumi and Terunofuji better hope Mitakeumi ruins it tomorrow. The bland basho is starting to really heat up. 

[Seiyashi 4,071]

Shimanoumi lost that bout before it started. You could see it in his eyes at the nirame-ai.

And if Mitakeumi ruins it tomorrow I will be out with a pitchfork. Happily, Bad Mitakeumi is dominant at the moment.

Edited November 20, 2020 by Seiyashi

[pricklypomegranate 730]

1 minute ago, Seiyashi said:

Shimanoumi lost that bout before it started. You could see it in his eyes at the nirame-ai.

And if Mitakeumi ruins it tomorrow I will be out with a pitchfork. Happily, Bad Mitakeumi is dominant at the moment.

Nah, I felt it was very close - Takakeisho was nervous too, the way he was on the edge of the tawara. But yes, I hope Mitakeumi ruins it tomorrow - I love a little chaos ;)