2021 "Kozumo" Hatsu Basho discussion thread

[Shinobi Steve 146]

Today may have been the best day of the basho for me so far. All of my favorites won. I’m really happy to see Asanoyama string together some good performances. I wonder how much of his slow starts the last few basho are because he has no one near his level in the heya to practice with? 

[Kashunowaka 260]

Takanosho was robbed. Another very close call without mono-ii was the final makushita bout, Kitaharima vs Nakazono.

[Hakuryuho 273]

4 hours ago, dada78641 said:

Fashion alert, Kitanofuji wearing a hoodie and a scarf today.

 

Gotta respect Kitanofuji's drip, man's got style..

dude's flexing on all of us goddamn

 

Edited January 18, 2021 by Hakuryuho

[dingo 648]

Daieisho was so obviously overextending during the whole bout that the slapdown was waiting to happen. That's the second day in a row he's not at his best. If he wants to have a say in the yusho race he better get his act together. 

Poor Takakeisho, watching his bout it seemed like he's moving in slow motion. In addition to not getting any power behind his thrusts the speed was gone as well. Not sure what is keeping him in the basho still. Just invent an injury and go kyujo already. 

And Kagayaki vs Takanosho should've been a mono-ii. Dunno why there's so few this basho. Did they delegate the mono-ii calling to Furiwake-oyakata? Better give him binoculars or something 

 

[Amamaniac 1,977]

Ozeki Watch for day 10

Essentially on day 9, we saw the two kadoban Ozeki with an outside shot at the championship win their bouts thereby remaining in the race, and move one more step closer to consolidating their Ozeki status.  Meanwhile, the Ozeki who won the most recent tournament, did what he seems to be doing best this month: lose yet another bout.

Asanoyama will be the first Ozeki to mount the dohyo, hoping to do what Shodai did today: defeat the Mongolian iron man, Tamawashi.  The top dog at Takasago Stable needs just two more wins to escape demotion, and with six days to go there should be room for at least two.  This particular bout is important since it will be one of the few remaining bouts in which he can look forward to facing a rank-and-filer.  These two sekitori have met six times with an even record of 3-3.  Interestingly, Tamawashi won their first three meetings, whereas Asanoyama has won the most recent three.  Does that indicate that Asanoyama now knows how to handle this particular opponent?  Given that Tamawashi is an ageing 36 year-old and Asanoyama is probably in his prime at 26, I would think Asanoyama will walk away with his 7th win in this tournament.

Next to do battle will be Shodai.  He will be trying to do what Asanoyama did on day 8: defeat the technical specialist Endo.  Sumo fans have had big hopes for the Ishikawa native (i.e., Endo), but for some reason Endo can't even seem to find the same gear as junior Sanyaku mainstay, Mitakeumi.  In this case, the 6-3 head-to-head record clearly favours Shodai.  Since Shodai is probably thinking about more than just his kachikoshi, in all probability he will exert his Ozeki sumo to put M5e Endo in his place.

And last but perhaps least, Takakeisho will do what, to his credit, he normally does best: brush off this shimekomi belt and climb back into the ring without any pessimism or self doubt.  He will go up against rank-and-filer, Okinoumi.  Their head-to-head record definitely favours Takakeisho, 8-3.  Nevertheless, earlier in 2020, Okinoumi managed to beat "Ozeki Takakeisho" twice in a row, so the NSK Chairman's disciple will not fear the previous championship winner, especially since in this tournament, Takakeisho is clearly struggling.  Furthermore, Okinoumi has a decent 5-4 win-loss record.  But at 2-7, Takakeisho, on the other hand, will be aware that he can't afford another loss if he hopes (dreams?) about avoiding kadoban status in March.

Will there be a miraculous Ozeki sweep, or will there be a silver star (or two or three) as we have come to expect this tournament?

 

[Highway 45]

Does Akua know that his mawashi is aqua colored? Shower thoughts...

[Kaninoyama 1,293]

1 hour ago, Highway said:

Does Akua know that his mawashi is aqua colored? Shower thoughts...

Going deeper down the rabbit hole, I think his towel may be as well. 

[Reonito 690]

6 hours ago, Kashunowaka said:

Another very close call without mono-ii was the final makushita bout, Kitaharima vs Nakazono.

Looked like Kitaharima may have stepped out twice before Nakazono did.

[Eikokurai 3,418]

1 hour ago, Highway said:

Does Akua know that his mawashi is aqua colored? Shower thoughts...

Joke theft! I made an unappreciated joke about his akua-marine mawashi in November. 

[Reonito 690]

26 minutes ago, Eikokurai said:

Joke theft! I made an unappreciated joke about his akua-marine mawashi in November. 

I think he knows full-well: "His shikona is a reference to the Aqua World aquarium in his home town."

[Asashosakari 16,848]

On 17/01/2021 at 22:27, Asashosakari said:

If I'm not mistaken, Daieisho is only the fourth joi maegashira ever to start 8-0 for a straight kachikoshi. The others were Akinoshima in Haru 1992 (only 3 sanyaku opponents though, out of eventually 5), later ozeki Masuiyama in Natsu 1974 (5 sanyaku out of 8), and later yokozuna Akinoumi in Natsu 1939 (5 sanyaku out of 7).

And now also the fourth to not win his 9th bout...

[specialweek 2 134]

4 hours ago, dingo said:

Daieisho was so obviously overextending during the whole bout that the slapdown was waiting to happen. That's the second day in a row he's not at his best. If he wants to have a say in the yusho race he better get his act together. 

Poor Takakeisho, watching his bout it seemed like he's moving in slow motion. In addition to not getting any power behind his thrusts the speed was gone as well. Not sure what is keeping him in the basho still. Just invent an injury and go kyujo already. 

And Kagayaki vs Takanosho should've been a mono-ii. Dunno why there's so few this basho. Did they delegate the mono-ii calling to Furiwake-oyakata? Better give him binoculars or something 

 

Has been Azumazeki since former Ushiomaru passed away

[robnplunder 945]

4 hours ago, Amamaniac said:

Ozeki Watch for day 10

And last but perhaps least, Takakeisho will do what, to his credit, he normally does best: brush off this shimekomi belt and climb back into the ring without any pessimism or self doubt.  He will go up against rank-and-filer, Okinoumi.  Their head-to-head record definitely favours Takakeisho, 8-3.  Nevertheless, earlier in 2020, Okinoumi managed to beat "Ozeki Takakeisho" twice in a row, so the NSK Chairman's disciple will not fear the previous championship winner, especially since in this tournament, Takakeisho is clearly struggling.  Furthermore, Okinoumi has a decent 5-4 win-loss record.  But at 2-7, Takakeisho, on the other hand, will be aware that he can't afford another loss if he hopes (dreams?) about avoiding kadoban status in March.

I just don't see how Takakeisho losing to Okinoumi.  He has a perfect sumo style to roll over Okinoumi.  I say he goes 3-7 after today but eventually go MK.

[Akinomaki 34,957]

For the 5th basho in a row there will be no yusho parade. Heya won't hold senshuraku parties, but like last basho, at least an NHK yusho interview at the dohyo is planned. http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20210118/sum21011815450007-n1.html

[Tigerboy1966 1,019]

Takakeisho kyujo. http://sumo.or.jp/EnHonbashoMain/absence/

and here https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2021/01/19/sumo/ozeki-takakeisho-new-year-basho/

Edited January 19, 2021 by Tigerboy1966
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[Akinomaki 34,957]

The Shonannoumi bout was no fun to watch. After a head bump matta, unable to stand, but was kept trying. Shimpan conference till he was able to compete again. At least he won, but his head got some lasting damage.

[pricklypomegranate 730]

6 hours ago, robnplunder said:

I just don't see how Takakeisho losing to Okinoumi. 

He lost today, by fusensho. 

[Kaninoyama 1,293]

We've gone from excitement over the prospect of an Akiseyama yusho to being nervous about whether he will make kachikoshi. 

[robnplunder 945]

11 minutes ago, pricklypomegranate said:

He lost today, by fusensho. 

I have mixed feelings about this.  

[Kaninoyama 1,293]

Hoshoryu quietly back to level with five straight wins after starting the basho with five straight losses. 

[robnplunder 945]

2 minutes ago, Kaninoyama said:

We've gone from excitement over the prospect of an Akiseyama yusho to being nervous about whether he will make kachikoshi. 

I didn't think Akiseyama was ever in Yusho contention even with his good start.  I  hope he will go KK.  

Ura lost again.  I suspect he was injured yesterday.  I don't see him going KK with the injury if it is real.

[Oshirokita 155]

45 minutes ago, pricklypomegranate said:

He lost today, by fusensho. 

Splitting hairs, he lost by fusenpai.  

[robnplunder 945]

Daieisho train is still rolling.  He will beat Onosho for his 10th win.  It is Daeisho's basho.

[pricklypomegranate 730]

1 hour ago, robnplunder said:

I have mixed feelings about this.  

I know it hurts, but it's for the best. He can take this time to heal/lose weight. It'll be some time before this performance is forgotten unless brought up by data folks, but it will eventually happen and everyone can live in harmony once again. 

32 minutes ago, Oshirokita said:

Splitting hairs, he lost by fusenpai.  

Eek! How embarrassing... 

[pricklypomegranate 730]

Congratulations Shodai! You are home free! But his bout was certainly not very convincing...

Once Asanoyama got his hands on Tamawashi's belt, the pusher-thruster had scarce chance to revive himself. And unless a great catastrophe happens, Asanoyama will definitely clear his kadoban. See, what did I tell you guys... 

Daieisho shakes off his opening loss yesterday very well and though he almost slipped a couple of times, Hokutofuji's lateral movement could not save him. 

Myogiryu with a very poorly executed hatakikomi made sure that Terutsuyoshi's dive for his legs was very successful. 

Is Kotoshoho going to walk away with a zenpai? You cannot be serious! 

With regard to Terunofuji v. Takanosho, let the outrage begin. 

Edited January 19, 2021 by pricklypomegranate