2021 "Kozumo" Hatsu Basho discussion thread

[robnplunder 828]

25 minutes ago, Kaninoyama said:

Kakuryu announces he will go kyujo for Hatsu Basho, citing back issues.  

 

Story (in Japanese): https://news.yahoo.co.jp/pickup/6381636

Hmmm.  I think it is time for Kak to hang up his mawashi.   

[Kaninoyama 614]

1 hour ago, robnplunder said:

Hmmm.  I think it is time for Kak to hang up his mawashi.   

His Oyakata says the March basho will be do or die time for him. 

But in the meantime, let's get ready for yet another no-ko-zuna basho. 

[dingo 473]

2 hours ago, Kaninoyama said:

His Oyakata says the March basho will be do or die time for him. 

But in the meantime, let's get ready for yet another no-ko-zuna basho. 

That's a bit of a strange statement from the oyakata seeing as Kakuryu is very clearly at the end of the line. But what else can he say I guess. I wonder if Kakuryu will bother to wear the mawashi on the dohyo once more. 

[Maguroyama 24]

This is getting ridiculous... 

September: ”November will be do-or-die for him. ”

November: kyujo. ”January will be do-or-die...”

January: kyujo. ”March will be...”

Repeat indefintely...?

I say the time to cut the cord is now. 

[Ganzohnesushi 290]

Already 2 p.m. in Central Europe and still neither Day 1 Torikumi nor information regarding absent Rikishi announced.... Did I miss some statement here? Seems as if they are still discussing whether to compete or to cancel the whole Ba-show.

Ganzohnesushi

[Shinobi Steve 98]

1 minute ago, Ganzohnesushi said:

Already 2 p.m. in Central Europe and still neither Day 1 Torikumi nor information regarding absent Rikishi announced.... Did I miss some statement here?

The torikumi can't be decided until the results of all of the Covid tests are known. Should be tomorrow. 

[Gernobono 349]

51 minutes ago, Ganzohnesushi said:

Did I miss some statement here?

obviously

[gunner 5]

During the Pandemic both Yokozuna should heal> Yokozuna privilege' not given to lessor rikishi.

 

Edited January 8 by gunner

[Kaninoyama 614]

11 hours ago, dingo said:

That's a bit of a strange statement from the oyakata seeing as Kakuryu is very clearly at the end of the line. But what else can he say I guess. I wonder if Kakuryu will bother to wear the mawashi on the dohyo once more. 

Oyakata's words:

"Only he (Kakuryu) knows (his body's condition) so I cannot say this or that to him, but I told him there is no "next." He also said he will put intai on the line and gambarize at forging a body that can get back to doing keiko as soon as possible." 

Edited January 8 by Kaninoyama

[ryafuji 572]

Kakuryu has one more chance to save his career - if there's a chance he'll be in better condition in March than now then it's the right decision. 

[dingo 473]

24 minutes ago, ryafuji said:

Kakuryu has one more chance to save his career - if there's a chance he'll be in better condition in March than now then it's the right decision. 

Reading all the other info that's been shared on this forum it seems like there's no saving his career anymore, just putting a fitting end to it.

[rzombie1988 152]

Kakuryu is 35 and hasn't completed 5 tournaments in one year since 2017. Even if he comes back in March, do we really expect him to be able to make May and July?

Hakuho got an "out" this basho, but it's the same story. The odds of him making some miraculous non-covid recovery back into full-time status aren't looking good.

Someone like a Tamawashi has had 160 more matches Hakuho and 178 more matches than Kakuryu since 2017. It's beyond unfair.

Edited January 9 by rzombie1988

[Thorbjarn 62]

I think it is pretty much curtains for Kakuryu, and it's a good thing. I like him a lot and I was really happy when he experienced somewhat of a resurgence in 2018 and partly 2019, I'm also happy he got everything in order.

I would love for him to have one more good tournament before he rides into the sunset, I just can't see it. 

[sahaven111 84]

I heard a Jonidan retired because of Covid, who was it?

[code_number3 384]

Kyujo list

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

[Tsuchinoninjin 649]

5 minutes ago, sahaven111 said:

I heard a Jonidan retired because of Covid, who was it?

Kotokantetsu. He asked to go kyujo to avoid Covid exposure but they wouldn't let him so he retired.

[Tsuchinoninjin 649]

1 minute ago, code_number3 said:

Kyujo list

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

Well it looks like on top of Miyagino beya and Arasio beya, Kokonoe and Tomozuna beya are also done at least.

Maybe more if other covid heya didn't have sekitori.

If this basho actually goes ahead its gonna be really weird. Seems silly.

[WAKATAKE 1,820]

Definitely will be weird because since these people are being prevented from competing, those rankings will stay the same for them.

[Tsuchinoninjin 649]

The Makuuchi Juryo exchange bouts should be strange as well, since there's an odd number in Makuuchi but 7 of the top 10 Juryo rikishi aren't going to make it to the basho.

I guess if the number in Juryo drop below enough rikishi to get 15 matches for everyone left they just start invading Makushita?

Edited January 9 by Tsuchinoninjin

[Sakura 801]

7 out of the top 10 ranked Juryo rikishi are missing.

[WAKATAKE 1,820]

Kokonoe beya alone makes for 1/10 of the sekitori

[specialweek 2 115]

Could their be 66 across divisions out due to Covid? Plus injured and suspended.

[Shinobi Steve 98]

The day 1 & 2 torikumi is out: http://sumo.or.jp/EnHonbashoMain/torikumi/1/1/

[robnplunder 828]

As much as I enjoy watching the basho, I think the basho should be canceled.   

[yohcun 153]

Yeah, I know they need money badly, but I can't even feel much interest in a basho this devastatingly depleted. And that's to say nothing of the health risks, of course.

edit: Also sneaking into the kyujo deluge - Toyohibiki (the end?), and Shishi.

Edited January 9 by yohcun