2021 "Kozumo" Hatsu Basho discussion thread

[Kaninoyama 1,663]

3 minutes ago, Benihana said:

Many hope, that no hand down will be standard again in the future. Not only would it avoid many cracking coconuts, it would probably mean more yotsu-sumo, too. I like a good slapfight, but it's getting a bit out of hands nowadays, isn't it?

Pun intended?

[Benihana 1,900]

Looked like an unintentional hairpull by Takanosho during the first slapdown attempt.

[Benihana 1,900]

1 minute ago, Kaninoyama said:

Pun intended?

Make an educated guess ;)

[Eikokurai 3,433]

13-2 > 11-4. No question in my mind that Terunofuji will be back at Ozeki in May with any double-digit record in March.

[Eikokurai 3,433]

Well, that was a one-sided Ozeki affair. Shodai seemed unhappy about something though. 

[pricklypomegranate 730]

Fervent, fervent congratulations to Daieisho! The Hatsu Yusho in the Hatsu Basho trend continues, as does Wakanohana's deadly curse. It seems that there will be no tsuna-run poaching from Shodai after all. Daieisho did not just push with all his might this basho - he demonstrated great lateral movement, tawara technique and belt reversal techniques. One mustn't forget that he's not just walking away with the yusho cup - he's walking away with the Fighting Spirit and Technique Prize - all incredibly well deserved. I fully expect Daieisho to return as Sekiwake next basho, and just hope that he can hang on to it this time and perhaps make an Ozeki run out of it. He certainly has the potential. We'll see how he handles the yusho hangover and the return of the two yokozuna. We also predicted that the joi could be the killer this basho, and boy were we right. Two thumbs up for me for Daieisho this basho. Perhaps his name will finally be registered into all sumo-fans' heads now. 

I however am not too sure that Terunofuji will be promoted back to Ozeki. His second basho was an 8-5-2, and he falls just one win shy of the 33-win "requirement" (which isn't absolutely necessary). He's had excellent reviews from rijicho Hakkaku-oyakata, who said he fought like he was showing a statement - that "[he] would be Ozeki now, if it weren't for [his] knees.". But they could very well go the Takakeisho route and wait for one more good performance next basho as well. 

 

[Benihana 1,900]

Wow, more than 30 minutes left. Can't remember the last time being on schedule so early. Plenty of time for the prize parade :)

[Kaninoyama 1,663]

2 minutes ago, Eikokurai said:

Well, that was a one-sided Ozeki affair. Shodai seemed unhappy about something though. 

The replay makes it clear what that something was. 

[pricklypomegranate 730]

3 minutes ago, Eikokurai said:

Well, that was a one-sided Ozeki affair. Shodai seemed unhappy about something though. 

He stared at Asanoyama for sometime and Asanoyama seemed apologetic but didn't seem to know what was wrong. Couldn't have been a hairpull - maybe thought it was a dame-oshi? But that's super unlikely.

Edited January 24, 2021 by pricklypomegranate

[Eikokurai 3,433]

1 minute ago, Kaninoyama said:

The replay makes it clear what that something was. 

I didn't catch the replay.

[Kaninoyama 1,663]

Just now, pricklypomegranate said:

He stared at Asanoyama for sometime and Asanoyama seemed apologetic but didn't seem to know what was wrong. Couldn't have been a hairpull - maybe thought it was a dame-oshi? But that's super unlikely.

Wasn't his opponent, it was the gyoji who was in his way the entire bout. 

[Jemuzu 34]

3 minutes ago, Eikokurai said:

Well, that was a one-sided Ozeki affair. Shodai seemed unhappy about something though. 

I can only guess he thinks he was impeded by the gyoji at the end but clearly didn’t make any difference to the result 

[Benihana 1,900]

1 minute ago, pricklypomegranate said:

I however am not too sure that Terunofuji will be promoted back to Ozeki. His second basho was an 8-5-2, and he falls just one win shy of the 33-win "requirement" (which isn't absolutely necessary). He's had excellent reviews from rijicho Hakkaku-oyakata, who said he fought like he was showing a statement - that "[he] would be Ozeki now, if it weren't for [his] knees.". But they could very well go the Takakeisho route and wait for one more good performance next basho as well. 

 

Already decided, next basho will be critical one.

[Amamaniac 2,078]

1 minute ago, Kaninoyama said:

4 minutes ago, Eikokurai said:

Well, that was a one-sided Ozeki affair. Shodai seemed unhappy about something though. 

The replay makes it clear what that something was. 

Hope you are referring to ageing tategyoji Inosuke getting in the way!!!  He totally prevented Shodai from trying any last minute escape technique!

[Ichimawashi 573]

So if we are destined for a new winner each January basho, that means Shonnanzakura has a chance, in about 2620 or so?

[Kaninoyama 1,663]

1 minute ago, Amamaniac said:

Hope you are referring to ageing tategyoji Inosuke getting in the way!!!  He totally prevented Shodai from trying any last minute escape technique!

Indeed I was. 

[pricklypomegranate 730]

Just now, Ichimawashi said:

So if we are destined for a new winner each January basho, that means Shonnanzakura has a chance, in about 2620 or so?

Shonanzakura said he aimed to get 10 wins this year. As a lower-ranking rikishi, of course he didn't mean 10 wins in a basho - he meant 10 wins this year. Good grief. I am not expecting a sudden change in results unless Hakuho goes in there and whips him into consciousness, which is a very funny idea. 

4 minutes ago, Kaninoyama said:

Wasn't his opponent, it was the gyoji who was in his way the entire bout. 

Inosuke has been batting nearly zero this entire basho. One can only hope he does better next basho unless Hakkaku finally gets tired of him. I would lobby for Konosuke's promotion now. 

[hakutorizakura 583]

Congrats Daieisho!!

Never seen laid-back Shodai looking cross like that. Oh Inosuke...

Aaand The Uncle shows up again! Raja said ozeki Asashoryu, uh, Asanoyama 

[Tigerboy1966 1,376]

10 minutes ago, pricklypomegranate said:

"[he] would be Ozeki now, if it weren't for [his] knees."

Hakkaku-oyakata is wrong. If it wasn't for his knees Terunofuji would be yokozuna.

[Benihana 1,900]

Pink macaron!

[pricklypomegranate 730]

7 minutes ago, hakutorizakura said:

Aaand The Uncle shows up again! Raja said ozeki Asashoryu, uh, Asanoyama 

Oh no! Not the Uncle! Anything but the Uncle! 

The only similarity Asashoryu and I have is ❗ that ❗we ❗love ❗to ❗type❗with ❗emojis ❗❗❗

(Frequent visitors to Asashoryu's Twitter will understand the joke). 

[Gooner 39]

1 hour ago, Amamaniac said:

Waka III curse remains in tact!  Sorry Shodai...

Can you explain?

[Eikokurai 3,433]

17 minutes ago, Gooner said:

Can you explain?

Former Wakanohana is now a pundit and picks his favourite for the yusho. His pick never wins.

[Amamaniac 2,078]

20 minutes ago, Gooner said:

1 hour ago, Amamaniac said:

Waka III curse remains in tact!  Sorry Shodai...

Can you explain?

Sorry about the obscure reference.  Those of us who watch the Abema TV stream generally do so in order to watch former Yokozuna Wakanohana III's guest commentary (incl. "virtual [green screen] explanation") on weekends.  Every tournament, he makes a championship prediction on day 1, and as far as I recall, he has not succeeded in making an accurate prediction yet!  Just goes to show that oozumo can confound even the best oozumo minds... LOL

Edited January 24, 2021 by Amamaniac

[Amamaniac 2,078]

Speaking of the Abema broadcast, did anyone catch the 10-year-old boy sitting near the ring (mukoemen side).  He was pretty cute, holding up an Asanoyama mini-nobori banner just prior to the Ozeki's bout with Shodai.  Then, during Daieisho's championship interview, he was laughing at the winner's jokes.

He looked like a future sumo wrestler.  Better get his "sign" (autograph) now!