March basho 2021

[Tigerboy1966 1,376]

I haven't seen Chiyomaru look this good in years. The cute one is fighting with bad intentions, like a teddy-bear with a sledgehammer.

[pricklypomegranate 730]

9 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

Eh, what's with Enho's henka. Not the best way to maintain a 6-0 lead, but it is a 6-0 lead...

I thought so at first, but after watching the replay many times, I have come to the conclusion that it is not a henka. His hands and arms hit the opponent before he swings down underneath his aite. If he was a henka, no aspect of his body would be touching his opponent. 

4 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

Nah, I think you're right insofar as he's arguably getting away with a lot of opponents not really punishing him in Juryo. But it's a much needed confidence booster nonetheless, and he does seem to be showing some signs of improved backwards agility which used to be his weakest spot, so hopefully he brings that morale and experience back to makuuchi for a more successful second run.

He's fighting a lot more upright than the usual submarine style he used to have, he's using a separation as a tool rather than a disadvantage to reset himself should he have a bad position, and he's ending his matches a lot quicker than he used to. 

[Seiyashi 4,068]

14 minutes ago, pricklypomegranate said:

22 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

Nah, I think you're right insofar as he's arguably getting away with a lot of opponents not really punishing him in Juryo. But it's a much needed confidence booster nonetheless, and he does seem to be showing some signs of improved backwards agility which used to be his weakest spot, so hopefully he brings that morale and experience back to makuuchi for a more successful second run.

He's fighting a lot more upright than the usual submarine style he used to have, he's using a separation as a tool rather than a disadvantage to reset himself should he have a bad position, and he's ending his matches a lot quicker than he used to. 

Yes, I think that's spot on. He should have no problem with much of the journeymen maegashira in the bottom half of makuuchi when he returns, but the real test will be when he gets back to the single-digit maegashira ranks.

[Shatsume 116]

5 hours ago, Iwayama said:

Going  frame by frame through the Teru-Ono Matta, you can clearly see a good inch or two between the clay and Terunofuji's hands. It was the right call. 

And the second tachiai looked identical but wasn't a matta, ergo nonsense. 

[Seiyashi 4,068]

9 minutes ago, Shatsume said:

5 hours ago, Iwayama said:

Going  frame by frame through the Teru-Ono Matta, you can clearly see a good inch or two between the clay and Terunofuji's hands. It was the right call. 

And the second tachiai looked identical but wasn't a matta, ergo nonsense. 

Agreeing with @Shatsume; bullshit calls over matta have never been about whether or not that particular matta was justified. It's about the fact that matta are inconsistently called, because while Terunofuji might be the worst makuuchi offender, he is almost certainly not the only one. In fairness to the gyoji, it can be really difficult to tell from that angle and we as fans don't know either till the slow-mo, but that suggests more that there's a systemic issue with the matta rules as they are now rather than failures on the part of the individual gyoji.

[lackmaker 428]

Matta are a regular feature of Sumo and successful wrestlers have to be able to cope with them despite their inconsistent application. I'm not exactly sympathetic if someone struggles to reset after, especially when he's a regular offender anyway, it's part of the sport.

[Hakuryuho 334]

I'm excited about the next years in Sumo just because of Hoshoryu alone.
He easily passes the eye test, I can't help but wonder how good he's going to be in his prime, age 25-30..
His future is bright indeed 
 

[Seiyashi 4,068]

Good man, Hokutofuji! Now let's hope the sanyaku can capitalise.

Takayasu's absolutely blasting it. Terunofuji recovered in fine style from yesterday to show off a glimpse of his glory days. Takanosho very quietly showing improvement and consistent results at sekiwake for three tournaments straight; could this be the start of an ozeki run for him?

The best tachiai from Asanoyama in this tournament to date, and the most offensive he's also been. But damn he looked really good doing it. Calling it now; Asanoyama v Terunofuji will be a yusho-deciding match later on in the basho.

Shodai really needs to fix his tachiai. Takakeisho looking a lock to clear kadoban and might mess up someone's yusho hopes, but I don't think he's in it to win the yusho himself unless he demolishes every other single member of the sanyaku.

Edited March 19, 2021 by Seiyashi

[Amamaniac 2,078]

13 hours ago, Kaminariyuki said:

While I'm a big Enho fan, after watching his five bouts I'm afraid, while he looks like he may be healthier, his sumo is not where it needs to go. He did have a nice ashitori on Day 1 or 2, and he's being aggressive, but he needs to come up with something to keep from getting steamrollered when he gets back up in makuuchi, IMO. While that's just my opinion, I'm glad to see him winning by wit and speed. We'll take the Ws. I'm probably completely wrong, anyway. 

Happy to see another Enho fan on the Forum.  Your views on his sumo are definitely not wrong.  I feel that small wrestlers (really small wrestlers) will never meet expectations for dominant sumo content.  Their role in this sport with no weight classes is to shock rather than awe.  In a way, they help keep the regular class of elite hopefuls honest. That is to say, sumo demands that in order to rise up the banzuke, you have to learn how to deal with all sorts of opponents.  The small-but-feisty wrestlers constitute a real challenge.  They have a definite role in the sport, and the good ones can secure a measure of glory.  

I think it is fair to say that no one expects Enho to become an Ozeki, let alone Yokozuna.  But we can dream of him making it up to Komusubi like Mainoumi. 

Edited March 19, 2021 by Amamaniac

[Eikokurai 3,433]

1 hour ago, Seiyashi said:

Asanoyama v Terunofuji will be a yusho-deciding match later on in the basho.

Best case scenario has Asanoyama win. Terunofuji gets Ozeki promotion and sansho as his consolation prize while Asanoyama goes into May on a proper tsuna-run.

[Amamaniac 2,078]

There seems to be a consensus that Terunofuji can't rely on brute strength alone if he wants to fight his way up to ... Yokozuna(?). But today's bout against Kiribayama was like a message to everyone else in the tournament: I can TAKE any one of you.  Injuries and technical weaknesses aside, brute strength is a game changer.

# BEAST MODE

Forgive me, but I just had to say that before someone else does. LOL

Edited March 19, 2021 by Amamaniac

[Seiyashi 4,068]

17 minutes ago, Eikokurai said:

1 hour ago, Seiyashi said:

Asanoyama v Terunofuji will be a yusho-deciding match later on in the basho.

Best case scenario has Asanoyama win. Terunofuji gets Ozeki promotion and sansho as his consolation prize while Asanoyama goes into May on a proper tsuna-run.

Why do I think I've heard this before, this time last year? 

8 minutes ago, Amamaniac said:

While there seems to be a consensus that Terunofuji can't rely on brute strength alone if he wants to fight his way up to ... Yokozuna(?). But today's bout against Kiribayama was like a message to everyone else in the tournament: I can TAKE any one of you.  Injuries and technical weaknesses aside, brute strength is a game changer.

I don't think the problem is that he can't use it. The problem is how much of it he has left in him versus how much he can recover between each basho. He probably can't tsuridashi all 15 opponents without seriously risking injury each time, so it's a matter of conserving his body that he uses not-brute strength to win.

[Eikokurai 3,433]

No torinaoshi for Daieisho-Takarafuji but we get one for Tsurugisho-Terutsuyoshi which seemed more clear cut? 

[hakutorizakura 582]

Terunofuji should have been called for a traveling violation, that was way too many steps before the dunk (dump?). Dude, you can't just do sumo like taking out the trash everyday, not fair! 

Hokutofuji reminds me of Yoshikaze. Let's just go berserk and spill blood everywhere every other day. Sanyaku next basho?

[Philioyamfugi 378]

Hokotofuji is surging again, 2 Ozeki scalps so far. he's fun to watch. Mitakiumi gone flat after a strong start. Takakeisho has his speed back, but lil short on power, but he's going to be ok. I picked against Akiseyama in the underdog game and glad I lost :). Should be an interesting weekend, the young guys are making a good showing. Lots of great matches, fun sumo.

 

[pricklypomegranate 730]

2 hours ago, Amamaniac said:

Happy to see another Enho fan on the Forum.  Your views on his sumo are definitely not wrong.  I feel that small wrestlers (really small wrestlers) will never meet expectations for dominant sumo content.  Their role in this sport with no weight classes is to shock rather than awe.  In a way, they help keep the regular class of elite hopefuls honest. That is to say, sumo demands that in order to rise up the banzuke, you have to learn how to deal with all sorts of opponents.  The small-but-feisty wrestlers constitute a real challenge.  They have a definite role in the sport, and the good ones can secure a measure of glory.  

I think it is fair to say that no one expects Enho to become an Ozeki, let alone Yokozuna.  But we can dream of him making it up to Komusubi like Mainoumi. 

Speaking of Enho, I felt his interview answer today was very touching: 

"I've been able to concentrate on my sumo, day by day. I've been able to wrestle calmly and mentally. I'm gradually becoming less anxious. [Last year] My mind wasn't ready before I did sumo. I was afraid to step into the ring. All I could think about was the rankings, and I was worried about falling out of makuuchi.”

“What would happen if I fell? I was always looking down. I couldn't look up. Now that I've fallen, I can only look up and do sumo."

Rarely is such vulnerability so openly and sincerely expressed. Enho’s a real king. 

Edited March 19, 2021 by pricklypomegranate

[Eikokurai 3,433]

18 minutes ago, pricklypomegranate said:

Speaking of Enho, I felt his interview answer today was very touching: 

"I've been able to concentrate on my sumo, day by day. I've been able to wrestle calmly and mentally. I'm gradually becoming less anxious. [Last year] My mind wasn't ready before I did sumo. I was afraid to step into the ring. All I could think about was the rankings, and I was worried about falling out of makuuchi.”

“What would happen if I fell? I was always looking down. I couldn't look up. Now that I've fallen, I can only look up and do sumo."

Rarely is such vulnerability so openly and sincerely expressed. Enho’s a real king. 

In Japanese: “頑張ります”

[Amamaniac 2,078]

What's Mitakeumi's deal?  

He seems to be determined to spoil things for the current Ozeki in their hapless bids for a championship, but then after showing some impressive skill in the ring, he loses his edge and his will to win, leaving sumo fans with a bad taste in their mouths.  

Back when Goeido was hitting his stride, he spent a total of 14-straight tournaments at Sekiwake before securing promotion to Ozeki.  Prior to that, he had four stints as a Komusubi and one as a Sekiwake.  People were starting to wonder if he'd ever make it to Champion.  Then it took him another 13 tournaments as an Ozeki before he won his first Top Div yusho.  

Mitakeumi, on the other hand, snagged his first Top Div yusho after only 17 tournaments in Makuuchi (vs Goeido 53 tourneys in Makuuchi).  He went on to win a second title just seven tournaments after his first title.  Thus far in his short career, he has spent 9 tournaments as a Komusubi and 14 as a Sekiwake.  The difference is that Mitakeumi's "junior Sanyaku" record is not as consistent as that of Goeido.  

Goeido's struggle to get that first Top Div championship boils down to one thing: the phenom that was Hakuho in his prime.  In a sense, Mitakeumi was lucky in that both of his championships were won when Hakuho had withdrawn from the tournaments, something that was becoming more frequent.  (FYI, the tournament that Goeido won was only the second time that Hakuho had withdrawn in his illustrious Yokozuna career.)

Mitakeumi seems to have the ji-tai (technique-body) of the winning sumo formula in spades, but he lacks the shin (will/mind/heart).  Goeido managed to cultivate that all important shin.  What will it take for Mitakeumi to do the same?  He doesn't seem to be inclined to put in the work/effort necessary to reach Ozeki and beyond.

 I have this feeling that those early yusho successes and his ji-tai blessings are actually a curse in disguise.  

[Jakusotsu 5,757]

6 minutes ago, Amamaniac said:

I have this feeling that those early yusho successes and his ji-tai blessings are actually a curse in disguise.

My thoughts exactly. Mitakeumi often gives the impression of picturing himself further ahead than he still is, leaving him rather frustrated. In the end, there's nothing wrong at all with being a strong Sekiwake if it wasn't for those might-have-beens.

[Tigerboy1966 1,376]

37 minutes ago, Amamaniac said:

What's Mitakeumi's deal?  

I think that Mitakeumi's failure to progress is probably because he was pretty close to being the finished article when he started; he had a ton of amateur experience and a good, big sumo body. I think he knows this, as I remember him saying something like "college sumo wrestlers don't have much time to make an impact" in an interview. He's a very good wrestler with a ton of charisma, but he's probably as good as he's ever going to get.

[Seiyashi 4,068]

1 hour ago, Tigerboy1966 said:

I think that Mitakeumi's failure to progress is probably because he was pretty close to being the finished article when he started; he had a ton of amateur experience and a good, big sumo body. I think he knows this, as I remember him saying something like "college sumo wrestlers don't have much time to make an impact" in an interview. He's a very good wrestler with a ton of charisma, but he's probably as good as he's ever going to get.

 

2 hours ago, Amamaniac said:

Mitakeumi seems to have the ji-tai (technique-body) of the winning sumo formula in spades, but he lacks the shin (will/mind/heart).  Goeido managed to cultivate that all important shin.  What will it take for Mitakeumi to do the same?  He doesn't seem to be inclined to put in the work/effort necessary to reach Ozeki and beyond.

 I have this feeling that those early yusho successes and his ji-tai blessings are actually a curse in disguise.  

If I'm not wrong, he has a mixed record against most every wrestler in sanyaku (16-6 against Takayasu today was one of his more lopsided). So it's not that he's as good as he's ever going to get and it depends on his opponent's form; it really is within his mental control to turn it on and stay on, because he can beat every one of them if he focuses. He is the classic type of wrestler that the 33/3 ozeki standard was designed to keep out: someone who blows hot and cold, wrestles like a champion when on, and looks horrible when not even without injury.

What probably happened is those early successes put in him a belief that "ok, topflight sumo isn't that hard if I can win", and then as a result he's never 100% there when it matters because he always has that mental margin of safety. It's almost the same external pattern as child prodigies who subsequently go nowhere because they think they're already there, but don't realise life and achievement is one big sloped treadmill.

2 hours ago, Amamaniac said:

What's Mitakeumi's deal?  

He seems to be determined to spoil things for the current Ozeki in their hapless bids for a championship, but then after showing some impressive skill in the ring, he loses his edge and his will to win, leaving sumo fans with a bad taste in their mouths.  

This is exactly why I dislike the chap. He doesn't help his case with his repeated chatter about wanting to be promoted when he's a surefire lock to vaporise his own Ozeki chances within the first half of any basho that it's being talked about. To be fair to him this basho, he's only beaten Shodai, but if he ruins more narratives this basho then I'll be really het up again.

Edited March 19, 2021 by Seiyashi

[Amamaniac 2,078]

2 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

This is exactly why I dislike the chap. He doesn't help his case with his repeated chatter about wanting to be promoted when he's a surefire lock to vaporise his own Ozeki chances within the first half of any basho that it's being talked about. To be fair to him this basho, he's only beaten Shodai, but if he ruins more narratives this basho then I'll be really het up again.

I won't go so far as to say I dislike him.  In fact, I see a lot of potential in him.  

Sumo chatter is simply that: "chatter".  Every wrestler tells the press what they think they want to hear.  

Between you and me, I think there is more going on behind the scenes than we will never know about.  But I sense that Mitakeumi has been less than his usual charismatic self recently.  Part of the problem is that he can no longer hang out with his preferred sparring partner, Tochinoshin, since COVID has put a halt on degeiko.  

The fact that he was hanging out with Tochinoshin on a regular basis suggests that he was not getting the support he needs back at Dewanoumi Stable.  I believe that in many cases, the inspiration and motivation required to push wrestlers to achieve greatness come from stablemasters (at least Isegahama Oyakata is often credited with providing both Harumafuji and Terunofuji with critical motivation).

[Churaumi 726]

If Tochinoshin is his preferred sparring partner, that goes a long way to explaining why he's not an ozeki, yet. Tochinoshin now and Tochinoshin as an ozeki are two different things. 

[Seiyashi 4,068]

45 minutes ago, Amamaniac said:

Sumo chatter is simply that: "chatter".  Every wrestler tells the press what they think they want to hear.  

Between you and me, I think there is more going on behind the scenes than we will never know about.  But I sense that Mitakeumi has been less than his usual charismatic self recently.  Part of the problem is that he can no longer hang out with his preferred sparring partner, Tochinoshin, since COVID has put a halt on degeiko.  

The fact that he was hanging out with Tochinoshin on a regular basis suggests that he was not getting the support he needs back at Dewanoumi Stable.  I believe that in many cases, the inspiration and motivation required to push wrestlers to achieve greatness come from stablemasters (at least Isegahama Oyakata is often credited with providing both Harumafuji and Terunofuji with critical motivation).

Fair cop re lack of opportunities at Dewanoumi. Mitakeumi also had the benefit-ish of Tochiozan and Aoiyama as a sparring partner at Kasugano. But on the flip side, even sparring with Tochinoshin in peak condition doesn't seem to have helped Mitakeumi's consistency problem: Mitakeumi won the yusho in Tochinoshin's debut tournament at ozeki, Nagoya 2018 (where Tochinoshin was actually injured), but was 9-6, 9-6, 8-7, 7-8 and 7-8 for the rest of that year. The year before, in Tochinoshin's arguable lead back up to sanyaku where he'd be in good or improving condition, Mitakeumi never got double digits either except a 11-4 in Hatsu 2017, when Tochinoshin was injured again (turning in a 0-5-10)!

In fact, now that I look at it, Mitakeumi has exactly 1 double-digit tournament a year since 2017, where he reached and stayed in the joi/sanyaku. The only exception was his back to back 10-5 11-4 in March and July last year, which is not really back to back because of the enforced COVID break. That puts some of the lie to the excuse that he's been deprived of training opportunities, since that was arguably the period where he had the least opportunities. I'm not discounting that his coach mightn't be supporting him as well as, say, Tokiwayama in relevant but technically extra-sumo aspects like morale, but at least as far as training and results go, there seems to be no observable correlation with the rise and fall of his preferred training partner, unlike the other two sparring pairs in recent history - Takayasu - Kisenosato and Takakeisho - Takanosho.

And at least as far as saying to the media what they think they want to hear, the standard formula is "take it one day as it goes", "do my own sumo and results will follow", and when asked directly about promotion, demur and repeat one of the prior phrases. To declare that you want ozeki is quite a bit of chutzpah that can no longer be excused by naive bravado (cf the "I want to make sekitori/ozeki/yokozuna comments by shin-deshi). He's been around in the top flight long enough to know how this works, to see how his fellow wrestlers respond to it, and most importantly, to have plenty of time to reflect upon his own missed opportunities. Contrast Asanoyama, who in a year's worth of being beaten about the head with the talk of next yokozuna, has finally gotten down to grips, sullenly, and started doing what needs to be doing.

If he, more and more likely as the years go on, goes down in history as one of the greatest could-have-beens in sumo, my sympathies are with his lack of training and support. Who knows what he might have achieved if he had been in Isegahama or Sadogatake. But at least in my books, he's really not helping himself with his expressed aspirations to a higher rank and failing to live up to them even in spirit. Half tongue-in-cheek, he might get his best results if he gets a private dohyo, trains like mad in isolation, and comes out burning to prove himself at the basho.

Edited March 19, 2021 by Seiyashi

[jsolo 106]

https://jbssumo.blogspot.com/2021/03/grand-sumo-results-with-relevant-links.html

March Basho blog now updated through Day 6. Results, links to match articles, photos, video. Video links to all Day 1-5 matches (NHK is 24 hours behind) (101 matches. Kimarite statistics for the day and cumulative. Time of match statistics for the day and cumulative. san'yaku "pennant race", Maegashira v san'yaku summary, Juryo substutute performance.

https://jbssumo.blogspot.com/2021/03/grand-sumo-results-with-relevant-links.html

Enjoy