Natsu basho 2021

[Gospodin 187]

It looks like Takaysu might find himself in a good setup for re-promotion. One strong opponent out of the way, and, assuming promotion of Terunofuji some time this year or early 2022, a shortage of ozeki.

[robnplunder 974]

4 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

Endo's rubbing me the wrong way with the smugness after winning though. Against Hakuho I can buy that as payback for that kachiage last time; against Terunofuji when they're 4-4 it just smacks of arrogance to me.

I didn't see what you saw. But if Endo was smug, I think Terunofuji deserved it.  He has been pretty arrogant (a la Hak) after dispatching each of his opponents.  Of course, these observations are subjective.     

[Katooshu 3,135]

The random doofus in with a shot at the yusho, beating 2 on form ozeki? The kyokai has been at it again!

[hakutorizakura 590]

Shodai: OK bro, I'll let you win this time just to make things interesting. Just don't make me look stupid okay?

Tak: Fine, is walking on all fours good enough for you?

[Eikokurai 3,433]

12 minutes ago, Benihana said:

There wasn't a proper camera angle, but Endo's hanging mage could in fact have touched earlier.

The tokoyama was sweating back in the changing room, I’ll bet, waiting to see if his slapdash hairstyling had cost Endo the win.

Edited May 22, 2021 by Eikokurai

[Seiyashi 4,071]

8 minutes ago, Eikokurai said:

Yes! Now we have two pathways to a playoff. If Takakeisho beats Terunofuji tomorrow, they’ll meet again in a two-man ketteisen. If Endo also wins, a three-man tomoesen awaits. 

Are we really sure Takakeisho shouldn't be promoted alongside Terunofuji, if he forces the playoff tomorrow and does something similar in Nagoya with a high enough score? Of his 11 basho at ozeki, he withdrew from 4 because of injury, had 9-6 and 7-8 in two others, and has gone 10-5, 12-3, 13-2, 11-4 and this basho 11-3. Not to mention he scored jun-yusho in his ozekiwake basho, and barring his withdrawal in Hatsu, has had 4 double-digit basho out of 5 with a jun-yusho and yusho at the end of last year. 

It's true his run of form isn't as spectacular as Terunofuji's, being a little more punctuated, but by the numbers if he goes 12-3D 13-2D and loses to Terunofuji for the yusho each time, and you promote Terunofuji, I don't see why you don't promote Takakeisho also.

Edited May 22, 2021 by Seiyashi

[Seiyashi 4,071]

2 minutes ago, robnplunder said:

9 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

Endo's rubbing me the wrong way with the smugness after winning though. Against Hakuho I can buy that as payback for that kachiage last time; against Terunofuji when they're 4-4 it just smacks of arrogance to me.

I didn't see what you saw. But if Endo was smug, I think Terunofuji deserved it.  He has been pretty arrogant (a la Hak) after dispatching each of his opponents.  Of course, these observations are subjective.     

After Isegahama declared the sashichigae Endo had this smirk on his face as he remounted the dohyo. The tongue I can take, it's cheeky/cute. The smirk really smacked of sliminess though.

[Seiyashi 4,071]

4 minutes ago, Gospodin said:

It looks like Takaysu might find himself in a good setup for re-promotion. One strong opponent out of the way, and, assuming promotion of Terunofuji some time this year or early 2022, a shortage of ozeki.

If he doesn't choke himself out of it again. 11 wins this basho will leave him needing 12 next basho and possibly on a collision course with Terunofuji for the yusho; I'm not sure I like Takayasu's chances of hitting 12 with silverware on the line, given that 12 is the highest he's ever scored in a honbasho.

Edited May 22, 2021 by Seiyashi

[Amamaniac 2,078]

44 minutes ago, Tigerboy1966 said:

I think Meisei has it sewn up already. Takanosho can't do better than 6-9 at S1w and that's never been good enough to stay in sanyaku.

And K1w Daieisho is definitely dropping out of Sanyaku too!  Free slots galore!

[Eikokurai 3,433]

6 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

Are we really sure Takakeisho shouldn't be promoted alongside Terunofuji, if he forces the playoff tomorrow and does something similar in Nagoya with a high enough score? Of his 11 basho at ozeki, he withdrew from 4 because of injury, had 9-6 and 7-8 in two others, and has gone 10-5, 12-3, 13-2, 11-4 and this basho 11-3. Not to mention he scored jun-yusho in his ozekiwake basho, and barring his withdrawal in Hatsu, has had 4 double-digit basho with a jun-yusho and yusho at the end of last year. 

It's true his run of form isn't as spectacular as Terunofuji's, being a little more punctuated, but by the numbers if he goes 12-3D 13-2D and loses to Terunofuji for the yusho each time, and you promote Terunofuji, I don't see why you don't promote Takakeisho also.

Personally, I’d promote Takakeisho on the back of a JY > Y or Y > JY simply because he’s already done that combination within the last year (Sept and Nov 2020). Two yusho and two jun-yusho at Ozeki in the space of six basho would be enough for me.

Edited May 22, 2021 by Eikokurai

[Seiyashi 4,071]

2 minutes ago, Eikokurai said:

Personally, I’d promote Takakeisho on the back of a JY > Y or Y > JY simply because he’s already done that combination within the last year (Sept and Nov 2020). Two yusho and two jun-yusho at Ozeki in the space of six basho is enough for me.

Correct, but let's say he goes D - D losing to Terunofuji in a playoff each time, which is looking more and more likely. If I understand correctly that the playoff bout is immaterial to a promotion (since several yokozuna have been promoted despite losing playoffs), then I don't see why Takakeisho's promotion is that out of left field if he goes D-D with Terunofuji going Y-Y, if we're already talking about Terunofuji being promoted if he yushos next round.

Edited May 22, 2021 by Seiyashi

[Ichimawashi 573]

I think Chiyonoo has had better mono-ii luck so far than Terunofuji's opponents....

[Gospodin 187]

It doesn´t necessarily have to be next basho. If he just manages two basho with 10-11 wins, his chances would look also quite good in November.

[Eikokurai 3,433]

5 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

Correct, but let's say he goes D - D losing to Terunofuji in a playoff each time, which is looking more and more likely. If I understand correctly that the playoff bout is immaterial to a promotion (since several yokozuna have been promoted despite losing playoffs), then I don't see why Takakeisho's promotion is that out of left field if he goes D-D with Terunofuji going Y-Y, if we're already talking about Terunofuji being promoted if he yushos next round.

Yes, sorry, I didn’t comment on the doten scenario. I think they’d be treated as yusho, so same thing really. Arguably, D > D makes a stronger case than JY > Y or Y > JY just for the simple reason that they are considered “yusho equivalent”. If they’re equivalent, that’s basically two yusho versus one.

[Amamaniac 2,078]

36 minutes ago, Katooshu said:

The opponents Hoshoryu has beaten are overall much better than the ones who beat him. He has the tools but needs to work on applying them every match and being motivated for each opponent, whether it's an ozeki or the blandest maegashira.

Although Hoshoryu will be demoted on the heels of his makekoshi, this was an important opportunity for him to gain experience fighting the (current) top guys on the banzuke.  And for his first run through the meat-grinder, getting three Sanyaku scalps is a true accomplishment and evidence of his potential!

Aside perhaps from Akua, the Tatsunami Stable boys are showing their talent.  Seems like a good place to train these days.

[Eikokurai 3,433]

43 minutes ago, Gospodin said:

It looks like Takaysu might find himself in a good setup for re-promotion. One strong opponent out of the way, and, assuming promotion of Terunofuji some time this year or early 2022, a shortage of ozeki.

28 minutes ago, Gospodin said:

It doesn´t necessarily have to be next basho. If he just manages two basho with 10-11 wins, his chances would look also quite good in November.

I feel Takayasu’s best path back to Ozeki is the Asanoyama model, i.e. a 4-5 basho run of something like 10 > 11 > 10 > 11 > 10. The 33/45 target just feels beyond him to me. Just a feeling though, not science.

Whether the Kyokai would look favourably on the Asanoyama model for a re-promotion I’ve no idea, but from a purely numerical POV, it seems a more achievable target for Taka at this time.

[Godango 956]

3 minutes ago, Eikokurai said:

I feel Takayasu’s best path back to Ozeki is the Asanoyama model, i.e. a 4-5 basho run of something like 10 > 11 > 10 > 11 > 10. The 33/45 target just feels beyond him to me. Just a feeling though, not science.

Whether the Kyokai would look favourably on the Asanoyama model for a re-promotion I’ve no idea, but from a purely numerical POV, it seems a more achievable target for Taka at this time.

Takayasu it more than capable of 12, to be fair. I don't see him getting re-promoted without the minimum of 33/3 no matter how consistent he is, which is fair enough. Former Ozeki should be held to a higher standard.

[Eikokurai 3,433]

8 minutes ago, Godango said:

Takayasu it more than capable of 12, to be fair. I don't see him getting re-promoted without the minimum of 33/3 no matter how consistent he is, which is fair enough. Former Ozeki should be held to a higher standard.

He used to be, but he hasn’t managed more than 10 since November 2018. That’s 14 basho never even managing 11, let alone 12. He has a chance to break that streak tomorrow though (and frankly needs to to have a chance at promotion in July).

Edited May 22, 2021 by Eikokurai

[Morty 1,480]

This basho the Endo I've been waiting to see for about five years has finally shown up. And Terunofuji eventually made the mistake of giving morozashi to someone good enough on the belt to exploit it, and even though that was a close call, they were both executing throws and Terunofuji clearly touched down first. If you give up morozashi all the time on the expectation that you can muscle your way out of it, eventually someone is going to take advantage of you. Great match, best of the basho, and makes tomorrow much more interesting.

[Joaoiyama 306]

Hoshoryu obviously shows potential, still he can grow his body quite a bit. His mind doesn't seem focused every match showing lack of motivation but when he is motivated his body can fail him like today. Skills-wise he needs to learn from Kakuryu's calm and careful style rather than flamboyant genius Harumafuji. 

Can't uncle get Hakuho to do some keiko sessions with nephew? 

[Eikokurai 3,433]

14 minutes ago, Morty said:

This basho the Endo I've been waiting to see for about five years has finally shown up. And Terunofuji eventually made the mistake of giving morozashi to someone good enough on the belt to exploit it, and even though that was a close call, they were both executing throws and Terunofuji clearly touched down first. If you give up morozashi all the time on the expectation that you can muscle your way out of it, eventually someone is going to take advantage of you. Great match, best of the basho, and makes tomorrow much more interesting.

Endo has the legwork too. He’s the first this basho to test Terunofuji’s balance and ability to resist a trip or sweep. 

[Tigerboy1966 1,376]

The Endo v Terunofuji match was one you could show to a sceptical friend and say, "Now That's Sumo!"

[Amamaniac 2,078]

1 hour ago, Eikokurai said:

Endo has the legwork too. He’s the first this basho to test Terunofuji’s balance and ability to resist a trip or sweep. 

Overall I agree.  But watch the replay again.  It seems to me that Terunofuji is executing the sweep, and unfortunately for him, Endo's flexibility is off the charts, and he resisted (escaped from?) Terunofuji's kakenage (?).  

Generally speaking, sumo is mostly about strength.  But that bout showcased the importance of technique and flexibility.  

Now do some matawari splits, and a few (hundred) shiko for good measure. 

Edited May 22, 2021 by Amamaniac

[Koorifuu 886]

Terunofuji's post-monoii body language was completely different to a few days ago. It felt like he knew this one was actually fair.

[Eikokurai 3,433]

40 minutes ago, Amamaniac said:

Overall I agree.  But watch the replay again.  It seems to me that Terunofuji is executing the sweep, and unfortunately for him, Endo's flexibility is off the charts, and he resisted (escaped from?) Terunofuji's kakenage (?).  

Generally speaking, sumo is mostly about strength.  But that bout showcased the importance of technique and flexibility.  

Now do some matawari splits, and a few (hundred) shiko for good measure. 

I feel like Endo first attempted to hook Teru’s leg with his right and Teru then tried to convert it into a kakenage.