Nagoya Basho 2021

[Godango 956]

13 minutes ago, Kintamayama said:

You know what? I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't show up tomorrow, citing an injury.

This is likely a joke going over my head, but surely there's an intai recommendation if that were to be the case. 14-0 or not, he needs to show he will finish a basho.

[since_94 650]

1 hour ago, Eikokurai said:

I need to reschedule family life tomorrow so I can watch this finale.

Do it.
A life is too hard to live, if full of regrets.

[Benihana 1,900]

I don't know, what Hakuho was up to, nor do i care. All i know is, this was Hakuho's second bout this basho, which made me laugh and sit there in amazement. Bad sumo, premium (you have to pronounce this the japanese way)  entertainement.

[Seiyashi 4,068]

3 minutes ago, Benihana said:

I don't know, what Hakuho was up to, nor do i care. All i know is, this was Hakuho's second bout this basho, which made me laugh and sit there in amazement. Bad sumo, premium (you have to pronounce this the japanese way)  entertainement.

It's sort of amazing that it's the GOAT pulling shenanigans of this sort and no one is really throwing a tantrum. In other sports, had similar things been pulled off against the GOAT, there would certainly have been rants about respect and it not being the sport, but it seems to be fair game in sumo. 

[Kintamayama 44,275]

29 minutes ago, Godango said:

This is likely a joke going over my head, but surely there's an intai recommendation if that were to be the case. 14-0 or not, he needs to show he will finish a basho.

It's a joke. I think in his head he is already intai. OK, It's half a joke, but I wouldn't put it past him to royally poke the YDC in their eyes for the last time. I'm just illustrating the fact that nothing he does should surprise anyone anymore.

[Kujo 116]

I am hoping that the new boss shows more hinkaku than the old boss.

[Seiyashi 4,068]

1 minute ago, Kujo said:

I am hoping that the new boss shows more hinkaku than the old boss.

Probably best to hope harder for the yokozuna after next then. Terunofuji is hardly going to be the long-reigning boss we've been looking for. 

[Kujo 116]

1 minute ago, Seiyashi said:

Probably best to hope harder for the yokozuna after next then. Terunofuji is hardly going to be the long-reigning boss we've been looking for. 

Yes I realize that, maybe when gagamaru completes his ozeki run (around the world) things will get interesting.

[Kujo 116]

13 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

Probably best to hope harder for the yokozuna after next then. 

Who will that be? I don't feel any of the current sanyaku can make it.

Hoshoryu?

Edited July 17, 2021 by Kujo

[Asashosakari 18,673]

20 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

Probably best to hope harder for the yokozuna after next then. Terunofuji is hardly going to be the long-reigning boss we've been looking for. 

Long reign not needed to set an example. (In whichever direction.)

[RabidJohn 1,644]

Hmm, Hakuho's mind games evidently had an effect on me, too, because I completely forgot to mention that astounding yorikiri of Ura's, making Meisei look helpless.
Is he sandbagging with those mummified knees? 
I might have to dig out my old ticket for the Ura Hype Train if he keeps this up.

[Ichimawashi 573]

It seems rather harsh to even suggest that Hakuho has not yet done enough to avoid an intai reccommendation, that a strong showing in the finale tomorrow is needed or it is time to go.  He's won 14 in a row, after a few shaky ones at the start mostly in dominant fashion and is one win away from a sixteenth zensho yusho, when only five others in the modern era have that many yushos of any record.  He has earned the right to take his time when injured by an unequalled record as yokozuna, and proven with 14 wins that he has recovered from his latest injuries enough to continue at a very high level.  Starting from the tawara is as legal as a snooker break-off caroming off two banks and resting against the middle red in the back row: it's something new that a few pros (in both sports) are experimenting with, even though it is non-traditional.  If he is beaten tomorrow and wants to continue in September, surely he has earned that right.  We've given Teru the rope already.  Surely the GOAT deserves another basho if he wishes to continue.

[Ichimawashi 573]

2 hours ago, pricklypomegranate said:

What the hell was that from Hakuho? At first I thought he was disrespecting Shodai for such a terrible performance, but on second thought it might be the knees. He's trying to avoid tachiai and save himself for Terunofuji tomorrow? 

That was the sumo version of Vito Corleone slapping a sobbing Johnny Fontaine and yelling "7-6 as an OZEKI?  (slap)  You could fight like A MAN!  (slap)  What's the matter with you? (slap)  Is this how you turned out, a young upstart that cries like a woman? (slap)  Eheheh!  Who can I beat?  How can I win?  (slap)  What is that nonsense?  Ridiculous!  (abisetaoshi)"

[Eikokurai 3,433]

Man, those were some harite and a half from Hakuho. I felt for Shodai there. He must have been wondering what the hell he’s done to deserve that treatment. 

[Kintamayama 44,275]

[Kintamayama 44,275]

48 minutes ago, Ichimawashi said:

It seems rather harsh to even suggest that Hakuho has not yet done enough to avoid an intai reccommendation, that a strong showing in the finale tomorrow is needed or it is time to go.  He's won 14 in a row, after a few shaky ones at the start mostly in dominant fashion and is one win away from a sixteenth zensho yusho, when only five others in the modern era have that many yushos of any record.  He has earned the right to take his time when injured by an unequalled record as yokozuna, and proven with 14 wins that he has recovered from his latest injuries enough to continue at a very high level.etc

No one is saying otherwise-he was asked to show up and he did. Nobody said it was only for one basho.

[Yangnomazuma 77]

I often read the righteous indignation from the SF masses when certain things happen and giggle uncontrollably.  I prime the fingers for a snarky retort then remember that it's a forum and opinions are meant to be shared.  

Aoiyama with a dame-oshi?  Would you rather have Aoiyama fully engaged in the basho, trying his hardest, and putting in effort, or would you prefer slow, weak, IDGAF Aoiyama?  At least he found his balls and decided to fight.

Henka this and henka that?  I think the Forum makes much ado about nothing on that topic.  It's part of the game.

This talk about Hakuho's bout on day 14 and people bemoaning his lack of hinkaku is pretty hilarious.  I remember back in the day when Asashoryu was the GOAT and people were literally whining about hinkaku and how Hakuho was SOOO much better than him.  It was said it will be nice when Asashoryu is gone so we can have a Yokozuna (Hakuho) who embodies all the good in life.  Now, it appears he's the devil incarnate.  Was it unconventional?  Sure.  Were those harite delivered with much gusto?  Yes!!!  Does "Ozeki" Shodai deserve a wake up call?  Hell yes!  I can only hope that at least part of the reasoning was just that; to smack some sense into an Ozeki that underperforms with the regularity Old Faithful.

All told, thanks for the laughs.

[Godango 956]

1 hour ago, Ichimawashi said:

It seems rather harsh to even suggest that Hakuho has not yet done enough to avoid an intai reccommendation, that a strong showing in the finale tomorrow is needed or it is time to go.  He's won 14 in a row, after a few shaky ones at the start mostly in dominant fashion and is one win away from a sixteenth zensho yusho, when only five others in the modern era have that many yushos of any record.  He has earned the right to take his time when injured by an unequalled record as yokozuna, and proven with 14 wins that he has recovered from his latest injuries enough to continue at a very high level.  Starting from the tawara is as legal as a snooker break-off caroming off two banks and resting against the middle red in the back row: it's something new that a few pros (in both sports) are experimenting with, even though it is non-traditional.  If he is beaten tomorrow and wants to continue in September, surely he has earned that right.  We've given Teru the rope already.  Surely the GOAT deserves another basho if he wishes to continue.

If this is referring to my comment above, might be a misinterpretation. He's 100% done more than enough to prove he's still a worthy yokozuna and get the media/YDC off his back. My sole point is he needs to show up tomorrow, even if he suffers the most embarrassing loss imaginable he's still made his point and made it well.

[nagora 88]

Given the number of people around him wearing "Hakuho" and the Olympic rings, I'd say he definitely has something else he wants to do before retiring.

[Kishinoyama 582]

29 minutes ago, Yangnomazuma said:

All told, thanks for the laughs.

Exactly! As soon as I watched the Hakuho vs Shodai match, I had to come here and read the comments. I knew that I would get a few laughs and I was not disappointed. 

Edited July 17, 2021 by Kishinoyama

[Eikokurai 3,433]

26 minutes ago, Yangnomazuma said:

Aoiyama with a dame-oshi?  Would you rather have Aoiyama fully engaged in the basho, trying his hardest, and putting in effort, or would you prefer slow, weak, IDGAF Aoiyama?  At least he found his balls and decided to fight.

You'll need to explain what his shove has to do with engagement or effort and why everyone else manages to be engaged and put in effort without it.

Edited July 17, 2021 by Eikokurai

[Kujo 116]

23 minutes ago, Yangnomazuma said:

I often read the righteous indignation from the SF masses when certain things happen and giggle uncontrollably.  I prime the fingers for a snarky retort then remember that it's a forum and opinions are meant to be shared.  

Because it is only the "internet" and we all have different opinions is why I only commented on his lack of hinkaku.

Your opinion is just as valid as mine, I am a "snarky" kind of guy in the real world, but prefer to "snark" over a few beers. 

This forum needs a :beer emoji.

[since_94 650]

Terunofuji really managed to make yorikiri look more like giving Takayasu the bum’s rush on Day 14.

[Amamaniac 2,078]

At the end of Day 14, many of us got what we wanted: a final day showdown between two elite sumo wrestlers at the top of their games with perfect records.  I have to say, seeing the row of 14 white circles (no black circles) is a thing of beauty, and 15 symbolises perfection like little else!

The winner of the tournament's final bout will win the Cup, plain and simple.  (No ketteisen, no "you may have won the regulation bout, but I'm going to steal the yusho.").

It doesn't matter how they got there.

 

[Amamaniac 2,078]

7 minutes ago, since_94 said:

Terunofuji really managed to make yorikiri look more like giving Takayasu the bum’s rush on Day 14.

In my mind, no way was that a yorikiri.  Can someone enlighten me why that call was made, or why it wasn't reversed?