Nagoya Basho 2021

[Benihana 1,750]

Disclaimer/introduction for new players

The Wall:

If a sumotori gets his first makekoshi (MK = losing record) in that respective division, it's called "hitting the wall" (KK = winning record, means missing the wall, which is a good thing). This basho we have Kotokuzan in Juryo, the Ura-special, finally back in Makuuchi plus the Abi-special, back in Juryo after suspension.

Promotion/demotion/kadoban/intai:

This time there are no Ozeki in fear of demotion (looking at you, Shodai), but we have a rare opportunity for a double Yokozuna promotion. A convincing Yusho and/or Jun-Yusho for Terunofuji and/or Takakeisho could mean promotion for one of them or even both!

Asanoyama will be auto-kadoban due to his 6-basho suspension. Maybe i will cover his return to active sumo next year.

Guess the colour of the giant macaron:

One of the prizes for the yusho winner is a giant fake macaron (as placeholder for a load of real, normal sized macarons from one of the best Pâtisseries in Paris). The colour varies and it has become a popular game to guess it.

[Kaminariyuki 487]

On 13/06/2021 at 13:57, Benihana said:

macarons from one of the best Pâtisseries in Paris

I think the pâtisserie making the macarons, Pierre Hermé, is in Omotesando,Tokyo. Splitting hairs here, but that's what we do on SF. The pâtissier, himself, and his original shop are in Paris. I could be mistaken, though, and they may fly macarons in from Paris. No need, though, as the Omotesando shop is exceptional, in my opinion. I've been in there far more times than I've been in the kokugikan.

Edited June 15, 2021 by Kaminariyuki

[Seiyashi 3,543]

Certainly something to check out next time I'm in the area. I usually give the Western side of the Yamanote Line a miss, but Pierre Herme may well warrant a trip on its own.

[Kaminariyuki 487]

10 hours ago, Seiyashi said:

Certainly something to check out next time I'm in the area. I usually give the Western side of the Yamanote Line a miss, but Pierre Herme may well warrant a trip on its own.

Well, I admit, I'm an east-side man myself but there are scads of great eats and other attractions on the west side. And, I have a buddy who lives in Kanagawa, so I often benefit from local knowledge of the neighborhoods south and west of Shibuya.

[sahaven111 162]

Ura's been in makuuchi before, btw...

didn't know we did that with returners (same for Abi)

Edited June 15, 2021 by sahaven111

[Kaminariyuki 487]

On 14/06/2021 at 23:36, Seiyashi said:

Certainly something to check out next time I'm in the area. I usually give the Western side of the Yamanote Line a miss, but Pierre Herme may well warrant a trip on its own.

I particularly like the chocolat infinement and the mille feuille but they are famous for their macarons if that's your thing. There's an ice cream shop on the second floor that will rock your world if you go ahead and climb the Stairway to Heaven.

[Churaumi 688]

Ura and Abi miss walls, Kotokuzan and Shodai makekoshi, Takakeisho stays ozeki, Terunofuji gets his rope. Blue macaroon.

[Benihana 1,750]

On 15/06/2021 at 23:03, sahaven111 said:

Ura's been in makuuchi before, btw...

didn't know we did that with returners (same for Abi)

Regarding the circumstances, their former success and their standing with the fans, the Ura/Abi polls are "specials".

[Benihana 1,750]

The Lizard People, in all their wisdom, decided zu promote Ichiyamamoto from J8 to makuuchi. With a 10-5. Why? Just why? Too much biru? *sigh*

I won't redo the poll. You can leave a comment, but it won't have any impact und the outcome.

[Kaminariyuki 487]

10 hours ago, Benihana said:

The Lizard People, in all their wisdom, decided zu promote Ichiyamamoto from J8 to makuuchi. With a 10-5. Why? Just why? Too much biru? *sigh*

I won't redo the poll. You can leave a comment, but it won't have any impact und the outcome.

Ichiyamamoto hits wall... The kindness of the banzuke committee will be his curse.

[sumojoann 1,151]

Ura, unfortunately, gets re-injured and hits the wall.  Kotokuzan hits the wall.  Abi has been winning left & right and has already proven himself in Makuuchi, he'll miss the wall.  Shodai will be depressed about how well Terunofuji is doing but he will dig in his heels and get his KK.  Takakeisho will remain Ozeki.  Terunofuji will win the Yusho.  The macaron will be GOLD to celebrate (in advance) Terunofuji getting the rope.

[Kaminariyuki 487]

On 21/06/2021 at 13:18, Kaminariyuki said:

Ichiyamamoto hits wall... The kindness of the banzuke committee will be his curse.

My wizard ranking slides in the prognosticative banzuke...

[Churaumi 688]

I'm killing the prognostication this basho. Just need Shodai to lose tomorrow and all my guesses about performance will be right. The blueness of the macaron is probably less certain than Shodai losing.