Haru 2022 Discussion Thread (SPOILERS!)

[Kaninoyama 1,660]

Hopefully ex-Kisenosato doing NHK commentary duties today won't jinx his former heya mate. 

[Katooshu 3,079]

Shohozan will be a sekitori for at least 1 more basho.........getting his 4th win at J6. At the other end of the age spectrum, 21-year-old Kitanowaka breaks into double digit wins for the first time.

Of everyone in the top division, Kagayaki has the ugliest, clumsiest looking sumo to me, though with 34 tournaments in the division he's obviously got some ability.

Edited March 26, 2022 by Katooshu

[WAKATAKE 2,614]

Ryuden will go into senshuraku with the advantage, unless Midorifuji loses first

[Chartorenji 235]

46 minutes ago, Katooshu said:

Shohozan will be a sekitori for at least 1 more basho.........getting his 4th win at J6.

Any update on the Intai rumors? Would guess he waits till he goes down to Makushita but want to make sure

[Katooshu 3,079]

Intai was just speculation. I think staying in juryo will probably be enough for him to keep going for now....though not sure he'll be around at the end of the year.

Edited March 26, 2022 by Katooshu

[Katooshu 3,079]

Terutsuyoshi beats Chiyoshoma by komatasukui, which I didn't even know was a thing 

His 2 career wins by that kimarite are both over Chiyoshoma incidentally. 

Edited March 26, 2022 by Katooshu

[Taliesin 68]

Speaking of flying into defeats, Sadanoumi is not too bad as well. 

[Eikokurai 3,433]

That's at least three seriously sweet sukinage with his back to the bales by Kotoeko this basho.

[Katooshu 3,079]

Maybe Takanosho will get some kind of reverse shukun-sho for being the only one to lose to Meisei this basho.

[Taliesin 68]

Ozeki is a weird rank. They are some of the strongest rikishi and their bouts with each other and with yokozuna are supposed to be the true pinnacle of sumo, and yet they are so often stuck within that "KK but no yusho chances" zone by that time. And - unlike other ranks - at this point they have no real motivation at all (unless they find it somewhere within themselves). A pity.

[Taliesin 68]

If Takakeishou feels motivated today, I think his chances against Wakatakakage are very high. He is his natural nemesis, and Wakatakakage's recent improvement was not in things that would change it. Wakatakakage confidently won against all thrusters he faced this basho, but Takakeishou's width makes it hard to flank him and Wakatakakage's arms are too short to reach him before he rams into you. If Waka tries to dance around he will lose almost for sure. His best chance is probably to fight straightforwardly, see if he can somehow stagger the ozeki and go for a quick hug. At least some chances this way. Maybe I'm terribly wrong. Just see it like that.

[Eikokurai 3,433]

I'm actually glad Shodai won that one. Takayasu still has the yusho in his hands, so hasn't been too harmed by the loss, while Shodai clears kadoban with a day to spare, and I like Shodai enough that I wanted him to make it to 8. 

Not to mention, more drama on senshuraku!

Edited March 26, 2022 by Eikokurai

[robnplunder 974]

How about that!   Shodai completes an amazing turnaround.  I've not seen that happen.   I am not a fan of Shodai but he earned my respect.   

And Mitakeumi's disappearing act in 2nd half of a basho happens again. 

[Taliesin 68]

Kotonowaka is seriously impressive. I am not saying he is ready to be a permanent sanyaku or anything, but he is doing great. Fell 2 ozeki by the way.

[Eikokurai 3,433]

If Hoshoryu  and Abi win tomorrow, we have only one vacant komusubi slot. Even if Abi loses, he'll drop one rank leaving only a Sekiwake slot open. Will Kotonowaka pip Ichinojo to it? 11-3 at M6 compared to 9-5 at M2. It could end up 12-3 and 9-6, which would give KNW the edge (three wins more overcomes that rank differential), but could also be 11-4 and 10-5, which is much closer.

[Kaninoyama 1,660]

2 hours ago, Kaninoyama said:

Hopefully ex-Kisenosato doing NHK commentary duties today won't jinx his former heya mate. 

Crap

[Eikokurai 3,433]

Superb from WTK! He looked done for for a second, but kept his composure and counter-attacked brilliantly. What a final day we have in store.

9-6 at M1 > 12-2* at S = 21/29

Edited March 26, 2022 by Eikokurai

[Taliesin 68]

That pull was so unnecessary... and easily read by Wakatakakage. Also, pulling Takakeishou became an easy hug target. Once the distance was closed it was of course over. Takakeishou this basho often chooses uncharacteristically "crafty" moves but here there really was no need to.

[Seiyashi 4,068]

12 minutes ago, Kaninoyama said:

2 hours ago, Kaninoyama said:

Hopefully ex-Kisenosato doing NHK commentary duties today won't jinx his former heya mate. 

Crap

Anyone have a shot of Nishonoseki looking black as thunder/facepalming in the booth, like last basho?

[Jakusotsu 5,739]

I'd be very surprised if Wakatakakage doesn't take it home. No cigar again for Takayasu.

[Hankegami 412]

What a day! Wakatakakage and Takayasu paired 12-2 with Kotonowaka still hoping with 11-3. Mitakeumi on the other hand blew everything up. Since he fought after Shodai vs. Takayasu, I was positive he was going to give it all at least to get a JY. Nope. Damn Mita, I rooted for you and your run for the rope.

Now, senshuraku. I believe the main pairings will be Takakeisho vs. Mitakeumi, Shodai vs. Wakatakakage, Abi vs. Takayasu, and Hoshoryu vs. Kotonowaka. Wakatakakage is morally obliged to face Shodai as he's the only yusho hopeful yet to face his third Ozeki. This leaves Abi and Hoshoryu for the other two, necessarily as I put since Takayasu has already faced the Nephew.

Now, both Abi and Hoshoryu have yet to clear their KK, while Shodai just sukuinage'd his against Takayasu today. This means that Takayasu and Kotonowaka will likely have very hard fights. Wakatakakage, on the other hand, will have to deal with Shodai "got my KK" Naoya. Chances clearly now favor our Chibinofuji.

EDIT: Of course it's still possible that Takayasu and Kotonowaka will get Maegashira-level opponents. The best chances are in this case Ichinojo and Kiribayama.

EDIT 2: Senshuraku out. So proud of myself (), I have got all the pairings right! Good thing, I do not have to change my analysis 

Edited March 26, 2022 by Hankegami

[Hakuryuho 334]

Wakatakakage really deserves it over Takayasu, 
he faced stronger opposition overall and won their h2h convincingly.

[Jakusotsu 5,739]

I really like the new way of torikumi. This disregard of traditions on so many levels provide much more exciting final bouts than they used to, even though some "mandatory" matchups don't happen anymore.

[Kaninoyama 1,660]

Let's not fail to give sufficient props to Kotonowaka.

Eleven wins (at least) for the second basho in a row and again in the thick of yusho race. If the chips fall his way he could very well walk away the winner tomorrow.

Minimally, he's proving that he's a force to be reckoned with, and, at age 24, deserving of a place on the short list of future Ozeki hopefuls. 

[RabidJohn 1,631]

Another fantastically entertaining battle and win for Kotoeko. When you add Kotonowaka's stand-out performance and Kotoshoho's KK, it looks like that Sadogatake wave is coming in again.

As enigmas go, Shodai is an utterly confounding one! Proper 'Spanish Inquisition' win over Takayasu today. Well done on clearing kadoban, you strange man.

A great against-the-numbers win for Wakatakakage over Takakeisho, putting him back in joint lead. He came across as calm and composed in his you-beat-an-ozeki interview, and doesn't look at all like a choker to me.
Who knows how he'll fare against the Mighty Question Mark tomorrow, though? 

Takayasu's got the harder job tomorrow. Abi needs his KK still, and then it could come down to a play-off with a guy who's already beaten him this basho.

---

I know there are some whose interest has declined since the departure of Hakuho, but I'm finding post-Hakuho ozumo as engaging as it ever was.