Kyushu 2022 discussion (results)

[Yarimotsu 242]

I didn't believe in Tobizaru. I do now!

[Hankegami 307]

Putting things like Kintamayama put it in today's video, crazy day.

Hoshoryu KK and co-leader at 8-1 showing that killer instinct that Mitakeumi failed to show yesterday: he henka'd Sadanoumi, a guy against he lost for three matches straight before. Hump removed. Tomorrow Nephew vs. Shodai: easy win, or the Lord of Chaos will raise again? Anyway, Hoshoryu is clearly targeting the Yusho by now. Still too early to say anything about Oho, although getting a KK without lumping down as usual bodes well for him.

Takayasu again showed those openings already seen with Kiribayama yesterday, but Meisei actually exploited them. I'm getting worried about his chances to grab the Yusho if he keeps showing his side like that. Tomorrow a perhaps crucial match against ever-wondering Tobizaru. Abi, well...we were waiting for him to face the big guys, yet he will possibly "fix" himself before getting that high.

Takakeisho underwhelming. He had a chance to catch with Takayasu and Abi and yet he lost to Tobizaru. The monkey was surely great, but 'Keisho was totally out of steam. No excuses, Tobizaru should have flied out with just one of 'Keisho Style grand pushes. He simply wasn't there. The "bad boys of the day" list on the blackboard also includes Wakatakakage and Mitakeumi. The latter lost for the forth day straight, which is terrible beyond the simple fact he has virtually failed his Ozeki comeback.

1 hour ago, Eikokurai said:

Were those tears in Mitakeumi’s eyes or was it just the lighting playing tricks? He can’t afford another loss now …

1 hour ago, Eikokurai said:

And Shodai wore his disappointment on his face too. Anguished expression as soon as he realized he was beat and then sat looking very annoyed with himself after the bout. 4-5 for him.

Mitakeumi in several interviews ascribed his 4-11 last basho to mental issues, that is he wasn't there mentally. I can see the same now, with him having collected four losses in four days. Today he didn't even hang on the rope as he did in Day 5 against Tobizaru, and Wakamotoharu is certainly not heavier. Shodai is in a somehow similar situation. Perhaps (I'm joking - at 50%) they should consider to call it a career, retire, get a degree in psychology and finally introduce sport psychology in sumo. They have a lot of first-hand experience, after all. First customer Ichinojo.

 

[RabidJohn 1,260]

Tobizaru has come a long way since that rabbit-in-the-headlights 1st bout against Hakuho; no one scares him now! I know his style is annoying to some, but I love his sheer unpredictability.

HNH won't be as confusing for the newer members now Hoshoryu has claimed it... It's certainly his yusho to lose at this stage.

I won't write off Oho's yusho chances, but I'd be more confident if he was M17.

[RabidJohn 1,260]

4 hours ago, Eikokurai said:

Hey guys. I doubt you noticed or cared, but I’ve not been around so far this basho. 

I noticed this thread was unusually short for this basho.

[Seiyashi 3,539]

28 minutes ago, RabidJohn said:

! I know his style is annoying to some, but I love his sheer unpredictability.

On the contrary he seems to have grown out of it. He's been doing straightforward spirited sumo and not the chaos of flying limbs that he seemed to be on his first few basho. 

[Rocks 1,750]

Wow, what a sad day except for Hoshoryu. I'd say it's his yusho now. I expect him to lose one match going in but probably that's it. The top of the banzuke are almost as absent as Teru this basho. Everyone else except Oho would have to win out to be there in the end I would think. I don't see Oho not losing at least twice. 

Goodbye Ozeki Mitakeumi. I'd say hello Sekiwake Shodai but I can still see him pulling out a KK even with a loss to Hoshoryu tomorrow. But I doubt it.

[Katooshu 2,457]

Disappointing to see what's happened with Mita. It's a bit like a lower level version of Kise's situation: being so consistent in delivering winning results, only to get injured and fall from form as soon as making the next big rank.

On the other hand, as he and possibly Shodai fall, the young guns are really stepping up. Hosh finally pulling away from his usual 8-7 sanyaku form to delivering the big results so many people thought he was capable of (granted we have 6 days left still). Oho as well, though given his history of choking over the last 5 let's see how he does now...

And Kinta ....Hiradoumi is not so mediocre! 

Edited November 21, 2022 by Katooshu

[rhyen 1,619]

6 hours ago, Akinomaki said:

I had a slight nightmare while awake when I saw in the headlines that Taiho had his first yusho in Kyushu and Oho being alone in the lead till Hoshoryu ended this - I hope my prediction won't come true in that fashion

I had hoped for this other one with 3 letters

Better grab the Yaku mitsuru cartoon while you can.

https://www.nikkansports.com/yaku-mitsuru/

[Akinomaki 35,609]

11 minutes ago, rhyen said:

Better grab the Yaku mitsuru cartoon while you can.

https://www.nikkansports.com/yaku-mitsuru/

It's saved automatically every day with my pics list

[Eikokurai 3,418]

3 hours ago, RabidJohn said:

I noticed this thread was unusually short for this basho.

I left an opening for others to fill. :)

[Yubinhaad 10,760]

13 hours ago, Katooshu said:

Otani told off again, how many times is that now? This time it looked like he got a talking to over his hair - not slicked back enough? 

Probably, I've noticed that he does fiddle with it a lot during the shikiri, either out of habit or as you say, not enough sukiabura to hold it in place. In general I think he's improved slightly from his first basho in terms of attitude.

[Bakayokozuna 39]

Nishikifuji maybe heading to another double digit wins basho? Im curious to see how far he can go.

Hoshoryu is in great position in this yusho race. First time he is so close to win it all right? Lets see if pressure gets to him. He looks solid

[Hakuryuho 277]

3 hours ago, Rocks said:

Wow, what a sad day except for Hoshoryu. I'd say it's his yusho now. I expect him to lose one match going in but probably that's it.

Ok so I now know who to blame if Hoshoryu falters in the end 

[Katooshu 2,457]

Nishikifuji has been a real surprise since entering makuuchi, would never have expected 10-5, 10-5, 7-2 out of him. The Isegahama rikishi seem to really get the most out of themselves.

[RabidJohn 1,260]

3 minutes ago, Katooshu said:

The Isegahama rikishi seem to really get the most out of themselves.

Tell that to Takarafuji and Terutsuyoshi... They seem to be missing out on whatever mojo is going around that heya atm. Atamifuji isn't exactly ripping it up, either.

You're right about Nishikifuji, though. He's very enjoyable to watch.

[Katooshu 2,457]

Atamifuji just turned 20 and is already in makuuchi. He's the youngest sekitori and made it to juryo without a MK. All that despite not having a particularly notable high school sumo career (never made it to the top 8 in a national event).

Takarafuji was a good but not great collegiate rikishi (playing 2nd fiddle to Tokushoryu) who reached sekiwake and has now spent 65 basho in makuuchi - a very fine career but now at a point where significant decline is to be expected.

Tiny Terutsuyoshi's best result in amasumo was top 16 at a national tournament but he has been a top division regular for a while now. I never expected more than juryo for him and he started out slowly, but he kept getting better and better. 

Nishikifuji had 0 notable results in college (wasn't even a starter on his team) and was hardly celebrated coming up the rankings, but is now closing in on sanyaku with his third straight double-digit win basho since entering makuuchi. Similar story for Midorifuji.

Terunofuji did a year or two of amasumo, then wanted to quit after a year in his first stable, but switched to Isegahama and was brought to life. Of course, he could've been more accomplished without injury, but he's still reached sumo's highest rank, just like the previous foreigner to enter Isegahama.

The Isegahama sekitori, of which there are many, have done far better than most who enter with comparable credentials. Of course, every heya will have some off tournaments as well. 

Edited November 21, 2022 by Katooshu

[Fashiritētā 41]

7 hours ago, Hankegami said:

 

Mitakeumi in several interviews ascribed his 4-11 last basho to mental issues, that is he wasn't there mentally. I can see the same now, with him having collected four losses in four days. Today he didn't even hang on the rope as he did in Day 5 against Tobizaru, and Wakamotoharu is certainly not heavier. Shodai is in a somehow similar situation. Perhaps (I'm joking - at 50%) they should consider to call it a career, retire, get a degree in psychology and finally introduce sport psychology in sumo. They have a lot of first-hand experience, after all. First customer Ichinojo.

 

A sports physiologist for every heya should be the norm, how many promising careers were cut short because of mental issue's.

 

[maglor 101]

13 hours ago, Yamanashi said:

Oshoma plays a defensive brand of sumo, containing his opponent until he can figure out how to defeat him.  Thus we need a surprise in today's match against Hokuseiho; when the tree does his stand-up tachiai, I wish Oshoma would just plow at him top speed and knock him into a shimpan.  That might start some discussions about "Plan B" in the Miyagino camp.

People were sure that Hokuseiho would get exposed in Juryo but instead he's 26-13, so the Miyagino camp might not be too concerned about a Plan B as we stand.

[Hankegami 307]

53 minutes ago, Katooshu said:

Atamifuji just turned 20 and is already in makuuchi. He's the youngest sekitori and made it to juryo without a MK. All that despite not having a particularly notable high school sumo career (never made it to the top 8 in a national event).

Takarafuji was a good but not great collegiate rikishi (playing 2nd fiddle to Tokushoryu) who reached sekiwake and has now spent 65 basho in makuuchi - a very fine career but now at a point where significant decline is to be expected.

Tiny Terutsuyoshi's best result in amasumo was top 16 at a national tournament but he has been a top division regular for a while now. I never expected more than juryo for him and he started out slowly, but he kept getting better and better. 

Nishikifuji had 0 notable results in college (wasn't even a starter on his team) and was hardly celebrated coming up the rankings, but is now closing in on sanyaku with his third straight double-digit win basho since entering makuuchi. Similar story for Midorifuji.

Terunofuji did a year or two of amasumo, then wanted to quit after a year in his first stable, but switched to Isegahama and was brought to life. Of course, he could've been more accomplished without injury, but he's still reached sumo's highest rank, just like the previous foreigner to enter Isegahama.

The Isegahama sekitori, of which there are many, have done far better than most who enter with comparable credentials. Of course, every heya will have some off tournaments as well. 

This strikes hard in comparison with, let's say, Miyagino and Nihonoseki who are recruiting several junior stars. From the backgrounds of most known Isegahama wrestlers in Wikipedia, it seems that Isehagama-oyakata is ok to welcome every talent brought to his attention (usually through scouts and school coaches acquainted with him), champion or not. Considered these premises, Isegahama is really polishing out their rough jewels well.

[Koorifuu 506]

13 minutes ago, maglor said:

People were sure that Hokuseiho would get exposed in Juryo but instead he's 26-13, so the Miyagino camp might not be too concerned about a Plan B as we stand.

I've been impressed with his general skills. The most common impression is that he was a one trick pony who used his height for migiyotsu leverage. Well, he was way too naive in gleefully giving Mitoryu and Tsurugisho their respective favoured positions, which he ought to work on, but he still managed to withstand Mitoryu's power yotsu and Tsurugisho's banging for quite a while and definitely longer tham most - beating the latter, even.

Edited November 21, 2022 by Koorifuu

[Obana 230]

I was impressed with Takayasu's quick exit from his dohyo side zabuton as Ichinojo sailed through the air toward him on nakabi.

I was amused by the disgust Chiyoshoma displayed at his arm slimmed by the West corner foot dampening area.

[Barutokai 32]

1 hour ago, Fashiritētā said:

A sports physiologist for every heya should be the norm, how many promising careers were cut short because of mental issue's.

 

Psychologist. And 1 per Ichimon should be way enough.

[Barutokai 32]

Saw a comment on Kinta's YT-Video today, that Tochinoshin should retire.

Of all in Makuuchi that really have a bad Basho this time, I wouldn't be suprised if at least one other Rikishi retires. Tochinoshin isn't one of them. I mean he has wins after all.
He sure was a couple of Bashos ago, but has stabilized since then. He has a bandaged left foot though.

[Tigerboy1966 1,054]

Thanks to Tobizaru for restoring my faith in the sport. Just give him the Fighting Spirit prize now, because nothing is going to top today's barn burner.

[Leoben 31]

5 hours ago, Hankegami said:

This strikes hard in comparison with, let's say, Miyagino and Nihonoseki who are recruiting several junior stars. From the backgrounds of most known Isegahama wrestlers in Wikipedia, it seems that Isehagama-oyakata is ok to welcome every talent brought to his attention (usually through scouts and school coaches acquainted with him), champion or not. Considered these premises, Isegahama is really polishing out their rough jewels well.

Isegahama has to be one of the all-time great coaches. Two Yokozuna and multiple sekitori is an extremely strong resume.