Haru 2023 discussion (results)

[Godango 956]

[Seiyashi 4,068]

13 minutes ago, Sumo Spiffy said:

I mean... yes, fair.  

Eventually, though, I think I'm gonna have to start a Henka Lovers Support Group. (I probably have to wait until Chiyoshoma retires, otherwise it's just going to become his fan club.)

To be fair Hōshōryū, Wakatakakage, and even Takakeishō do one on occasion. I don't think we've had a sanyaku with such a high henka risk for a long while.

[Octofuji 315]

What was Ichinojo's double pushout of Hakuyozan about? A gentle reminder of how to push opponents out without injuring them?

[dingo 1,100]

28 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

To be fair Hōshōryū, Wakatakakage, and even Takakeishō do one on occasion. I don't think we've had a sanyaku with such a high henka risk for a long while.

Endo also wanted to be a member but his probation was thoroughly denied by Hoshoryuu...

[Octofuji 315]

3 hours ago, hakutorizakura said:

A nice day of sumo today. Didn't expect power sumo from Oho and Takarafuji. Kiri-Hosh bout has some shades of typical Hakuho-Harumafuji showdown. Can Kiri grab the yusho?

I'd love him to, he's my favourite wrestler apart from Takarafuji. But my head says Daieisho, it could come down to a decider between them on the final day.

[Yamanashi 3,669]

2 minutes ago, Octofuji said:

What was Ichinojo's double pushout of Hakuyozan about? A gentle reminder of how to push opponents out without injuring them?

That was weird.  On the replay, Ichinojo had Hakuyozan out with a light shove, then Hakuyozan stepped back in, and it looked like Ichinojo wasn't sure if H had really stepped out.  It was a bang-bang thing; big guys always have a store of memories of opponents who wiggled away at the tawara, so I think it was just an automatic reflex.

[Seiyashi 4,068]

13 minutes ago, dingo said:

Endo also wanted to be a member but his probation was thoroughly denied by Hoshoryuu...

Nor is he a sanyaku member, so there's that.

[Octofuji 315]

10 minutes ago, Yamanashi said:

That was weird.  On the replay, Ichinojo had Hakuyozan out with a light shove, then Hakuyozan stepped back in, and it looked like Ichinojo wasn't sure if H had really stepped out.  It was a bang-bang thing; big guys always have a store of memories of opponents who wiggled away at the tawara, so I think it was just an automatic reflex.

Yeah you're probably right. I was just saying the other day how unusual it is that rikishi always seem to know the moment their opponent steps out, so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised when they don't 

[Seregost 119]

3 hours ago, Octofuji said:

What was Ichinojo's double pushout of Hakuyozan about? A gentle reminder of how to push opponents out without injuring them?

I noticed that too and thought the same

[Akinomaki 39,479]

7 hours ago, dingo said:

Why did Abi need that henka? He wasn't on the verge of a makekoshi and Mitakeumi is not a strong opponent this basho. Yeah I understand that he wants to secure kachikoshi sooner rather than later but do it properly for crying out loud. Embarrassing.

Speaking of properly, Fujishima deputy chief shimpan in his Sanspo column o emphasized that a henka has to be done properly, not halfheartedly like Endo - I'm sure he'd praise Abi for his good work

[Akinomaki 39,479]

The RealLife semi-tabloid site keeps pointing out bouts that the fans complained about because the shimpan failed to call a mono-ii. Another one was day 11 Ura vs. Shodai, the fans point out that Ura grabbed the mage of Shodai, something that had cost Onosho a place in the yusho hunt recently. o

Before that there was Hiradoumi vs. Takayasu on day 8, another case of the wrong side of the toes touching the clay and no shimpan cared.

[Reonito 1,295]

5 hours ago, Yamanashi said:

That was weird.  On the replay, Ichinojo had Hakuyozan out with a light shove, then Hakuyozan stepped back in, and it looked like Ichinojo wasn't sure if H had really stepped out.  It was a bang-bang thing; big guys always have a store of memories of opponents who wiggled away at the tawara, so I think it was just an automatic reflex.

It kinda looked like Hakuyozan rammed his shoulder into Ichi after stepping out, and Ichi didn't like it.

[ouflak 5]

I wonder what Takayasu's record would be at this point if the Hiradoumi match had been called the other way. I suspect better than 8-4. Oh well.

[Kaninoyama 1,649]

10 hours ago, dingo said:

Why did Abi need that henka?

Henka is part of Abi's playbook. Heck, he was criticized for it en route to his yusho win recently. 

But beyond that, Abi had been struggling as much as Mitakeumi the latter half of this basho. 1-4 over his past five bouts before yesterday. 

He's not in great form and is desperate for wins.

And desperate rikishi henka. 

[bettega 422]

14 hours ago, Kaninoyama said:

Poor Takayasu didn't stand a chance after the forum collectively jinxed him after his 6-0 start.

He is 1-5 since then. 

We must learn that he never fails in failing

[Yamanashi 3,669]

1 minute ago, bettega said:

We must learn that he never fails in failing

I told you folks about Takayasu and the gods.  The only question: is he Sisyphus, the Flying Dutchman (sorry Germans, Der fliegende Holländer), or Hurín.

[bettega 422]

6 minutes ago, Yamanashi said:

I told you folks about Takayasu and the gods.  The only question: is he Sisyphus, the Flying Dutchman (sorry Germans, Der fliegende Holländer), or Hurín.

Bonus points in karma for Tolkien! 

[Kaninoyama 1,649]

I still believe in Takayasu. I'll never give up on him. But henceforth, I hereby swear to not utter his name on this forum while he's in contention for a yusho. 

I urge my fellow Takayasu supporters to do likewise. 

[since_94 650]

Ura v Kotoshoho was amazing. So much dirt on both in a well fought, albeit chaotic, match. Kiribayama v Hoshoryu, likewise just an awesome fight to watch. Wakatakekage handled Midorifuji perfectly, putting him in his place. Exciting stuff.
an enjoyable day of fights, with the added fuel of implications for the yusho as they jockey for position at the top of the leaderboard.

The Oho / Asanoyama result was a surprise and puts huge pressure on the latter, who now needs Ichinojo to falter. Matters are largely out of his hands. 
Enho is man of the match in this basho, for my money, at least to this point. He has fought much better than 7-5 would suggest and provided consistent excitement on days when the sumo was otherwise rather humdrum. The giant killer continues to frustrate his much larger foes. KK is imminent.

 

Edited March 24, 2023 by since_94

[Yamanashi 3,669]

6 hours ago, Kaninoyama said:

I still believe in Takayasu. I'll never give up on him. But henceforth, I hereby swear to not utter his name on this forum while he's in contention for a yusho. 

I urge my fellow Takayasu supporters to do likewise. 

Just as actors use the phrase "The Scottish Play" for Macbeth, maybe we should refer to him by a suitable obfuscation, like "The Hairy One" or "The Other Pinoy".

Edited March 24, 2023 by Yamanashi
My typing is a Shakesperean tragedy

[Yamanashi 3,669]

5 minutes ago, since_94 said:

Ura v Kotoshoho was amazing. So much dirt on both in a well fought, albeit chaotic, match. Kiribayama v Hoshoryu, likewise just an awesome fight to watch. Wakatakekage handled Midorifuji perfectly, putting him in his place. Exciting stuff.
an enjoyable day of fights, with the added fuel of implications for the yusho as they jockey for position at the top of the leaderboard.

The Oho / Asanoyama result was a surprise and puts huge pressure on the latter, who now needs Ichinojo to falter. Matters are largely out of his hands. 
Enho is man of the match in this basho, for my money, at least to this point. He has fought much better than 7-5 would suggest and provided consistent excitement on days when the sumo was otherwise rather humdrum. The giant killer continues to frustrate his much larger foes. KK is imminent.

 

Out of likes, but I agree about both Ura vs Kotoshoho and Oho vs Asanoyama.  Both were unexpected for me.

[Bunbukuchagama 674]

1 hour ago, Yamanashi said:

Just as actors use the phrase "The Scottish Play" for Hamlet, maybe we should refer to him by a suitable obfuscation, like "The Hairy One" or "The Other Pinoy".

"The Choker".

[Tochinofuji 358]

4 hours ago, Yamanashi said:

Just as actors use the phrase "The Scottish Play" for Hamlet, maybe we should refer to him by a suitable obfuscation, like "The Hairy One" or "The Other Pinoy".

Thou doth refer to Macbeth methinks. 

[Yamanashi 3,669]

44 minutes ago, Tochinofuji said:

Thou doth refer to Macbeth methinks. 

Oops!  Typing while stupid ... will fix it.

[Seiyashi 4,068]

13 minutes ago, Yamanashi said:

Oops!  Typing while stupid ... will fix it.

Can I point out that your edit contains a spelling error