Preparations of the masses- Nagoya 2023

[Kintamayama 44,275]

Oushouma is a Mongolian ranked at Juryo 4 out of Naruto beya.. After getting the yusho last November with an 11-4 record, he went 7-8, 8-7, and 7-8.  The reason is he injured both shoulders last December during training. The pain was so bad he could hardly lift his arms and went from lifting 30 kilo dumbbells  to lifting three kilos. "I can't rest with this banzuke," he said, explaining why he didn't go kyujo. He kept training and visiting the hospital, the pain notwithstanding. But now, he says he is back in shape. He was not lying and looked very good in training and his powerful oshi-zumo and strong right hand grip are back. Today, he faced his lower ranked heyamates (which is essentially everybody else there as he is the highest ranked at Naruto..). "My body is in good shape. I want to get double-digit wins and get to Makuuchi," he said. He was advised by Tamawashi to soldier on despite the pain. "He gives me a lot of advice. He said the important thing was to know the pain  and how to deal with it," he summed.

Edited June 30, 2023 by Kintamayama

[Tigerboy1966 1,376]

49 minutes ago, Kintamayama said:

The reason is he injured both shoulders last December during training.

This explains a lot. He looked so strong and impressive in November I had expected him to be in makuuchi by March.

[Kintamayama 44,275]

Asanoyama trained against the likes of Tamawashi and newcomer Gounoyama who came for degeiko yesterday and was 12-6. He showed excellent belt stuff. “I’m happy to have received a second chance and will gambarize!!”, he declared,

Edited July 2, 2023 by Kintamayama

[Gurowake 3,886]

12 hours ago, Kintamayama said:

Asanoyama trained against the likes of Tamawashi and newcomer Gounoyama who came for degeiko yesterday and was 12-6. He showed excellent belt stuff. “I’m happy to have received a second chance and will gambarize!!l, he declared,

Much like with his losses to the two Sekiwake last basho, those aren't the kind of results I'd expect from someone who's going to steamroll right back up to Ozeki.

[Yamanashi 3,690]

4 hours ago, Gurowake said:

Much like with his losses to the two Sekiwake last basho, those aren't the kind of results I'd expect from someone who's going to steamroll right back up to Ozeki.

Could be, but I think it's an accurate look.

[junsan 168]

Lats basho I noticed how Asanoyama is really still at pre-suspension level. No growth in his sumo at all. I doubt he makes Ozeki again.

[Kintamayama 44,275]

Asanoyama trained at home today against new Juryo Makuuchi Gounoyama and went 11-3 (7 straight wins somewhere in there).  Sharp tachiai, not letting his opponent keep his distance, thus neutralizing his oshi and winning by yorikiri was seen a lot. The training dohyo is outside and it was more than 30 degrees centigrade, yet he looked good. "My body is moving well and I'm feeling good.. I was able to do proper keiko, this heat notwithstanding. I am happy Gounoyama-zeki came to train with us. I think we were able to train while stimulating each other.." he said. This was the third time Gounoyama came to train there after the banzuke was announced. One of those times, Ouhou joined them as well. "They are both oshi-zumo. Gounoyama comes from down under. Ouhou can push and go for the belt as well. It was good to train with types of rikishi that we don't have in our heya.." he added. Takasago beya is traditionally known for going for the belt. As for the three Ozeki contenders, two of them (Daieishou and Wakamotoharu) are his classmates, and he made it to joi before them. "I made it to joi before them but paid the price for my misdeeds and dropped in the rankings and have finally returned to where I am now.. I am conscious of my classmates, age peers, and same generation opponents and I do not want to lose to them.." he said. Of course, Houshouryuu (0-1) is also a serious opponent. Asanoyama could be the wall to the three Ozeki contenders. "I'm going for double-digit wins and will gambarize to win the yusho," he declared.

 

Edited July 2, 2023 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 44,275]

Gounoyama's side of the story. He went 3-11 against Asanoyama, amid much shouting by his Oyakata ex-Goueidou. "If you let him catch you, you can't do anything!! The keiko becomes useless!! " he shouted. At some point Gounoyama got the message and even won three times. "I can't compare with Asanoyama's pressure and his sturdiness. Graduallly, I am able to do much more.." he said. After the keiko, he did some butsugari with large bodied  (190/170) ex- Juryo Asabenkei, after being specifically asked to do so by Ex-Goueidou. Makuuchi has many large, heavy rikishi and that was a good preparation for what he will be facing this basho. For four minutes, he rolled in the sand while "borrowing" Asabenkei's chest. "I received a lot of advice from the Takasago people and got to train alone against Asanoyama. I am very thankful.  Am I nervous before my Makuuchi debut? No time for that.. I can only give it my all. My goal is double-digit wins," he summed.

Gounoyama faces a lower ranker at Takasago beya:

Edited July 8, 2023 by Kintamayama

[Yarimotsu 515]

2 hours ago, Kintamayama said:

new Juryo Gounoyama

new makuuchi

[Jakusotsu 5,761]

18 hours ago, Kintamayama said:

Gounoyama's side of the story. He went 3-11 against Asanoyama, amid much shouting by his Oyakata ex-goueidou. "If you let him catch you, you can't do anything!! The keiko becomes useless!! " he shouted.

Pardon my naivety, but wouldn't keiko be even more useful if Gonoyama learns how to prevail after being caught?

[Katooshu 3,089]

Ya but then he wouldn't be doing his brand of sumo, which is against the rules 

[Tigerboy1966 1,376]

1 hour ago, Jakusotsu said:

Pardon my naivety, but wouldn't keiko be even more useful if Gonoyama learns how to prevail after being caught?

As we are so close to the start of the basho it makes sense to work on improving plan A, rather than developing a plan B. You can do pretty well in sumo without a plan B, as Takakeisho has shown.

[Kintamayama 44,275]

Daieishou is preparing very seriously. Yesterday he had 10 bouts and was 8-2. Today he had 15 bouts going 13-2 against heyamates Tobizaru, Daishouhou and Daiamami. He faced them continuously for 13 minutes, not leaving the dohyo at all after entering it till the end of the session. As the heya is situated a one hour drive from the city, (it can even take two hours during heavy traffic) no degeiko for the Oitekaze guys. "At this point I'm really tired but I'm able to do some good keiko. It's my first official Ozeki challenge so I want to take advantage of this chance and get ready mentally as well. I said in an interview that if I can utilize all my power, I will succeed and now I have to stand by my words by doing serious keiko. I can't slack off. I have to feel strongly about it," he emphasized. "I think my power, mentality  ring sense, and basho results are all much better than last year. I am still regretting falling short of the yusho in March.. I will be gambarizing and aiming for the yusho!!" he summed.

 

Edited July 4, 2023 by Kintamayama

[Bunbukuchagama 681]

10 minutes ago, Kintamayama said:

Goueidou

Who?!

[Kintamayama 44,275]

1 minute ago, Bunbukuchagama said:

Who?!

Code.

[yorikiried by fate 1,987]

I'm really rooting for Daieisho. He's so fierce.

[Kintamayama 44,275]

Houshouryuu was degeikoing at Sadogatake beya as well, facing the likes of Kotonowaka and going 11-7. He did not face Kirishima, who left early because of that elbow injury. "Im really sorry we didnt get to face each other. And I was invited.. ." he complained. 

Edited July 4, 2023 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 44,275]

Atamifuji is ranked at Juryo 1 and is aiming for a return to Makuuchi. Last time he was up for one basho in Kyushu 2022 and dropped back down to Juryo. He had 30 bouts today against Takarafuji and the trainee Mongolian Ochilseihan (future Sachinofuji). "I'm getting better gradually and am feeling good. Last basho I was able to move forward well (12-3) and hit properly. But that's not enough. I need to get an uwate and get my opponents' mawashi before they do. Thinking that I need to do my own sumo on a daily basis brings about the results. The banzuke luck was not in my favor this time so I wasn't promoted. Of course that is my aim this basho!" he said.

Edited July 6, 2023 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 44,275]

Maegashira 8 Nishikifuji will be entering without doing any sumo training. He injured his right foot ligament last basho and hasn't returned to his previous condition yet. "I am entering, so that is no excuse.." he said. He did train today, but only some tachiai moves, no sumo. "I'm in no shape to do any sumo. I guess I'll have to wing it.. I considered surgery but i knew I wouldn't be ready in time, so I did some rehabilitating. I'll try to do some sumo the next three days and see what's what" he said. 

 

Edited July 5, 2023 by Kintamayama

[Seregost 123]

Any news on Takayasu? He usually trains hard before basho, going for degeiko and doing 4599929284228 bouts. But I haven't read anything about him lately, except the wedding stuff. 

[rhyen 1,801]

5 hours ago, Kintamayama said:

Maegashira 8 Nishikifuji will be entering without doing any sumo training. He injured his right foot ligament last basho and hasn't returned to his previous condition yet. "I am entering, so that is no excuse.." he said. He did train today, but only some tachiai moves, no sumo. "I'm in no shape to do any sumo. I guess I'll have to wing it.. I considered surgery but i knew I wouldn't be ready in time, so I did some rehabilitating. I'll try to do some sumo the next three days and see what's what" he said. 

 

So that explains the tsuyuharai switch

[Kintamayama 44,275]

Hakuouhou (man that looks bad..) did some lower body training today. "All I can do is win. I will prepare to the fullest!" he said. He did not do any sumo, taking great care of his injured shoulder. "It's an old injury dating back to junior high. I don't want it to deteriorate and getting myself into shape to be able to do sumo is the important thing," he explained.. 

You are invited to caption this interesting photo:

"Huh? Who hid the steering wheel?"

Edited July 5, 2023 by Kintamayama

[Tsuchinoninjin 1,244]

2 hours ago, Kintamayama said:

A newly grown Hakuho clone emerges from the cryo-growth chamber - Miyagino-beya practice grounds, Nagoya, Japan (2023)

[Akinomaki 39,585]

13 hours ago, Kintamayama said:

He had 30 bouts today against Takarafuji and the trainee Mongolian Ochilseihan (future Sachinofuji)

What will happen to the present Sachinofuji GANZORIG if Ochil takes that name?

[Kintamayama 44,275]

8 hours ago, Akinomaki said:

What will happen to the present Sachinofuji GANZORIG if Ochil takes that name?

Good point.