sumojoann 1,256 Posted September 12, 2023 2 minutes ago, Bunbukuchagama said: Tochinoshin's time in ozumo was cut short by a major injury. If not for his shoulder, he would probably still be hanging out in lower Makuuchi. Aoiyama looks relatively healthy at the moment. Maybe Aoiyama can turn it around but those weren't just losses, they were bad losses. It is perplexing, although I wonder if he is suffering from an undisclosed injury. He doesn't seem to have the strength I'm accustomed to seeing, and was easily defeated. Regarding Tochinoshin, yes, he would undoubtedly still be competing were it not for his major injury. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reonito 1,335 Posted September 12, 2023 It's not unusual for veterans to look bad in the first week, then rally once it's clear how many wins they need to stay in the division. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yamanashi 3,727 Posted September 12, 2023 Just now, Bunbukuchagama said: Tochinoshin's time in ozumo was cut short by a major injury. If not for his shoulder, he would probably still be hanging out in lower Makuuchi. Aoiyama looks relatively healthy at the moment. I'm not sure what it is (he looks "knees-y": can't withstand pressure from the front). To be sure, in his last basho he had 6 quick losses to sekitori who ended up a combined 57-31, and won 9 bouts from eventual 55-80 opponents. Most of his wins were slapdowns, etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bunbukuchagama 688 Posted September 12, 2023 3 minutes ago, sumojoann said: Maybe Aoiyama can turn it around but those weren't just losses, they were bad losses. Takayasu looked absolutely done in days 6-12 two months ago, he offered zero resistance. And look at him now... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bunbukuchagama 688 Posted September 12, 2023 2 minutes ago, Yamanashi said: Most of his wins were slapdowns It is the story of his career. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jakusotsu 5,815 Posted September 12, 2023 Doesn't Aoiyama have to win a yusho first before retiring? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bunbukuchagama 688 Posted September 12, 2023 11 minutes ago, Jakusotsu said: Doesn't Aoiyama have to win a yusho first before retiring? Is it a part of an old prophecy? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yamanashi 3,727 Posted September 12, 2023 29 minutes ago, Jakusotsu said: Doesn't Aoiyama have to win a yusho first before retiring? Well, he's won three ... oh, you mean Makuuchi. To be fair, he's spent 74% of his career (70 basho) as Maegashira; that's admirable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benevolance 2,478 Posted September 12, 2023 Aoiyama is playing the long game. If you convert his win/loss record into binary, it says "You Suck Hakuh". But since we have no idea who this Hakuh character might be, we'll have to wait a few more tournaments to see what is revealed. 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoshotakamoto 256 Posted September 13, 2023 1 hour ago, Benevolance said: Aoiyama is playing the long game. If you convert his win/loss record into binary, it says "You Suck Hakuh". But since we have no idea who this Hakuh character might be, we'll have to wait a few more tournaments to see what is revealed. You Suck Hakuh0-3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dingo 1,160 Posted September 13, 2023 9 hours ago, Jakusotsu said: Doesn't Aoiyama have to win a yusho first before retiring? I'm still waiting for Gagamaru to make a surprise return and become ozeki. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bunbukuchagama 688 Posted September 13, 2023 Look! Two-handed Hokuseiho! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bunbukuchagama 688 Posted September 13, 2023 It looks like Gonoyama can keep pushing longer than (for example) Takakeisho. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bunbukuchagama 688 Posted September 13, 2023 Hoshoryu decided to turn into a pumpkin... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kaninoyama 1,694 Posted September 13, 2023 16 minutes ago, Bunbukuchagama said: Hoshoryu decided to turn into a pumpkin... Or maybe just a nervous shin-Ozeki. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akinomaki 39,802 Posted September 13, 2023 I guess Hoshoryu joins the recent trend On 15/08/2023 at 09:57, Akinomaki said: made it with the required 12-3, a likely 60% that he gets kadoban right away - of the last five new ozeki only Asanoyama and Mitakeumi avoided that. https://npn.co.jp/article/detail/200031197 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hankegami 412 Posted September 13, 2023 (edited) Well, things are folding out in a totally unexpected way. Takakeisho, returning from sitting out and thought to fight hard for a KK, just manhandled Asanoyama of all people and is suddenly the best performing Ozeki. Hamster magic. Hoshoryu's bad showing was somehow expected (see Akinomaki up here), but I had greater hopes for Kirishima. Sure, a 2-2 is just two losses on record, and Kirishima most often warms up the first few days before getting serious, but no one becomes Yokozuna by aiming for 12-3 (ask Takakeisho). Ex Wakanohana III a few months ago explained that a Y/O aiming for the yusho should get 10-0/9-1 in the first 10 days if he wants to fight for the yusho. Sure, he was talking about a 14-1/13-2 score, but I was hoping to see someone living up to those expectations. Should we get back on the Takakeisho bandwagon? Ok, forget the three little pigs Ozeki. Onosho is low-key imposing himself as the new front-runner after blasting a not-really-lightweight Shonannoumi out and getting 4-0. The bad news is that the last two times when he started out with a 4-0 (2023.01, 2022.01) he ended up with a meager 10-5. His leadership will be already tested tomorrow against 3-1 Gonoyama. Another 4-0 guy is Kinbozan, who literally destroyed Mitakeumi at the tachi-ai today. It's good to see him back on the warpath. Last, Atamifuji, also surprisingly 4-0 after having manhandled Chiyoshoma after a rather long yet very exciting bout. This Maegashira trio is really shining good in those first days. The 3-1 runner-up group, aside Takakeisho, features a good Kotonowaka. He had a clean win again Takanosho today, but tomorrow he will get tricky Tobizaru. It would be long discussing this category in full (10 rikishi at 3-1), but a clear highlight for tomorrow is the musubi no ichiban Abi vs. Takakeisho (6-4 record), both 3-1. The Strangler did not make a Hokutofuji Ozeki sweep as he lost against Hoshoryu on Day 1, but he got Kirishima today and of course he will look after a win tomorrow. For sure, this match will show how much we can expect from Takakeisho this Aki. Edited September 13, 2023 by Hankegami 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akinomaki 39,802 Posted September 13, 2023 Day 3 469kg clash: 217kg Sd27e Komanokuni (3rd heaviest) won against heaviest active rikishi Sd28e Dewanojo (252kg) o 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hakuryuho 334 Posted September 13, 2023 21 minutes ago, Akinomaki said: Day 3 469kg clash: 217kg Sd27e Komanokuni (3rd heaviest) won against heaviest active rikishi Sd28e Dewanojo (252kg) o And to think the largest human ever recorded was their weights combined + an additional 166kg... Unfathomable Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dingo 1,160 Posted September 13, 2023 (edited) I think I just witnessed an eighth wonder of the world in Shodai vs Hoshoryuu. I mean how in the world did that happen? I find it ironic how before the basho there were expectations of two strong new ozeki leaving no room for others, whereas after the fourth day the basho is wide open. Exciting times continue! Flashes of Kisenosato in Kotonowaka's sumo today? Their body types are not too dissimilar. Nishikigi just shows no signs of stopping his rampage in the joi. I'm glad he's doing well as a komusubi, though today I was really torn as I wanted both Nishikigi and Tobizaru to win. Hope they both can continue as komusubi. After today I still maintain that Aoiyama is sadly on his way out. He won't stay in Makuuchi with this kind of powerless sumo. Juryo maybe for a few basho or more, bouncing back to Makuuchi once or twice of he's lucky... Edited September 13, 2023 by dingo Formatting 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fashiritētā 169 Posted September 13, 2023 Hoshoryu’s body isn’t listening to the hype his brain is talking. Focus please Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hakutorizakura 590 Posted September 13, 2023 Takakeisho can't seem to catch a break. He beat Asanoyama convincingly and still got suspected for a hairpull (No jinx please) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mt fuji 976 Posted September 13, 2023 Some pretty fun bouts from day 4, I thought that the Ryuden - Gonoyama and Atamifuji - Chiyoshoma were really entertaining. Nice to see Nishikigi and Kotonowaka living up to their new ranks. Hoshoryu needs to chill out and get back to his calculated sumo, he's been moving very quickly but overextending himself the past few days. I'm still doubtful of Takakeisho's longevity but it did feel good to see him take care of Asanoyama and look like his younger self. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RabidJohn 1,665 Posted September 13, 2023 On 12/09/2023 at 16:06, Akinomaki said: Miyagino was at the oyakata talk event in the sumo museum today. He wants to raise 2 yokozuna to have proper attendants for his kanreki dohyo-iri in 22 years. About rival Nishonoseki: "The dohyo now is becoming another. Who will produce a yokozuna or ozeki first, is I think the fight of the oyakata" https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2023/09/12/kiji/20230912s00005000235000c.html Takekuma might beat them both. I need to see how he handles the meatgrinder, but Gonoyama looks very handy, and he gives me brawler vibes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
junsan 170 Posted September 13, 2023 Hapless Takanosho used to a be an Ozeki contender. Hope he gets his mojo back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
