Preparations of the Y/O - Kyushu 2023

[Kintamayama 44,188]

Takakeishou is preparing to assail the Yokozuna rank. He did some weight training and teppole action yesterday. "My feeling isn't bad..The jungyo is behind us and I am able to train as planned. I  will do all it takes to enter the basho in the best shape possible," he said, peeking at Daieishou's paper.

[Kintamayama 44,188]

Kirishima welcomed Hokutofuji and fresh new Makuuchi Kitanowaka to his heya for some intense training yesterday. 13 bouts, 9-4. He hasn't had double digit wins yet since getting promoted to Ozeki. "Last basho is history. We start now.. I know what I have to do," he said.

Edited November 3, 2023 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 44,188]

Terunofuji arrived in Kyushu and started training, facing heyamate Takarafuji for 11 bouts, won them all, 10 by yorikiri. "I think I'm gradually getting better. I will see how i'm doing and decide if I'm entering Kyushu," he said. "I know that my body is not the kind that heals quickly so I need double the time to get ready," he added. "He is training and is here with the intention of entering Kyushu," said Isegahama Oyakata.

[Tsubame 354]

11 hours ago, Kintamayama said:

"He is training and is here with the intention of entering Kyushu," said Isegahama Oyakata. 

Call me an old cynic, but that are the exact words I would expect from someone already knowing that his rikishi will not enter the next basho.

[Gernobono 447]

12 hours ago, Kintamayama said:

"He is training and is here with the intention of entering Kyushu,

sounds like reports of kaio's genkiness, prebasho, back in the days

leading to sure kosho

[Kintamayama 44,188]

The Nishonoseki Ichimon rengo-keiko was held at Sadogatake beya yesterday. Takakeishou had 11 bouts against Kotonowaka and Ouhou and was 8-3. No all-out forward moving was seen, just  a lot of slapdowns. He seemed to be harboring his old neck injury. "It was as usual, with adjustments. I will be concentrating day by day  and gambarizing- the results will follow," he said. "He hit hard and if he concentrates, he will show his power at the basho!" said Sadogatake the encourager. A good result yusho should seal the deal, suggested the reporter.

[Kintamayama 44,188]

Takakeishou did not show up today for day 2 of the rengo keiko, citing neck pains.

[Bunbukuchagama 674]

5 hours ago, Kintamayama said:

Takakeishou did not show up today for day 2 of the rengo keiko, citing neck pains.

...and here we go again...

[RabidJohn 1,628]

He's tsunatori. What did you expect?

[Kintamayama 44,188]

"He injured the neck when we got to Kyushu. Since the basho is close, there is no use in doing excessive stuff. I want him to be ready for day one," explained Tokiwayama Oyakata regarding Takakeishou's absence from the training session yesterday.

[dingo 1,102]

Deja vu times three (four? I've lost count). 

[Kaninoyama 1,649]

Takakeisho's career, summarized:

Yusho --> Tsunatori --> Kyujo --> Kadoban.

Rinse & repeat. 

[Seiyashi 4,068]

Considering he's only one yūshō away from Kaiō... 

[Bunbukuchagama 674]

5 hours ago, Kaninoyama said:

Takakeisho's career, summarized:

Yusho --> Tsunatori --> Kyujo --> Kadoban.

Rinse & repeat. 

The circle of life.

[Benevolance 2,453]

Kaio also had good looks and a serious arsenal of techniques that let him cruise at ozeki for as long as he wanted. Takakeisho is better off completing the tsuna run. Tell him I said so. 

[Kintamayama 44,188]

Takakeishou trained at home today against Takanoshou and was 6-2 but was not in great shape. “He is not in great shape. When one takes a complete rest, he then needs to rebuild his body.. He is going about it while thinking carefully,* said Tokiwayama Oyakata.

Edited November 8, 2023 by Kintamayama

[Akinomaki 39,497]

Terunofuji did not train today and was at a hospital for treatment of his back. Final decision after the results of treatment and medical check, maybe even announced on the 9th. Deadline is the morning of the 10th, before the torikumi conference starts. https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2023/11/08/kiji/20231108s00005000427000c.html

Usually the kyujo announcement is Friday morning

[MrGrumpyGills 114]

Balls, I was waiting for bad news about Takakeishō. I guess he isn't a hamster after all, but a groundhog? ^^;

[Kintamayama 44,188]

Kirishima went for degeiko today at Tokitsukaze beya, facing Daieishou and Wakamotoharu for 41 bouts, going 35-6. His Michinoku beya is on a training break, so he decided to go out for training. Yesterday, he had 29 bouts, so that makes 70 bouts in two days, the most anyone did recently. "When you rest too much, you have to start all over again. Training like this gives one a sense of accomplishment. I planned on doing 50 today.." he said. He has yet to reach double-digit wins as an Ozeki. " My condition is getting better, " he said.

Edited November 8, 2023 by Kintamayama

[Yamanashi 3,671]

I cannot overstate my thanks to Kirishima and Hoshoryu for reaching Ozeki status.  Without them, the "Preparations of the Y/O" thread would be: Terunofuji -- "eh, well, uhhh"; Takakeisho -- "ooh, oww, ohh".  A couple more basho of that would make you want to quit following Ozumo.

[Kintamayama 44,188]

As expected, Yokozuna Terunofuji is out of Kyushu citing back pains. This is his eighth kyujo out of 14 bashos as Yokozuna and 19th kyujo overall. “His back pains are such that he can’t do any forward moving sumo. When he favors his knees, the back pains arrive..,” said Isegahama Oyakata. He has actually completed only one basho this year, winning the yusho in May. 

[junsan 167]

2024 time to intai. This ceremonial Yokozuna role is about to run its course.

[Bunbukuchagama 674]

14 hours ago, junsan said:

2024 time to intai. This ceremonial Yokozuna role is about to run its course.

Somebody has to do dohyo-iri at jungyo.

[Akinomaki 39,497]

Final preparations

Just now, Akinomaki said:

Takakeisho did the basics today and left without talking to the press. The oyakata about the neck: "He only says daijoubu, not 'it hurts' "

o

41 minutes ago, Akinomaki said:

Sadogatake about Takakeisho's yokozuna run: "The shimpan department has to watch till the end and then all together will decide. No henka, it should be Takakeisho-like tsuki-oshi-zumo!" o

[Hoshotakamoto 256]

There are just an astonishing number of losses mentioned above for Sekiwake.