Haru 2024 discussion (results)

[Tigerboy1966 1,368]

2 hours ago, Faustonowaka said:

My money is on dark horse Mitakeumi

Mitakeumi ought to be able to launch a serious yusho challenge from that spot on the banzuke... oh wait, we've been saying that for a while now, haven't we.

[Jakusotsu 5,721]

Too bad Sadanoumi's chances will be blown by zensho-bound Takerufuji.

[Katooshu 3,079]

This is 2024 Mitakeumi, drained of the powers that made him a 3x cup winner and sumo's most reliable KK. No one should expect a yusho from him. Unfortunately those days are gone, though he is still a respectable middle maegashira.

As for the new tsukedashi not impressing - I'd give it some time. Matsui is only 19, 3 to 4 years younger than most elevated starters, and had pretty much the worst heya situation possible to begin his career. I would like to see what he can do when he's more settled - I have little doubt he'll prove to be much better than the opponents who've beat him so far. For now, I think even a 4-3 KK is a solid result. Tokitenran looks a strong pusher, although someone who will likely spend a while trying to establish himself past mid-high makushita.

Edited March 17 by Katooshu

[Kaninoyama 1,649]

This has all the makings of a Hoshoryu yusho. 

Edited March 18 by Kaninoyama

[Sumo Spiffy 521]

9 hours ago, Reonito said:

I was wrong and you totally called it 

In my defense, a double-digit maegashira hasn't had a san'yaku opponent this early since the crazy Futagoyama-necessitated matchups of the eraly 1990s.

In a lot of our defenses, really. I think everything that's set up for day 9 is what they would've done for day 10 previously. And I can't tell if this would be a move to ramp up the hype train (if they win) or shut it down (expecting them to lose, soon if not today).

[Fashiritētā 154]

Aonishiki wins with authority.

[Yamanashi 3,669]

Kitajin Endo has only spent two basho in Juryo for his career, the last in 2016.  He's probably headed back after two 5-10 tournaments and this disaster in the making.  Will he hang around at 33, or should Tenkaiho look to borrow his fifth kabu?  Last July Endo bounced back from M16 with a double-digit basho; too late for that now.

[Jakusotsu 5,721]

The horse called Wakamotoharu is vantablack, but it's still possible for all three Onami brothers to win the yusho.

[Kaninoyama 1,649]

Will Endo retire rather than fall back down to Juryo? Doesn't seem like the type to try to hang around until the bitter end. 

[Kotogouryuu 126]

49 minutes ago, Kaninoyama said:

Will Endo retire rather than fall back down to Juryo? Doesn't seem like the type to try to hang around until the bitter end. 

As I understand it, he had to be persuaded to have a professional sumo career in the first place. His main weapon, leg movement, is gone with injuries. I don't see him hanging on if he drops.

[dingo 1,100]

Of all rikishi to beat Mitakeumi who's doing pretty well this basho it is Rouga, who's not that hot so far. Sumo is full of surprises. But this also further exemplifies what's been going on for a while already -- the current level of consistency in maegashira is such that almost anyone can beat anyone, eve the yokozuna on a good day. Of course the joi and ozeki are generally more skilled, but as we see each basho their consistency goes back and forth like a yoyo. 

Takayasu did well not to lose focus and chase Nishikifuji out till he really was out. Of course Takayasu is experienced enough to make sure the opponent is out, yet time to time we still see some amazing lapses of concentration. Not this time though, good sumo from Takayasu. 

Perhaps the real dark horse for the yusho is Shonannoumi? 7-2 and looking very solid against Onosho today. 

In the bout of the taped up hospitalisation candidates, Hokutofuji got his second win of the basho. Good for him, not so good for Kinbozan. Both should rest at home though. 

Nice bounce back win from Oho after yesterday's loss to Takakeisho. I'm happy to see that he's determined to get a kachikoshi at his highest rank so far, not being intimidated by the opposition. With his aggressive pushing, he has a good chance for a winning record too. 

Wow, Meisei manhandled Atamifuji today! Second impressive win in a row, is he gonna shake up the yusho race by getting in the way of potential winners? 

For the second day in a row I have to wonder where in the world does Takerufuji take this strength from? Abi was out before he could say Takerufuji. Maybe it helps that he seems to be Takarafuji's successor to the neckless rikishi title 

I was waiting for Wakamotoharu to turn over and drop Onosato at the tawara edge, but either he was so much nailed in place that he couldn't, or he didn't find a good opening. Either way, the phenomenal basho for the two young maegashira continues. Tomorrow's head to head will be the bout of the basho! If Onosato manages to win tomorrow against Takerufuji, all the 2 loss rikishi will be in the yusho game. And that includes two ozeki who can already smell the opportunity. 

Speaking of ozeki, Kotonowaka seems to have gotten over his mid basho hiccups and is well on the way to a solid kachikoshi, and perhaps even more. I don't think it's right to say Kotonowaka has peaked, he hasn't had a makekoshi since 2022 July! 

So this is what Midorifuji was saving his katasukashi for! Today has got to be one of his smoothest and most decisive technical execution yet. Even Hoshoryuu was impressed 

Edited March 18 by dingo

[RabidJohn 1,628]

12 hours ago, Kaninoyama said:

This has all the makings of a Hoshoryu yusho. 

I was thinking along those lines until Midorifuji performed his famous katasukashi magic trick on the ozeki today. Judging by his smile immediately afterwards, Hoshoryu agreed that it was just brilliant.

Kotonowaka yusho, maybe? Hard to tell with the 2 über-noobs rolling over Abi and Wakamotoharu today. Takerufuji and Onosato get each other tomorrow, which will either leave them in joint lead with 1 loss or give Takerufuji a 2-win lead. Nice headache for the torikumi makers, and continuing excitement in the basho. I get why people are disappointed in the performance of the Y/O, but this is a great basho nonetheless, IMO.

Ura is turning into a regular giant killer. I hope that awkward impact with the dohyo edge didn't hurt his knee too much.

[BroadMeadow 32]

THAT was a fun day of sumo!

The Kotoshoho-Kitanowaka bout was bonkers. It seems like one of Kotoshoho's biggest obstacles is discouragement. Sometimes he just looks like he loses his heart. Great to see him engaged and fighting for a win. 

All the bouts from the the M1 head-to-head onwards were engaging too. The top of the leaderboard has the makings for an exciting concluding week!

[Washuyama 634]

1 hour ago, dingo said:

I don't think it's right to say Kotonowaka has peaked, he hasn't had a makekoshi since 2022 July! 

He's done.  I think this is the last basho we'll see Kotonowaka...

[Miyam 6]

Witnessing Hakuoho struggling at the bottom of Juryo is killing me.

[hakutorizakura 581]

3 hours ago, dingo said:

Maybe it helps that he seems to be Takarafuji's successor to the neckless rikishi title 

Sumo is not the same without Takarafuji and the neck jokes. Miss him 

(Yeah I know he is still around, I just normally don't watch juryo videos)

[dingo 1,100]

11 hours ago, Yamanashi said:

Kitajin Endo has only spent two basho in Juryo for his career, the last in 2016.  He's probably headed back after two 5-10 tournaments and this disaster in the making.  Will he hang around at 33, or should Tenkaiho look to borrow his fifth kabu?  Last July Endo bounced back from M16 with a double-digit basho; too late for that now.

Well, he has a lot of old buddies in Juryo to hang out with -- Takarafuji, Aoiyama, Chiyoshoma, Tomokaze, Kagayaki, Wakatakakage, Kotoekou etc. 

Edit: maybe they can start a ex-makuuchi back scratching club (EMBSC). 

Edited March 18 by dingo

[Koorifuu 858]

• Endo
  • We had discussed this back in Hatsu already, where demotion looked like a real possibility, and I think most of us agreed that he'd likely retire the moment he goes down to Juryo.
• Hakuoho
  • This was reminiscent of his match against Akua, eh @Reonito? I get that he's had more to think about these last few months, but going "here's my leg" to Akua and "here's my neck" to Aoiyama almost back to back is a whole new level of incompetence/negligence. He can still beat most people head-on, but damnit, he's gotta stop letting one-trick-ponies getting their trick in!
• Kitanowaka
  • ...why? People who watch juryo know that he's much better than this. There's no obvious injury, I hope he steps it up as he'd be a great permanent addition to makuuchi's ranks.
• Takerufuji/Onosato
  • We've had a few "changing of the guard" moments over the last few years with no clear "meat" to it, but these two absolutely decimate sanyaku stalwarts back to back is certainly up there. 
• Makushita-Juryo promotions
  • I had my hopes that this was going to be a deceptively interesting basho for makushita joi, but boy am I being proven wrong.
    • Onokatsu is definitely better than I thought, he'll do well. Only convincing promotion candidate of the bunch.
    • This looked like a good opportunity for Kayo, and he's still got a chance, but two losses at this stage is a bit underwhelming.
    • At least one out of Chiyomaru/Tenshoho is likely to get back in by default, but honestly, it doesn't feel too deserved.
    • Chiyodaigo and Kitadaichi missing out on a rare golden chance. 
    • Tsukahara is doing his darndest to lose out on yet another opportunity but he's so much better than those around him that he's finding himself one win away!! Go, big guy!
    • Kazekeno's possible zensho is intriguing. I wonder how he would/will do in juryo. Sad that this was at Kiryuko's expense though, who'll have another rodeo at the joi. Hoping Natsu is it.

Edited March 18 by Koorifuu

[Benihana 1,899]

Somewhen in the 2050s or 2060s...

Grandpa, tell me a story!

*sigh* I guess you're old enough now, kiddo. Let me tell you the story of Haru Basho 2024...

[Katooshu 3,079]

Takerufuji and Onosato have 33 makuuchi bouts total and only 1 maegashira has a win against them (Onosho x2). Looking like future sanyaku for sure - tonight will be epic  Onosato got the better of their amateur H2H series, but Takerfuji looks a different beast since then. What has he been up to at Isegahama beya? Certainly has grown an amazing pair of traps since joining.

And sumo can be cruel. For a while many people thought that Onosato would never rank higher than Hakuoho. Now a shoulder surgery and heya drama later, Hakuoho barely has a winning record at the bottom of juryo - even losing to a struggling Aoiyama and getting kakenage'd by Akua. I think he'll find his way back eventually, but difficult to watch at times.

Edited March 18 by Katooshu

[Reonito 1,295]

35 minutes ago, Koorifuu said:

• Hakuoho
  • This was reminiscent of his match against Akua, eh @Reonito? I get that he's had more to think about these last few months, but going "here's my leg" to Akua and "here's my neck" to Aoiyama almost back to back is a whole new level of incompetence/negligence. He can still beat most people head-on, but damnit, he's gotta stop letting one-trick-ponies getting their track in!
• Kitanowaka
  • ...why? People who watch juryo know that he's much better than this. There's no obvious injury, I hope he steps it up as he'd be a great permanent addition to makuuchi's ranks.

I guess Terunofuji's 10-5 in Juryo, sandwiched between his 13-2 Y in J and M, gives me some hope that Hakuoho is just having an off tournament; there are surely plenty of potential reasons for that.

Kitanowaka's struggles in Makuuchi sort of remind me of Kototebakari's in Ms joi; both have great skills and good size, but seem to lack a bit of physicality.

[Katooshu 3,079]

First tournament back as a sekitori after surgery, heya drama........I am sure he will improve, though even given those considerations I was expecting a more convincing showing than this. People were joking before the Akua match that Akua would win by kakenage, and then it actually happened! 

Edited March 18 by Katooshu

[Asashosakari 18,647]

1 minute ago, Reonito said:

Kitanowaka's struggles in Makuuchi sort of remind me of Kototebakari's in Ms joi; both have great skills and good size, but seem to lack a bit of physicality.

Kitanowaka brings an excellent body, but I'm really struggling to name a single other part of his sumo that I would consider (close to) makuuchi-average at this point. And that assessment isn't just based on his less than stellar top division record so far; even in juryo I'm frequently surprised how many different ways his opponents are capable of finding to defeat him. It kind of feels like he's been around forever (two straight years in juryo tends to lead to that impression, at least for me), but at the same time it feels like he hasn't slowly worked his way up to makuuchi like, say, Churanoumi, and rather just fluked in via his physical tools. At 23 he's still young, but I'm honestly starting to wonder if the action in makuuchi just might be a little too fast for him. If so, that's something he might not ever overcome.

[Godango 956]

I was gonna say it a couple of days ago but I was avoiding the forum as I couldn't watch in real-time. 

Takakeisho yusho. Conditions are perfect. Upper rankers are doing 'fine' at best, lead is held by two newbies, and of course -- he was supposed to lose his rank.

[Reonito 1,295]

18 minutes ago, Asashosakari said:

Kitanowaka brings an excellent body, but I'm really struggling to name a single other part of his sumo that I would consider (close to) makuuchi-average at this point. And that assessment isn't just based on his less than stellar top division record so far; even in juryo I'm frequently surprised how many different ways his opponents are capable of finding to defeat him. It kind of feels like he's been around forever (two straight years in juryo tends to lead to that impression, at least for me), but at the same time it feels like he hasn't slowly worked his way up to makuuchi like, say, Churanoumi, and rather just fluked in via his physical tools. At 23 he's still young, but I'm honestly starting to wonder if the action in makuuchi just might be a little too fast for him. If so, that's something he might not ever overcome.

I feel like his yotsu skills are on the stronger side, but I don't have a lot of confidence in my own "eye test."