Otokonoyama 2,735 Posted March 22, 2005 As often happens, Kokkai has a fantastic tachi-ai today (against Chiyotaikai in this case). He didn't move forward, and though 'Taikai was at a disadvantage and ripe for a quick defeat; Kokkai had no deashi and stood there while aite recovered and took the initiative. (Sigh...) Work on the ashi-koshi, dude (Praying...) (Annoyed...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
QttP 0 Posted March 22, 2005 The strength of that impact (ouch!) had Kokkai himself moved slightly back, so he couldn't just bulldoze Taikai with a continuous pushing motion. Taikai is still pretty fast for his old age, so he regrouped quickly (much as he did earlier this basho in the bout against Kotooshu). After that he probably had no idea where he is and what's he doing, so he stuck to some primal instincts, while Kokkai seemed slightly apologetic (ouch!). The outcome of the bout was very awkward to both rikishi and seemed very close (much ase earlier this basho in the bout against Kotooshu). Was there a mono-ii? From the video on Dale's site the outcome is really not clear. In any case, anyone with more ring sense than Kokkai would have won from that position at the edge. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kashunowaka 300 Posted March 22, 2005 As Aderechelsea said in the chat before the bout: Kokkai's footwork is seriously lacking. That (and his forward-leaning stance) is why he gets pulled down so much. Chiyotaikai on the other hand doesn't get as much credit for his quick feet as he deserves. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hakuyobaku 33 Posted March 22, 2005 (edited) It seems closer than i thought it was.. Again this deserved at least a Mono-ii.. Chiyotaitai started falling forward and Kokkai went down sideways.. and his feet are blocking the view from seeing if Taikai's hands touched down first.. Edited March 22, 2005 by Hakuyobaku Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doitsuyama 1,192 Posted March 22, 2005 There wasn't a mono-ii and I personally think in the stream it's pretty clear that Kokkai fell first. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
QttP 0 Posted March 22, 2005 Chiyotaikai on the other hand doesn't get as much credit for his quick feet as he deserves. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Because whenever an ozeki wins by pulling it's considered bad, so Taikai's success in ambivalent situations when he retreats along the edge (which is close to 100%, at least in the past year) gets more critique than praise. Something I can understand, although I feel that the critique of his pulling habits and the praise of his edge footwork can and should be independent of one another. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kashunowaka 300 Posted March 22, 2005 Because whenever an ozeki wins by pulling it's considered bad, so Taikai's success in ambivalent situations when he retreats along the edge (which is close to 100%, at least in the past year) gets more critique than praise. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> 100% retreat or 100% success? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ryukaze 0 Posted March 22, 2005 Seemed pretty clear to me that "Taikai" won...seems at times the edge is given to the wrestler who ends up on top etc... As for Kokkai he definately didnt capitolize on the tachiai, instead of "closing the gap" he just stood there and Taikai took advantage of it.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kasugaran 0 Posted March 22, 2005 Kokkai is just really frustrating. He doesn't seem to learn. It is great to be strong in the tachiai, but you have bring more than a flailing wall of arms. Until he figures out his balance, footwork and learns that you can grab the mawashi he will never go anywhere in the top division. What is his Oyakata doing? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yoavoshimaru 0 Posted March 23, 2005 I actually think Kokkai is improving at a decent pace. For him to push Chiyotaikai off at the tachi-ai is a nice feat. It's much better to have pure power and need to learn the rest than have the rest but no pure power. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest takipaul Posted March 23, 2005 (edited) Maybe I'm wrong but I think it deserved more than a mono-ii. When watching live from the normal camera angle it looked like Kokkai went down first, and I thought, "oh well, he lost." But then they showed the replay, it was from a different angle (closer to the ring and more to the right) and I swear you could see Chiyotaikai's hand hit the ground before any of Kokkai's body did. I looked at my friend, who said they saw it, too. After seeing the replay once, the announcers said, "Let's take a look at that again in slow motion" and then they cut away from the 2nd replay before you could ever see who hit the ground first... Why?... I think because me and my friend saw right, I think Kokkai really did win and that someone saw it and cut the replay because they're not supposed to start a conflict by showing the judges got it wrong. Unless Kokkai stepped out before they fell (and it didn't look like he did) then it looked wrong. Edited March 23, 2005 by takipaul Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kotooshu_bulgaria 0 Posted March 23, 2005 I can't really talk about this bout, for I did not see a replay and it might have looked close from the regular video, but this does not mean much. (Shaking head...) On a brighter note, Kokkai does look ready for K-1 with his thrusts, and one day, when he gets tired of sumo, he might successfully join their ranks. :-/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
QttP 0 Posted March 23, 2005 100% retreat or 100% success? Success. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gusoyama 104 Posted March 23, 2005 you have bring more than a flailing wall of arms. Excellent description! (Sign of approval) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
