CT3*

Actually, I expected Hakuho to take the last yusho. Why? Because Hakuho doesn't often drop 2 yusho in a row. Much less three. And he has failed to yusho in the last 3 tournaments. He hasn't had a year like that since 2012 when he only raised the Cup twice. I think he'll be looking to make a statement in March.

I don't think the Geekster takes another yusho. And I don't think he does enough to get promoted to Yokozuna either. My guess is that Hakuho wins the March tournament.

I have certainly found this to be true. I'm studying Japanese and my teacher (from Tokyo) finds it funny that I know so much about sumo. She's probably in her 30s and tells me that she doesn't know anyone in Japan that cares much about sumo. When I tell younger Japanese people that I travel to Japan primarily to see sumo, they're astonished.

Gurowake Just to be clear...while I appreciate your well articulated response, I hope you didn't take my clarification of how I see Sumotalk's yaocho stance as me agreeing with it. I was merely clarifying that rarely do I see mention or assumption that money is changing hands in the bouts they deem yaocho or mukiryoku. I generally avoid the yaocho discussions entirely. Why? I lurked on this page for years, but didn't start posting until after I'd been to Tokyo for my first basho. And having read the numerous (sometimes heated) discussions on the topic over the years, I concluded that there is no real value to me participating in yet another rehashing of the various viewpoints. Some people watch the action on the dohyo and insist that every bout is legit. Others watch the same bouts and see many of them as fake. Some folks fit somewhere in the middle. And as people's varying viewpoints on the matter don't affect my enjoyment of sumo either way, I'm absolutely ok with that!

That's exactly what it is to him. He doesn't understand the concept of luck in a contest of physical skill. He's clearly never actually played any sport competitively in his life. Even chess matches aren't 100% predictable because sometimes someone makes a move that is brilliant but for reasons they don't even realize, so you can even luck into wins that way over opponents who are better. That Tochiozan quote is hilarious. Yeah, OK, Tochiozan bought two wins over Yokozuna, and got nothing to show for it except the same result as if he had beaten the maegashira he lost to instead. If he had enough money to decide to start an Ozeki run based on yaocho, how could he not throw a little money at those few weaker maegashira? He's just throwing money away to the Yokozuna in case he happens to somehow actually manage to beat everyone else? It's that kind of nonsense why I don't bother even looking at his website any more. He doesn't always imply that money is involved or that anyone is buying "wins over Yokozuna". In fact, he usually suggests that the Mongolians are sometimes gifting wins or not fighting at their true ability, in order to give the impression that the Japanese rikishi are on the same level.

I have this same postcard on my kitchen table at this moment! When I attended my first basho in 2013, I actually mailed this postcard to myself before leaving Tokyo. When I went back last January to see Hakuho break the yusho record, I bought a bunch more (as well as a big duffel bag of sumo merchandise)!

Very interesting article. Surprised that they so openly suggested that Hakuho was mukiryoku.

When I've stayed outside of downtown Tokyo, unlocked bicycles were a very common site. I even saw many unlocked bikes with packages or groceries in the basket. I've seen lots of unlocked bikes in Kobe and Kato-city as well. Same thing with the area around the Kokugikan. But when I stayed in Shinjuku, every bike had a lock. One of (the many) things I love about Japan is how often I see small children going to school unaccompanied by adults. The place just feels very safe. And I've had friends who live there forget their laptop or lose their wallet on the subway and the items always get returned to Lost and Found. Every single time. And its nice to visit an onsen and not worry about getting your clothes stolen.

The Hakuho vs Kisenosato match literally made me laugh out loud! What a strange bout.

More likely the theory will be, "the Mongolians stepped aside and left it to the Japanese, but the Japanese failed to capitalize." Personally, I'd like to see Kotoshogiku take it. It'd be great for those that clamor for a Japanese yusho winner. But I also won't be the least bit bothered if Hakuho ends up winning it.

Looking at Terunofuji's current physical condition, its hard not to be reminded of Baruto. Has Ikioi added some weight? He looks a bit heavier to me.

I actually have the original version of this song on my Ipod!

A Yokozuna cannot be demoted. Ever. If performing poorly, they are expected to retire so as not to sully the rank.

Akinomaki Thank you so much for sharing these photographs. Much respect to you.

Welcome, Nantonoyama!

I could see Tochinoshin making Ozeki. But I've been watching sumo long enough to know that things can change, especially with injury. I remember thinking that Baruto would definitely make Yokozuna. I was wrong.

I also lurked for quite a while. And I hope you're not referring to me as dismissive or overbearing... which I can only assume is directed at me as I'm the only "new" poster to post in this thread in the last 12 hours. I've never claimed to know more than anyone else on a topic. I wasn't directing anything solely at you, playa.

I lurked on this Forum for years before I actually started posting. And because I'd read this Forum for so long, I came to feel like I "knew" certain posters and their styles (which is why there are a couple of people I have NEVER engaged as I see them as trolls). Although I'd been reading forever and felt I knew some of the participant's communication styles, I was very mindful that they'd never interacted with me. My point? When joining a new community, I've never understood why some people come in with a dismissive or overbearing way of dealing with others. How does one enter a new community and then almost immediately begin to speak down to others? I find it pretty off putting. just my random 2 cents...

I love how Hakuho gets cats all emotional!

Seemed pretty clear to me that the Hak henka was not intentional. It looked like a flukey tachi ai that caused the result.

Seems folks have quickly forgotten that Gagamaru started the year off in Juryo. But after being demoted, he handled his business and worked his way back into Makuuchi. He came back at Maegashira 15 and worked his way up to Maegashira 6 and held that rank for two consecutive basho. He belongs.

I like Gagamaru. To my eyes, his biggest issue is his balance/footwork. He's vulnerable when forced to move laterally or forced to move his feet too quickly.

-Was expecting more of a battle between Kisenosato and Osunaarashi -nice to see Mitakeumi win his Makuuchi debut -happy to see Amuru outlast Endo -to my eyes, Harumafuji looked more shaky than Hakuho -Yoshikaze shot out like a cannon! -glad to see all 3 Yokozuna competing

Mike? Is that you?

1. B 2. A 3. A 4. B 5. X 6. A 7. A 8. A 9. A 10. B 11. A 12. A 13. A 14. A 15. B 16. B 17. B 18. A 19. B 20. B 21. A CT3 Good luck, everyone!