Dwale

Terunofuji's impending hernia aside, some honorable mentions: I have to thank both Endo and Chiyoshoma, that was really a team effort to make me giggle like that. Great job, guys, y'all should do manzai. How the hell do you miss with a throw after you already grabbed someone? And then Endo was just kinda like "Yoink." lol Good times. And Chiyonokuni, uhhhhhh... No idea what to say, but I just can't not mention that. Whatever it was... Guess it was a bit like seeing a hippopotamus riding a unicycle: you have to laugh, but it's still impressive.

Wow, yeah, I think Terunofuji...it's not like that's the first time he's lifted someone over the tawara, but just...wow. o.o;

Ok, now I've finally seen all the makuuchi matches (thanks Kinta) and yeah, wow, so much good stuff in that first half. I'm not really sure I can pick a favorite in this case. That Chiyoshoma match was just "Mwah!" gorgeous, though. Shodai's win was also very cool. Definitely the most exciting day of the basho so far, for me anyway.

Yeah, I'm just over here quietly vibrating with excitement like a chihuahua.

I wonder if any of you trivia buffs could tell me which rikishi took out the most gyoji over his career.

Haven't seen all of the makuuchi matches yet, but I did see Takayasu v Terunofuji. Now, technically Takayasu is the underdog here, but did he look the part? Heck no, man. He does sometimes seem to run out of juice towards the end of the basho, but for now he's tearing through opponents like they were wet tissue paper. I wasn't expecting the match to be that one-sided, holy crap. Congratulations to Shohozan for the kinboshi. And heh, Yoshikaze just can't seem to get a break this time around, poor guy. Kisenosato not bothered by Takarafuji's considerable power, just moves him out of the ring like the tide pulling a swimmer out to sea. And looking thoroughly dignified whilst so doing, I might add.

I guess Kagayaki wasn't demoralized after all. It does beg the question of what he thought he was doing yesterday... Perhaps he was not entirely prepared. Ura not having a stellar basho, but it's his first in makuuchi, so. He'll improve. So, Terunofuji! I like him, I like it when he wins, but that late shove crap needs to stop. I hope his oyakata tears him a new one, that was ridiculous. Kisenosato doing what Kisenosato does. He has power, but he's very economical with it. Not a flashy style, but admirable. And the yorikiri here was almost gentle, like "Annnnd, there ya go, champ. Thanks for playing." lol Takayasu keeping it going. Really psyched for tomorrow's match. Not a whole lot to say today. One-sided matches aplenty, and that sort of thing can get boring. EDIT: The Endo match had me on the edge of my seat a little, just for the, "Is he gonna get him? Is he gonna get him?"

Takayasu has as much fighting spirit as anyone in makuuchi. I'm not sure the man could hold back if his life depended on it.

Yeah, gotta give to Pillsbury, there, that was a real slobber-knocker of a bout. I just rewatched that a few minutes ago and wanted to mention it.

Great victory for Ikioi. Another kinboshi for him, and totally deserved. No mistake that was shini-tai. Favorite match of the day was Chiyoshoma v. Tochinoshin, for the sheer entertainment value of watching him struggle to heave that monster over. Ishiura doing well this basho, good on him. Kotoshogiku wrestling like a man possessed! It's not over 'til it's over, but he might just reclaim that potatozeki rank. Speaking of ozeki, Terunofuji still in there, wrecking ****. Keeping my fingers crossed he's making a comeback. Mitakeumi and Takayasu was another good bout. Takayasu just seeming to have all the answers this basho. Goeido needs a kick in the butt. Kotoyuki, too. Ichinojo getting a win against a sleepwalking Kagayaki. Kagayaki looks to be utterly demoralized. Favorite win of the day was Tamawashi. So much energy in that, the way he snatched Shodai and flung him. Very cool.

Oh, and congrats to Sokokurai on his kinboshi. I was so worked up I forgot all about it!

Woo! YEAH! Some great matches today; I would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite. I daresay the basho is going hot a bit earlier than usual. Takayasu, I agree, is looking more and more like an ozeki. Good match, too. Looks like Ichinojo finally learned how to handle being pushed back. That was a hole in his sumo and I'm glad to see him developing as a practitioner. He has a lot of potential, maybe it's finally time for him to fulfill it. We shall see. Terunofuji having no trouble with the appetizers. Oh, and not with his opponents, either. Harumafuji isn't, I think, done yet. But let's just say the finish line is coming into view. All three Mongolian yokozuna do seem to be fading. I'm expecting some pretty big shake-ups this year in sumo. EDIT: As for Mitakeumi and Shodai, yeah. I think Mitakeumi has a slight edge on Shodai (for now), but they've both got the knack. Future ozeki? I think so.

Gymnasts, who have heavily callused palms, will sometimes experience a "rip" which is the callus splitting (and of course, the skin with it).

Honorable mention for Kotoyuki: if you're gonna lose, might as well take the audience with you. Well, first off, I didn't like the look of Tochinoshin landing as hard as he did on that bad leg. I cringed. On the other hand, Aminishiki got me to smile. He's good at that. Chiyoshoma, man. I wish he was more consistent, but I really like this guy, I've been impressed with his technique. Kisenosato and Takayasu still looking strong up in sanyaku. Terunofuji giving a late shove...hard to tell if he was angry or just didn't realize he'd won. He was making a scary face, but then, he usually does. And Kotoshogiku looks focused. Not a surprise that losing his rank would light a fire under his butt. I don't have strong feelings about him either way, but I do hope he's able to get the ten he needs, for the sake of his fans. It's a tall order, though, and he ain't exactly a spring chicken. We'll just have to see. And there, lurking in the lower sanyaku, Mitakeumi and Shodai. Someone queue the "Jaws" theme, 'cause these fellas are hungry.

It was the case as recently as the early 20th century.

Japanese have a special relationship with the color pink, possibly due to the prevalence of cherry trees. It's not considered inherently feminine there the way it is in some western cultures.

Hello, everyone. Well, that was one of the more satisfying first days (for me, anyway) that I've seen in a while. Most of my pets won their matches. Going to be watching Kotoshogiku, who I think is in for a rough basho. He has an array of hungry, fierce competitors this time around. He looks like he's fighting hard. Good, he needs it! Going to try not to get too pumped on account of Ichinojo's vigor, but if he keeps fighting that hard then I could see a lot of good coming his way. Takayasu is looking calm and composed. Many rikishi would have eaten a loss right then, but no problem for him. And of course, I'm super psyched to see Ura finally in makuuchi. Win or lose, he's going to be entertaining as **** while he does it. Would LOVE to see Kisenosato rack up another tournament win, just to silence any doubters (although of course he is one of my favorites and I cheer him no matter what). Kanpai.

Really pleased for Kisenosato. We can reasonably expect an uptick in sumo's popularity in Japan now. I think even his detractors would have to concede that he is and has consistently been a cut above the other ozeki during his tenure. Special prizes rained onto the appropriate rikishi, and a good job of it considering the amazing performances we saw this basho. 2017 is going to be crazy!

Happy birthday.

Ah, man, Kisenosato shedding tears, wow! And I bet no shortage of fans wept; I choked up a bit myself, later. Favorite win of the day was Takekaze. A good day of sumo, actually, but the gravity of Kise's win/Haku's loss just eclipses everything else. Definitely going to wake up early tomorrow if I can!

Big congratulations to Kisenosato. Phew. Finally! Yeah, the stars had to align, but they did. Good for him, good for the fans. Yay. But congratulations to Ikioi for getting KK as a joi, he's been working his ass off on the dohyo all this time. I do wonder how they're going to handle the incoming traffic jam at sekiwake...

I agree that he should (and think he will) come in heavier as the seasons progress. And you are of course correct about the Mongolian hopefuls. Chiyoshoma has some of that flexibility we see from the top-ranked Mongolian rikishi. He should gain weight, but I think the experience and confidence that will come with the years is even more important. The one thing he must have is the tenacity to throw himself against whatever obstacles he may face again and again, until he overcomes them. And that, I don't know about. I only started paying attention to him when he made it to makuuchi. But if he has that, then I do think he'll do well.

Would the sumo elders take this into account at all when deciding about the sansho?

Hakuho is so fast, so strong... One can't help but marvel from time to time. The Ura win was really cool. Takayasu continuing to shine. He's always had great toukon, but it seems that he's transcended his previous limitations. Proud of him. Chiyoshoma's a pretty well-rounded wrestler. Could easily see this guy as a joi mainstay once he gets some more polish on 'im. Kotoyuki managed to stave off MK. You know, I like him, but if he continues to henka as much as he did this basho, that'll change. Looked good today, at least.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention Kotoyuki's signature "manatee torpedo" technique, which he honed long ago and continues to employ. Chiyoshoma and Sokukokurai was entertaining, Takekaze's eye still a finger-magnet (but otherwise doing so well!), and Mitakeumi still in blazing anime protagonist mode. Apart from my main man Osunaarashi being hurt, I'm finding this an especially entertaining basho.