Dwale

Ah, see, this is edifying for me, thank you. ^.^

That's true. The name I want to use is "Okarai" written with the O prefix and the characters for "cyclonic storm."

Mhm. I did mention "prefix" specifically. I know the meaning if what I'm trying to say, I just don't know anything about how it would be written. Languages often have strange and arbitrary rules.

Haven't seen all the matches yet, but a few comments... First are foremost, "DAMMIT, Hakuho!" lol. As much as I dislike him, I'm really not that mad. He and Yoshikaze both had that, "Please tell me that didn't just happen" face. Did he suddenly realize he had no strategy or something? Seems as though he was acting on instinct. Perhaps he was distracted. Mitakeumi showing top-notch defensive skills. Those don't win matches, of course, but one needs to have them nonetheless. The kid is good! And this basho is a great learning experience for him. Tenacity is crucial for promising young rikishi like himself, and it is something he has shown time and again that he possesses. Ishiura demonstrating his agility, weaving through Chiyoshoma's offense to get hold of the belt and the victory. I have no idea how far he'll go in makuuchi, but I'm along for the ride. Glad Gagamaru's rallied. He seems like a nice guy so it's hard for me not to like him. And Terunofuji is looking like he might just get that kachi-koshi after all.

My girlfriend has taken quite a liking to sumo. This pleases me to no end. v^.^

Hello, all. I have decided to give myself a mock shikona, as others here have done, just for ****s and giggles. I know the name I want to use, but fear my lack of knowledge of written Japanese could lead me into an improper construction. So, my question is, when writing the "O" prefix (ex. "Osunaarashi") would that go to the right of the other characters? Thank you.

lol!

Did anyone ever come up with a solid answer on whether the topknot is cut if a rikishi dies before retiring? I need to know for a short story.

My bad.

Congratulations to Endo on his kinboshi. Wrestling very well as a joi-jin, to the immense pleasure of the fans. Good for him, and thanks for making things interesting. Takayasu fought hard against Aoiyama, but it wasn't enough. Aoiyama's massive reach is key to his sumo; today it worked. Mitakeumi came to throw down, but was no match for Kisenosato. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Kisenosato has top-notch footwork and excellent ring sense. Few rikishi can cut off opponents' movement as well as he can. I feel a little bad for Mitakeumi, but this was always how this basho was going to play out for him. Better luck next time, tiger. Knew Sokokurai's undefeated streak was over as soon as I saw Chiyootori. Sometimes you just get that feeling, you know? Ishiura still looking strong. Could be a fluke, but I don't care, I'm having a great time watching him. Wow, Sadanoumi *really* wanted Tochinoshin out of that ring. See the way he threw his weight at him? He's lucky that didn't backfire. Fun match with Ikioi and Shohozan. Not really a fan of Ikioi per se, but he's certainly likable enough to be pleased when he does well. He has toukon, decent agility and well-honed skills. What's not to like? Kotoyuki just does not have his **** together this basho, whatever the reason. Goeido eating a loss. That doesn't change anything as far as his course of action is concerned: he needs to keep his focus and win his matches one at a time. Tamawashi wrestling hot and on track to sekiwake. Terunofuji able to successfully defend against the moro-zashi attempt. Looks like everyone is trying that against him now. If he's smart, he'll find a way to use this to his advantage. Shodai able to fend off the throat grab at the edge, but not quick enough to stop Harumafuji from capitalizing. Still, a valiant effort against an exceptionally skillful opponent. EDIT: Osunaarashi proving that he belongs in makuuchi, whither he shall soon return. Ura also recovering from early defeats Edited again for grammar.

Even if Ishiura only turns in mediocre performances in makuuchi, he shows good technique, and just being the little guy is inspiring. What can I say? I love an underdog.

That's a gaping hole in his game which wants patching badly.

And that settles it, I'm now emphatically on board the Ishiura hype train. Very much looking forward to his matches from now on. Glad to see Terunofuji looking like he belongs in there. It's crucial that he racks up wins over the appetizers, here, before time comes to throw down with the elites. Careful, Goeido, you very nearly tasted the dohyo on that one. Good recovery, but shaky sumo. Careful, careful... It seems even the blazing aura edition of Endo is no match for Harumafuji. No shame in that, really, he's yokozuna for a reason. Yoshikaze is very tough to defeat in the tournaments wherein he's fired up. This is apparently not one of those. There! That's Tochinoshin, good. It was disheartening to see him turn in poor performances early when we know he's capable of so much better. Ikioi still doing well, and Kotoyuki finally looks like himself. Perhaps Kotoyuki has realized that he needs to diversify his attacks, which is why he's been experimenting this basho. We shall see.

Favorite loss of the day: Kitaharima.

Is Kotoyuki hiding an injury or what? Whatever his deal is, he needs to cut it out. I can overlook the occasional henka, particularly if a rikishi is injured or otherwise in dire straights, but the fans (not all, but I would think most) dislike it and it is best avoided for that reason. Moreover, he apparently sucks at it! Endo looking stronger than I've ever seen him. Good for him, great for the Japanese fans. Endo wrestling well = butts in seats + more TV viewership...and more cuddly toys, one assumes. Kotoshogiku had better rally, quick. The new and improved, extra strength Goeido in there getting it done. Woo! Sokokurai...he's doing well thus far. He's got power and he's got some skills, but there's just something about him that puts me off. Can't see myself getting behind him. But, credit where it's due. Takayasu looking good. He seems a little nonplussed with his victories, though I guess that's just him. He does this, "Pretty sure I left the oven on..." sort of face. Glad to see Terunofuji rally some; Shodai is the opposite of a cream-puff. I'm hoping he'll squeak eight wins by this one, but we'll have to see. After last basho, I'm not betting on it. Bad news for Harumafuji and Aoiyama both, by the looks of things. Of course, a good portion of makuuchi wrestlers are walking injuries anyway, and they were both on their feet before too much time had passed. I'm getting excited about Ishiura. What else has he got? Favorite win of the day: Kotoeiko, for showing me a kimarite I don't recall having seen before.

I respectfully disagree. Go through enough interviews with wrestlers and you will hear them admit, in so many words, that they were intimidated. Terunofuji admitted this after a loss to Kotoyuki earlier this year, while multiple rikishi have commented that Hakuho's stare-down makes them feel as though the strength has left their bodies.

The stare-down is important. If you can intimidate your opponent, your chances of winning improve drastically. Psychology is important in any athletic endeavor, combat sports in particular. Get in their head, make them doubt. Make them them think you're going to hurt them. If they let you, their every instinct is to move away from you, not towards.

Lotta folks are probably waiting on him to mess up so they can be like, "I knew it!"

Yeah, it looks like Tamawashi is wrestling hot. Credit where it's due. Maybe for Endo too. Kisenosato, man... he's one of the harder guys to read, but I suspect he's thoroughly demoralized. Goeido. Whether he makes yokozuna or not, he does seem to have leveled up. Takayasu as well. Keeping a close eye on Ishiura... I've taken a liking to Chiyoshouma. He only went 8/7 last time, but he's got good form. Favorite win of the day: Kitataiki, managing two victories in only one match. [EDIT: I shouldn't post without being fully alert in the morning]

Well, looks like Osunaarashi was having none of Ura's crap today, and given by how loud those smacks were, I think Ura's gonna be feeling those for days. Hey, I like Ura, but Osunaarashi is my main man, so of course I'm gonna cheer when he wins. Osunaarashi's taped up, so presumably he's not 100%, but I'm still anticipating a bit of a massacre at his hands down in juryo. Ikioi wrestling like a man possessed, let's hope he can keep that up for the rest of his life. lol. Wonder why Kotoyuki resorted to the henka? And Shodai, mm, mm, mm. Tasty sumo from him, like usual. When Kinta started calling Shodai as future ozeki, I took my usual "Let's wait and see" position, but it is weakening by the basho. I do think that he looks to be the real deal, but while I am not anywhere near saying "yokozuna" I am definitely thinking "ozeki" in the near future. Speaking of the up-and-comers, Mitakeumi racking up a precious week-one komusubi victory, and good for him. I'm not going to credit Endo for beating the ghost of Terunofuji, as I'm pretty sure you could blow him out of the ring with a sneeze at this point. Heal up, man, you're breaking our hearts over here!

I believe Kinta said Ura is injured still. But, I would think there's some truth to what you said, whether it's an issue of their having learned his style or else their simply knowing how to handle it.

I'd heard that, but wasn't sure if it was fact or rumor. Well, I do know he had surgery on his...what was that, his collarbone? Shoulder? I don't recall. But, if it's A) a physica issue and B) something that he can fix, then I think even if he falls back down the ranks, he would fight his way back up very quickly once he was well.

I have to agree. Terunofuji has (or at least had) the knack, in addition to a great body, but he's been consistently mediocre ever since that explosive ascent. Wish someone could tell me what has happened, because the thought of all that potential being lost makes me, yes, sad. And this isn't to take anything away from Yoshikaze, who is a fierce and game competitor and a lot of fun to watch.

Not much to say, this is pretty standard for day one. Most of my pet rikishi are looking decent. Favorite win of the day: Tamawashi. Came out of nowhere and won with serious authority. Kotoshogiku's would be a close second.