Dwale

Holy...you're right, that was absolutely Aminishiki's win! >.<

Ah, man. Homarefuji working on the opposite of a zensho yusho. Is there a term for that? Toyohibiki owned the **** out of that bout. Wow. Shoudai wins over Mitakeumi and makes it look easy. Good on him. I like Takayasu, but wow! Just on the verge of going out, I knew it would take something like that to win and my heart sank. I figured Gagamaru was too heavy, but apparently not. For Okinoumi...that really did -look- like his win from that camera angle. That's all I'll say. Kotoyuki seems to be ascending while Ichinojo appears to be a beanbag with his face drawn on it. Where is he? Takarafuji showing some good defense on the bales. I hope he really enjoys that win after all the effort he put into getting it. Tochiouzan played it smart, though it looked for a moment that Aminishiki might've had him. Kotoshogiku gets a win despite that he looks like an amorous potato every time he gets someone against the bales. Yeah, if Terunofuji wasn't in terrible pain after that match then he should have gone into acting. Shohozan lost the match, but he -did- win the game of "The dohyo is lava" he had going. I've noticed Harumafuji sometimes starts by uselessly trying to push much larger opponents back by the neck. When this fails to work, he quickly switches to something else, but I wonder if someone will exploit that... Nice-looking finish for him today, though. Yay, Ikioi! Two and three on day five for a komusubi? Yeah, he didn't come here to mess around, and he doesn't seem dispirited at all, either. One of the longer ones I've done, but that's just because of all the entertaining sumo. Kanpai!

So glad I came to this forum, I never would have known The Force was a kimarite. Also note Aminishiki up there helpfully assisting Kakuryu in determining his bra measurements.

A couple from the Mitakeumi bout look like he's levitating his opponent out with psychokinesis.

I want to see Ura in makuuchi ASAP.

Before the basho, either 7 or 8 wins, leaning towards 7. Now, most likely 8 and maybe 9. Of course, that's just an average figure, and reality may diverge from averages quite often. I would even say 9 or 10, honestly with the form he seems to be in I don't see anyone else besides the yokozunas and maybe Kotoshogiku beating him. If he gets lucky or if one of the yokozunae has a bad day he might even pick up a kinboshi. Shoot, he's got the power for it, though my gut is trying to tell me "Not this time." Or maybe that's those greasy chips I just ate... As a komusubi, he isn't eligible for kinboshi.

Cool, I didn't know about this at all.

Before the basho, either 7 or 8 wins, leaning towards 7. Now, most likely 8 and maybe 9. Of course, that's just an average figure, and reality may diverge from averages quite often. Thank you kindly.

Takayasu vs. Mitakeumi was like, "Ah, I like them both so it doesn't matter who wins." Not surprised Takayasu managed a victory, but Mitakeumi was in the match. Kotoyuki, you could see when he went off-balance and I guess so could Toyonoshima. Kisenosato vs. Tochinoshin was definitely my favorite match of the day. And Kisenosato is one of my pet rikishi (I like his composure and grump face), but I'm really happy to see Tochinoshin get a win. (Anyone have predictions for Tochinoshin's record this basho?) Terunofuji not looking too sharp today, but manages a win regardless. The way he can manhandle a big S.O.B. like Aoiyama...you see how Teru swung Aoi to one side by the arm, there? I think of Aoiyama were about a hundred pounds lighter, he would have been flung into low orbit. Aminishiki trying that same move he tried on Hakuho, and with the same result. Aww.

That moment when you're proud of someone you've never met...

Hes popular with the ladies because hes good looking too. And M1 at that age is a big deal... Mm. Yeah, I looked into Endou's performance history and saw there was a time when he was doing much better than he has been lately. I was watching sumo back then, but more casually than now and I didn't know where to get full coverage. So, when I said that I never saw what he did to make himself so popular, it's because...I never did. And so the mystery is solved. :-P

Shoudai and Mitakeumi both got wins, good on them, and Kagayaki, too. Mitakeumi is looking hungry in there... Takekaze with a showy win... just...kerplow! (Now whenever I go to rewatch that, I'm going to imagine it like a fight scene from the 60's Batman tv show.) Did Ichinojo just...? Yes, he did. One of those (many, many) times I'm glad I don't gamble. He did need that win, though. Maybe something happened to light a fire under that substantial butt? Aminishiki just...pfffft. He's so awesome. If you had told me even just one tournament ago that I was going to be cheering Aminishiki this much, I would have thought you were insane, but he's in there getting it done and I want to see him prevail!

I've been watching sumo for years, chief...still fairly new compared to a lot of you guys, but not fresh off the truck, either. As far as Endou goes, I'm totally comfortable with the idea that I'm wrong about him. It just seems to me that his popularity is wildly disproportionate to his performance. Thanks for setting me straight, though. You're a charmer.

I have to wonder what will happen to Endo. I understand it took some persuading to get him to join sumo, he was apparently more interested in following his university degree. With his injury and stalled momentum, we'll have to see if he has the motivation to build himself back up. You know, I don't think I ever saw what it was Endou did that made him so popular. He's always seemed mediocre to me.

Well said, Shohozan and Mitakeumi look very game for the trials to come.

Shohozan...that was effing sweet! A well-deserved kinboshi for him, yay. I see what Aminishiki was going for, but no. He did try, but he must've been prepared to eat that loss. Resident kaiju Terunofuji manhandles Tochinoshin... I know I'm not exactly breaking new ground by pointing out how strong Terunofuji is, but... He's so strong, you guys. :-P Kisenosato was on the ball today, very focused, just cut off the ring and maneuvered Tochiozan out. Not flashy, but it's what he does. Kootoyuki appears to have been replaced by a more-effective clone. In all seriousness, I've seen him lackluster enough times to really be doing a double-take now. I hope he can keep it going. Mitakeumi looking sharp with a vicious win. Probably my favorite finish of the day. Osunnarashi, I imagine, watching somewhere, quietly frustrated...

Shohozan/Terunofuji really had me going. That would have been my favorite match today if it weren't for... Aminishiki/Kisenosato Pfffffft. Kisenosato, man, I love you, but you totally deserved that. That recovery from Kotoyuki was nice, I was surprised he managed to pull a victory out of that situation. Don't know anything about Shoudai, but I like to cheer for newcomers, what with makuuchi being as unforgiving as it is. No problems for him today. Everyone I'm cheering either got a win or at least put up a good fight. Kanpai!

Those are some pretty tough appetizers for the yokozuna to get down. I'd like to see Ikioi get a win over Hakuho (he's due), but I'm not really expecting it. Curious to see how Shohozan handles maegashira 1. If I had to guess, I would predict he gets his hindquarters handed to him. At the same time, I would love to be surprised by another spectacular performance like last basho. He's got some momentum, but also the misfortune to face off against Terunofuji on day one. Ouch. EDIT: It would be awesome to see Aminishiki break into sanyaku here on the tail end of his career, so I'll be cheering for him extra hard this time around. I doubt Kisenosato is going to make it easy for him on day one, though. 2nd edit: You know who else Aminishiki needs to watch out for? Shohozan!

Well, I just had this thought that at the moment of the tachi-ai, the rikishi achieve a sort of exaltation or apotheosis...they become armies and gods and forces of nature, the eternal drama of yin and yang in opposition, legends writ with an ink of flesh on the parchment of the dohyo. It's this intersection of aesthetics, symbolism, mysticism and athletics that makes it so compelling for me. I've seen matches that've brought tears to my eyes. For me personally, tears have always been the purview of art, not athletics. Sumo is...I don't know. It's just special. And it is beautiful.

I'm no expert (as I'm sure is obvious), but as long as he's willing to work hard, listen to his instructors and learn from his mistakes (and why wouldn't he be?), I feel comfortable with the expectation he'll go far. Maybe not yokozuna far; I wouldn't say that about anyone before they've proven their mettle in makuuchi. But, that's just me.

Yeah! I have to agree, Kisenosato is really intimidating, and his opponents know he has the skills to back it up. Not even Hakuho can afford to take Kisenosato lightly.

Posting here because I don't see anywhere more suitable, but I have wanted to discuss sumo in the abstract as an art in and of itself. ^.^;

You know what? When I think about the match between Shohozan and Aminishiki, I can feel a certain poetry in it. I think that was an important lesson for Shohozan.

Alright, I'm officially declaring support for future yokozuna Terunofuji. Is there anyone left who thinks he's not an oni? Shohozan not getting the win but finishing with a more than respectable record. He's obviously very game and I look forward to seeing him at his new rank in January. Mitakeumi, Chiyoootori, Takayasu & Kotooyuki all showing good toukan this basho, doing the maegashira ranks proud. Aminishiki's win didn't come as a surprise to me today. (I laughed.) Harumafuji looking strong! Congratulations to him, Kisenosato was just too focused today, doing what he does best. I really like Kisenosato, always have. Hakuho, eh. We knew he wasn't at 100% coming in, he's disappointed, but he's still The Man, dignity issues aside. I fully expect to see a reinvigorated Hakuho taking names this January. The big disappointment for me this basho, my main man Osunaarashi not only makekoshi but injured as well. T.T Get well soon, brother. That was eclipsed, though, by some truly great sumo! EDIT: Looking forward to Ikioi in sanyaku! Not really a fan, but I like him, he's good. I cheer for him if he's not going up against one of my pet wrestlers. I can't wait for January.

Wow! That was amazing sumo from Harumafuji. Aminishiki's win was decisive, and again, he amazes me with how effective he can be. Terunofuji is an ogre in there. Betta reco'nize. And Osunaarashi...aww, man. T.T Get well soon. Kisenosato. I don't even want to look at you right now. lol Can we keep this version of Shohozan from now on?