since_94

I made exactly the same observation, aloud, to encourage Hokutofuji: "He's gassed! He's gassed! You've got him!". He was clearly done for once the bout went beyond ten seconds, which seems to be the pattern. He's just not Yokozuna material. Sorry. Other standout bouts included Midorifuji taking care of Hoshoryu with witashikomi, although seeing him faceplant like that was a bit worrying. His bout are really fun to watch. I was a bit surprised Terunofuji made it such a no-contest against Tochinoshin, but there you go. Hard charging Onosho continues to impress and looks supremely confident in his abilities. Takarafuji needed to get square against Takayasu but never did. Enjoyed seeing Tamawashi outpower a young whipper snapper half his age (give or take). Kotonowaka slammed Churanoumi down with authority. You could hear him hit the clay. Enjoyable day of fights.

I have seen Onosho wear one, coincidentally. Or perhaps ironically, in the circumstances? Edit: Asked and answered. Didn't scroll down...

Seeing Shohozan in Juryo is just plain weird. Henka attempt on day one even weirder.

To Onosho’s credit, that was a helluva tachiaii. Like a freaking cannonball.

This. We are entering into farce territory, not to mention risking a public health disaster.

I reckon they used a swab. Probably while wearing a mask and gloves.

None of this bodes well.

Seriously, it must be more fun getting your face bloodied and your skull concussed. Sweet relief after such other "entertainments".

“I can’t believe I’m paying for this...”

Hi Cal, I’m a professional writer and editor with a number of books to my credit and over a dozen years of experience editing manuscripts of all types across many disciplines. I would be happy to discuss helping you to ghostwrite your memoirs because I find your story fascinating and I am a huge fan of Sumo as both a sport and a culture. Please send me a message if you would like to talk about how I might help you with getting your story out there.

I often scarf down a bowl or two of chanko in the basement of the Kokugikan, and never particularly recall which heya’s recipe it is after the fact. But it’s always good. Seems hard to go wrong with a tried and true recipe and competent people in the kitchen. Excellent value for 300 jpy.

Touché. While I have witnessed the 71st Yokozuna give out an inordinate number of kinboshi over the past few years, I am still a steadfast fan. Met him once by chance outside Michinoku stable in Ryogoku and he was a gentleman, even signed his autograph for me.

This is most unfortunate news. I wish Akua and all the other rikishi and staff affected a speedy and complete recovery

I’ve got a feeling Kakuryu will not enter the Hatsu basho. He has nothing to prove at this point. His post retirement career is finally sorted now. Competing always entails the risk of injury. He already has his fair share of aches and pains and it seems his heart hasn’t been in it of late. Training is hard. I’m predicting intai announcement before the tournament, but I would be happy to be wrong. Edit: Just remember I read something about him vowing to gambarize one last time for his oyakata, so maybe my speculation is all moot.

I feel so happy for Kakuryu now that he has finally received his long awaited good news. Intai retirement is imminent, IMHO.

I respect her restraint. I don’t clap for them either. Unless they’re done on Chiyoshoma.

I miss Olympic ojisan, he of the gold sparkly top hat and the hand fan with the red rising sun on it. Always sat in the same seat, and it was hard to miss him. I used to love seeing how excited he would get for some bouts, as revealed by his body language. He was a fixture on TV coverage for as long as I can remember, so the first time I ever clapped eyes on the man himself inside the Kokugikan, it felt like a celebrity sighting. I once saw him shuffling by the venue after the bouts had finished one evening. He was by himself and I had an urge to go and say hello. I didn’t, owing to my almost total lack of Japanese beyond sumo terminology. Regret not taking advantage of the opportunity to this day. RIP Mr. Yamada.

I think this applies to Takakeisho as well. His timing is impeccable, or almost, when he’s on point. His thrusting power is uncanny. I often wonder where it comes from. You mentioned force of will before, and maybe you’re on to something. Perhaps the lad is channeling greater forces. He also has an ability to shift and dodge out a charging opponent’s way so quickly—quicker than the eye, really. I often don’t know how he does it. How do you move that much mass—that rotund sphere—out of harm’s way so fast. It’s sorcery, I tells ya. But quite often rather less visually exciting than pulling rabbits and handkerchiefs out of a hat.

That’s a very interesting point, not to mention a very effective analogy. Could you give some examples of dynasties and subsequent vacuums from other sports? I’m thinking of some hockey dynasties like Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders from back in the day, but don’t rightly recall who won championships following on their heels. Most other sports, including ones I used to follow before sumo took over completely, I’m drawing a blank...

My comment was not meant to impugn the quality of Shimanoumi’s sumo. He’s fighting marvelously well and I’m happy to see it. I would argue that rank on the banzuke should dictate how you fight from one basho to the next, once you reach Ozeki, although the past few years performances from those holding that rank have largely belied this proposition. Takakeisho is winning, there’s no disputing that. I’m just not imagining there’s much buzz among the crowds spilling out of the Kokugikan into the Tokyo evenings after watching him do it.

Takakeisho’s win was anything but pretty. An Ozeki should be winning with authority—regularly dominating lesser opponents, like M17s—rather than pulling victories out of the fire in such last ditch, ugly fashion, IMO. Just a preference thing. His numbers don’t lie.

Well spotted. I will definitely have to watch again.

Ura's resurgence. — long anticipated, closely followed, and great fun to watch. What a story. What determination. Go Ura! Midorifuji on the cusp of becoming another exciting new Makuuchi rikishi. — Really a heck of a fighter. How can you not be a fan?Glad he didn’t try anything chancy today (like izori) against Jokoryo when they were locked up because I was genuinely worried he might get hurt. His bouts are always well contested and exciting. Shimanoumi with a chance to pull a Tokushoryu. — Yeah. Takakeisho with a chance for his first Ozeki yusho. — Let’s hope not. And the most likely outcome: Terunofuji running the tables and beginning his own Ozeki comeback run. — The very thing I’d enjoy seeing most at this point. Really rooting for him to start a run to reclaim Ozeki rank.

This. Terunofuji was inspirational and I dare say his efforts to get there earned him redemption in the eyes of fans who had scorned him following his infamous henka on a kadoban Kotoshogiku. Tokushoryu was likewise an endearing sort of Cinderella story because of the poignancy of his college coach’s passing during the tournament, his rather advanced age (sumo wise) and general mediocrity, and his emotional reaction when he defied the odds and pulled off a late career triumph. If Shimanoumi wins this one from M17, it will just highlight problems and focus attention on the the way the torikumi is fixed, the predictably absent Yokozunas, the weak Ozeki ranks, etc.

Yes, Enho is not going to want to take too many falls like that one, with a view to career longevity and remaining ambulatory in his old age. It was quite an impact from quite a height.