since_94

Some enjoyable bouts on Day 3 but work interfered with my enjoyment of the lower divisions, alas. These are the sacrifices one makes. Anyway, Shimazuumi v Atamifuji was an entertaining and spirited back-and-forth. Bushozan and Oho was a well-matched and intense head-to-head battle, quite literally from the looks of it. Mitakeumi in bulldozer mode. Is he waking up? Tobizaru with the crafty henka gets a W over Nishikigi. I was well nigh perfectly executed and he can't be accused of over reliance on the technique, so fair play to him. He looked a bit self-conscious/sheepish collecting the envelopes, though. Ura out-muscled and out-balanced Hiradoumi. He's really something to watch when he's on his game. The same things can be said about Midorifuji in his win over Meisei. Hoshoryu managed a reversal of fortune against a surging Kotonowaka, who appears markedly stronger this tourney. Endo, Onosho and Daiesho likewise looked very strong on Day 3.

Yes, if not understanding the explanation of the mono-ii deliberations in Japanese, one can only conclude they applied the dead body rule. It’s the only logical alternative to an otherwise badly botched call.

Likewise, but would actually give day one the edge. In any case, Day two standouts excitement-wise were Ichiyamamoto/ Hiradoumi and Enho / Oshoma. Shodai in absolute beast mode for 2 straight days is a refreshing sight to see. Hokuseiho looks physically stronger and while still basically standing straight up at the tachiai, seems able to put up formidable resistance when assailed frontally by leaning in and bearing down. With his build, he is reminding me more of Akebono all the time. Long, long legs and now filling out somewhat around the waist. The resemblance ought to become more striking over time, hopefully the results will follow a similar trajectory.

Amininishiki looking good at ringside as a judge. Love the guy, but with all due respect have to ask: has Uncle Sumo been patronizing Hair Club for Men or is that a piece? (Mods please remove if commenting about appearance is verboten) in other news, Ochiai appeared rather overeager against Tamashoho. Patience, lad.

We’ve seen much, much worse, IMO. Some sublime ring generalship on display (Takarafuji, Tamawashi, Ura) giving rise to last second excitement on the bales. This combined with noticeable improvements in strength (Hokuseiho, Kotonowaka) compensated for technical prowess that may have sometimes been lacking. I enjoyed day 1 thoroughly.

We’re already well underway in Osaka, and Abema camera operators seem particularly keen to show foreign spectators, none of whom are wearing masks. I’m not reading anything into this as it’s nothing new and the crowd is predictably sparse for jonokuchi morning bouts. Super excited for this basho. Don’t think Takakeisho is going to take it. Would like to see Kiribayama or Hoshoryu yusho. Also hope Tochinoshin can battle his way back into Makuuchi. Here’s hoping for an energized and safe tournament!

I use your website whenever I am around the Kokugikan and want to try to identify a rikishi (whether retired or lower division). It has proved to be a very useful resource so I want to thank @Naganoyamafor creating and maintaining it.

Thanks for posting the recap @Kintamayama. Anyone else come away with the feeling that most of the bouts in the one-day tournament seemed to have been fought at about 70% intensity? Especially evident in the soft (i.e. low impact) tachiais, total absence of harite, and lack of dramatic throws at the bales, perhaps? Is there some kind of tacit mutual agreement in place, along the lines of, “Let’s have fun but not knock any teeth out today, guys”?

5 by 5 (loud and clear) here on the cloudy shores of Isla Formosa.

Did anyone else find it strange that so many (presumably) Japanese did not stand to show respect during the singing of this anthem? Surely it was announced for what it was and so they had a heads up about what they were hearing.

A great day, very emotional for one and all. Aghast that Seagal (sp?) had the audacity to lay hands on the man though

“I love the smell of napalm…er…I mean, bintsuke in the morning. It’s the smell…of victory.”

Seeing him fight that way was a testament to his courage, if nothing else. He actually gave a good account of himself.

Today was, for want of a better word, lame, all around. Tomorrow, however, offers the promise of fireworks galore and should more than make up for it. We hope. We’re getting one playoff for sure. And the mosubi no ichiban will be the ultimate arbiter.

Point taken, but I was in there all day, watching from Sandanme onward. It was just a low energy crowd overall, compared to other days, for whatever reason. Surprising for a Saturday crowd that was 95% full house. People are only slowly learning how to be raucous again, after the lifting of all (or most of) the restrictions. Anyway, it was a mathematical elimination, which is always anticlimactic. On day 13, in contrast, when Ochiai won the makushita yusho in convincing style in a do or die bout, there was an electric buzz that filled the place. Everyone knew what was going on because the ring announcer introduced the bout by saying it would decide the yusho winner. Different circumstances, I know.

In fact, the atmosphere inside the Kokugikan was so humdrum I failed, like most others in attendance it seemed, to notice that Asanoyama had clinched the Juryo yusho by the time it was all done and dusted. Again, an anticlimax.

Underwhelmed by the quality of the sumo, overall, on day 14. Big matches, in particular, failed to deliver the goods. That is all.

That was cringeworthy. My heart was in my throat. Fortunately, it appears your question can be answered in the negative

Enho very darn lucky to not come away from his Day 9 match against Akua with a broken neck. That’s not a spoiler, is it?

It was favorable in terms of garnering him a whole whack of new fans. The cheers for him during the dohyo iri are already immense and seemingly growing. Sumo fans love the underdog, as we all know. There’s a real buzz surrounding him right now

Wakatakakage also looking especially ripped this basho. He’s been putting in the gym time, that’s for sure.

Cool! Thanks for the update. I’ll be in Tokyo tomorrow and picking my own up

Merry Christmas! Updating for anyone planning to attend: chair seats showing sold out for days 1, 14, 15. Still lots available for other days, although the closest sections (S, A) are sold out for the weekend dates.

As of this morning, chair seats are sold out for day 1 and 15. Still available for all others.

I ended up ordering tickets through the PIA purchase site (sell.pia.jp), which is how I’ve always done it before. The cheapest seats are the topmost row, which they are now calling Chair Seats D. Those used to be the same-day tickets one could line up for and purchase at the box office. They’re now 2500 yen, vice 2200 yen. I understand they are not being sold at 7/11, either. Does anyone know if the 1000 yen convenience charge the PIA site applies is likewise applied to other classes of tickets sold at 7/11? Just curious.