What are YOU looking forward to ?

[Bealzbob]

Personally I'm looking forward to the following questions being answered

Asashoryu - Can he bounce back with a yusho ?

Hakuho - Can he seal the deal and become yokozuna #69 ?

Chiyotaikai - Will he finally lose his grip on Ozeki ?

Kotomitsuki - Another double digit basho and he might head to July hoping to go for Ozeki ???

Ama - Consolidate in sanyaku or even start a push towards Ozeki ?

Toyonoshima - Ready for regular sanyaku rank ?

Homasho - Facing the joi-jin for first time. I expect him in sanyaku in July.

Tamanoshima - Back facing the big boys where he can (and hopefully will) cause trouble

Tochiozan - Will he hit a wall at M4 ? I tend to think not. Just low enough to avoid all of the big boys.

Wakanosato - Continue his move back up the banzuke ? Hopefully.

Roho - Surely at this rank he's in for a big result ?

Miyabiyama - At this rank he must be a contender until the final days - and he did beat Asashoryu in March ....

[Sokkenaiyama]

Personally, I'm looking forward to the conclusion of the Yaocho lawsuit. I wouldn't be surprised if they settled out of court. But, as I like to say a lot, we'll just have to wait and see. Oh, and one more thing I'd really like to see... Kotooshu taking a yusho.

[Bealzbob]

Having watched the full Haru Basho coverage I have to say I was deeply disappointed with Kotooshu. I don't think he's even close to getting a basho, and with Asa & Hak fit and healthy (not to mention Hak younger than him) I can't see Koto EVER winning one.

[philafuji]

The rematch between Asashoryu and Hakuho.

[Jonosuke]

Minanosato's first yumitori basho, the new Shonosuke and Inosuke gyojis...

as well as Leafs winning Stanley Cup sometime in this century.

[kaiguma]

I know you didn't ask, but here are my predictions. Good questions all!

Asashoryu - Can he bounce back with a yusho ? can but won't

Hakuho - Can he seal the deal and become yokozuna #69 ? yes he can, I give him 80%

Chiyotaikai - Will he finally lose his grip on Ozeki ? not just yet

Kotomitsuki - Another double digit basho and he might head to July hoping to go for Ozeki ???

yes but only 10, so he'll need 13 in July

Ama - Consolidate in sanyaku or even start a push towards Ozeki ? he's solid, but no double digits for now

Toyonoshima - Ready for regular sanyaku rank ? no way, Jose!

Homasho - Facing the joi-jin for first time. I expect him in sanyaku in July. fo' sho'

Tamanoshima - Back facing the big boys where he can (and hopefully will) cause trouble

. . . don't bet on it - one or two upsets, but a nasty MK

Tochiozan - Will he hit a wall at M4 ? I tend to think not. Just low enough to avoid all of the big boys.

close but no cigar, 7 wins

Wakanosato - Continue his move back up the banzuke ? Hopefully. yes, but slowing down for the last dance

Roho - Surely at this rank he's in for a big result ? should be, but I've been thinking that for 2 basho running now . . .

Miyabiyama - At this rank he must be a contender until the final days - and he did beat Asashoryu in March ....

pure massacre!

[eciq]

I know you didn't ask, but here are my predictions. Good questions all!

Asashoryu - Can he bounce back with a yusho ? can but won't

agree.

Hakuho - Can he seal the deal and become yokozuna #69 ? yes he can, I give him 80%

I give him 85,. I think he is really motivated and he has no fear against Asa

Chiyotaikai - Will he finally lose his grip on Ozeki ? not just yet

I think he is p*** off and will do a 2digit basho and be involved in yusho run for 11 days

Kotomitsuki - Another double digit basho and he might head to July hoping to go for Ozeki ???

yes but only 10, so he'll need 13 in July

agree

Ama - Consolidate in sanyaku or even start a push towards Ozeki ? he's solid, but no double digits for now

double digits possible, ozeki run not yet, but I think he will be ozeki next year

Toyonoshima - Ready for regular sanyaku rank ? no way, Jose!

agree 95%

Homasho - Facing the joi-jin for first time. I expect him in sanyaku in July. fo' sho'

sanyaku in aki basho, ozeki late 2008 or 2009 if

Tamanoshima - Back facing the big boys where he can (and hopefully will) cause trouble

. . . don't bet on it - one or two upsets, but a nasty MK

will never get any higher

Tochiozan - Will he hit a wall at M4 ? I tend to think not. Just low enough to avoid all of the big boys.

close but no cigar, 7 wins

I would say 8-9

Wakanosato - Continue his move back up the banzuke ? Hopefully. yes, but slowing down for the last dance

agree

Roho - Surely at this rank he's in for a big result ? should be, but I've been thinking that for 2 basho running now . . .

except the basho after the Chiyotaikai accident which was great sumo from Roho what has he done...he can better...his greatest oponnent is his ego

Miyabiyama - At this rank he must be a contender until the final days - and he did beat Asashoryu in March ....

pure massacre!...hmmm....

...very good questions alltogether...have a nice sunny day kaiguma...

regards eciq

[eciq]

Damn..sh** ...errghh...all my points in the post above ended up in kaigumas quote...

you can read them as answers to both bealzbubs questions and kaigumas comments...

I even messed upp who asked and so... must be my worst post yet..though my answers are what I do think

good day all eciq

[Itachi]

Here are my opinions following the preceding ones Nishinoshima style.

Asashoryu - Can he bounce back with a yusho ? can but won't

agree.

Asashoryu has never gone two tournaments without taking the yusho since he won his first one in 2002. I doubt that streak will end this time

I agree with Nish-zeki. I expect Asa to win the yusho.

Hakuho - Can he seal the deal and become yokozuna #69 ? yes he can, I give him 80%

I give him 85,. I think he is really motivated and he has no fear against Asa

I also think he will become yokozuna this time.

I think Hakuho will be the next Yokozuna but maybe not this tournament. I would require 14 wins or a yusho from him if I were in charge. 13 wins if he gets to a kettei-sen and loses.

Chiyotaikai - Will he finally lose his grip on Ozeki ? not just yet

I think he is p*** off and will do a 2digit basho and be involved in yusho run for 11 days

Chiyotaikai will remain ozeki

I agree with eciq - 'Taikai wil be fired up enough to get 10 wins unless he is seriously broken somehow. He's not done yet. No more yusho races for him though.

Kotomitsuki - Another double digit basho and he might head to July hoping to go for Ozeki ???

yes but only 10, so he'll need 13 in July

agree

We can only hope.

10 at the most - 8 or 9 more likely. I'm tempted to guess 8 but with so many beatable sanyaku around I think he could pick up a win or two more. He's convinced me that he'll retire the best rikishi of his time to not quite make ozeki (thanks to Wakanosato's injury trips down to Juryo).

Ama - Consolidate in sanyaku or even start a push towards Ozeki ? he's solid, but no double digits for now

double digits possible, ozeki run not yet, but I think he will be ozeki next year

Ama as ozeki? I can't see it unless he gains some serious weight.

Exactly what I was thinking. Ama is a Happy Meal away from being the lightest Sekitori. His incredible skill has enabled him to hang around with the Joi-jin but there will be no Ozeki run for this guy unless he can bulk up somehow without screwing up his technique.

Toyonoshima - Ready for regular sanyaku rank ? no way, Jose!

agree 95%

Not a chance.

Even before hearing about his introduction to Asa's ruthless sparring style, I would have said no but now that he's in hospital, I would guess that he'll be leaving sanyaku for a while.

Homasho - Facing the joi-jin for first time. I expect him in sanyaku in July. fo' sho'

sanyaku in aki basho, ozeki late 2008 or 2009 if

Jury is very much out on this guy.

Homasho looks like he might develop into a strong enough rikishi to compete in sanyaku regularly and perhaps even make an Ozeki run once some of the older current sanyaku retire. I wouldn't expect too much this tournament though. 8-7 would be nice. 10 or more - unlikely.

Tamanoshima - Back facing the big boys where he can (and hopefully will) cause trouble

. . . don't bet on it - one or two upsets, but a nasty MK

will never get any higher

Should be in sanyaku. Injuries and mental fragility keep him out.

I never know what to expect with this guy. If he's in good shape, he's shown he can handle the top guys enough to get kk up there but some tournaments, he seems totally outmatched. I guess I'm just always out of the loop on his injury status. He's getting too old for me to expect much at this level but if he's healthy, he'll take down a few good rikishi.

Tochiozan - Will he hit a wall at M4 ? I tend to think not. Just low enough to avoid all of the big boys.

close but no cigar, 7 wins

I would say 8-9

8-9? 17 day tournament for him? That's harsh.

Now that Toyonoshima may be out, O3 could end up with a very tough schedule. I expect mk.

Wakanosato - Continue his move back up the banzuke ? Hopefully. yes, but slowing down for the last dance

agree

Nope. MK

I say KK! No more Ozeki runs though but maybe a return to sanyaku in time.

Roho - Surely at this rank he's in for a big result ? should be, but I've been thinking that for 2 basho running now . . .

except the basho after the Chiyotaikai accident which was great sumo from Roho what has he done...he can better...his greatest oponnent is his ego

His greatest opponent is whomever he is facing on the dohyo on any given day.

We've seen him look like he belongs in the joi ranks and I'd expect him to return to that form eventually. Perhaps this tournament?

Miyabiyama - At this rank he must be a contender until the final days - and he did beat Asashoryu in March ....

pure massacre!...hmmm....

9-6

He missed the last half of last tournament so he may not be in good shape. If he is in reasonable shape then I could see him winning 10. He belongs in sanyaku or at least joi until injuries and age say otherwise.

[Bealzbob]

In my humble opinion the Maegashira 9 rank is the strongest rank outside the joi-jin for Natsu and both of those are capable of a big result. Weird how it works out...

[Afrozuna]

Senshuraku. Both asa &hakuho will be worried about henka. I smell a ketaguri from a certain sore looser

[Sashohitowa]

Here are also my views (with the "insert" style:-) )

Here are my opinions following the preceding ones Nishinoshima style.

Asashoryu - Can he bounce back with a yusho ? can but won't

agree.

Asashoryu has never gone two tournaments without taking the yusho since he won his first one in 2002. I doubt that streak will end this time

I agree with Nish-zeki. I expect Asa to win the yusho.

I also expect Asa to win. He will indicate 1 or 2 losses however.

Hakuho - Can he seal the deal and become yokozuna #69 ? yes he can, I give him 80%

I give him 85,. I think he is really motivated and he has no fear against Asa

I also think he will become yokozuna this time.

I think Hakuho will be the next Yokozuna but maybe not this tournament. I would require 14 wins or a yusho from him if I were in charge. 13 wins if he gets to a kettei-sen and loses.

I agree Hakuho will be the next Yokozuna. It is just a matter of time. And my personal oppinion is that they are going to "give it" to him - they will promote him with no yousho and 13 or even 12 wins. (Not something I would agree with, by the way..)

Chiyotaikai - Will he finally lose his grip on Ozeki ? not just yet

I think he is p*** off and will do a 2digit basho and be involved in yusho run for 11 days

Chiyotaikai will remain ozeki

I agree with eciq - 'Taikai wil be fired up enough to get 10 wins unless he is seriously broken somehow. He's not done yet. No more yusho races for him though.

Don't see any reason to believe that Chiyotaikai will end up with demotion.

Kotomitsuki - Another double digit basho and he might head to July hoping to go for Ozeki ???

yes but only 10, so he'll need 13 in July

agree

We can only hope.

10 at the most - 8 or 9 more likely. I'm tempted to guess 8 but with so many beatable sanyaku around I think he could pick up a win or two more. He's convinced me that he'll retire the best rikishi of his time to not quite make ozeki (thanks to Wakanosato's injury trips down to Juryo).

I believe that Kotomitsuki currently is underachieving. I think that a 10-5 result currently makes sense. (see my "Guess the Kotomitsuki" entries;-) )

Ama - Consolidate in sanyaku or even start a push towards Ozeki ? he's solid, but no double digits for now

double digits possible, ozeki run not yet, but I think he will be ozeki next year

Ama as ozeki? I can't see it unless he gains some serious weight.

Exactly what I was thinking. Ama is a Happy Meal away from being the lightest Sekitori. His incredible skill has enabled him to hang around with the Joi-jin but there will be no Ozeki run for this guy unless he can bulk up somehow without screwing up his technique.

Not this time

Toyonoshima - Ready for regular sanyaku rank ? no way, Jose!

agree 95%

Not a chance.

Even before hearing about his introduction to Asa's ruthless sparring style, I would have said no but now that he's in hospital, I would guess that he'll be leaving sanyaku for a while.

No

Homasho - Facing the joi-jin for first time. I expect him in sanyaku in July. fo' sho'

sanyaku in aki basho, ozeki late 2008 or 2009 if

Jury is very much out on this guy.

Homasho looks like he might develop into a strong enough rikishi to compete in sanyaku regularly and perhaps even make an Ozeki run once some of the older current sanyaku retire. I wouldn't expect too much this tournament though. 8-7 would be nice. 10 or more - unlikely.

I don't believe he will get KK this basho. Still, the sanyaku ranks are achievable goal.

Tamanoshima - Back facing the big boys where he can (and hopefully will) cause trouble

. . . don't bet on it - one or two upsets, but a nasty MK

will never get any higher

Should be in sanyaku. Injuries and mental fragility keep him out.

I never know what to expect with this guy. If he's in good shape, he's shown he can handle the top guys enough to get kk up there but some tournaments, he seems totally outmatched. I guess I'm just always out of the loop on his injury status. He's getting too old for me to expect much at this level but if he's healthy, he'll take down a few good rikishi.

No...

Tochiozan - Will he hit a wall at M4 ? I tend to think not. Just low enough to avoid all of the big boys.

close but no cigar, 7 wins

I would say 8-9

8-9? 17 day tournament for him? That's harsh.

Now that Toyonoshima may be out, O3 could end up with a very tough schedule. I expect mk.

The same as Homasho - still I think I like Tochiozan much, much more and I would be veery happy if he makes his sanyaku run still now. However, not my pick for the pre-basho games;-) )

Wakanosato - Continue his move back up the banzuke ? Hopefully. yes, but slowing down for the last dance

agree

Nope. MK

I say KK! No more Ozeki runs though but maybe a return to sanyaku in time.

No idea... I like the guy, but with his age and condition any prediction is a pure gamble

Roho - Surely at this rank he's in for a big result ? should be, but I've been thinking that for 2 basho running now . . .

except the basho after the Chiyotaikai accident which was great sumo from Roho what has he done...he can better...his greatest oponnent is his ego

His greatest opponent is whomever he is facing on the dohyo on any given day.

We've seen him look like he belongs in the joi ranks and I'd expect him to return to that form eventually. Perhaps this tournament?

Roho will kick ass this basho...!!

Miyabiyama - At this rank he must be a contender until the final days - and he did beat Asashoryu in March ....

pure massacre!...hmmm....

9-6

He missed the last half of last tournament so he may not be in good shape. If he is in reasonable shape then I could see him winning 10. He belongs in sanyaku or at least joi until injuries and age say otherwise.

Don't think so.. Maybe the injury that caused the kyujo will still have affect on his body..?

Beside that, my personal questions are toward the performance of Kisenosato.. I somehow think that the spotlights ar efocused elsewhere currently - Homasho, Tochiozan, Toyonoshima, while Kisenosato is left underestimated... So I wonder if he will continue his slight way down, or he will return to Komusubi..?

And, unfortunatelly, the other question is: Will now be the time when Kotooshu gets his first MK as Ozeki...

[Jesinofuji]

Asashoryu - will his yusho be decided on senshuraku or day 14

Hakuho - Will he be promoted despite not winning the yusho, how will he react to getting demolished by Asashoryu on the last day?

Mickey - With what kimarite will asashoryu destroy him?

Homasho - Now we get to see if this guy is for real. Will the yokozuna break him in two, trhee, or a million pieces

Toyonoshima - will he even show up for todays yokozuna bout?

Kaio - relaxing being out of kadoban, will he win 5,6, or 7

Chiyotaikai - will he henka when facing the yokozuna?

Pistons - after sweeping the bulls, will the cavs or nets be the next team caught in a broom?

[mokele]

I copied your questions and put my predictions in bold face. Of course I will be wrong a few times but these are my best guesses.

Asashoryu - Can he bounce back with a yusho ? Yes, and with a few extra shoves while he's at it!

Hakuho - Can he seal the deal and become yokozuna #69 ? Not yet, although within 2 years

Chiyotaikai - Will he finally lose his grip on Ozeki ? Not yet, he's still strong and fast

Kotomitsuki - Another double digit basho and he might head to July hoping to go for Ozeki ??? I doubt if he will make Ozeki. I remember when it took a long time for Kaio to make Ozeki, but Kotomitsuki is not nearly as consistent. He's never established himself at the 10-win per basho level.

Ama - Consolidate in sanyaku or even start a push towards Ozeki ? I doubt that he will do either. Physically he reminds me a bit of Terao and also a bit of Kyokudozan, whose careers I followed since the early 1990s. Ama is better on the belt than Terao ever was, but still Ama lacks raw power, similar to Kyokudozan. He may stay near the top of maegashira for a few years though.

Toyonoshima - Ready for regular sanyaku rank ? No. If he gets 6 wins this basho I will be both pleased (I like the stumpy little guy) and surprised.

Homasho - Facing the joi-jin for first time. I expect him in sanyaku in July. Homasho is a good one. He stands a good chance to win 7 and maybe a 40% chance to make kachi-koshi.

Tamanoshima - Back facing the big boys where he can (and hopefully will) cause trouble. I'm afraid not. He's big and strong but lacks a killer instinct. He will get wiped out by the sanyaku, and win maybe 5 or 6.

Tochiozan - Will he hit a wall at M4 ? I tend to think not. Just low enough to avoid all of the big boys. He's a great young rikishi from what I've seen so far. He will do ok, maybe win 8. It's about an even bet.

Wakanosato - Continue his move back up the banzuke ? Hopefully. Yes I think he will win 8 or 9. He's not quite through yet as a threat in makunouchi.

Roho - Surely at this rank he's in for a big result ? Maybe but Roho will never be a sanyaku regular. He's too slow and technically limited.

Miyabiyama - At this rank he must be a contender until the final days - and he did beat Asashoryu in March .... Miyabiyama is hard to predict. It's a safe bet that he will make kachi-koshi, but not much more.