The 9th Heat the Wall Thread

[yamaneko]

First our customary intro for the newbies:

"Tthe wall" means first makekoshi. For some rikishi, like Kotooshu, the wall is a minor hiccup in the road, met well into their career, in his case, komusubi. Then right after his first makekoshi, he never had another one until this last basho. For others, like Matsuoo, Kaisei, etc. the wall becomes a general halt in progress. After success, they get their first makekoshi, and continue struggling instead of bouncing back.

"Heating" the wall is a play on the correct term "hitting" the wall, made famous by everyones favorite ossetian almost two years ago when referring to Wakanoho's climb up the ranks. The term stuck with many of us, and we have used it ever since.

Division 1 are those guys who from day 1 we have had an eye on for this list, those who seemed destined for greatness. Some others are guys who have consistently gotten kachikoshi from maezumo, perhaps more quietly, but have earned their spot on the list. Division 2 are guys who we arent quite sure yet if they deserve to be watched TOO closely for future sekitorihood, or just have mostly had luck of the banzuke. Division 3 guys are the bottom of the barrel....the best of the rest of guys who perhaps only have a couple of unimpressive kachikoshi on their belts.

Here we go in order of rank...highest to lowest

Division 1

m14 Tochinoshin Georgia Kasugano 13.10.1987 191 142.2

The new number one on the list. He is now the sole leader in ranking, and in time on this list. 12 basho from jonokuchi without a makekoshi. People with more time than I can perhaps look up the last time a foreign rikishi lasted this long...

ms2 Aran Russia Mihogaseki 31.01.1984 185 128.8

Aran had his toughest basho so far last time around, barely getting kachikoshi at 4-3. Was that the wall for him? Will he rebound from that showing with a strong 6-1 showing this basho? Or will he heat the wall before reaching sekitorihood? Will be the first time we see him in juryo this basho with what will sure be at least one or two "exchange" bouts. I assume he doesnt have enough hair yet for the full mage?

ms8 Minami Kumamoto Onoe 14.10.1984 181.5 171.7

Minami keeps plugging along. Like Aran, only went 4-3 last basho.

ms13 Ri Hyogo Kasugano 06.04.1988 193.5 163.5

The young Korean has had 4 basho in a row with a 5-2 record. It might be too much to expect such a record again at this high rank, but if he pulls it off, he will find himself in the promotion zone next basho.

ms19 Shiratsuka Mie Kise May 13, 1984 191 cm 182 kg

This behemoth of a man has been on this list for a while now, but perhaps until last basho one of the least tracked guys as there has never been that much buzz about him. However 6-1 in his debut makushita basho is impressive, with such a jump in rank we will find out this basho if he is here to stay or perhaps has risen too far too fast.

ms35 Kyokushuho Mongolia Oshima 09.08.1988 190 114

Since his zensho yusho in jonidan, he has had two respectable 5-2 records. Most have pegged him as a "sure thing" ever since maezumo. Lets see how he does this basho.

Division 2

sd8 Tamadaiki Ishikawa Kataonami November 2, 1988 180 cm 119 kg

Possibly the odds on favorite to get makekoshi this basho. 3 4-3's in a row.

sd92 Ogata Kumamoto Kise November 5, 1984, 178 cm 119 kg

This college entrant breezed through jonokuchi, and went 5-2 in Jonidan. Lets see what he does in sandanme.

Division 3

jd24 Fukao Aichi Kise July 18, 1985, 180 cm 198 kg

Fukao debuted in sumo as he did in the world sumo league in New York...with a zensho yusho. Lets see how he does in his sophmore effort.

jd60 Kei Kagoshima Onomatsu March 10, 1990, 175 cm 107 kg

Impressive debut for this guy, 6-1, only loss to fukao. Not much size, but, he got it done still. Beat fellow listers such as homer and yama.

jd61 Kyokutaisei Hokkaido Oshima October 18, 1989, 181 cm 83 kg

Speaking of lack of size...heres someone who weighs very little yet still also went 6-1 with his only loss being to Yamashita.

jd91 Yamashita Kagoshima Kise September 25, 1985, 173 cm 161 kg

Lost only to other listers, homerafuji and kei.

jd93 Homarefuji Aomori Isegahama May 6, 1985, 179 cm 184 kg

Lost only to Fukao and Kei.

jd108 Budozan Ibaraki Musashigawa November 3, 1989, 173 cm 88 kg

This guy probably shouldnt be with the rest of the guys, but two of his 3 losses were to listers, so we will give him the benefit of the doubt.

Note: Due to the number of new entrants, we will not add them to this list until after their first basho.

[yamaneko]

How Division 1 and 2 got here....

m14 Tochinoshin Georgia Kasugano 13.10.1987 191 142.2

2006.03 Mz 2-0

2006.05 Jk17e 5-2

2006.07 Jd95e 5-1-1

2006.09 Jd49w 7-0

2006.11 Sd49w 6-1

2007.01 Ms59e 5-2

2007.03 Ms41w 5-2

2007.05 Ms28e 5-2

2007.07 Ms18w 6-1

2007.09 Ms6e 5-2

2007.11 Ms1e 5-2

2008.01 J12w 12-3 Y

2008.03 J4e 9-6

ms2 Aran Russia Mihogaseki 31.01.1984 185 128.8

2007.01 Mz 2-3

2007.03 Jk33e 7-0

2007.05 Jd26w 6-1

2007.07 Sd60e 5-2

2007.09 Sd31e 6-1

2007.11 Ms49w 6-1

2008.03 Ms5e 4-3

ms8 Minami Kumamoto Onoe 14.10.1984 181.5 171.7

2007.01 Mz 3-0

2007.03 Jk31w 6-1

2007.05 Jd60w 6-1

2007.07 Sd92e 7-0

2007.09 Ms59e 5-2

2007.11 Ms41e 5-2

2008.01 Ms28e 6-1

2008.03 Ms12e 4-3

ms13 Ri Hyogo Kasugano 06.04.1988 193.5 163.5

2007.01 Mz 3-2

2007.03 Jk32w 5-2

2007.05 Jd94w 7-0

2007.07 Sd80w 6-1

2007.09 Sd23e 5-2

2007.11 Ms58w 5-2

2008.01 Ms38w 5-2

2008.03 Ms22e 5-2

ms19 Shiratsuka Mie Kise May 13, 1984 191 cm 182 kg

2007.03 Mz 2-0

2007.05 Jk11e 5-2

2007.07 Jd89w 6-1

2007.09 Jd14w 5-2

2007.11 Sd82e 6-1

2008.01 Sd25e 6-1

2008.03 Ms46w 6-1

ms35 Kyokushuho Mongolia Oshima 09.08.1988 190 114

2007.05 Mz 3-0

2007.07 Jk35w 6-1

2007.09 Jd76w 6-1

2007.11 Jd5e 7-0 Y Yusho

2008.01 Sd14w 5-2

2008.03 Ms55w 5-2

Division 2 guys

sd8 Tamadaiki Ishikawa Kataonami November 2, 1988 180 cm 119 kg

2007.03 Mz 2-0

2007.05 Jk10w 6-1

2007.07 Jd57w 5-2

2007.09 Jd21e 6-1

2007.11 Sd59e 4-3

2008.01 Sd43e 4-3

2008.03 Sd25e 4-3

sd92 Ogata Kumamoto Kise November 5, 1984, 178 cm 119 kg

2008.01 Jk30e 7-0 Y Yusho

2008.03 Jd24e 5-2

[messi19]

Interestingly two of Shiratsuka's eight career losses came at the hands of Tamadaiki. The fact that Tamadaiki has proven capable of handling a rikishi quickly approaching the top of makushita indicates that he may not yet hit the wall this basho despite his run of 4-3 KK...

Edited May 8, 2008 by messi19

[yamaneko]

I was very impressed with Tochinoshin today. Not a bad debut. Was a couple times during the bout I thought he was a gonner. Many won their first bouts today, except for Kyokushuho and Tamadaiki. Everyone else should have their first match tomorrow.

Day 1 Results

Division 1

m14 Tochinoshin 1-0

ms2 Aran 0-0

ms8 Minami 0-0

ms13 Ri 1-0

ms19 Shiratsuka 1-0

ms35 Kyokushuho 0-1

Division 2

sd8 Tamadaiki 0-1

sd92 Ogata 0-0

Division 3

jd24 Fukao 0-0

jd60 Kei 0-0

jd61 Kyokutaisei 1-0

jd91 Yamashita 1-0

jd93 Homarefuji 0-0

jd108 Budozan 0-0

[yamaneko]

Still too early to say one way or another, but while we do have a couple 2-0 guys, we dont have anyone with 2 losses yet, so that is good. Tochinoshin looking strong so far. Aran has beaten arguably the top two makushita guys already, a juryo exchange bout might be looming in his near future.

Day 3 Tally

Division 1

m14 Tochinoshin 3-0

ms2 Aran 2-0

ms8 Minami 1-0

ms13 Ri 2-0

ms19 Shiratsuka 2-0

ms35 Kyokushuho 1-1

Division 2

sd8 Tamadaiki 0-1

sd92 Ogata 2-0

Division 3

jd24 Fukao 1-0

jd60 Kei 1-0

jd61 Kyokutaisei 1-0

jd91 Yamashita 1-0

jd93 Homarefuji 1-0

jd108 Budozan 0-1

[yamaneko]

So far the one i predicted would be the odds on favorite to leave this list, tamadaiki, the only lister who is 0-2.

Day 4 Tally

Division 1

m14 Tochinoshin 3-1

ms2 Aran 2-0

ms8 Minami 2-0

ms13 Ri 2-0

ms19 Shiratsuka 2-0

ms35 Kyokushuho 1-1

Division 2

sd8 Tamadaiki 0-2

sd92 Ogata 2-0

Division 3

jd24 Fukao 2-0

jd60 Kei 2-0

jd61 Kyokutaisei 1-1

jd91 Yamashita 1-1

jd93 Homarefuji 2-0

jd108 Budozan 1-1

[yamaneko]

After day 7

So far a very good basho for those who have yet heat a wall. We have already a couple who have clinched continuing on the list, even though its only day 7. (Minami and Ogata). Only 1 guy has a less than .500 record, (tamadaiki), and only 1 guy has a .500 record.

Aran only needs one more win for kachikoshi, two more for promotion depending on how things shake down ahead of him. Minami could get promoted as well if he gets 3 more wins, but might have an outside shot (as hakuho did) at getting promoted with a 6-1 record from a relatively low rank.

Kyokushuho has looked good in the video ive seen at him, I'm almost happy that hes not shooting up as fast any more...a couple of 4-3 bashos will help him really get used to the higher level he is facing instead of getting shell shocked after a big banzuke jump. All of the division 3 guys continue to impress for the first time in a year.

Division 1

m14 Tochinoshin 4-3

ms2 Aran 3-1

ms8 Minami 4-0

ms13 Ri 2-1

ms19 Shiratsuka 3-1

ms35 Kyokushuho 2-2

Division 2

sd8 Tamadaiki 1-2

sd92 Ogata 4-0

Division 3

jd24 Fukao 3-0

jd60 Kei 3-1

jd61 Kyokutaisei 2-1

jd91 Yamashita 3-1

jd93 Homarefuji 3-0

jd108 Budozan 3-1

[ilovesumo]

Kyokushuho even looks good when injured.

In his second Basho he had a broken bone in his foot.

Currently he suffers from a neck injury. I pray for kk.

[yamaneko]

Day 8 Results

We have a couple more who have clinched spots on next basho's list. Fukao and Homarafuji. My preseason pick for makekoshi tamadaiki inched closer to that with a loss yesterday leaving him at 1-3. Tochinoshin seems to be letting the pressure getting to him now, its not looking very certain he will get kachikoshi unless he settles down. Has lost 4 out of 5. Other than tamadaiki, we are pretty much guaranteed that at worst, no one will heat the wall through day 10. After day 10, we will probably go ahead and add the jonokuchi guys to the list to see who will be making up division 3 next basho. I'm interested in Kamei personally. Outside of oazuma, i dont know of any younger japanese in all of ozumo with such height as he.

Division 1

m14 Tochinoshin 4-4

ms2 Aran 3-1

ms8 Minami 4-0

ms13 Ri 3-1

ms19 Shiratsuka 3-1

ms35 Kyokushuho 2-2

Division 2

sd8 Tamadaiki 1-3

sd92 Ogata 4-0

Division 3

jd24 Fukao 4-0

jd60 Kei 3-1

jd61 Kyokutaisei 3-1

jd91 Yamashita 3-1

jd93 Homarefuji 4-0

jd108 Budozan 3-1

[yamaneko]

Day 9 results

Division 1

m14 Tochinoshin 4-5

ms2 Aran 4-1

ms8 Minami 4-1

ms13 Ri 3-1

ms19 Shiratsuka 3-1

ms35 Kyokushuho 2-3

Division 2

sd8 Tamadaiki 1-4

sd92 Ogata 4-0

Division 3

jd24 Fukao 5-0

jd60 Kei 4-1

jd61 Kyokutaisei 3-1

jd91 Yamashita 3-1

jd93 Homarefuji 5-0

jd108 Budozan 3-1

[yamaneko]

After Day 12:

Excellent showing by most, staying very clear of the wall. Tochinoshin's wall is almost burning hot, he cant lose another one. Same with Kyokushuho who must win his last bout to stay on here. So far the only one to fully heat is the preseason pick tamadaiki. Division 3 meanwhile will be HUGE next basho as we have so many new entrant kachikoshis.

Division 1

m14 Tochinoshin 5-7

ms2 Aran 5-1

ms8 Minami 5-1

ms13 Ri 4-2

ms19 Shiratsuka 4-2

ms35 Kyokushuho 3-3

Division 2

sd8 Tamadaiki 2-4

sd92 Ogata 6-0

Division 3

jd24 Fukao 7-0

jd60 Kei 5-1

jd61 Kyokutaisei 5-2

jd91 Yamashita 5-1

jd93 Homarefuji 7-0

jd108 Budozan 5-1

[yamaneko]

Many of the list basho are over already. Tochinoshin and kyokushuho are up against it today. They lose, they are makekoshi. Tochinoshin wins, he lives to fight another day. Shuho on the other hand with a win will assure he stays on the list. Other than that, its all decided.

Day 13

Division 1

m14 Tochinoshin 6-7

ms2 Aran 5-2

ms8 Minami 5-2

ms13 Ri 4-2

ms19 Shiratsuka 4-2

ms35 Kyokushuho 3-3

Division 2

sd8 Tamadaiki 2-4

sd92 Ogata 7-0

Division 3

jd24 Fukao 7-0

jd60 Kei 5-1

jd61 Kyokutaisei 5-2

jd91 Yamashita 5-2

jd93 Homarefuji 7-0

jd108 Budozan 6-1

[yamaneko]

13. That is the magic number lately. For the second basho in a row, we lose the top tenured member of the heat the wall list, on their 13th basho. Last basho it was Takunishiki, this basho Tochinoshin.

Aran takes over next basho as tops in both categories (rank and number of basho), having now completed 8 bashos with no makekoshi. Ri and Minami share the tenure with him but will still be in makushita.

Here is the final results of this basho:

Division 1

m14 Tochinoshin 7-8

ms2 Aran 5-2

ms8 Minami 5-2

ms13 Ri 4-3

ms19 Shiratsuka 5-2

ms35 Kyokushuho 4-3

Division 2

sd8 Tamadaiki 2-5

sd92 Ogata 7-0

Division 3

jd24 Fukao 7-0

jd60 Kei 6-1

jd61 Kyokutaisei 5-2

jd91 Yamashita 5-2

jd93 Homarefuji 7-0

jd108 Budozan 6-1

[yamaneko]

Here is our next basho projections based on results.

Division 1

ms2 Aran

ms8 Minami

ms13 Ri

ms19 Shiratsuka

ms35 Kyokushuho

sd92 Ogata

Division 2

jd24 Fukao

jd93 Homarefuji

jd60 Kei

jd61 Kyokutaisei

jd108 Budozan

jd91 Yamashita

Division 3

Yashiki

Inoue

Akinoyama

Kotoenomoto

Isanokuni

Tatsuhibiki

Isamizuki

Kimishima

Kimiwada

Watagawa

Kamei

Kotonakai

Kinunonami

Yamada

Abe

Iwasaki

Arai

Suzuki

Fukudome

Shinohara

Nohara

Kagaya

Wani

Iwashimizu

Kanryu

Tsuya

Sadanoshu

Hoonami

Itsunoumi

Chikarayama

Kobayashi