Day 1 results and day 2 pairings

[Doitsuyama]

The first day of the Natsu 2008 basho was heading for a clean-sweep by the yokozuna, ozeki and sekiwake against the lower ranked opponents as both sekiwake, all four ozeki and yokozuna Hakuho won their bouts rather easily mostly. But in the musubi-no-ichiban yokozuna Asashoryu stumbled against Kisenosato, resulting in an oshitaoshi win for the 21 years old komusubi.

Other young rikishi had a good start as well with Goeido, Toyohibiki and shin-makuuchi Tochinoshin. Tochiozan lost to Toyonoshima who can be counted to the young rikishi with 24 years I think. Two more shin-makuuchi rikishi met today with freshly married Kotokasuga beating Mongolian Hakuba.

In juryo we have the usual mix of former makuuchi and upcoming talents. Wakakirin, Sakaizawa and Ichihara fit both descriptions, but Ichihara is suffering with a severe knee injury and not looking good in the loss to Chiyohakuho today. Kimurayama showed strong oshhi-zumo against Tamawashi and is a good candidate for makuuchi promotion. Former makuuchi Toyozakura, Otsukasa and Ryuo also started with wins as did Mongolians Mokonami (against slumping Hoshihikari) and Koryu.

Day 1

Juryo

J14e   Bushuyama (1-0)	 oshidashi	  J14w   Katayama (0-1)
J13e   Wakakoyu (1-0)	  oshidashi	  J13w   Asofuji (0-1)
J12w   Sagatsukasa (1-0)   oshidashi	  J12e   Kirinowaka (0-1)
J11e   Chiyohakuho (1-0)   yorikiri	   J11w   Ichihara (0-1)
J9w	Shirononami (1-0) shitatedashinage J10w   Shimotori (0-1)
J9e	Sakaizawa (1-0)	 yorikiri	   J10e   Daiyubu (0-1)
J8w	Kitazakura (1-0)	yoritaoshi	 J8e	Kyokunankai (0-1)
J7w	Koryu (1-0)		 hatakikomi	 J7e	Ushiomaru (0-1)
J6w	Mokonami (1-0)	  yorikiri	   J6e	Hoshihikari (0-1)
J5w	Ryuo (1-0)		  kotenage	   J5e	Kaiho (0-1)
J4w	Otsukasa (1-0)	  uwatenage	  J4e	Kasuganishiki (0-1)
J3w	Toyozakura (1-0)	hikiotoshi	 J3e	Masatsukasa (0-1)
J2w	Kimurayama (1-0)	oshidashi	  J2e	Tamawashi (0-1)
J1e	Wakakirin (1-0)	 oshidashi	  J1w	Kitataiki (0-1)

Makuuchi

M16e   Kotokasuga (1-0)	sukuinage	  M16w   Hakuba (0-1)
M15w   Toyohibiki (1-0)	oshidashi	  M15e   Hakurozan (0-1)
M14e   Tochinoshin (1-0)   oshidashi	  M14w   Yoshikaze (0-1)
M13e   Kakizoe (1-0)	   yorikiri	   M13w   Tamanoshima (0-1)
M12e   Tosanoumi (1-0)	 yorikiri	   M12w   Tamakasuga (0-1)
M11w   Homasho (1-0)	   yorikiri	   M11e   Iwakiyama (0-1)
M10e   Dejima (1-0)		oshidashi	  M10w   Wakanosato (0-1)
M9w	Roho (1-0)		  uwatenage	  M9e	Kasugao (0-1)
M8e	Tochinonada (1-0)   tsukiotoshi	M8w	Takekaze (0-1)
M7w	Goeido (1-0)		uwatedashinage M7e	Takamisakari (0-1)
M6e	Futeno (1-0)		yorikiri	   M6w	Hokutoriki (0-1)

M5w	Toyonoshima (1-0)   yorikiri	   M5e	Tochiozan (0-1)
M4w	Aminishiki (1-0)	hatakikomi	 M4e	Tokitenku (0-1)
S1w	Kotoshogiku (1-0)   yorikiri	   M3w	Kakuryu (0-1)
S1e	Ama (1-0)		   okuridashi	 M3e	Miyabiyama (0-1)
O2w	Kotooshu (1-0)	  yorikiri	   M2w	Wakanoho (0-1)
O2e	Chiyotaikai (1-0)   tsukidashi	 M2e	Kyokutenho (0-1)
O1w	Kaio (1-0)		  yorikiri	   M1w	Baruto (0-1)
O1e	Kotomitsuki (1-0) shitatedashinage M1e	Kokkai (0-1)
Y1w	Hakuho (1-0)		hatakikomi	 K1w	Asasekiryu (0-1)
K1e	Kisenosato (1-0)	oshitaoshi	 Y1e	Asashoryu (0-1)

Day 2

Juryo

J13e   Wakakoyu (1-0)					 J14e   Bushuyama (1-0)
J12e   Kirinowaka (0-1)				   J13w   Asofuji (0-1)
J14w   Katayama (0-1)					 J12w   Sagatsukasa (1-0)
J10e   Daiyubu (0-1)					  J11e   Chiyohakuho (1-0)
J11w   Ichihara (0-1)					 J10w   Shimotori (0-1)
J8e	Kyokunankai (0-1)				  J9e	Sakaizawa (1-0)
J9w	Shirononami (1-0)				  J8w	Kitazakura (1-0)
J6e	Hoshihikari (0-1)				  J7w	Koryu (1-0)
J5e	Kaiho (0-1)						J7e	Ushiomaru (0-1)
J6w	Mokonami (1-0)					 J5w	Ryuo (1-0)
J3e	Masatsukasa (0-1)				  J4e	Kasuganishiki (0-1)
J4w	Otsukasa (1-0)					 J3w	Toyozakura (1-0)
J1e	Wakakirin (1-0)					J2e	Tamawashi (0-1)
J2w	Kimurayama (1-0)				   J1w	Kitataiki (0-1)

Makuuchi

M16e   Kotokasuga (1-0)				   M15w   Toyohibiki (1-0)
M14e   Tochinoshin (1-0)				  M16w   Hakuba (0-1)
M15e   Hakurozan (0-1)					M14w   Yoshikaze (0-1)
M12e   Tosanoumi (1-0)					M13w   Tamanoshima (0-1)
M13e   Kakizoe (1-0)					  M12w   Tamakasuga (0-1)
M10e   Dejima (1-0)					   M11e   Iwakiyama (0-1)
M11w   Homasho (1-0)					  M10w   Wakanosato (0-1)
M8e	Tochinonada (1-0)				  M9e	Kasugao (0-1)
M9w	Roho (1-0)						 M8w	Takekaze (0-1)
M6e	Futeno (1-0)					   M7e	Takamisakari (0-1)
M7w	Goeido (1-0)					   M6w	Hokutoriki (0-1)

M4e	Tokitenku (0-1)					M5e	Tochiozan (0-1)
M5w	Toyonoshima (1-0)				  M4w	Aminishiki (1-0)
S1e	Ama (1-0)						  M3w	Kakuryu (0-1)
M3e	Miyabiyama (0-1)				   S1w	Kotoshogiku (1-0)
O1e	Kotomitsuki (1-0)				  M2w	Wakanoho (0-1)
M2e	Kyokutenho (0-1)				   O2w	Kotooshu (1-0)
O2e	Chiyotaikai (1-0)				  K1e	Kisenosato (1-0)
K1w	Asasekiryu (0-1)				   O1w	Kaio (1-0)
Y1e	Asashoryu (0-1)					M1w	Baruto (0-1)
M1e	Kokkai (0-1)					   Y1w	Hakuho (1-0)

[Bix Poku]

Sorry about my ignorance, but what does "musubi-no-ichiban" exactly mean?

[higginbotham]

Sorry about my ignorance, but what does "musubi-no-ichiban" exactly mean?

It means "the last bout of the day" in sumo, it features an Yokozuna if there is one.

[HenryK]

Impressive performances by the Ozeki, which suggest that there is more life in them than commonly assumed. Kootooshu handled Wakanoho with ease, Kaio overpowered Baruto (!), Chiyotakaikai made quick work of the old warhorse Kyokutenho (who may be ranked to high for his own good), and Kotomitsuki gave Kokkai a lesson.

Kakuryu gave Kotoshogiku a good run for his money, but in the end Shogiku showed why he is the Sekiwake and Kakuryu isn't. Ama wrongfooted Miyabiyama, not impressive but effective. Hakuho with a majestic performance against Asasekiryu, and then.... well, you wish Kisenosato could get a bit more consistency into his performances. Plain awesome today.

Excellent start to what promises to be a great basho.

P.S. : on a side note, I thought Hakurozan got screwed -- did anyone else have the same impression?

[higginbotham]

P.S. : on a side note, I thought Hakurozan got screwed -- did anyone else have the same impression?

Yes, maybe to show him how his backmoving sumo is appreciated.

[Raishu]

P.S. : on a side note, I thought Hakurozan got screwed -- did anyone else have the same impression?

A tough one. I expected a mono-ii, at least.

Edit: Ok, that bullet wasn't fast enough ;)

Edited May 11, 2008 by Raishu

[Hananotaka]

Hakurozan was clearly out before Toyohibiki hit the ground. The gyoji clearly saw it, and it was right in front of two shimpan. Hakurozan wasn't screwed, no need for mono-ii, and he wasn't punished for his backmoving sumo.

[messi19]

Interesting bout between Homasho and Iwakiyama. For a moment it looked like Iwakiyama had set up the easy okuridashi, however not only does Homasho recover but gain morozashi in the process.

Will Kimurayama be the next one to make it to makuuchi? It's way too early to tell obviously, but he's looking in fine form just like last basho.

[higginbotham]

Hakurozan was clearly out before Toyohibiki hit the ground. The gyoji clearly saw it, and it was right in front of two shimpan. Hakurozan wasn't screwed, no need for mono-ii, and he wasn't punished for his backmoving sumo.

The reason may be whatever, but the slow-motion replay shows Hakurozan's foot and Toyohibiki's hand touching off at the very, very same time.

[Hananotaka]

Hakurozan was clearly out before Toyohibiki hit the ground. The gyoji clearly saw it, and it was right in front of two shimpan. Hakurozan wasn't screwed, no need for mono-ii, and he wasn't punished for his backmoving sumo.

The reason may be whatever, but the slow-motion replay shows Hakurozan's foot and Toyohibiki's hand touching off at the very, very same time.

I must disagree. The replays I saw clearly showed Hakurozan out before any part of Toyohibiki touched the ground.

[Kaikitsune Makoto]

Tochinonada showed great resistance against Takekaze. Upper body, leg and hip power in full use in that defense. He sure looks young and strong. All that keiko with Shoryu prior to basho pays off and he seems genuinely genki. Good to see his veteran sumo being so dynamic.

KaioU is too heavy caliber and heavy weight rikishi for Baruto to spin around. Not much contest when U got right uwate so well. Baruto seems genki though with good footstep and should cause problems to many sanyaku.

Goeido defended well against Sakke's favourite grip, got his preferred maemitsu stance and finished struggling Sakke with a neat dashinage yank. Good start and always promising when defeating Sakke who had full migiyotsu on.

Amuru looked strong like a bow in his bout against fat Kazafuzan. Simply powerful and sharp sumo and easy morozashi crush.

Futeno didn't let Hokutoriki shock him in yotsu second basho in a row and ousted the enigma.

Toyonoshima did perfect sumo. Solid tachi-ai, 100% morozashi success, gabburiyori and O3 couldn't do anything. 100 points to Toyo. Perfect sumo from the start to finish. Nothing can be said about O3's condition based on this bout.

Aminishiki struggled after Tenku's couple of side slaps and ottsuke puppets and inashi muppets. Yet he held his ground on the tawara using the healthy knee as leverage and slapped Tenku down. Tenku messed it up too by extending his arm as a reaction to Ami's pull.

Shogun beat Kakuryu with migiyotsu! Not often seen that Shogun does that. Good sign indeed. Strong gabburi and solid yorikiri start.

Ama slipped behind Miya at the tachi-ai and escorted him out.

Kotooshu beat Wakanoho in full aiyotsu. Good tachi-ai, good follow-up and his trademark pull up and drive out move worked well. Wakanoho wasn't a match despite his favourite grip.

Bird poo indeed. Unchi ga tsuita ga un mo tsuita you da. Taikai has usually good target practise with Tenho or can hone his pulldown skills. Today good elbow-healthy pushing sumo. Nice start.

Kotomitsuki did what he often does to Kokkai. Spins him around and dumps violently. Good start for Mickey too. Kokkai was outmaneuvered.

Lot of good stuff at juryo and Tosayutaka at Ms1 looked as good as keiko reports hinted.

Kisenosato had a good tachi-ai and survived Shoryu's kotenage well. Then just used his horse power and SHoryu's failed kotenage impetus to crush the yokozuna. Kisenosato has many wins over Shoryu now and they are all totally strong wins where Shoryu was simply outpowered. That is good for future. Hope he will continue working on his weakness of letting his upper body float at times. Crucial bouts will be against genki Mickey (can he block the morozashi?). Cool to see his oozumou.

Cool to have sumoU again.

[XiaoTan]

I was also pretty impressed bei the way Kotooshu and Kaio handled there opponents. The young Europeans still have a lot to learn. :-D

[messi19]

Hakurozan was clearly out before Toyohibiki hit the ground. The gyoji clearly saw it, and it was right in front of two shimpan. Hakurozan wasn't screwed, no need for mono-ii, and he wasn't punished for his backmoving sumo.

The reason may be whatever, but the slow-motion replay shows Hakurozan's foot and Toyohibiki's hand touching off at the very, very same time.

I must disagree. The replays I saw clearly showed Hakurozan out before any part of Toyohibiki touched the ground.

That's right.

Higginbotham: Try stopping the video at about 2.18.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugAj0-EwZ-U

I'm truly impressed with the gyoji here. Absolutely the right call made and it wasn't easy at all.

Edited May 11, 2008 by messi19

[hidenohana]

Just watching Toyasuko's videos.. :-)

Have NHK stopped giving all the prefight buildup to the matches,in their coverage?

If so, shame... :-D

[Asashosakari]

Looks like Hakuho's nephew was backstage today (0:55)...

[hidenohana]

Kisenosato countered Asashoryu's kotenage, by using the pushing force of his uchimuso (Kisenosato's right hand against Asashoryu's right inner thigh) to pivot on his right foot and square himself against the Yokozuna.

Asashoryu was caught in a position of unstable equilibrium and unable to counter Kisenosato's oshitaoshi.

Edited May 11, 2008 by hidenohana

[Shomishuu]

Hakurozan was clearly out before Toyohibiki hit the ground. The gyoji clearly saw it, and it was right in front of two shimpan. Hakurozan wasn't screwed, no need for mono-ii, and he wasn't punished for his backmoving sumo.

Yes, not close at all. Good gyoji, bad baldy. :-D

[HenryK]

Hakurozan was clearly out before Toyohibiki hit the ground. The gyoji clearly saw it, and it was right in front of two shimpan. Hakurozan wasn't screwed, no need for mono-ii, and he wasn't punished for his backmoving sumo.

Yes, not close at all. Good gyoji, bad baldy. :-D

Just looked at it again and need to correct myself. Hakurozan ran straight out of the dohyo instead of jumping -- thus he lost. Seems he could have done better.

[Doitsuyama]

A late addition to the day 1 report: Kaio had his 900th career win, staying in fourth place all-time. 51 more wins to tie Kitanoumi for third place! Kakizoe had his 200th makuuchi win and Kotoshogiku is at 150 makuuchi wins now.

[Jakusotsu]

51 more wins to tie Kitanoumi for third place!

...and all in 2008, please! :-D

[Washuyama]

51 more wins to tie Kitanoumi for third place!

...and all in 2008, please! :-D

I don't think it will happen '08... if at all. He would have to average 10-5 the rest of the year.

[Jakusotsu]

He would have to average 10-5 the rest of the year.

By my count, 13-2 will barely be enough. :-D

[kaiguma]

Goeido defended well against Sakke's favourite grip, got his preferred maemitsu stance and finished struggling Sakke with a neat dashinage yank. Good start and always promising when defeating Sakke who had full migiyotsu on.

This made me very happy inside; I think Goeido is surely honing his technique and making good use of opponent-study. Takamisakari tried once convincingly to pop the utchari or the patented 180-pivot with his unearthly migi, but Goeido was very wise and seemed almost to be testing it. Sakke was then expecting another big push and ready to go Zunnn stiff as a spinning rod. Goeido saw right through it and yanked Circus forward mighty hard!