Kotoshogiku looking good

[Kotomikey]

Two wins back to back against Hakuho. (Happy goodbyes...) Only 3-26 lifetime against Hakuho. Hopefully Kotoshogiku has developed the mental toughness to be consistant. This is what Sumo needs.

[Kintamayama]

I reckon he needs another win and his Ozeki-hood is sealed.

[Asashosakari]

I reckon he needs another win and his Ozeki-hood is sealed.

The Automated Conspiraton opines: He'll beat both ozeki to make it a no-doubt promotion.

[Kintamayama]

I reckon he needs another win and his Ozeki-hood is sealed.

The Automated Conspiraton opines: He'll beat both ozeki to make it a no-doubt promotion.

I will stake a steak that he will not beat Harumafuji. I think a win over Baruto coupled with the Yokozuna scalp will be enough for the MIB.

[Flohru]

I reckon he needs another win and his Ozeki-hood is sealed.

The Automated Conspiraton opines: He'll beat both ozeki to make it a no-doubt promotion.

I will stake a steak that he will not beat Harumafuji. I think a win over Baruto coupled with the Yokozuna scalp will be enough for the MIB.

I agree, especially as ["Automated Conspiration opines"] both ozeki will have to spare some wins next basho to give another ozeki candidate his 33 and save their kadoban ozeki colleague.

[Harry]

I think Harry can spare another, he is already KK so the rest are useless. Might need to put some in the bank for the next member of the OBSC for future needs.

[Sokkenaiyama]

Kotoshogiku isn't looking that good, and the bout itself was even worse. As for the OBSC, Kotoshogiku should be able to beat at least one of those guys straight up. It's not like there's anything on the line for them, anyway.

[specialweek 2]

No proof of course but I wonder if Hakuho has the overall picture in mind with his two losses in a row? My cynical side thinks not without a possibility.

[Kintamayama]

No proof of course but I wonder if Hakuho has the overall picture in mind with his two losses in a row? My cynical side thinks not without a possibility.

And I think he is injured. Right elbow injury aggravated after the Kisenosato loss. I doubt he would give up his 20th yusho for the overall picture..

But who knows?

[Pandaazuma]

No proof of course but I wonder if Hakuho has the overall picture in mind with his two losses in a row? My cynical side thinks not without a possibility.

And I think he is injured. Right elbow injury aggravated after the Kisenosato loss. I doubt he would give up his 20th yusho for the overall picture..

But who knows?

I know!

[Asashosakari]

No proof of course but I wonder if Hakuho has the overall picture in mind with his two losses in a row? My cynical side thinks not without a possibility.

And I think he is injured. Right elbow injury aggravated after the Kisenosato loss. I doubt he would give up his 20th yusho for the overall picture..

But who knows?

FWIW, I've been wondering if his elbow isn't quite alright for the better part of a year now. Too many recurring hints in keiko stories. Maybe not strictly injured, but definitely a weak point on his body.

[specialweek 2]

No proof of course but I wonder if Hakuho has the overall picture in mind with his two losses in a row? My cynical side thinks not without a possibility.

And I think he is injured. Right elbow injury aggravated after the Kisenosato loss. I doubt he would give up his 20th yusho for the overall picture..

But who knows?

I know!

Care to elaborate?

[Treblemaker]

I don't honestly think that, at this stage of the basho, injuries are part of the equation. Everyone's banged up good, whether they show it or not. You would like to think that, this late in the game, they're going on fumes and pride.

However...

I mentioned a while ago that for this to be the "perfect" basho, HF gets the tsuna, and Geeku, Kise and/or Kak get Ozeki status. In order for that to happen, I suggested, Hak had to fold somehow, whether on his own accord or by simply being out-jumped and out-maneuvered. Well, Kise and Geeku simply outgunned hm. I think he might have given up one bout for the good of sumokind, but not two. We now have a real contest. And that is exactly what the Kyokai were hoping for.

And I think Geek beats HF on Sat. HF has become as reliable as the Rhythm Method. Gone for good is the Old Ama mentality.

I also think that Baruto, had he been as sharp as he had shown flashes of last year, could have had this yusho, what with Osh and Kaio gone, and HF blowing chunks.

This ain't over yet. I think Hak drops one more. He hasn't been in panic mode for years, and now there's every reason to think that he might actually lose this basho.

Kise should handle Tochiozan, Geeku (barring a meltdown) should take HF and Baruto can and should beat Hak (who will be desperate not to lose three in a row - and that might play into Baruto's hand, who has absolutely nothing to lose).

And if it goes to a playoff, it won't be the second coming of the bout with Toyonoshima...

Personally, I'm quite happy that nobody's locked up this basho early. Should be an interesting couple of days.

[Asashosakari]

On the upside, as long as Hak wins one more his yusho/jun-yusho streak is guaranteed to remain intact...

[Sokkenaiyama]

...

This ain't over yet. I think Hak drops one more. He hasn't been in panic mode for years, and now there's every reason to think that he might actually lose this basho.

Kise should handle Tochiozan, Geeku (barring a meltdown) should take HF and Baruto can and should beat Hak (who will be desperate not to lose three in a row - and that might play into Baruto's hand, who has absolutely nothing to lose).

...

This is all nice and romantic, Lex, but you're forgetting the main thing here. Hakuho and desperate don't go well in the same sentence. Or paragraph, or document. Unless, of course, you're talking about his opponents. Hakuho will easily win both his remaining bouts and, depending on Kotoshogiku's composure (for what it's worth, I also see that guy winning out), easily win the ensuing playoff. Kisenosato should also win his last two, and, yes, everyone is happy.

Edited September 24, 2011 by Sokkenaiyama

[Kintamayama]

Hakuho will easily win both his remaining bouts

I am not sure about that. I'd say 1 win 1 loss.

[JariM]

Well, Kotoshogiku got his 33.

[Treblemaker]

...

This ain't over yet. I think Hak drops one more. He hasn't been in panic mode for years, and now there's every reason to think that he might actually lose this basho.

Kise should handle Tochiozan, Geeku (barring a meltdown) should take HF and Baruto can and should beat Hak (who will be desperate not to lose three in a row - and that might play into Baruto's hand, who has absolutely nothing to lose).

...

This is all nice and romantic, Lex, but you're forgetting the main thing here. Hakuho and desperate don't go well in the same sentence. Or paragraph, or document. Unless, of course, you're talking about his opponents. Hakuho will easily win both his remaining bouts and, depending on Kotoshogiku's composure (for what it's worth, I also see that guy winning out), easily win the ensuing playoff. Kisenosato should also win his last two, and, yes, everyone is happy.

Wellllllll........... The Hak/Baruto bout could easily have gone either way. It was certainly not a walk in the park for Hak, and given the wind blowing in the right direction, Baruto might have won that dance.

True, Hak doesn't panic, but had he lost three in a row, he have been in a situation he hasn't been in for years. As it is, two consecutive losses - like, when was the last time that took place? (Nevermind. I can look it up myself...)

Overall, this has been a very good basho with many excellent bouts and some surprises, some great newcomers, and I'm happy with whichever way it goes.

[yorikiried by fate]

Really, Lee-Starsberg-Award for Harumafuji. He looked sooooo disappointed (he probably even made heavy sighing sounds) after he failed soooo miserably to gain the right uwate, something - as we all know - he is totally dependent on for winning his bouts.

Where's the throw up emoticon?

(Yucky...)

[Igordemorais]

are you implying that harumafuji threw the match? why would he do that? im interested

[TheMightyTim]

Well, Kotoshogiku got his 33.

Does 33 mean that he will definately get Ozeki promotion, or does it still depend on the Sumo Association?

[Igordemorais]

he might win the damn thing, 33 shmirty three

[Asashosakari]

Does 33 mean that he will definately get Ozeki promotion, or does it still depend on the Sumo Association?

Nothing is ever 100% sure until it's officially announced, but 33 with two victories over the yokozuna and giving the yokozuna a yusho race to the final day of the third basho is almost certainly gonna do it. It just ticks all the boxes. We'll know for sure on Wednesday.

Taking the yusho would be the cherry on top now...I think he might even get it, but I think he's got a better shot of doing it outright (win tomorrow, Hak loss against Harumafuji) because a playoff should still favour Hakuho.

[JariM]

Well, Kotoshogiku got his 33.

Does 33 mean that he will definately get Ozeki promotion, or does it still depend on the Sumo Association?

I guess nothing is "automatic" in sumo but 33 wins in three basho is considered (according to wikipedia) a near-guarantee. Plus he beat the yokozuna which definetly works in his favour.

[Harry]

Why? Pre-ordering a win from ozeki Kotoshogiku should Harumafuji need one for kadoban reasons.

Did Harry throw it? That was the most bizarre tachi-ai I've ever seen. The leg lift looked odd to me live but seems less suspect when I watch the video again. It looks like a botched setup but just might be odd enough to be legit.

are you implying that harumafuji threw the match? why would he do that? im interested