Preparations of the masses Hatsu 2013

[Igordemorais]

How's Baruto's knee?

[Yubinhaad]

Any news on Makushita Chokozan or Sandanme Kaisho? I have a note to myself that they'd both retired after last basho, but that wasn't announced.

Sorry Fukurou, I missed your post until just now. Yes, Chokozan and Kaisho both retired after the Kyushu basho despite not being on the official intai list. As Kotoviki often says, because they're still on the banzuke the heya will get an extra few yen out of the Kyokai, which in this case might be a farewell gift to the retiring shisho (or a welcome gift to the new one).

Chokozan said his most vivid memory was the double torinaoshi he had against Homarefuji in 2012 Hatsu (videos here). Aside from the rarity of two rematches, it was Chokozan's first and only appearance in a Juryo bout.

Danpatsu-shiki pictures:

[Kintamayama]

Baruto had 15 bouts against his punching bag Kaihou (all ten of them..) and won 13. "My tachiai is much better-I'm hitting well.." he said. Today was his last real training session before the basho. He has not trained at all with sekitori from other heyas, which may lead to some anxiety over his ability to notch 10 wins next basho. "No anxiety there..I more or less know what kind of sumo my opponents will do.." he said.

Edited January 10, 2013 by Kintamayama

[Senkoho]

any news about Keitenkai's health?

[krindel]

Baruto had 15 bouts against his punching bag Kaihou (all ten of them..) and won 13. "My tachiai is much better-I'm hitting well.." he said. Today was his last real training session before the basho. He has not trained at all with sekitori from other heyas, which may lead to some anxiety over his ability to notch 10 wins next basho. "No anxiety there..I more or less know what kind of sumo my opponents will do.." he said.

Wasn't his tsunatori run the previous time he tried the steady diet of kicking-Tenkaiho's-butt? That worked wonders for him, so I am curious why he chose the same approach on this other super-important basho...

Edit: Corrected my mis-naming of Baruto's punching bag, based on Kishinoyama's excellent point below. Should teach me not to try any more late night wit :-)

Edited January 11, 2013 by krindel

[krindel]

Baruto had 15 bouts against his punching bag Kaihou (all ten of them..) and won 13. "My tachiai is much better-I'm hitting well.." he said. Today was his last real training session before the basho. He has not trained at all with sekitori from other heyas, which may lead to some anxiety over his ability to notch 10 wins next basho. "No anxiety there..I more or less know what kind of sumo my opponents will do.." he said.

Wasn't his tsunatori run the previous time he tried the steady diet of kicking-Tokitenku's-butt? That worked wonders for him, so I am curious why he chose the same approach on this other super-important basho...

Ummm unless I am missing something here, Kinta is talking about Tenkaiho... ;-)

Well, I feel the need to sincerely apologize to poor Tenkaiho... He may be Baruto's punching bag, but that's no reason for me to go mixing him up with the one-kick-pony...

Thanks for the correction :-)

[Akinomaki]

Baruto had 15 bouts against his punching bag Kaihou (all ten of them..) and won 13. "My tachiai is much better-I'm hitting well.." he said. Today was his last real training session before the basho.

Edited January 11, 2013 by Akinomaki

[Akinomaki]

Shohozan got a golden mawashi for the basho.

[Naganoyama]

I hope that isn't bad luck! Hasn't he got a tough enough fortnight waiting for him as a new komusubi without adding the pressure of a gold mawashi?

[Igordemorais]

Considering that Hakho just KTFO of Shohozan he might consider switching. It does not bode well!

[yorikiried by fate]

Eeek! Time is moving backwards at Onoe-beya!

[Mukonoso]

Eeek! Time is moving backwards at Onoe-beya!

Hiro from Heroes must be there.

[yorikiried by fate]

(I missed the obvious caption: )

"Does all this still make sense..."

Edited January 12, 2013 by yorikiried by fate

[Akinomaki]

Takarafuji doing sanban-geiko with Homarefuji. His goal for the new year: reaching sanyaku. 4th time to makuuchi.