Hatsu Basho 2013 - Discussion Thread

[Andreas21]

I'm astonished about what has happened to Takanoiwa. I've followed him quite a while. He has alwas been a good attacker and very eager. But he had weaknesses that kept him in upper Makushita for so long (apart from the larger injury). He could be cheated too easiliy, was vulnerable to any sort of counter attack.

But now he's so solid, wins bouts that he would normally have lost. He now seems mentally much stronger, see the Oiwato bout affair - this is something to be focused again after losing the bout only rescued by a matta call. Today against Chiyootori who is also in very good shape and likely be in Makuuchi soon: Otori won the Tachi-ai and he would have been yorikiried right after the beginning, but Takanoiwa 2.0 stood his ground and then had an idea.

[Treblemaker]

Hakuho looked very ordinary today... and for once, height trumps weight. Osh simply had the leverage and kept his head down and pushed. Hak simply ran out of dohyo... And from the feed, looked very much like he had a desperate grip of Osh's hair...

HF is beginning to look like a Man playing with Boys.... (but not exactly, if you know what I mean... (Being hypocrite...) ) He just keeps getting faster, he's prepared, and he's got things worked out in advance. That, or his opponents are getting slower and more cautious? Which - as it's turning out - is a flawed move.

After watching the Gyogi doing their Three Blind Mice imitations, I'm thinking that it was a good thing this wasn't Days 1 or 15...

[Mukonoso]

I'm glad Kotooshu won though it looks like if Hak had one more foot of ring then Osh would have been flat on his face first. For some reason the stack of kensho for that match didn't look very big today.

[Kuroyama]

I'm glad Kotooshu won though it looks like if Hak had one more foot of ring then Osh would have been flat on his face first.

And Hakuho still would have lost, becoming only the second yokozuna in history to lose for that reason. Edited January 25, 2013 by Kuroyama

[Peeter]

[Asashosakari]

I hate to say it, but IMO Takamisakari should've lost today's bout.

[Tsubame]

I also wonder why there was no mono-ii... in the livestream it looked very close and even I saw Takamisakari first out... but have to wait for the videos to see it in slowmo.

[Jakusotsu]

Well, they were already awfully far behind in the schedule...

Most funny thing to watch was Akiseyama throwing the salt on his own head, repeatedly trying brush it off. Oitekaze just couldn't stop smirking.

Edited January 25, 2013 by Jakusotsu

[yorikiried by fate]

Akiseyama is so far off the scale of so many descriptive adjectives.

[krindel]

And that's the end of Baruto's valiant effort :(. Strange, when he downed Myogiryu I really thought he might have a shot after all...

[yorikiried by fate]

And today it really bugged him, you could see it. The disconcerting thing is that it seemed to trouble him in the "Oh well, that didn't work. Life goes on." way.

Edited January 25, 2013 by yorikiried by fate

[Asashosakari]

Akiseyama is so far off the scale of so many descriptive adjectives.

He really fukaos them up, those scales.

[Vikanohara]

My day 13 highlights (mainly focussing on Yusho deciders) :

S : Goeido [6-6] - Aran [6-6] (the latter making up for his henka earlier this basho) & of course these upsets : 1 & 2

M : Daido [4-8] - Sotairyu [J 8-4] (froggy jumped all over the stage that day) & small surprise

J : Tanzo [7-5] - Daikiho [5-7] (explosive & skillful)

Ms Hi : Saishin [3-3] - Chiyoo [3-3] (who to stay within Juryo reach ?) while Oniarashi had an easy victory over Dewahayate for his 1st Yusho

Ms Mid : Ryuo [2-4] - Daieisho [2-4] (experience or fresh blood ?) while Watanabe has 15 successive defeats in Makushita, surely a record

Ms Lo : Akinomine [sd 3-3] - Meisei [3-3] (interesting ending between guys of different eras, but who’ll be in Makushita next basho ?)

Sd Hi : Hamaguchi [6-0] - Ikinoshima [6-0] (the Kise kid clear favourite, but did he also make it to possibly rejoin Iwasaki on the Banzuke ?)

Sd Lo : Azumasato [6-0] - Kaorufuji [5-1] (he had to work hard for it, but will we get a kettei-sen ?)

Sd * : Ohara [4-2] - Isshinryu [4-2] (I must admit he’s a favourite of mine, but how could you ignore such fighting spirit ?)

Jd : Masutoo [6-0] - Amuru [6-0] (expected title match, but did it go to Hungary or Russia ?)

Jk : Tamao [6-0] - Oisato [Jd 5-1] (first ever Yusho for Tamao ?)

Sorry for the spoiler on the Makushita decider. But it didn't came unexpected, neither was it very close.

I wonder who else (starts to) like(s) Ohara & Aragyoshi or similar Takanoyama-runner-ups ?

[Asashosakari]

An unexpected sight, a post-bout handshake (between rikishi nearly 20 years apart, no less):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRQLNd50H4U

Edit: I see that bout made it into Vikanohara's list, too.

Edited January 25, 2013 by Asashosakari

[Asashosakari]

It's not quite a Watanabe-style drop off the cliff, but anyway, anyone know if something is wrong with http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Rikishi.aspx?r=1242'>Wakarikido? 1-6 isn't exactly what I expected after four straight 3-4's, especially as he wasn't even particularly overranked at the start of this MK series.

[Vikanohara]

Like every basho, there are so many interesting developments by the final days. This time around :

Y : which one to win the Yusho ?

O : Kotooshu and Kotoshogiku to finish K/K ? Probably, but far from certain yet.

S : Goeido & Baruto both at 5-5, especially interesting for the latter, though I don't think double digits is still possible, I even fear further demotion :-(

K : Tochiozan to still reach KK ?

M+ : Myogiryu seems to be first option for repromotion to Sanyaku. But the way things look now, Tochinoshin & Takayasu at M6 & M7 might be 2 & 3. Though I expect Toyonoshima to still grab a few more victories.

M- : Miyabiyama & Tamaasuka will drop to Juryo. Probably also Kotoyuki. And finally maybe also Asahisho & Daido.

J+ : But so far I only see 3 strong candidates for promotion, with Jokoryu, Chiyonokuni & Sotairyu. Oiwato at 7-3 is close as well, but I don't fancy him winning many more.

J : Painful to see Wakakoyu drop further away. He will of course stay in Juryo, but he'll better finish KK next time around.

J- : It might have been the last time we saw Shironoryu & Kotoyutaka in Juryo. Won't be easy for Hochiyama to come back either. And for Takamisakari it's probably the end. No less than five other guys from the bottom of Juryo are at 5-5. Wouldn't be surprised to see 6 relegations.

Ms+ : Oniarashi certain to repromote, Tochihiryu almost certain to reach Juryo for the first time. And Arawashi might need one more victory for repromotion as well. But many more candidates with Sensho at 3-2, Kitaharima 3-3 and no less than 5 of the 6 guys on Ms6 to Ms8 ranks at 3-2 as well. And finally there's also Chiyoarashi 4-1 at Ms10e. He might have needed to stay undefeated this basho, but who knows with the possible high amount of relegations from Juryo.

Ms : Iwasaki & Osunaarashi did well, but they dropped one each. Interesting to see how high in Makushita they'll be next time around. Other great results from relatively new rikishi are to come from Irie, and possibly also Saishin, Wakamisho, Sasanoyama & Meisei. Disappointing results from Ryuden, Kimikaze, Sasakiyama, Daieisho, Watanabe and possibly also Ryuo, Tatsu & Tochimaru.

Sd : Hamaguchi about to pursuit Iwasaki again. Good results from f.i. Hishofuji, Sotenryu, Shinohara & Wakayama (though you would expect him to fight for Yusho). Bad ones from especially Goshi (though he still has a chance), Chiyokiryu, Oruri, Orora & Wakarikido.

Jd : Yusho to Masutoo, Amuru or someone else ?

Jk : Tamao without any problem ?

3 days later, less tension :

Y : Harumafuji almost has it, unless Kakuryu throws us a surprise

O : Kotooshu KK already, Kotoshogiku still has some work to do. Would Aran try a henka tomorrow ?

S : Goeido & Baruto both at 7-6 now. Bad news for the latter, as repromotion isn't possible now. Though he did better than most expected from him after three days.

K : Tochiozan managed to win 3 in a row and will now face Ikioi. So should indeed still finish KK.

M+ : Toyonoshima let me down, and Myogiryu isn't there yet after a surprising defeat today. So suddenly Aminishiki (after 4 in a row) is the number one promotion candidate. And will we actually get more than 1 free spot ?

M : Ikioi fighting for even a better career high, Chiyotairyu already certain of that. Takayasu sure to get a sansho, but he might even get more if he beats Goeido tomorrow.

M- : Miyabiyama & Tamaasuka certain to drop out. Probably also Asahisho. Daido & Kotoyuki with a minor chance to stay. And could Wakanosato with 4-9 at M11 still get in trouble as well ?

J+ : I was right calling Jokoryu & Chiyonokuni as promotion candidates, but Sotairyu might be left out as Sagatsukasa made it to KK as well. And Oiwato might indeed have lost his chance, though if he wins the last two, he might still make it. He's pitched against Sotairyu tomorrow, so that should be interesting.

J : Wakakoyu will drop, but Kimurayama will be close to the bottom of Juryo. And does he still have it in him to escape from there ? I doubt it. Same for Asasekiryu. Though if recovered fully, he should be able to avoid demotion next time around. Takanoyama will also drop down a bit further. It will be important on last two days how far down he'll fall.

J- : Shironoryu, Kotoyutaka & Takamisakari will drop away. Hochiyama probably as well. All guys at 5-5 picked up two more victories, so I guess we'll get only 4 to 5 guys relegating.

Ms+ : Oniarashi (first ever Yusho !), Tochihiryu & Sensho sure of promotion. Kitaharima will take on Hochiyama for the 4th spot. A possible 5th spot could go to Kawanari facing Kagamio tomorrow, otherwise Arawashi, Seiro or maybe even Kamei/Chiyomaru/Chiyoarashi (if f.i. Miyabiyama steps down) have a chance ?

Ms : Iwasaki & Osunaarashi now dropped two each. Irie might even do better, Wakamisho equally good. Sasanoyama & Meisei only barely got KK, while Saishin even still MK. Other disappointing results from Ryuo, Tatsu, Ryuden, Sasakiyama, Daieisho, Kimikaze & mainly (clearly injured) Watanabe. Tochimaru will fight for KK tomorrow.

Sd : Yusho to Hamaguchi, who should again be close to Iwasaki on the banzuke, his heya mate who won two kettei-sen against him before. Good results from f.i. Hishofuji & Wakayama, probably Sotenryu as well. Bad ones from especially Goshi, Oruri, Chiyokiryu & Wakarikido.

Jd : Amuru having won the Yusho over Masutoo, no surprise at all.

Jk : Tamao indeed, his first ever Yusho.

Edited January 25, 2013 by Vikanohara

[Jakusotsu]

Looks like Yokozunae are above being scolded for hair-pulls these days...

[shumitto]

Jk : Tamao indeed, his first ever Yusho.

Which reminds me of Terukaze. Former makushita wins lesser Yusho and then...

Baruto almost surprised me by carrying on his hopes of a comeback for this long, and in the end he was stopped by a Maegashira #7 of all people - his lowest ranked opponent by far...

Although I like Harumafuji's run and how he often takes a while before settling in a rank - remember he kicked off his Ozeki days with a 4 bout losing streak ?- I am little impressed by the content of his sumo. The last 3 or 4 wins have been, well, insipid (for want of a better word) and not at all legal. See post above ⇧

Edited January 25, 2013 by shumitto

[Washuyama]

remember he kicked off his Ozeki days with a 4 bout losing streak ?

But that was because of the silver mawashi... :-P

[Jakusotsu]

On the regular NHK broadcast, it looked to be an open-handed push down on the head, not a closed fist on the mage.

Like this?

http://youtu.be/OI4ebfpAtrs

[Akinomaki]

Takamisakari wants to continue to "go onto the doyho till senshuraku at life's risk", the oyakata also told him to. Last time Nionoumi remained in juryo (now last at 14w) with a 5-10 at j11w, but Kagamiyama-oyakata, head of the judging department, which also is in responsible for the banzuke decision conference, basically announced that Takamisakari is finished. His injury from day 2, which debilitates his right, would need 3 weeks rest for the pain to recede, but he even refuses pain killers "If the pain is erased I would do excessive moves."
One more loss and intai is definite.

Edited January 25, 2013 by Akinomaki

[Ack!]

I'm glad Kotooshu won though it looks like if Hak had one more foot of ring then Osh would have been flat on his face first. For some reason the stack of kensho for that match didn't look very big today.

I'm way to new to sumo to make judgments, but to me this match backs up some of the conspiracy theories promulgated on Sumotalk.com. Kotooshu has been just plain bad this tournament, and unless Hakuho is just plain bored or lazy, I don't see how he cold have lost this one. I hope that I'm not stepping into some politics, but I am genuinely curious to see what others think about this.

[yorikiried by fate]

You have spoken bravely, fellow initiate!

[Masumasumasu]

I'm glad Kotooshu won though it looks like if Hak had one more foot of ring then Osh would have been flat on his face first. For some reason the stack of kensho for that match didn't look very big today.

I'm way to new to sumo to make judgments, but to me this match backs up some of the conspiracy theories promulgated on Sumotalk.com. Kotooshu has been just plain bad this tournament, and unless Hakuho is just plain bored or lazy, I don't see how he cold have lost this one. I hope that I'm not stepping into some politics, but I am genuinely curious to see what others think about this.

You cannot avoid politics on this forum.

[Igordemorais]

Kotooshu is strong as all hell and he got a good grip. Statistically, it is almost impossible to win all fights. The odds of something going wrong in those 3-5 seconds accumulates.