Kyushu Basho 2013 discussion thread

[Jakusotsu]

For the extra push that sent Akiseyama off in that bout after the oshi-dashi win, Daikiho was called to the shimpan department and got cautioned: “I'll be careful. I'm sorry.”

http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20131121/sum13112121290011-n1.html

They'd better reprimand the yobidashi who was obviously asleep.

[Masumasumasu]

Nice bath by Akiseyama:

http://youtu.be/058Eb9ArEz8

For the extra push that sent Akiseyama off in that bout after the oshi-dashi win, Daikiho was called to the shimpan department and got cautioned: I'll be careful. I'm sorry.

http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20131121/sum13112121290011-n1.html

Little brother learns from big brother.

[Koorifuu]

Sadly enough, many rikishi start acting rudely and disrespectfully. Terunofuji has done it all basho long, Toyohibiki had his hand in Osunaarashi's face until way after the decision and Tokitenku almost knocked Kaisei out with a vigorous harite today. I appreciate the NSK / the shimpan taking action in repremanding those involved. Kisenosato on the other hand seems a lot less arrogant lately, maybe he was advised to try and at least mentally take a step further towards promotion.

Good to hear someone who agrees me in two different points! About the former, I didn't really want to get on this boat, but I wish they'd include the top guys on the reprimands. I respect both of them a lot but this time they're overdoing it.

For the extra push that sent Akiseyama off in that bout after the oshi-dashi win, Daikiho was called to the shimpan department and got cautioned: “I'll be careful. I'm sorry.”

http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20131121/sum13112121290011-n1.html

They'd better reprimand the yobidashi who was obviously asleep.

Poor guy probably expected it just as much as Akiseyama.

Edited November 21, 2013 by Koorifuu

[bettega]

Everybody seems to be on the edge in this basho. Maybe the injuries? The potential open spots? Any external pressure?

Hak doin' the Harumaji's "hand-on-neck" was emblematic to me

I though would like a little more agressivity in the sumo matches, but I was wrong. Very wrong. These extra pushes and shoves are awful.

Edited November 21, 2013 by bettega

[Koorifuu]

Everybody seems to be on the edge in this basho. Maybe the injuries? The potential open spots? Any external pressure?

Hak doin' the Harumaji's "hand-on-neck" was emblematic to me

I though would like a little more agressivity in the sumo matches, but I was wrong. Very wrong. These extra pushes and shoves are awful.

A little more aggression during the matches would be nice indeed. Problem is, this is happening after the matches...

[Vikanohara]

Congratz to Hochiyama. Honestly, after 1-14 8-7 5-10 6-9 5-10 2-5 1-6 2-5 and a drop from Makuuchi to Sandanme, I didn't expect this from him anymore.

And I hope to see Keitenkai back in Juryo someday, so he can have a decent go. Same for Towanoyama for his Makuuchi dream, though that probably won't happen anymore.

[Masumasumasu]

That's my dawg.

[Akinomaki]

Applause as Paul's kensho start their round today.

No 14-0 match-up. Now Kisenosato has to beat Hakuho as well (and Kakuryu Harumafuji) and then hope that Harumafuji beats Hakuho – his only chance for a play-off.

Harumafuji this basho is doing again the low frog-shikiri he hadn't done at the recent basho with bad results. He did that in the basho he won the yusho, apparently a sign of his fitness.

Edited November 22, 2013 by Akinomaki

[Adil]

Harumafuji loses to Kisenosato yet again. That's five straight victories for Kisenosato over Harumafuji.

[Akinomaki]

I'm waiting for the Endo-Ōsunaarashi match-up. Why Kyokushuho for Endo instead? – not much interest in that. And low maegashira Ōsunaarashi still fighting for kachi-koshi against 9 rank higher Ikioi who already has 9 wins - not fair, but of course very interesting.

Leaving the highlight for day 15? - which of the 2 will be higher ranked next basho ?

Edited November 22, 2013 by Akinomaki

[krindel]

I'm waiting for the Endo-Ōsunaarashi match-up. Why Kyokushuho for Endo instead? – not much interest in that. And low maegashira Ōsunaarashi still fighting for kachi-koshi against 9 rank higher Ikioi who already has 9 wins - not fair, but of course very interesting.

Leaving the highlight for day 15? - which of the 2 will be higher ranked next basho ?

Actually, I think Ikioi (of whom I am a fan, but still... ) has been treated a bit too nicely this basho. 5 opponents in the double digit maegashira for a M6 who is not even remotely struggling for his KK?

He has the same rank and same score as Chiyotairyu right now, who has been scheduled against MUCH higher ranked opponents. Based on rank of opponents alone (and not on subjective assessment of strength), even Endo has had tougher scheduling.

[Asashosakari]

I'm waiting for the Endo-Ōsunaarashi match-up. Why Kyokushuho for Endo instead? – not much interest in that. And low maegashira Ōsunaarashi still fighting for kachi-koshi against 9 rank higher Ikioi who already has 9 wins - not fair, but of course very interesting.

Leaving the highlight for day 15? - which of the 2 will be higher ranked next basho ?

Not everything revolves around Endo and Osunaarashi.

[ShinreiGensho]

What is interesting to see as well is that Kyokutenho's poor score is not displaying his performance correctly. He is still a decent belt worker but just cannot keep up with san'yaku-style speed and creativity. He was ranked way too high this basho.
As for Kisenosato, he is obviously well ahead of all the other ozeki and that harsh contrast might be in his favour as far as promotion is concerned. I'm not sure whether or not that would be good for his game though.
Early 2014 will be Tokitenku's intai. No spirit, not even any more trickery. The wins that he eeks out are not really based on his effort anymore, but much rather on the mistakes that the others make.

On a positive note, Wakanosato seems to be doing well. He won't drop away through juryo like Miyabiyama did. He still is a formidable competitor, who might even visit Makuuchi once again some time in the future.

[ronnie]

I've watched the bout a couple of times and I can't figure out why Harumafuji gave up such an excellent belt grip to attempt a kotenage that he just didn't have the leverage for.

[krindel]

Early 2014 will be Tokitenku's intai. No spirit, not even any more trickery. The wins that he eeks out are not really based on his effort anymore, but much rather on the mistakes that the others make.

I think Tokitenku is injured. His drop in performance from what he displayed the last few basho is too sudden to be just a result of getting older. Of course, the older one is, the more possible it gets for an injury to send one home...

[Akinomaki]

Day 12: 4095 spectators

http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20131122/sum13112205030000-n1.html

Endo has his first make-koshi now.

Hakuho got his set of Paul's kensho as well: they are/were placed to go all to the 2 yokozuna (avoiding 2 chances for Kakuryu)

Edited November 22, 2013 by Akinomaki

[krindel]

Day 12: 4095 spectators

http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20131122/sum13112205030000-n1.html

Endo has his first make-koshi now.

Hakuho got his set of Paul's kensho as well: they are/were placed to go all to the 2 yokozuna (avoiding Kisenosato)

Didn't he just do the easy thing and put his kensho on the last bout of each of the last few days? I doubt he made a point to avoid anyone (I actually doubt he is that ardent a follower to have favorites).

Edit: Speaking of Kisenosato, I am really glad to see that he managed to remain a factor in the yusho race, despite his early loses. He definitely seems to be more than a match for Harumafuji in any case.

Edited November 22, 2013 by krindel

[Akinomaki]

Day 12: 4095 spectators

http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20131122/sum13112205030000-n1.html

Endo has his first make-koshi now.

Hakuho got his set of Paul's kensho as well: they are/were placed to go all to the 2 yokozuna (avoiding 2 chances for Kakuryu)

Didn't he just do the easy thing and put his kensho on the last bout of each of the last few days? I doubt he made a point to avoid anyone (I actually doubt he is that ardent a follower to have favorites).

I was wondering why he did not take days 13, 14, 15 but instead 12, 13, 15 - that seemed to me he prefers the yokozuna and took easier days for them - but Kisenosato isn't in the final bout anyway, my error: avoiding 2 chances for Kakuryu.

Other possibility: he placed it on the earliest day possible other than day 15, which he wanted from the start, and equally divided between the 2 yoks: 12, 14, 15 would be favouring HF.

Edited November 22, 2013 by Akinomaki

[yorikiried by fate]

Maybe he just hates the number 14?

Hey McCartney! This is for The Wings! Take that!

14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14

[ShinreiGensho]

Early 2014 will be Tokitenku's intai. No spirit, not even any more trickery. The wins that he eeks out are not really based on his effort anymore, but much rather on the mistakes that the others make.

I think Tokitenku is injured. His drop in performance from what he displayed the last few basho is too sudden to be just a result of getting older. Of course, the older one is, the more possible it gets for an injury to send one home...

I agree with you. But throughout the last few basho - well, at least in the most recent one - he had his hands full just holding his ground against any oshi-attack. There were a few great bouts however, especially on the belt. Your right about his injury, I think that there might be some pulled muscle in his left upper leg, I don't believe that any joints are affected. Let's hope that he recovers well and can go full force next year.

[Koorifuu]

And for the first time this basho, I actually enjoyed some extra-bout action. Kisenosato shoving Harumafuji a little after the latter stepped out, to be paid back with a deft slap to the back of the head. Then it's all merry and nice and there we go to the post-bout ceremonies as usual. It didn't come across as rude or disrespectful to me. More like a show of intentions like a smirk.

[Benevolance]

Let's get to what's really important this basho: despite the 70 ranks between them, Baraki totally stuffed Shineiyama with a good throw and moved to 7-0 in Sandanme. Booyah, little guy! That's fighting spirit!

[bettega]

Let's get to what's really important this basho: despite the 70 ranks between them, Baraki totally stuffed Shineiyama with a good throw and moved to 7-0 in Sandanme. Booyah, little guy! That's fighting spirit!

And he's about what? 1,5 m? :D

I like him and hope that he gets the Yusho!

[kuroimori]

Funny mono-ii explanation at the Shohozan vs. Homasho bout:

Takanohana chief judge: "I will explain the decision. The gyoji pointed to rikishi A, but..... rikishi B won!."

Where was the explanation???

[Benevolance]

Man, the build up to the Hakuho and Kise fight is intense!

Edit: Wooooooo! Kise! That's the spirit!

Edited November 23, 2013 by Benevolance