Aki 2014 Basho Comments

[Kotogouryuu]

After watching Ichinojo for a few basho I'm not that sure he is that skillful. But he has such a low centre of gravity, great balance, patience, is really big and really strong and nobody so far seems able to push him out if he doesn't want to be. Can't wait to see him against Hak at some stage.

His ability to stop when being pushed has certainly thrown off a lot of opponents, but one skill will only take you so far. Definitely good entertainment on the way when he gets a bit higher rank.

This is an excellent basho - so many long epic battles and some great sumo. Thoroughly enjoying it

I couldn't agree more. And happily, apparently the audience is a bit bigger than it has been lately. The fact that they're seeing really good sumo is very good for the sport.

[Taigiin khuu]

A deep bow of respect to Ikioi for that performance. I really appreciate his emotions too and today the blood added to the effect.

It seemed that Ichinojo lacked the patience that he showed in the Kyokushuho bout, and made his move too early. Ichinojo maybe should have kept leaning on Ikioi another 30 seconds or so before making his move. I think Ikioi commented in the interview that it was a difficult position.

And I do hope Terunofuji can turn this basho around, he has lost confidence. BUT, his biggest supporter is on her way, and i think that is going to make the difference. Amjilt husye, Uragshaa Terunofuji!

[Akinomaki]

Ikioi is the first Makuuchi guy to siege and storm the castle of Ichinojo.

NHK commentator observed that the loud applause was almost similar to after a Yokozuna lost.

And he was interviewed, like after winning against an ozeki or yokozuna.

[Monnodo]

It seemed that Ichinojo lacked the patience that he showed in the Kyokushuho bout, and made his move too early. Ichinojo maybe should have kept leaning on Ikioi another 30 seconds or so before making his move. I think Ikioi commented in the interview that it was a difficult position.

Exactly what I thought. He seemed more eager, and maybe that was the result.

I am impressed by Takayasu, he is doing really, really good this tournament.‹

[ALAKTORN]

I think today’s loss shows Ichinojō is still inexperienced. He had the bout won.

[Gurowake]

I thought Ichinojo had the bout won as well, but he ended up losing the patience game. This basho has really made me understand why guys will often just lean on each other for several minutes: there comes a point where neither has the strength to move the other without help, and each is waiting for the other guy to make a move. At the next level, they makes feints or half-hearted attempts that don't leave them open trying to get the other guy to commit to something he's ready to defend against and use the movement against him. Ichinojo is very good at the patience bit, but I think Ikioi managed to back him up and think he was going to get pushed out and committed to a throw that Ikioi had the counter for.

And the applause was so great I was half-expecting them to start throwing the zabuton.

Edited September 20, 2014 by Gurowake

[Shikona]

Ichinojo lost this one because he slipped up when he had Ikioi reeling at the edge; great escape by Ikioi, too. After that I think he was a little lost. Probably won't make that particular mistake after a couple more basho. Still, there are big questions about his quickness and ability to move laterally. I hope he does very well this time out, and we will see him really tested next basho.

[Yamasanzan]

(...)

NHK commentator observed that the loud applause was almost similar to after a Yokozuna lost.

(...)

And the applause was so great I was half-expecting them to start throwing the zabuton.

One (1) zabuton actually came flying. I can't see it in Kintas video, but it hit the photographer sitting at the west/shomen corner of the dohyo.

sorce: me and the guy sitting next to me.

[luispereira]

Have you voted yet? :)

http://www.sumo.or.jp/ouen/ranking/top

[Fay]

A deep bow of respect to Ikioi for that performance. I really appreciate his emotions too and today the blood added to the effect.

It seemed that Ichinojo lacked the patience that he showed in the Kyokushuho bout, and made his move too early. Ichinojo maybe should have kept leaning on Ikioi another 30 seconds or so before making his move. I think Ikioi commented in the interview that it was a difficult position.

And I do hope Terunofuji can turn this basho around, he has lost confidence. BUT, his biggest supporter is on her way, and i think that is going to make the difference. Amjilt husye, Uragshaa Terunofuji!

Didn't help a lot today, but this is the turning point for sure ;-)

[Taigiin khuu]

And I do hope Terunofuji can turn this basho around, he has lost confidence. BUT, his biggest supporter is on her way, and i think that is going to make the difference. Amjilt husye, Uragshaa Terunofuji!

Didn't help a lot today, but this is the turning point for sure ;-)

the Fay-effect has started... he looked good today.

[ALAKTORN]

Hakuhō has been beasting the past two days, looking in top form again. I like it.

Cool that Kakuryū is finally getting the numbers as yokozuna.

Ichinojō actually won this time with the uwatenage, I wonder if he wanted to prove something.

Kyokutenhō 6–2 is amazing. Hoping he can keep winning.

I thought Kisenosato had lost 2, but he’s actually decently in the hunt for the cup. Nice. I don’t like his new color mawashi, though.

Ōsunaarashi is being disappointing. Endō too, but he had tough opponents. Let’s hope he can turn it around.

[Asashosakari]

Cool that Kakuryū is finally getting the numbers as yokozuna.

He did start the last basho 8-1...

[luispereira]

Ichinojo just threw away Okinoumi! Ikioi just created a bigger monster!:D

[dingo]

Kakuryuu even pulled down the injured Toyonoshima, which was a freebie in any case...

[Masumasumasu]

Say what you will about Wakakoiyu but he's the kindest guy in sumo. And that says a lot (7:20). [Many thanks to Myjetsetlife]:

[shumitto]

http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=18251

This is a nice thread about Wakakoyu (2009).

Hats off to Aminishiki, he is pulling it off despite all the injuries.

[yorikiried by fate]

I'm really not a big fan of Kisenosato, but this is his most credible 7-1 that I can remember. I hope he can manage to keep his head clear.

[botev1921]

Kisenosato was my least favourite guy but for the first time I see him being himself and just getting the job done. Could it be he is not feeling all the useless hype anymore? He did need another overly-hyped rikishi like Endo to distract the attention.

[Kintamayama]

I think Kisenosato is doing Yokozuna sumo in all his bouts so far. He looks very solid. I always had the feeling that he is much more comfortable facing the Ozeki/ Yokozuna and seems to be very tense when he is "expected" to win against the joi guys. None of that this basho.

[Kintamayama]

Say what you will about Wakakoiyu but he's the kindest guy in sumo. And that says a lot (7:20). [Many thanks to Myjetsetlife]:

That's Abiko behind Fujiazuma, right? The Japanese Ichinojo?

Edited September 21, 2014 by Kintamayama

[Morty]

Ōsunaarashi is being disappointing. Endō too, but he had tough opponents. Let’s hope he can turn it around.

Osunaarashi looks like he is carrying an injury and I worry that he is going to be another guy who never makes the most of his potential because his body can't stand up to the rigours of sumo. But also, I think the others are working him out. Same with Endo. They have got his number now and he has lost the element of surprise. Endo has also looked completely without confidence in this basho and he needs to get his head right again before he'll be able to start winning consistently again.

[ALAKTORN]

Do the yokozunae and ōzeki enter somewhere else or something? Didn’t see them there (I admit I didn’t watch the whole video, though).

[Gurowake]

I recall that one of the privileges Ozeki get that was listed in an article on Goeido making Ozeki is that they do have a separate entrance.

[Pandaazuma]

Ōsunaarashi is being disappointing. Endō too, but he had tough opponents. Let’s hope he can turn it around.

Osunaarashi looks like he is carrying an injury and I worry that he is going to be another guy who never makes the most of his potential because his body can't stand up to the rigours of sumo. But also, I think the others are working him out. Same with Endo. They have got his number now and he has lost the element of surprise. Endo has also looked completely without confidence in this basho and he needs to get his head right again before he'll be able to start winning consistently again.

Yeah, Osunaarashi is very obviously carrying a serious injury...he is limping daily down the hanamichi. I expect he's just hoping to pick up a few pull-down wins so that he doesn't fall too far down the banzuke. He certainly can't fight straight up at the moment.

Which brings me to Masunoyama. One of the things that absolutely infuriates me about sumo is the seeming lack of care the bosses have for their charges. How is he even allowed on the dohyo in that condition? He's one of their biggest draws but they're forcing him to choose between his salary and risking his career. Kosho was abused, of course, but it has to be brought back with modifications: say, two or three doctors have to agree that a rikishi is not faking an injury. Also, perhaps something like a 7-8 record equivalent for the first basho missed, then a 6-9 for the second, then a 5-10 for the third etc. No need for them to keep the exact rank. Obviously that wouldn't work very well for someone who picks up an injury at J14W but I suppose the original kosho could be used if it's a genuine injury for people close to the bottom of the sekitori ranks.

Yeah, it's too complex...but I'd rather have that than see Masunoyama risk his entire career daily for no good reason.

Edited September 22, 2014 by Pandaazuma