Natsu 2015 Basho Talk (spoiler alert!)

[kuroimori]

Endo didn't have any knee brace - and also no chance against Ikioi, looked very evasive trying to avoid any further contact to the banged up knee when he fell.

[Propmanoz]

In case anyone missed it, Kakuryu is sitting out this tournament due to a continuance of the same shoulder rotator cuff injury that caused him to miss Haru basho:

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2015/05/07/sumo/basho-reports/injured-yokozuna-kakuryu-miss-entire-summer-basho/#.VU8TzvmqpBc‹‹

[kuroimori]

Terunofuji was still in pre-basho mode when he ran out of real estate waltzing around the dohyo against Sadanoumi.

Nice wake-up call.

[Propmanoz]

Terunofuji was still in pre-basho mode when he ran out of real estate waltzing around the dohyo against Sadanoumi.

Nice wake-up call.

He's not quite Ozeki material yet with an opening like that.

[Jakusotsu]

He's not quite Ozeki material yet with an opening like that.

More like Yokozuna material. B-)

[inhashi]

Speaking of yokozuna material, Ichinojo ate his Wheaties® today with Trix up his sleeve

[kuroimori]

.... and Hakuho followed Terunofuji and lost his first boutime as well.

This should add some spice and heat to the yusho arasoi right away.

Not sure if this was an extremely rare dai-brainfart by the dai-Yok or if he just got taken by surprise, helped by Ichi's matta.

[Propmanoz]

Last time Hakuho lost on the opening day was the only time since 2007 he hasn't secured at least the jun-yusho.

[Tsubame]

Terunofuji was still in pre-basho mode when he ran out of real estate waltzing around the dohyo against Sadanoumi.

Nice wake-up call.

Sometimes a first-day-loss can sharpen your mind and you pay more attention to the next 14 days, as you would have done with a win.

[Mongolith]

Gonna be one hell of a yusho race now. Maybe Hara can break his drought but he does have a bum shoulder. Maybe Kise can exorcise his demons or Ichi starts off his ozeki run with a boom. Still think Hak recovers and takes it but today has made the race very interesting.

[Morty]

When was the last time Hak lost on the first day?

[Randomitsuki]

When was the last time Hak lost on the first day?

Three years ago, at Natsu 2012. Against Aminishiki.

http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Rikishi.aspx?r=1123

[Setonaikai]

So, that's it, this basho is Goeido's... ;-)

[gijo]

Goeido is in great shape, Kise has shown the right mental attitude, Ichinojo is fighting fearlessly, it's definitely an exciting basho. I just won't see Endo getting injured again, his knee is so weak.

[Tenshinhan]

This win by Ichinojo was a pleasure. I felt so sorry for Ichi when Hakuho treated him during the practice session...

[Kishinoyama]

I felt so sorry for Ichi when Hakuho treated him during the practice session...

That is how the junior (kohai) repays the senior (senpai) by beating him. :-)

[Adil]

So, Harumafuji is at it again, huh? Just got back from work and am too tired to check, but how many henka/not a henka does that make for Harumafuji against Tochiozan? IIRC, it's the third time in the last few basho.

[Kotoshoumi]

Yelled out loudly at the Hakuho-Ichinojo match. Yelled out (a little less) loudly at Terunofuji-Sadanoumi. Very interesting start of the basho, especially cause i'm routing for sada and ichi.

[Monnodo]

The real shock today is Gagamarus amazing Ozeki run fromn last tournament came to an end.

On a serious note, I had faith in Sadanoumi beating Teruinofuji, Sadanoumi has great speed and technique and if a big man takes him lightly, he might land out of the doyho.. But I would have never guessed that Ichinojo could beat Hakuho. Seems that he went in with a good game plan. So that was for the treatment he got during practice. He should really try and become Ozeki fast, because after this Hakuho probably feels even less love for his junior. Some bad butsugari keiko might be incoming.

[Sumozumo]

Gagamaru wasn't on an ozeki run, because you have to be probably at least Kosumibi to start.

[Monnodo]

Gagamaru wasn't on an ozeki run, because you have to be probably at least Kosumibi to start.

Dont worry, I was just joking. Read the thread of the last basho und you will understand. ;-) Edit I think in last bashos thread it was even said he was gonna be the next Yokozuna as a joke, so maybe I just made a nonsensical jokje.

Edited May 10, 2015 by Monnodo

[Shikona]

Looks like tough love from Hakuho in keiko paid off for Ichinojo getting going again. Terunofuji is a little early going for the circus move, though I think Sadanoumi was somewhat fortunate that his fleeting leg wrap happened to catch Teru with a heel right behind the knee and buckled his leg, throwing him off balance.

[Masumasumasu]

Hakuho looked awfully sweaty at the end of this spit-second bout.

[Tenshinhan]

The real shock today is Gagamarus amazing Ozeki run fromn last tournament came to an end.

It's not over yet. If he manages to get another 11-4 he would have 33 wins in the last three tournaments. :-P

[Highway]

woow. Amazing. A legendary champion who has carved his name amongst the very top of a very long and proud tradition...and it takes mere seconds of a lapse of concentration and the champion falls. Kind of a lesson in life. What a start to the basho.