Basho Talk - Haru Basho 2016 +++ Spoiler Alert! +++

[hamcornheinz]

C'mon guys. Kisenosato looks solid. Definitely gunning for the jun-yusho.

[Jyuunomori]

And Hakuho behaving like a scum again. What the hell was that? That was the grimiest and most blatant hairpull/grab I have ever seen. Goeidous's most recent DQ which he got via hairpull was not hairpull at all. And this one doesn't even get looked at? These are the moments man, these are those moments...

Do Ikioi and Shodai have history of any sort? I don't see winner patting oppositions shoulder too often after they have lost. It felt like: ''Maybe next time bro'' kind of moment.

[Pandaazuma]

C'mon guys. Kisenosato looks solid. Definitely gunning for the jun-yusho.

Disagree! Nishinoshima has no chance of yusho or jun yusho!

[Kintamayama]

Do Ikioi and Shodai have history of any sort? I don't see winner patting oppositions shoulder too often after they have lost. It felt like: ''Maybe next time bro'' kind of moment.

No, Ikioi always looks out for his opponent after the bout. Always.

[Kintamayama]

As long as the spotlight isn't on Kisenosato, he's fine. I'm sure he will be in serious contention. But at some point, he will be the sole leader, and then Germany wins.

[Dwale]

Wouldn't go so far as to say it's my favorite win of the day, but the biggest surprise for me was Ichinojo. After seeing him in such a lackadaisical mode this tournament, I wasn't expecting him to make short work of anyone.

Hakuho and Kakuryu both looked a little...? Hakuho's not firing on all cylinders, we knew already, but what the heck was that from Kakuryu? Also, yeah, that looked like a Hakuho hair-pull to me. Whether it was intentional or not, they should've called it.

[Senkoho]

Also, yeah, that looked like a Hakuho hair-pull to me. Whether it was intentional or not, they should've called it.

Naah, he would have to grab the mage for it to be called, which he definitely did not. He might have grabbed some hair near the neck, but I don't think this had any effect on the outcome.

[Morty]

Aminishiki is the only guy who can pull a henka and make it look totally dignified

[Morty]

Now, now, how can you be so pessimistic? If Giku can do it surely Kise can too? I reckon by end of the year we'll have the Mongolians up in arms about how they can't get the yushos that are supposedly theirs :-)

I would say that I'm actually a Kise fan and I'm just putting a reverse-jinx on him, but if I said that I'd be reverse-reverse-jinxing him and then I'd have to... Therefore I'm not going to say anything. ;-)

I expected a high level of motivation from Kise this basho, due to the Geek winning it last time. We all know Kise has the talent to win a yusho but I have long said he is a year with a sports psych short of being able to get his head in the right place to follow through on that talent. Let's see...

[Dwale]

Also, yeah, that looked like a Hakuho hair-pull to me. Whether it was intentional or not, they should've called it.

Naah, he would have to grab the mage for it to be called, which he definitely did not. He might have grabbed some hair near the neck, but I don't think this had any effect on the outcome.

Well, no, I don't think he won on account of the hair pull.

Are you saying it's ok to pull hair as long as you don't grab the chonmage?

[torquato]

Kisenosato is really a big spoilsport. All Yokozuna and Ozeki are at 4-1 now, all other Sanyaku at 1-4. The only exception that doesn't fit is Kisenosato with 5-0.

[mikawa]

Not gonna spoil but something happened in Makushita today which makes me incredibly happy. He is coming boys.

If you're talking about that 3-0 rikishi near the top of Makushita, then I'm also very happy that he's so so near Juryo now :)

[Kishinoyama]

Now, now, how can you be so pessimistic? If Giku can do it surely Kise can too? I reckon by end of the year we'll have the Mongolians up in arms about how they can't get the yushos that are supposedly theirs :-)

I would say that I'm actually a Kise fan and I'm just putting a reverse-jinx on him, but if I said that I'd be reverse-reverse-jinxing him and then I'd have to... Therefore I'm not going to say anything. ;-)

I expected a high level of motivation from Kise this basho, due to the Geek winning it last time. We all know Kise has the talent to win a yusho but I have long said he is a year with a sports psych short of being able to get his head in the right place to follow through on that talent. Let's see...

Since the other Japanese ozeki lost today, time for a second conspiracy theory: The NSK will make sure Kisenosato 'is finally rewarded' with a yusho. Hopefully the other rikishi will 'cooperate'.

[mikawa]

Kyokutaisei at 0-5 now. It'll be a miracle if he doesn't get demoted from here.

Kagayaki being 3-2 suggests that he's got his confidence back now, probably still not ready for Makuuchi yet.

Endo 3-2, recovered a bit, wonder how his injury is at the moment?

[taresu]

Aminishiki made me laugh hard with that henka today. I mean, it was so obvious but as always he is the only one who can fool you into one. My laughs wasn't good enough to make me forget how bad Yoshikaze and Kyokutaisei are going this basho. This first week is just not good for them. Meanwhile,

Ichinojo (more love for him from me) and YESS Ikioi are looking good so far. Let's he how things will turn up on day 8.

Hakuho seemed troubled there with Aoiyama, my feelings was that After loosing seventeen times, Aoiyama was just not in the mood to do it again. Was really weird to see Hak struggling with him and even more weird watching him making a hair pull. The pressure of new rikishi winning the cup instead of him is beggining to get him.

Edited March 17, 2016 by taresu

[Dwale]

Here's Osunaarashi. Spoilers! He ends up looking very pleased with himself, as is his wont. XP

[CT3*]

It's a little weird to me that if Hakuho doesn't easily dispatch his opponent in a matter of seconds, it gets labeled as "struggling". But rarely is credit given to his opponent.

Folks also seem to react violently if he commits a late shove. Harumafuji occasionally does it and so does Kotoshogiku. But with Hakuho, it's like he killed somebody. And yes I get the hinkaku angle, but these guys aren't robots. These are highly competitive men engaged in a combat sport.

[rhyen]

Not gonna spoil but something happened in Makushita today which makes me incredibly happy. He is coming boys.

If you're talking about that 3-0 rikishi near the top of Makushita, then I'm also very happy that he's so so near Juryo now :)

Assuming Amakaze doesn't pancake him tomorrow.

[dingo]

It's a little weird to me that if Hakuho doesn't easily dispatch his opponent in a matter of seconds, it gets labeled as "struggling". But rarely is credit given to his opponent.

Folks also seem to react violently if he commits a late shove. Harumafuji occasionally does it and so does Kotoshogiku. But with Hakuho, it's like he killed somebody. And yes I get the hinkaku angle, but these guys aren't robots. These are highly competitive men engaged in a combat sport.

The last one want just a late shove, if was a deliberate push after Okinoumi was clearly out. Whatever the reason -- frustration, foul mood, anger, it's inexcusable.

[luispereira]

kise, ikioi, ichinojo at 5-0... 3 of my favourite... I like sumo! very much!

Edited March 17, 2016 by luispereira7cv

[torquato]

Ura's record is ridiculously impressibe in my opinion considering how high he has climbed so quickly. 35 wins and only 3 defeats. In his whole official career. Excluding playoffs. Also this is his 7th Basho.

Wow. The name has been mentioned here in the forum often enough, but I just wasn't aware that Ura is such a strong rocket starter. In all, but one of his past 5 regular bashos so far he was involved in the yusho decision, i.e in 4 out of 5 he won the yusho (1) or was in the playoff (3). Wow.

Interesting question, where he will hit the wall must fight for 'normal' results..?

[rzombie1988]

Some thoughts today:

- What has gotten into Hakuho? I'm waiting for him to just nut shot someone at this stage. I guess he's thinking he's deteriorating to pull some of the stuff he is pulling.

- Aoiyama really showed his limits today. He had Hakuho hugged to him. Does he try to grab a belt or at least an arm? Nope. Once his oshidashi plan fails he's lost in space. I believe he could have won had he either grabbed the belt or tried to lift Hakuho. It's amazing to me how you could be doing sumo for so long and not even have the basics down.

- Today's loss was probably the end of Koto's Yokozuna run. I'm thinking the winner of this tournament goes 13-2 and he's going to lose at least one when it's Ozek/Yokozuna time.

- Ichinojo actually moved today, but he better enjoy the streak while it lasts.

- Good to see Shohozan get on the board.

- Kisenosato has the best shot at winning a tournament since he's had in a while. Losing early is something he does always but without losing early and with a lot of people not looking great, he's got a shot.

- IKIOI lookin' good.

I think we are going to have a contested tournament in the last few days. With the Yokozuna's not on the ball and some people overacheiving, I could see some tie scores going into the last day.

Edited March 17, 2016 by rzombie1988

[taresu]

It's a little weird to me that if Hakuho doesn't easily dispatch his opponent in a matter of seconds, it gets labeled as "struggling". But rarely is credit given to his opponent.

I guess i was misread there. What i was trying to say was exactly because Aoiyama seemed "prepared" for Hakuho this time that his was struggling.

And yes, is because with Aoiyama at least he used to dispatch him in a matter of seconds.

[rzombie1988]

It's a little weird to me that if Hakuho doesn't easily dispatch his opponent in a matter of seconds, it gets labeled as "struggling". But rarely is credit given to his opponent.

I guess i was misread there. What i was trying to say was exactly because Aoiyama seemed "prepared" for Hakuho this time that his was struggling.

And yes, is because with Aoiyama at least he used to dispatch him in a matter of seconds.

Aoiyama really wasn't that good today. A decent start but he was completely out of ideas after Hakuho got close to him. He should have been able to win it but he didn't even try for the belt.

[LuckyBax]

Aoiyama really wasn't that good today. A decent start but he was completely out of ideas after Hakuho got close to him. He should have been able to win it but he didn't even try for the belt.

Obvious mukiryoku from Aoiyama, there is a mongolian conspiracy at work. ;))