Basho Talk - Kyushu Basho 2016 ** (SPOILERS)

[Dwale]

Congratulations to Endo on his kinboshi. Wrestling very well as a joi-jin, to the immense pleasure of the fans. Good for him, and thanks for making things interesting.

Takayasu fought hard against Aoiyama, but it wasn't enough. Aoiyama's massive reach is key to his sumo; today it worked.

Mitakeumi came to throw down, but was no match for Kisenosato. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Kisenosato has top-notch footwork and excellent ring sense. Few rikishi can cut off opponents' movement as well as he can. I feel a little bad for Mitakeumi, but this was always how this basho was going to play out for him. Better luck next time, tiger.

Knew Sokokurai's undefeated streak was over as soon as I saw Chiyootori. Sometimes you just get that feeling, you know?

Ishiura still looking strong. Could be a fluke, but I don't care, I'm having a great time watching him. 

Wow, Sadanoumi *really* wanted Tochinoshin out of that ring. See the way he threw his weight at him? He's lucky that didn't backfire.

Fun match with Ikioi and Shohozan. Not really a fan of Ikioi per se, but he's certainly likable enough to be pleased when he does well. He has toukon, decent agility and well-honed skills. What's not to like?

Kotoyuki just does not have his **** together this basho, whatever the reason.

Goeido eating a loss. That doesn't change anything as far as his course of action is concerned: he needs to keep his focus and win his matches one at a time. Tamawashi wrestling hot and on track to sekiwake.

Terunofuji able to successfully defend against the moro-zashi attempt. Looks like everyone is trying that against him now. If he's smart, he'll find a way to use this to his advantage.

Shodai able to fend off the throat grab at the edge, but not quick enough to stop Harumafuji from capitalizing. Still, a valiant effort against an exceptionally skillful opponent.

EDIT: Osunaarashi proving that he belongs in makuuchi, whither he shall soon return. Ura also recovering from early defeats

Edited again for grammar.

Edited November 18, 2016 by Dwale

[Benihana]

The egyptian bulldozer is plowing on, see you in makuuchi next year.

I love Ura, magnificent bout. I don't care if he can get to makuuchi, i will always root for him. I've never seen such a wardrobe malfunction break before, funny.

Taihen arigatogozaimashita Tamawashi to Endo.

Some veeery spirited bouts today.

Kakuryu sole leader with 6-0. Is this the real life?

 

 

[d_golem]

I was hooting and cheering so much at the dinner table tonight while watching Kinta's today's highlights vid, in the process causing my wife to nearly choke on her chicken stew.

She still doesn't understand why I can still eat while watching nearly-naked fat guys trying to push each other to the ground...

[Rocks]

Wow, great win for Endo. I thought Shodai had Harumafuji too when that initial throat push didn't get Shodai out but Shodai was so stunned he was still in it he couldn't take advantage. Great sumo all around though. I think Ikioi is on his way to a special prize.

[Harry]

I wanted Harumafuji to win though I felt bad as Shodai's mom was in the audience and he couldn't get her a kinboshi. Better luck next time!

[Senkoho]

2 hours ago, Dwale said:

EDIT: Osunaarashi proving that he belongs in makuuchi, whence he shall soon return. Ura also recovering from early defeats

whither? 

[Dwale]

Just now, Senkoho said:

whither? 

My bad.

[ALAKTORN]

Ishiura looking good. How many rikishi had that good of a start as shin-nyūmaku?

Sōkokurai and Ikioi doing well so far this basho.

Wonder why Aoiyama went for yotsu the first time around. I don’t like when he does that.

Tamawashi?!?

Did Terunofuji buy a new leg?

I love Harumafuji’s nodowa.

Endō?!?!? Looking at it in slowmotion I think Hakuhō tried to tsukiotoshi Endō’s right arm with his left (I think that’s a tsukiotoshi?) but he missed the arm and that left him in a vulnerable position. Endō did well in using the opportunity. Would need a different camera angle to be sure though, not sure if I can explain the bout otherwise.

Edit: Reading Dwale’s post reminded me, isn’t what Sadanoumi did technically a foul? Jumping on top of your opponent during a yori charge. I’m pretty sure that’s hansoku… though who knows, it looked kinda weird but it might as well just have been a tsuri from Tochinoshin.

[ryafuji]

17 minutes ago, ALAKTORN said:

Ishiura looking good. How many rikishi had that good of a start as shin-nyūmaku?

I can think of Takanonami, who went 7-0 in November 1991. He ended up on 8-7 though, so Ishiura shouldn't start counting any raccoon skins just yet.

[Ryoshishokunin]

1 hour ago, ALAKTORN said:

Ishiura looking good. How many rikishi had that good of a start as shin-nyūmaku?

 

25 Rikishi have had 11 wins on debut (http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Query.aspx?show_form=0&form1_j=on&form2_wins=11+&form2_m=on&form2_debutd=on), some of whom had pretty hot starts.  Goeido was doing well enough that he got all the way up to a Yokozuna matchup on debut on day 14 (Hakuho) (http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Rikishi_basho.aspx?r=6468&b=200709)... 

[dingo]

I thought at first that Harumafuji did a matta, but on closer inspection Shodai was simply very passive at tachiai and caught by surprise. Maybe he was expecting one of the famous non-henkas? Shodai did well to survive the first nodowa attack though. 

And Endo, wow. Aggressive right out of tachiai and followed through very well. Was Hakuho used to seeing the injured Endo and let his guard down? 

[Rocks]

Hmmm...

I think Day 7 (duh) will see Endo get another kinboshi against Kakuyru  giving him 2 kinboshi, a special prize and promotion to sanyaku for this basho along with a boatload of Endough. Heck of a way to end the year.

Aoiyama's slapping will be useless against Terunofuji, heck it probably takes 2 or 3 good tsuppari just to get Terrorfuji out of bed in the morning.

Goeido, I'm rooting for ya buddy but you've looked iffy the last 2 days...gambarize!

Kisenosato beats Shodai and is tied for the lead. People turn to each other and go "Oh, that's right, Kisenosato is still here."

Ishiura has been a breath of fresh air and a lot of fun to watch. Thanks buddy, but Day 7 he loses his 1st of 4 in a row.

Edited November 18, 2016 by Rocks

[Dwale]

4 minutes ago, Rocks said:

 

Aoiyama's slapping will be useless against Terunofuji, heck it probably takes 2 or 3 good tsuppari just to get Terrorfuji out of bed in the morning.

 

lol!

[RabidJohn]

2 hours ago, ALAKTORN said:

Ishiura looking good. How many rikishi had that good of a start as shin-nyūmaku?

First one that jumped into my head was Ichinojo's astonishing 6-0 start and 13-2J finish on his makuuchi debut at Aki 2014 (and no mage IIRCC). Seems like a fantasy now...

Today was one of those great days of surprising sumo that remind you the 'script' you thought you had a handle on doesn't actually exist. Some of the posts in the 'Wild Guesses' thread are looking pretty accurate!

 

[Dapeng]

5 hours ago, Dwale said:

 

Congratulations to Endo on his kinboshi. Wrestling very well as a joi-jin, to the immense pleasure of the fans. Good for him, and thanks for making things interesting.

Well said, but some edition:

"Congratulations to Endo on his kinboshi. Wrestling very well as a joi-jin, to the immense pleasure of the fans. Good for him, and thanks (to Hakuho) for making things interesting."

[robnplunder]

5 hours ago, d_golem said:

She still doesn't understand why I can still eat while watching nearly-naked fat guys trying to push each other to the ground...

My wife watches with me.  At first, she didn't like the big baby shaped men wearing diaper pushing each other around. 

What surprises wait for us on day 7?   The possibilities are:

• Endo gets another kinboshi, this time, against Kak
• Shodai crushes Kise's chance at the first yusho
• Both Ishiura & Satoyama goes 6-1, the latter in Juryo
• Ura wins in conventional way instead of running around like a cat with its tail on fire

Edited November 18, 2016 by robnplunder

[Dwale]

My girlfriend has taken quite a liking to sumo. This pleases me to no end. v^.^

[Senkoho]

14 minutes ago, Dwale said:

My girlfriend has taken quite a liking to sumo. This pleases me to no end. v^.^

So has mine! This is the first basho she is seriously watching with me. Her favorites so far are Kakuryu (whom she affectionately calls Mr. Dumpling) and Ishiura.

She even joined two games!

[ALAKTORN]

1 hour ago, robnplunder said:

My wife watches with me.  At first, she didn't like the big baby shaped men wearing diaper pushing each other around.

I never understood where the “diaper” came from. They look more like thongs!

[robnplunder]

38 minutes ago, ALAKTORN said:

I never understood where the “diaper” came from. They look more like thongs!

How about "diaphong?"

It's possible that we may see both Ichinojo and Gagmaru in juryo at the next basho.  

Edited November 18, 2016 by robnplunder

[hamcornheinz]

Was Endo's win really a yorikiri? He didn't have a belt grip during his last thrust. Not that it matters.. 

[Gurowake]

31 minutes ago, hamcornheinz said:

Was Endo's win really a yorikiri? He didn't have a belt grip during his last thrust. Not that it matters.. 

Even if the English kimarite description officially says that you have to be holding the mawashi, it's also used if you just use your whole body (as opposed to your hands and arms) to force them out without holding the mawashi.  There isn't any other technique that covers it.

[Atenzan]

Endou shukun-sho bid getting stronger and stronger. 

And Asojima, shout out to you. You've been saying that it's Kakuryuu's basho since day 3.

[Highway]

Wow at Endo....a couple of bashos ago I could have bet my house that he would never beat Hakuho. Seemed a million miles off it.

[Jakusotsu]

3 hours ago, Senkoho said:

This is the first basho she is seriously watching with me. Her favorites so far are Kakuryu (whom she affectionately calls Mr. Dumpling) and Ishiura.

Waah! Mr. Dumpling! Excellent!

Now, how to prevent thinking "Mr. Dumpling" everytime I watch Kakuryu?