Basho Talk Hatsu 2018 (SPOILERS)

[Rocks]

Well, might as well get this started.

Myogiryu lost. He is still not looking good. 

[Senkoho]

Worth mentioning: a rare kozumatori by Terutsuyoshi! 

[WAKATAKE]

Enho off to a 1-0 start. His win today was revenge against Jokoryu who stopped Enho's 21 match win streak from debut.

https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/201801140000392.html

[Benihana]

This could be the beginning of a wonderful rivalry.

[Rocks]

Terunofuji struggled and lost against Chiyomaru. Only 2 kensho on the match. How the mighty have fallen. Wow. 

[Kawabata]

Full speed ahead on the Kakuryu hype train! 

[rhyen]

2 hours ago, Senkoho said:

Worth mentioning: a rare kozumatori by Terutsuyoshi! 

how did he execute that against Asabenkai?

[Furuya]

That was a terrible call from the gyoji. Clearly Takakeisho's win.

[Akinomaki]

The race to become Shonosuke is on - one down already with sashi-chigae

[Rocks]

Kakuryu did well. Kisenosato did too but he has a real problem with Takakeisho. I thought they might make them redo it it but Takakeisho deserved that win. 

[Rocks]

Nice little dance by Hakuho at the edge there.

[Kawabata]

1 hour ago, Rocks said:

Terunofuji struggled and lost against Chiyomaru. Only 2 kensho on the match. How the mighty have fallen. Wow. 

How much longer does Terunofuji have in him? He looks like a shadow of his former self, the same as last basho really

[Dwale]

I agree with Kinta, this is going to be a hot basho. Veterans had better bring their A game.

EDIT: I'm just not going to talk about Kisenosato. Don't wanna jinx him. 

Edited January 14, 2018 by Dwale

[Joaoiyama]

That Takakeisho win was beautiful, he even put his foot on Kisenosato's knee and spun him around, perfectly executed.

The guy got some cards down in his mawashi

[Dwale]

In response to the mentions from the other gentlemen, yes, Takakeisho is serious business. He's still a "tadpole," but his legs are out and the tail is retracting. He has excellent mobility while also packing surprise power in that frame. He seems to have good instincts as well.

[Tochinofuji]

Personally, I think it will be interesting to see how Kisenosato holds up mentally this basho (assuming physically he's able to make it all the way through). My recollection is once upon a time he was known for choking, and the pressure is now on in a big way, probably more so than it has been in some time. 

While I was never his biggest fan during his rise, I think he's grown into the role of yokozuna well, and hope to see him continue for a while longer yet. This basho should make for a wild ride though! 

[Dapeng]

1 hour ago, Dwale said:

In response to the mentions from the other gentlemen, yes, Takakeisho is serious business. He's still a "tadpole," but his legs are out and the tail is retracting. He has excellent mobility while also packing surprise power in that frame. He seems to have good instincts as well.

"his legs are out and the tail is retracting"  

[Joaoiyama]

8 hours ago, Kawabata said:

How much longer does Terunofuji have in him? He looks like a shadow of his former self, the same as last basho really

He's still young, i believe the problem is his diet and training regiment, 3 years ago he had way more muscle and less fat than now, he also seemed extremely motivated each bout. Mentality is everything in his case, his knees are naturally weak from what i've read and his legs are built inward so he needs to works on his leg muscles to sustain his weight in which getting heavier will only make it worse, motivation is key and sadly that's not what we are seeing, i miss that mean mug

[Joaoiyama]

Is it just me or does Hakuho look a little bit chubbier than we usually see him? Maybe time is sarting to catch up to him, he's starting to remind me of an old Taiho.

[ALAKTORN]

Kakuryū looking the best out of the yokozuna. Kisenosato did better than I expected against Takakeishō.

Does Hakuhō really not have a tachiai without the slap or kachiage…? Edit: (I know some time back he used a “extend both arms to aite’s shoulders” kinda thing but it didn’t look much like a tachiai back then… IIRC it was criticized as weak.)

Edited January 14, 2018 by ALAKTORN

[Ashigara]

I thought all the Yokozuna looked OK - Kiso maybe a bit too keen?

[Burajirotono]

Kisenosato looked soooo light...I dont think he can make it this time. However his heya brother is on good shape indeed. Mitakeumi starts strong, but against Giku...I mean...Kind of an easy bout.Terunofuji is going kiujo for sure. Goieido will be on the race. I guess Kakuryu can make his 10 wins salvation, but is not going to be easy. I dont know about Hakuho...He is a great strategist and everybody knows Onosho´s style. Hak just let him pass by. He do seems a little chubby.

Yaaaaay! Ozumo´s time! 

[maorencze]

What I've seen from Kakuryu convinced me - if he maintains his today's form throughout, he is a contender till the end (not sayin he won't lose a couple, but 13-2 is well within grasp). And that while I mus also give Hokutofuji thumbs up for he seemed in shape and definitely fought well till the end.

Kisenosato was good, strong, seemed pretty much the same as his average Ozeki basho. Problem is, he is yokozuna now, so this is not enough. Also, I hate to say it because I hate his face, hate his demeanor and hate his expressions, but I suppose that my personal "most hated yokozuna 2019" will be Takakeisho - this guy is for real, seems like a threat to anyone (even shaky Hakuho) this time and has arrog...uhm, I meant balls  enough to get there.

And is it just me or did Ishiura gain like 8-10kgs since leaving Makuuchi?

[Jaynestown]

Kakuryū definitely looked sharp and most importantly, healthy.  The issue with him was if he was healthy or not because he skill really wasn't in question...after all he is a Yokozuna.  I fully expect 12+ wins if he stays healthy for the whole basho.  

Excited again to see Tochinosin looking mostly pain free as well.  Another wrestler that when healthy can be a force and put on a good show.

Also good to see Ryuden get his first upper division win, glad Ishiura looked strong (course he tends to start off strong and then run out of steam towards the end from what i've noticed so we'll see), and have hopes Abi will be able to get at least 8 wins and stick in the division as well.  

[808morgan]

12 hours ago, Kawabata said:

How much longer does Terunofuji have in him? He looks like a shadow of his former self, the same as last basho really

He should go get well and start over, anything he does to himself now will just make things worse.