Nagoya Basho 2018 Discussion [SPOILERS]

[Bumpkin]

The joi now extends down to M5e Daishomaru (2-5) and M5w Yoshikaze (0-7). Will the Kyokai skip them and schedule M6e Endo (6-1) and M6w Chiyotairyu (6-1) to face the sanyaku?

[WAKATAKE]

Mitakeumi looking calm and in control, but at this point you never know. Can you imagine how loud it would get if Endo were to win. Looking at how things are going I think the likelihood of seeing a Japanese born rikishi winning the yusho this time around seems pretty good.

[Amamaniac]

I have a healthy amount of respect for Takakeisho.  He didn't exactly start this tournament well, but he has just defeated two Ozekis in a row!  In his bout against Goeido, Takakeisho kept his distance from the Ozeki by thrusting towards center mass.  He also kept his center of gravity quite low making Goeido's thrusts ineffective.  Then, with a quick reversal, he sent the top-ranked Ozeki down onto the dohyo.  Goeido had won their last three meetings with oshidashi, but clearly Takakeisho came with a counter-strategy.  Goeido, on the other hand, seemed to have no clue how to deal with the shorter opponent.  Takakeisho may not give the best interview, but he more than makes up for it with his tenacity.  #fighting spirit

[Asashosakari]

7 hours ago, lackmaker said:

Why do the ozekis face the Sw after the Se?

With Mitakeumi 4 wins ahead of Ichinojo, I'm making the (potentially misguided) assumption that they'll want to save up the ozeki vs Mitakeumi matches for later, which also has the effect that the ozeki vs Ichinojo matches are more likely to take place before Ichi goes makekoshi (which is something they generally try to do with Y/O vs S/K matchups).

In any case, even if the two sekiwake have moved up into top 4 status with all the withdrawals, my impression is that the "should be faced in ascending order" guideline is applied less stringently to sekiwake opponents than to yokozuna and ozeki opponents.

[Eikokurai]

1 hour ago, WAKATAKE said:

Mitakeumi looking calm and in control, but at this point you never know. Can you imagine how loud it would get if Endo were to win. Looking at how things are going I think the likelihood of seeing a Japanese born rikishi winning the yusho this time around seems pretty good.

I’d say it’s a near certainty given Tochinoshin is out and none of the remaining Mongolians is really in contention. Kaisei is sort of keeping himself in the mix but his sumo hasn’t been particularly great. 

[Asashosakari]

1 minute ago, Eikokurai said:

I’d say it’s a near certainty given Tochinoshin is out and none of the remaining Mongolians is really in contention. Kaisei is sort of keeping himself in the mix but his sumo hasn’t been particularly great. 

Kaisei is still gonna get what remains of the sanyaku in week two, so I'm not even sure that he's odds-on for a kachikoshi. The best-placed foreign rikishi is almost certainly Tamawashi right now, what with him almost done with the sanyaku (only Takayasu remains), although he'd need to go undefeated just to get to 12-3 of course.

[Eikokurai]

1 minute ago, Asashosakari said:

Kaisei is still gonna get what remains of the sanyaku in week two, so I'm not even sure that he's odds-on for a kachikoshi. The best-placed foreign rikishi is almost certainly Tamawashi right now, what with him almost done with the sanyaku (only Takayasu remains), although he'd need to go undefeated just to get to 12-3 of course.

Agreed. I only mentioned Kaisei because I thought someone would call me out if I didn’t since he currently has the same numbers as Takayasu. I don’t see him as a genuine challenger.

[wys]

1 hour ago, Amamaniac said:

I have a healthy amount of respect for Takakeisho.  He didn't exactly start this tournament well, but he has just defeated two Ozekis in a row!  In his bout against Goeido, Takakeisho kept his distance from the Ozeki by thrusting towards center mass.  He also kept his center of gravity quite low making Goeido's thrusts ineffective.  Then, with a quick reversal, he sent the top-ranked Ozeki down onto the dohyo.  Goeido had won their last three meetings with oshidashi, but clearly Takakeisho came with a counter-strategy.  Goeido, on the other hand, seemed to have no clue how to deal with the shorter opponent.  Takakeisho may not give the best interview, but he more than makes up for it with his tenacity.  #fighting spirit

I feel like Takakeisho is starting to regain his form. His second week should be easier than his first week given that he faced most of the top-ranked guys already. Might wee see a dark horse  contender in the form of a tadpole?

[Dwale]

I don't even want to venture a guess at this point. This basho is completely nuts. 

[Bumpkin]

9 hours ago, Bumpkin said:

The joi now extends down to M5e Daishomaru (2-5) and M5w Yoshikaze (0-7). Will the Kyokai skip them and schedule M6e Endo (6-1) and M6w Chiyotairyu (6-1) to face the sanyaku?

M5e Daishomaru is going up to face S1w Mitakeumi on Day 9.

[Asashosakari]

Extremely wacky match between Takakento and Mugendai in makushita just now.

[Amamaniac]

There are three Top Division sekitori with 6-1 records: Endo, Chiyotairyu, and Asanoyama.  Despite Mitakeumi being the frontrunner (7-0) and the presumed favorite to win the championship, does anyone  like Chiyotairyu's chances?  Mainoumi suggested yesterday that Endo has a chance to win his first championship, and granted, he has the most Top Division experience of the three 6-1 sekitori.  But for some reason, Chiyotairyu's sumo seems more on point to me.  

I keep telling myself not to make early predictions (especially before Day 11), but I can't help but ponder the possibilities...

[Chojin]

Great to see Hokutofuji getting some of his very talented sumo back. The Natsu Basho on day 10 where he was obviously not in a good way with the head knock and then going kyujo. After that basho I was really worried he may have been dropped down to juryo but luckily has wasn't.  I really hope and I feel he will be safe with a KK and maybe more this basho. This basho really is up for grabs but I feel it is Mitakeumi to lose. Would be great for a Japanese rikishi to win this. 

Really feel for Tochinoshin but this is sumo. He has had a lot of barriers to overcome and his Ozeki status will he safe next basho with an enviable KK.

what is happening with Ichinojo? Is it his back or something else? As a fan I'm really concerned for him. He was complaining about the heat yesterday but this basho he has been struggling. Just hope he can hang on and grab a KK. 

Well about about to start watching today's bouts. I am PUMPED. 

 

 

 

 

[Jabbamaru]

This is not a honbasho, its a nonbasho. im officialy hating Nagoya.

Takayasu, my love, its now or never.

 

[Chojin]

17 minutes ago, Amamaniac said:

There are three Top Division sekitori with 6-1 records: Endo, Chiyotairyu, and Asanoyama.  Despite Mitakeumi being the frontrunner (7-0) and the presumed favorite to win the championship, does anyone  like Chiyotairyu's chances?  Mainoumi suggested yesterday that Endo has a chance to win his first championship, and granted, he has the most Top Division experience of the three 6-1 sekitori.  But for some reason, Chiyotairyu's sumo seems more on point to me.  

I keep telling myself not to make early predictions (especially before Day 11), but I can't help but ponder the possibilities...

I also feel chiyotairyu has a chance. I was lucky to get a signed 色紙 (autograph) of him at Kyushu basho last year so I am also hopeful. 

You are right but, let's wait out to Day 11 before we make such bold statements. 

I do love watching endo move. His balance and centre of gravity is exceptional. I just wish he would relax a llittle bit and be a little more open and giving to the press. 

[WAKATAKE]

Who else thinks that the proper dubbing for this basho should be "Nutty Nagoya"?

[WAKATAKE]

In case anybody is interested an Aminishiki win ties him with Taiho on the all time wins list.

[Chojin]

37 minutes ago, WAKATAKE said:

In case anybody is interested an Aminishiki win ties him with Taiho on the all time wins list.

Yes he has had a fantastic career but I am getting pretty tired of the same old grab the back of the neck and pull down style that he continues to do. Come on rikishi, stop aminishiki from doing this. I know he wants to continue sumo so his kids can get an understanding and appreciation of what he is doing, and yes this is commendable but the same old sumo style of sumo is getting a bit much. Just me three cents. 

[word20]

caf82c7433551bfaa44f70

I have seen Toyonoshima and it does not seem that he will come back to Makuuchi

[Eikokurai]

Tochiozan won today with the relatively rare makiotoshi. It’s the first appearance of that kimarite since Nov 2016. Moreover, the win moves him up to 6-2, level in third place with Takayasu et al. From M13 he could yet make a sneak up on the inside and put a bit of pressure on the yusho-race leader(s).

[Eikokurai]

1 minute ago, Eikokurai said:

Tochiozan won today with the relatively rare makiotoshi. It’s the first appearance of that kimarite since Nov 2016. Moreover, the win moves him up to 6-2, level in third place with Takayasu et al. From M13 he could yet make a sneak up on the inside and put a bit of pressure on the yusho-race leader(s).

Clarification: the first appearance in Makuuchi.

[word20]

23 hours ago, Yatagarasu said:

I am quite perturbed by Yoshikaze's lack of fighting spirit.  Last year he seemed to be doing so well and then he slipped down the rankings a bit with a possible hidden injury, but now....it's like he can't be bothered anymore.  

I had expected to see more henkas from Goeidou so far, but at least he's been engaging his opponents.  There's probably more pressure to now that all eyes will be on him and Takayasu.  He'll have to earn his KK properly (he doesn't seem convincing enough for the yusho).

Mitakeumi might well pull it off. 

It seems that Mitakeumi is the exact opposite than Yoshikaze, because when yoshikaze was in the sanyaku he lost and got back but Mitakeumi continues to perform well especially in this tournament it has been well, I hope this will continue with him

[Morty]

5 hours ago, Amamaniac said:

There are three Top Division sekitori with 6-1 records: Endo, Chiyotairyu, and Asanoyama.  Despite Mitakeumi being the frontrunner (7-0) and the presumed favorite to win the championship, does anyone  like Chiyotairyu's chances?  Mainoumi suggested yesterday that Endo has a chance to win his first championship, and granted, he has the most Top Division experience of the three 6-1 sekitori.  But for some reason, Chiyotairyu's sumo seems more on point to me.  

I keep telling myself not to make early predictions (especially before Day 11), but I can't help but ponder the possibilities...

Jinxed him! I was going for Chiyotairyu with no expectation he could keep going, but his sumo this past week has been exceptional and extremely motivated. Endo looks seriously switched on as well, and healthy, as does Asanoyama. I would love if it came down to a three-way battle between the three young guns - Asanoyama, Endo and Mitakeumi. But you are right, only day 8 - a lot can happen in the next seven days.

[Yatagarasu]

Asanoyama's really found his rhythm.  He's on good form.  And a valiant effort from Chiyonokuni against Mitakeumi. 

Ichinojou was very disappointing indeed; he seems to be carrying the weight for no good reason.  Goueidou was really lucky at the end; that was not his bout at all.  

[Amamaniac]

1 hour ago, Morty said:

Jinxed him!

Nooooooooooooo!