Non-K-November basho 2020 Discussion (spoiler space)

[Amamaniac]

10/42=0.238

Spoiler

There has been a bunch of Top Division birthdays reported recently.  A quick survey reveals that 10 of the current Makuuchi men were born in November (i.e., 23.8%):

Shodai (Nov 5), Takanosho (Nov 14), Terunofuji (Nov 29), Daieisho (Nov 10), Tamawashi (Nov 16), Kotoeko (Nov 20), Ryuden (Nov 10), Kotonowaka (Nov 19), Chiyotairyu (Nov 14), and Akua (Nov 6).

In a fair world, there would be 3.5 Top Division wrestlers with birthdays in each month of the year.  Ten in November represents a huge imbalance!

I can't come up with a conspiracy theory for that. 

 

Edited November 18, 2020 by Amamaniac

[Seiyashi]

1 minute ago, Amamaniac said:

10/42=23.8

  Hide contents

There has been a bunch of Top Division birthdays reported recently.  A quick survey reveals that 10 of the current Makuuchi men were born in November:

Shodai (Nov 5), Takanosho (Nov 14), Terunofuji (Nov 29), Daieisho (Nov 10), Tamawashi (Nov 16), Kotoeko (Nov 20), Ryuden (Nov 10), Kotonowaka (Nov 19), Chiyotairyu (Nov 14), and Akua (Nov 6).

In a fair world, there would be 3.5 Top Division wrestlers with birthdays in each month of the year.  Ten in November represents a huge imbalance!

I can't come up with a conspiracy theory for that. 

 

11-9 = 2.

[Amamaniac]

4 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

11-9 = 2.

At least your maths skills are better than mine. 

[Seiyashi]

Just now, Amamaniac said:

At least your maths skills are better than mine. 

[lackmaker]

1 hour ago, Amamaniac said:

In a fair world, there would be 3.5 Top Division wrestlers with birthdays in each month of the year.  Ten in November represents a huge imbalance!

February is a cold month in the northern hemisphere.

[Kashunowaka]

Nishikido-oyakata (aka moto-Mitoizumi aka Big Salt) sure likes to interrupt bouts which seem to have started with mutual consent from the rikishi, gyoji and everyone else.

[Kaminariyuki]

7 hours ago, Seiyashi said:

Ross Mihara putting some hilariously serious shade on Mitakeumi on the EN-NHK broadcast, bordering on the unprofessional:

"Mitakeumi's the sekiwake with a surprisingly poor record against Takayasu... six and fourteeeeen?"

"Mitakeumi, the seki-wacki..."

"So we get baaad Mitakeumi today; the seki-whacki being whacked around by Takayasu..."

That's a bit rough, IMO. Can't wait to watch the highlights in a few hours. Takayasu could have easily put up even better numbers this basho. I think he's got a good shot to get back into sanyaku.

[Seiyashi]

2 minutes ago, Kaminariyuki said:

7 hours ago, Seiyashi said:

Ross Mihara putting some hilariously serious shade on Mitakeumi on the EN-NHK broadcast, bordering on the unprofessional:

"Mitakeumi's the sekiwake with a surprisingly poor record against Takayasu... six and fourteeeeen?"

"Mitakeumi, the seki-wacki..."

"So we get baaad Mitakeumi today; the seki-whacki being whacked around by Takayasu..."

That's a bit rough, IMO. Can't wait to watch the highlights in a few hours. Takayasu could have easily put up even better numbers this basho. I think he's got a good shot to get back into sanyaku.

It speaks volumes that an ostensibly neutral professional commentator feels comfortable ragging on a sportsman; that implies that it's the view also of the wider community that the chap is an acceptable target for ragging.

Other than Terunofuji, the remainder of junior sanyaku (Mitakeumi, Takanosho and Takayasu) are on borderline 6-5/5-6s. Considering that the rest of the joi is getting murdered and only Daieisho and Hokutofuji are putting up any kind of promotable numbers, it might not be too far fetched that we have another basho with no sanyaku turnover (or at most Terunofuji and Takanosho swapping ranks), and the two aforementioned maegashira popping back up to M1. There is also the possibility of Terunofuji forcing a third sekiwake slot in which case Daieisho makes a return to komusubi.

[Kaminariyuki]

2 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

It speaks volumes that an ostensibly neutral professional commentator feels comfortable ragging on a sportsman; that implies that it's the view also of the wider community that the chap is an acceptable target for ragging.

Other than Terunofuji, the remainder of junior sanyaku (Mitakeumi, Takanosho and Takayasu) are on borderline 6-5/5-6s. Considering that the rest of the joi is getting murdered and only Daieisho and Hokutofuji are putting up any kind of promotable numbers, it might not be too far fetched that we have another basho with no sanyaku turnover (or at most Terunofuji and Takanosho swapping ranks), and the two aforementioned maegashira popping back up to M1. There is also the possibility of Terunofuji forcing a third sekiwake slot in which case Daieisho makes a return to komusubi.

Ah, indeed, I'd forgotten Takayasu had already gotten back to konosubi. I'd actually guessed pre-tournament that one of the two konosubi would yusho. Still possible, I suppose. 

[Benevolance]

11 hours ago, Amamaniac said:

Holy cow.  Naya showed that he actually has some fighting spirit in his bout against Takagenji today!  Naya is now 5-1 and there is little doubt that he will advance to Juryo in January.  If he keeps fighting like he has this tournament, the chances are good that he will continue to advance up the banzuke.

Naya vs Takagenji was my favorite match of the day. 

[Kintamayama]

Quick rikishi talk day 11:

Kotoshouhou, first Ozeki opponent and getting clobbered: "I exerted too much power.. He was strong.. My ability is limited at the moment. I have to make good use of this experience."

Takakeishou the clobberer, beating Kotoshouhou: "I managed to concentrate and maintain my fighting spirit. That's all that's on my mind on the dohyo. I've been mostly facing older opponents. Today was the first time I met my junior from Saitama Sakae high school. For what it's worth, I'm really glad Saitama Sakae is continuing to churn out quality rikishi. " He has faced his elders from that school since day four. "Kotoshouhou has good stuff. Watching him at the rengo-keiko, you could see he is strong. I think he will become stronger, if he keeps giving it his all. Every day is important-that's the way I've been doing it since I entered sumo.  I've never felt that a single day was different.."

Daieishou winning his eighth: "Today I was able to move forward properly again. The first step is important, but the second and third steps are equally important. I am conscious that I'm attacking with my legs. I want to return to Sanyaku as quickly as possible. Last basho I faced the joi towards the end of the basho and that felt weird. That was wrong. I have to face each bout with the same feeling. "

Tobizaru, beating a Sanyaku rikishi (Takanoshou): "I'm thrilled. It is a confidence booster. The fatigue is serious, but I'm not nervous. I can't fall asleep. I have difficulties sleeping.."

Shimanoumi, still tied for the lead: "I think I'm able to my own sumo all the way. I can only do what I can, is what I'm telling myself during my bouts. I'm not thinking about anything (yusho race). The results will follow. I can only do my own sumo all the way!"

Terunofuji, getting close to his target of double-digit wins: "I was able to go about it calmly. The target is double digits and more. If I could achieve that.."

 

Edited November 18, 2020 by Kintamayama

[robnplunder]

4 hours ago, Seiyashi said:

11-9 = 2.

Speaking of math ... Enho + Midorifuji - 3kg = Ichinojo. 

We won't see the light weight match between Enho and Midorifuji in the next basho.    

 

[Amamaniac]

Meanwhile down in Juryo, ...

We have the makings of another 0-15 record.  In September, rookie Oki achieved this ignoble feat.  Currently, 33 year-old veteran Fujiazuma is on a 0-11 streak, and has yet to look like he has been "in" any of his bouts.  At J14e, he will be giving up the luxuries of sekitori status after this tournament wraps up...  Sigh.

[Asojima]

2 hours ago, Amamaniac said:

Meanwhile down in Juryo, ...

Currently, 33 year-old veteran Fujiazuma is on a 0-11 streak, and has yet to look like he has been "in" any of his bouts.  At J14e, he will be giving up the luxuries of sekitori status after this tournament wraps up...  Sigh.

He has been inhabiting the Makushita ranks for the last 4 years.  Unfortunately, he has only had the luxuries of the J14 rank a couple times during that period.  Sad...

[mt fuji]

8 hours ago, Amamaniac said:

Meanwhile down in Juryo, ...

We have the makings of another 0-15 record.  In September, rookie Oki achieved this ignoble feat.  Currently, 33 year-old veteran Fujiazuma is on a 0-11 streak, and has yet to look like he has been "in" any of his bouts.  At J14e, he will be giving up the luxuries of sekitori status after this tournament wraps up...  Sigh.

He's had a couple of close ones! His match with battered Ikioi went to a mono-ii. Kyokushuho had the nerve to henka him when he was 0-6 and that really pissed me off. Hope he gets one at least!!

[Asojima]

Surprise!!! They matched Takakeisho and Shimanoumi on day 13.  They also did the Terunofuji/Ryuden matchup.  Takarafuji and Daieisho will  do an elimination bout.  Some heavy duty watching for tomorrow.

Edited November 19, 2020 by Asojima

[WAKATAKE]

Juryo yusho race even more muddled now. 6 at 8-4 and 6 people at 7-5. They might as well start running elmination matches. Maybe if they're lucky they'll be a 10-5 playoff. Fujiazuma continues his quest to match Oki's 0-15

[robnplunder]

M17, Shimanoumi, wins again.  He is sure to get one or two of the sansho prizes.  Let's get the yusho or at least jun-yusho.  

Enho, Enho, Enho, ...., I think he will start in Juryo in 2021.

[pricklypomegranate]

9 minutes ago, robnplunder said:

M17, Shimanoumi, wins again.  He is sure to get one or two of the sansho prizes.  Let's get the yusho or at least jun-yusho.  

Enho, Enho, Enho, ...., I think he will start in Juryo in 2021.

Yes, brilliant defence from Shimanoumi, especially considering that ottsuke and yotsu-zumo is not his forte. He totally refused Ryuden any grip on him, and the twerker was just helpless when he ceded a belt hold to Shimanoumi's left. Even the twerk could not save him. I think if Shimanoumi wins Takakeisho tomorrow and another match (presumably against one of the sekiwake), he's hit the jackpot. If he does win, Kise-beya is on absolute fire this year. 

Yup, as I said, Enho should just cut his losses now before he risks greater injury. Even if he does make the 5 wins he needs this time round in that typical last minute fashion of his, I wonder how rewarding it will be in the long run. While we might be tempted to say that after 9 basho (1.5 years) , he's back to where he started, I didn't think he'd make it to the joi once anyways. With surgery and both physical and mental recovery, I am sure he can show up there again. 

Edited November 19, 2020 by pricklypomegranate

[Tigerboy1966]

12 minutes ago, robnplunder said:

Enho, Enho, Enho, ...., I think he will start in Juryo in 2021.

That would probably be the best place for him. It doesn't look, however, that we will have a surfeit of promotables from juryo and with Kotoyuki already down the little fella could survive with four wins. Unfortunately that probably means that he will try to fight through his problems, and we know how that tends to end.

[Seiyashi]

Man, Hokutofuji can't even catch a break from the interviewer. That's one of the longest KK interviews, and when the man is obviously knackered. If Hokutofuji doesn't get the Kanto-sho this basho I'm crying foul.

Daieisho got a masterclass in thrusting today from Takayasu. That's the best sumo from Takayasu he's shown in a long long time.

Murray continues the Mitakeumi shade - "he's a sekiwake, although he sometimes doesn't look like one, but capable of some big wins" - and jinxes Mitakeumi thoroughly.

Edited November 19, 2020 by Seiyashi

[Hakuryuho]

Takakeisho dispatching Takarafuji like it's nothing. 

Boy does he look good.. 

[Amamaniac]

Man, they are not pussy-footing around anymore with Shimanoumi.  A Takakeisho v. Shimanoumi elimination bout is scheduled for tomorrow.  By all indications, Takakeisho will smoke the Makujiri yusho pretender.  That will leave Takakeisho all alone in the lead.  

As long as Terunofuji gets by Ryuden, then there will be an all important bout between Takakeisho and Terunofuji on Day 14.  Teru holds his yusho hopes in his own hands at this point.  If he can find a way to deal with the Ozeki power ball, he will have an opportunity to tie and potentially force a playoff.  Trouble is, Teru has never beaten Takakeisho!   

We have at least two more days of great suspense!  Gotta love it.

[Benihana]

Highlight of the day will be, @Kintamayama eating that hard boiled egg with his nose. Caviar doesn't count!

[hakutorizakura]

Yay Chiyonokuni KK! Nice comeback so far.

I was a bit surprised to see Takakeisho offering his shoulder at the tachiai to Takarafuji, who is a belt guy and supposedly can easily get a grip in that situation. But it worked anyway.