Nagoya 2023 discussion (results)

[Yarimotsu]

I think the belt came loose after Terunofuji grabbed the knot and lifted it, but it probably wasn't especially tight to begin with. It seems like Tobizaru prefers it that way in most bouts.

Takarafuji played an excellent gatekeeper role today. Asanoyama was clinical in a similar role against Hiradoumi, but doesn't seem to be able to start off with enough power in some bouts.

Akiseyama tried the same down in makushita but Oshoumi resisted well at the rope (seems the old guy struggles to finish off bouts these days).

Happy to see Sadanoumi win today, that probably should've been my chain gang pick. Although that tachiai probably cost him some brain cells.

Ryuden looking heavily injured / in need of a rest. Nishikifuji is in relatively decent spirits despite the pre-basho worries (hope I got the right name when I read that!).

Takayasu became arguably the second rikishi to simply overpower and overbalance Hokuseiho since the tall one came back from injury.

Disastrous day for Hoshoryu and Wakamotoharu, both losing basically at the tachiai.

[Bunbukuchagama]

4 hours ago, RabidJohn said:

It's a risky strategy; if it had gone on much longer the Monkey would have been disqualified for it coming undone entirely.

Have you ever seen it happening? The gyoji usually "freezes" the match and re-ties the mawashi before the unseen parts become exposed.

Loose belt strategy seems effective against a yotsu rikishi. 

[Seiyashi]

4 minutes ago, Bunbukuchagama said:

Have you ever seen it happening? The gyoji usually "freezes" the match and re-ties the mawashi before the unseen parts become exposed.

Loose belt strategy seems effective against a yotsu rikishi. 

The most recent instance was SI41's infamously timed mawashi matta in Terunofuji v Wakamotoharu. And Tsurugisho's nethers have been peeking out on occasion. 

I seem to recall that the loose belt only works if you can stop your opponent grabbing all the layers of the belt. Credit to Tobizaru for a stupendously hard fought bout, but Terunofuji looked absolutely terrible after it was done. 

[Bunbukuchagama]

4 minutes ago, Seiyashi said:

I seem to recall that the loose belt only works if you can stop your opponent grabbing all the layers of the belt.

Well, changing the grip is always a risky maneuver. Teru was not trying to attempt it.

[hakutorizakura]

Hokus was terrified with The Hairy One, therefore the henka.

Every rikishi gives his 120% when facing the yok, but that was bananas. Kudos to Tobi, very enjoyable bout. Hope Teru is ok.

[Kaioshoryu]

Extremely difficult to watch Terunofuji trying to walk on his two destroyed knees after the bout. I guess double knee replacement surgery is coming for Teru at one point.

[nagora]

3 hours ago, Yarimotsu said:

I think the belt came loose after Terunofuji grabbed the knot and lifted it,

That was my view too. Tobi still won the bout, though. I thought he was going to have a heart attack in the post-match interview. He almost looked as wobbly walking in as Teru did.

Match of the Basho, I think. It'd certainly be grand if we get something better down the line!

"And the crowd goes wild" :D

[Bunbukuchagama]

3 minutes ago, nagora said:

Match of the Basho, I think.

I hope not. 

[Thorbjarn]

So far it is for most people I guess. It was a spectacle and a win for a clear cut underdog. Terunofuji will very likely drop out, everything else would be astonishing. I hate to say it, but he looked 100% injured. 

[Bunbukuchagama]

26 minutes ago, Thorbjarn said:

So far it is for most people I guess. It was a spectacle and a win for a clear cut underdog. Terunofuji will very likely drop out, everything else would be astonishing. I hate to say it, but he looked 100% injured. 

I hope Match of the Basho will not include a belt under the armpits and a Yokozuna getting kicked in the injured knee.

[Thorbjarn]

You are absolutely entitled to feel that way and with about 220 matches left in Makuuchi alone, I'm sure there will be a bout or two good enough to meet your personal criteria for bout of the tournament. 

As for me, a wild bout with a lot of near finishes, a little bit of controversy/talking points while still being within the confines of the rules, an upset victory and an engaged crowd qualifies. It's all subjective. 

[Yubinhaad]

45 minutes ago, Bunbukuchagama said:

Yokozuna getting kicked in the injured knee

Looking at the video it seems quite clear that each man's kekaeshi attempt was nowhere near the knee, this was the best frame I could get of Tobizaru's:

[Fashiritētā]

Yes, the kick itself was not damaging, it appeared to be the way his foot landed and sent shockwaves up his legs, thus the semi body shake and pained look.

Just an observation on my part, i could be wrong 

[dingo]

Hokuseiho is too slow to even do a henka properly 

Midorifuji is gonna have one of these bashos, isn't he...

Shodai wanting to show some (ex-)ozeki pride to future ozeki Wakamotoharu?

 

[Godango]

This isn't a 'sweep the leg' cobra-kai moment. We see loose belts all the time. We see foot sweeps all the time. This is not a sport where you are required to cater to your opponents skills/injuries; ESPECIALLY for a yokozuna. If they show up, you're obliged to throw everything you have (within the confines of the rules) at them. Props to Tobizaru.

[Kishinoyama]

1 hour ago, Yubinhaad said:

Looking at the video it seems quite clear that each man's kekaeshi attempt was nowhere near the knee, this was the best frame I could get of Tobizaru's:

The slow motion replays in Kintamayama's video showed the kick quite clearly was not on the knee.  

[808morgan]

Oh Kinta just sent out the email, Terunofuji kyujo. Some guys looking pretty strong, can't wait. 

[808morgan]

5 hours ago, Yubinhaad said:

Looking at the video it seems quite clear that each man's kekaeshi attempt was nowhere near the knee, this was the best frame I could get of Tobizaru's:

Well the pressure goes to the knee, foot wants to go out but the knee is the weakest point. I have no doubt that aggravated it. 

 

[nagora]

10 hours ago, Godango said:

This isn't a 'sweep the leg' cobra-kai moment. We see loose belts all the time. We see foot sweeps all the time. This is not a sport where you are required to cater to your opponents skills/injuries; ESPECIALLY for a yokozuna. If they show up, you're obliged to throw everything you have (within the confines of the rules) at them. Props to Tobizaru.

And if you want your opponent not to do foot sweeps don't do one yourself first.

I've felt many times that Terunofuji's style/stance invites kicks that never come because of respect for him and his injuries. But that's not the game and his ceremony yesterday was very stiff and uncomfortable, so I doubt he would have completed the basho anyway.

I don't know about Shodai. Is it possible he has a twin brother somewhere that turns up when the real one is busy doing something else?

[Bunbukuchagama]

No tape on Kirishima!

[Chartorenji]

Get a good luck at Kiri before his bout here. Doesn't look terribly out of his usual self 

[Chartorenji]

Tf is Nishikigi on? Going legit nuts recently with his best sumo I've ever seen. 

[#1HENKAFAN]

All 3 sekiwake being at 3-1 (Although Hoshoryu would be 2-2 if the judges weren't sleeping) adds to the storyline this basho. This has been a basho of high highs and low lows so far. It's been a lot more eventful than it seemed it would be going in

[Jakusotsu]

10 minutes ago, #1HENKAFAN said:

All 3 sekiwake being at 3-1

At least Wakamotoharu is bound to be 3-2 tomorrow.

[RabidJohn]

1 hour ago, Jakusotsu said:

At least Wakamotoharu is bound to be 3-2 tomorrow.

I gave you a 'ha ha' but had to check the torikumi before I got it. 

---

Talking of people who have identical twins that occasionally step in to do better, I just saw 'Tamawashi' deliberately go for a belt grip and win by yori-kiri...
It would go a long way to explain his extraordinary longevity, too.