Sadogatake stable watch, Aki 2005

[kotooshu_bulgaria]

So, let me go on with the Sadogatake stable watch this basho after not being very consistent on it last basho.

Days 1&2, all rikishi have fought at least one bout.

First, some general statistics for the stable's rikishi. There are currently 20 ( I have no idea why Naganoyama has them at 22 on his Heya watch topic) of them on the banzuke and one has fallen out of it due to kyujo. 5 are sekitori, 3 in makushita, and there are 4 in each sandanme, jonidan and jonokuchi. Kototogashi, aged 16, highest rank jonidan 105, is not on the banzuke this basho due to a lengthy injury lay-off.

BTW, my sources for this post will be the Sadogatake website with its rikishi information and record of their performance during the basho at http://www.sadogatake.com/page006.html and http://www.sadogatake.com/page003.html, plus the posts of Doitsuyama with the daily results and, of course, the Kyokai's official website.

Sekitori 9-3:

S1e Kotooshu 2-0

S1e Kotooshu (1-0) hatakikomi M2w Kokkai (0-1)

S1e Kotooshu (2-0) abisetaoshi M1w Hakuho (0-2)

S1e Kotooshu (2-0) M3w Kyokutenho (2-0)

Kotooshu has managed to stay out of trouble in the first two days by not displaying spectacular sumo yet. He had a couple of minor injuries before the basho, so he is probably not exerting himself too much and trying to keep his energy for the second week, which will prove decisive in his quest for a double-digit kachi-koshi. A good start anyways and a tricky tie against genki Kyokutenho tomorrow that will decide a lot about Kotooshu's development this basho.

K1e Kotomitsuki 1-1

M3w Kyokutenho (1-0) hikiotoshi K1e Kotomitsuki (0-1)

K1e Kotomitsuki (1-1) yorikiri O1w Tochiazuma (1-1)

K1e Kotomitsuki (1-1) M3e Dejima (1-1)

Kotomitsuki started off in the worst possible manner by slipping like a jonokuchi rikishi in his opening bout, but compensated by claiming a ginboshi against Tochiazuma on day 2. Still, a ginboshi shouldn't warm his soul too much, for he should aim for ozeki himself and not just to occasionally surprise the big guns. Tomorrow's much against Dejima, "The train" will show us whether Kotomitsuki will be going for a double-digit kachi-koshi and another ozeki run, or will disappoint his supporters once again as he did in Nagoya.

M6e Kotoshogiku 2-0

M6e Kotoshogiku (1-0) yorikiri M6w Tokitenku (0-1)

M6e Kotoshogiku (2-0) oshidashi M8e Tosanoumi (0-2)

M6e Kotoshogiku (2-0) M4w Kyokushuzan (1-1)

Kotoshogiku is confidently making his way up to the top of the maegashira ranks with his forward sumo. He first manhandled his rival from juryo Tokitenku in a hard fought bout, then dealt with the veteran Tosanoumi and will have to manage the tricks of Kyokushuzan come tomorrow. If he wins, he might be in for a kachi-koshi this basho.

M13e Kotonowaka 1-1

M13e Kotonowaka (1-0) okuridashi M12w Ishide (0-1)

M14e Jumonji (2-0) shitatenage M13e Kotonowaka (1-1)

M13e Kotonowaka (1-1) M11w Toyozakura (0-2)

Kotonowaka is singing his swan song (can I say this?) this basho before becoming the next Sadogatake oyakata. He has definitely put on a lot of weight and while he easily dealt with the much smaller Ishide, he had trouble against the too strong for his current rank Jumonji. Tomorrow's bout against Toyozakura should not cause too much trouble, though, and the veteran should step closer to a kachikoshi.

J10w Kotokasuga 1-1

J11e Masatsukasa (1-0) oshidashi J10w Kotokasuga (0-1)

J10w Kotokasuga (1-1) yorikiri J11w Raiko (1-1)

J10w Kotokasuga (1-1) J8w Tamakasuga (2-0)

The spring child of the stable Kotokasuga has had an up and down first two days of the basho and tomorrow's bout with another spring child, Tamakasuga does not look too promising either. Seems that Kotokasuga will have to work hard this basho for a kachikoshi.

The overall numbers of the sekitori are pretty good at 9-3 and none of them is at a negative balance so far.

Makushita 1-2:

Ms25w Kotokuni 0-1

Ms26e Yotsuguruma (1-0) uwatenage Ms25w Kotokuni (0-1)

The 26 year old fighter with a career highest rank of Ms3 did not get his basho off to a good start.

Ms27e Kotokanyu 0-1

Ms26w Koryu (1-0) oshidashi Ms27e Kotokanyu (0-1)

Kotokanyu is the heya's oldest rikishi at 39 years, has been to juryo, but it looks that he won't be going back to the sekitori ranks and should retire and join Kotonowaka in coaching the younger prospects of the heya.

Ms 39e Kotohikari 1-0

Ms39e Kotohikari (1-0) okuridashi Ms38w Kakuo (0-1)

The 29 year old seems headed to his career-best Ms16 and might even try to go for a sekitori promotion. One thing is for certain, he is the hottest of the three makushita rikishi of the stable and the biggest sekitori prospect, if there is such at the moment. The makushita group, with his exception, does not look too rosy and not too promising for the future of the heya.

Sandanme 2-1:

Sd10w Kotoyutaka 1-0

Sd10w Kotoyutaka (1-0) yorikiri Sd10e Futasegawa (0-1)

The 23 year old might well be headed back to makushita and try to beat his best rank of Ms34.

Sd13w Kotonomine 0-1

Sd13e Tachigami (1-0) hikiotoshi Sd13w Kotonomine (0-1)

Kotonomine is at 32 years of age, has been in juryo, but lost his first bout in Sandanme and will have to work hard if he will strive for promotion to makushita this basho.

Sd58w Kotomisen 1-0

Sd58w Kotomisen (1-0) uwatenage Sd59e Ayanokaze (0-1)

Kotomisen is young, and he is seeking his way out of sandanme and into makushita. He starts well this basho, but will he claim a good kachikoshi that will let him beat his career best rank of Sd28?

Sd89e Kotoyashiro is kyujo and will drop to jonidan next basho. So, the round-up of sandanme is not as hopeless as makushita, but still not much talent I see here (at least result-wise).

Jonidan 2-2:

Jd 8w Kotonoshin 0-1

Jd8e Chiyofubuki (1-0) yorikiri Jd8w Kotonoshin (0-1)

Kotonoshin suffered his first loss at his career highest rank and will have to do better if he is hoping for another career highest rank next basho.

Jd76w Kotoshimoda 1-0

Jd76w Kotoshimoda (1-0) yorikiri Jd77e Terunohana (0-1)

Kotoshimoda is the heya's second youngest rikishi, which might be an excuse for him still being stuck in Jonidan. I expect a good kachi-koshi from him this basho and another attempt to make it to sandanme in Kyushu.

Jd85w Kotofubuki 0-1

Jd85e Tochitensho (1-0) oshidashi Jd85w Kotofubuki (0-1)

Kotofubuki might have a hard time returning to sandanme, but for now he should concentrate on retaining his jonidan spot and pile up some victories.

Jd118w Kotoemoto 1-0

Jd118w Kotoemoto (1-0) yorikiri Jd118e Kawamoto (0-1)

Kotoemoto might be able to retain his jonidan position if he continues in the same fashion as he started on day 1. He is one of the rising young rikishi of the stable. With his win the jonidan brothers break even at 2-2 and do not promise much change in the manner of promotions&demotions.

Jonokuchi 3-1:

Jk2w Kotokuroda 1-0

Jk2w Kotokuroda (1-0) oshidashi Jk2e Azumahana (0-1)

Kotokuroda is the young man from Okinawa who debuted on the banzuke last basho with Kotoemoto and is making his way up the banzuke. I am pretty certain that he will be in jonidan next basho.

Jk4e Kotonarita 1-0

Jk4e Kotonarita (1-0) oshitaoshi Jk4w Miyakofuji (0-1)

Kotonarita has been around for an year and a half and has already managed to hit his wall at Jd46. He should make it back to jonidan for next basho, but how he fares there is still uncertain.

Jk16w Kotokaneko 1-0

Jk16w Kotokaneko (1-0) yorikiri Jk16e Zendaisho (0-1)

Kotokaneko, Manekineko's adopted rikishi has been around for over three years already but has failed to make an impression even in lowly jonidan. Now he is back to where he started from, jonokuchi, won his first, and will seek to return to jonidan soon.

Jk42e Kotoshimahara 0-1

Jk42w Kanai (1-0) yorikiri Jk42e Kotoshimahara (0-1)

Kotoshimahara makes his first appearance on the banzuke at the very bottom. He loses and puts a big question mark next to the question whether he will be a successful rikishi... Still, excluding him, jonokuchi looks good for Sadogatake.

17-9 is the total record of the stable's rikishi for the first two days, which is a pretty good start, which gives a good hope for a nice number of kachikoshi and promotions. Still, however, the basho is to unwrap in the following days and it is premature to make judgements on the first two days alone... (Blushing...)

[Onnagumo]

Yaaaaaay, the Sadogatake watch is back! (Blushing...)

Kotooshu sure had a good start. Indeed, not spectacular, but I too read he was injured shortly before the basho, and why would he risk aggravating it at the beginning of the basho? There are still 13 days and many tough foes to go.

M13e Kotonowaka 1-1

M13e  Kotonowaka (1-0)    okuridashi    M12w  Ishide (0-1)

M14e  Jumonji (2-0)      shitatenage    M13e  Kotonowaka (1-1)

M13e  Kotonowaka (1-1)                  M11w  Toyozakura (0-2)

Kotonowaka is singing his swan song (can I say this?) this basho before becoming the next Sadogatake oyakata. He has definitely put on a lot of weight and while he easily dealt with the much smaller Ishide, he had trouble against the too strong for his current rank Jumonji. Tomorrow's bout against Toyozakura should not cause too much trouble, though, and the veteran should step closer to a kachikoshi.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He always has trouble against Jumonji. I was hoping for a win after seeing how easily he beat Ishide, but this loss isn't really a surprise to me. Still, I do think he put up a good fight today, it was not an easy victory for Jumonji. Up to now, I feel pretty confident about that kachikoshi. :-)

[Naganoyama]

First, some general statistics for the stable's rikishi. There are currently 20 ( I have no idea why Naganoyama has them at 22 on his Heya watch topic) of them on the banzuke and one has fallen out of it due to kyujo. 5 are sekitori, 3 in makushita, and there are 4 in each sandanme, jonidan and jonokuchi. Kototogashi, aged 16, highest rank jonidan 105, is not on the banzuke this basho due to a lengthy injury lay-off.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In addition to the rikishi in your excellent summary, I include E-sd37 Kotonoumi and W-jd20 Kotoyamamoto in my heya count. Both of them are currently kyujo and the win-loss values and winning percent therefore do not include them.

[kotooshu_bulgaria]

Indeed, I saw you are right about this, Naganoyama. The strange thing is that the two rikishi you mentioned are not on the list of the heya's rikishi on their website...

[Onnagumo]

The strange thing is that the two rikishi you mentioned are not on the list of the heya's rikishi on their website...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't know about Kotoyamamoto, but Kotonoumi has retired, I think it was a couple of months ago. Unfortunately the pics are already deleted from the Sadogatake homepage, and I didn't save them on my PC (Pulling hair...)

[kotooshu_bulgaria]

Interesting info, Onnagumo. So what about Kotoyamamoto, does anyone know anything about him?

[Asashosakari]

Kotonoumi retiring would be news to me, as it would for the Kyokai, since he's actually listed as kyujo this basho. I guess this might be one of these cases where somebody is contemplating retirement but his shisho is giving him some time to make up his mind? He did withdraw from Nagoya, so presumably he got an injury there.

Incidentally, banzuke-gai Kotookamoto is missing from Sadogatake's pages as well.

Edited September 13, 2005 by Asashosakari

[Onnagumo]

Kotonoumi retiring would be news to me, as it would for the Kyokai, since he's actually listed as kyujo this basho. I guess this might be one of these cases where somebody is contemplating retirement but his shisho is giving him some time to make up his mind? He did withdraw from Nagoya, so presumably he got an injury there.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That could be the reason why the pictures and the text to go with it are both completely deleted from the homepage.

The only proof I could find that it was there, is this entry on the "what's new" page on August 8 2005. I let Babelfish translate it, since I don't speak Japanese.

"For "professional sumo wrestler introduction" koto no sea retirement the data it deleted."

sadogatakenews

Edited September 13, 2005 by Onnagumo

[kotooshu_bulgaria]

Days 3&4 of the basho are over now, all lower division rikishi have had two and all sekitori four bouts, so it is time for the second round-up of the performance of Sadogatake beya rikishi this basho.

While the cases of Kotookamoto, Kotoyamamoto, and Kotonoumi are still unclear, I shall stick to the 18 Sadogatake rikishi who are active this basho. This time, I shall take a more chronological approach and discuss the wrestlers from the lowest rank upward, in the same fashion that they appear on the dohyo every day (or every other day for the non-sekitori).

Jonokuchi 5-2:

Jk42e Kotoshimahara (0-1) withdrew from the tournament on day 3 without recording a fusen loss, but the Sadogatake beya website still does not list him as kyujo for the whole basho, so let

[Asojima]

Kotonowaka is on a roll at his low rank and should get a kachikoshi in his final basho.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Has Kotonowaka announced his intent to go intai after Aki basho?? (Enjoyable TV program...)

[Dale]

Has Kotonowaka announced his intent to go intai after Aki basho??  ;-)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If he were to do that, he'd be forced to withdraw immediately. You can't keep fighting after you announce your plans to retire. Konishiki made that mistake, and it cost him his chance to meet Terao one last time.

Sadogatake doesn't actually retire until after Kyushu basho, does he?

Dale

[Onnagumo]

Sadogatake doesn't actually retire until after Kyushu basho, does he?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He has his 65th birthday on 26 November; the last day of Kyushu basho will be 27th November. Surely they can wait for those two days, can't they..... ;-)

[Asashosakari]

He has his 65th birthday on 26 November; the last day of Kyushu basho will be 27th November. Surely they can wait for those two days, can't they..... ;-)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, oyakata who turn 65 during a basho are generally allowed to finish out that basho.