Courtesy of the Nihon Sumo Kyokai page, we finally know who is facing whom for the first two days of the Kyushu basho. While Tachiai will do our traditional wall to wall coverage, feel free to take a look at the early pairings while the sumo experts work out the forecasts for your reading pleasure.
My first day favorites:
Harumafuji vs Tamawashi – What says “congrats on making sanyaku” more than a face full of clay delivered by Harumafuji?
Hakuho vs Okinoumi – A great test match: how ready is Hakuho? Was Aki just a hot streak for Okinoumi?
Yoshikaze vs Terunofuji – The Kadoban Ozeki may still be banged up, and Yoshikaze was looking very good during the Jungo demonstration matches.
“Hakuho vs Okinoumi – A great test match: how ready is Hakuho?”
And how ready is Okinoumi ? As you surely know the injury he has since the 2nd week of Aki basho is particularly troublesome…
I have been hunting for more detail on Okinoumi’s injury, but as is frequently the case, the Japanese press has proved difficult for me to navigate. Do you know much about it?
Unfortunately yes ! An abscess located in the worst possible place… often inoperable and very long to heal. This kind of infection that you don’t even wish your worst enemy ^^
I decided after quite a bit of internal debate to post about Okinoumi’s injury. Sadly I have first hand knowledge of this problem, and decided that explanation and education might help some understand. Thank you very much for bringing it up.
You did well. Sooner or later a lot of people have to face this kind of concern. No need to break a bone to be physically diminished…