Juryo Acrobatics Continue To Amaze
Day 13 at the Kokugikan, and once again Ura unleashed a rarely seen winning move (Kimarate) during his bout with Amakaze. This specific kimarate is Tasukizori which involves ducking under your opponent’s arm, grabbing a leg, and using your back to lift and up-end him. According to the amazing Sumo DB, the last time it was seen was 1951.
Ura is currently tied for the lead in Juryo (10-3), and may finally have punched his ticket to Makuuchi for the Osaka basho in March. Since beginning his run in Juryo, he decided to add additional bulk to help him take on the bigger rikishi. With his style being fast and nimble, the added weight restrained his sumo at first, but it seems he is now working well with his bulkier form.
Day 14 he will be taking on Sadanoumi in the first Makuuchi bout, so US viewers may get a chance to see him on the NHK highlight segment. Video below of the gymnastics
Wow! I really like this kid, Ura! I see a Makuuchi promotion in his very, near-future. Looking forward to this!
Is it an impression or Ura has gained some weight lately ?
He has put on quite a bit of mass in the last 6 months, and I think it really negatively impacted his sumo. He found out that he was to slight to really defend against some attacks (Ishiura discovered this, too) and he decided to scale up his mass. Then he could not move well, and mobility is the key to his sumo.
Now it seems he has sorted it out, at least a little, and can function at the higher weight. I am hoping he can hold it together for his Makuuchi debut.
I think he has exceeded his fitness weight, just like Chiyonokuni did.
My thoughts exactly. But Chiyonokuni is starting to get a handle on it. I keep asking – can a small, fast, lighter weight rikishi even compete in Makuuchi in the present day? Or do you have to be huge?