As we exit the middle weekend of the basho, it’s all a headlong charge to the final weekend, and the crowning of the Yusho for Hatsu 2018. Along that road, there are some interesting stories unfolding.
Firstly is Mitakeumi, a strong start at 7-1 puts a double digit Sekiwake win within reach for the first time. For fans following along, this would mark the start of a campaign for him to lay claim to an Ozeki slot. I like Mitakeumi a lot, and I am eager to see him score 10+ wins this basho, but he’s not quite up to Ozeki level sumo yet.
Man-Bear-Giant Tochinoshin (Mitakeumi’s day 9 opponent) is likewise having a surprisingly good tournament. Tochinoshin has underperformed for years due to injuries. When he is healthy his skill and outrageous strength produces records that are solid San’yaku material. But it almost always seems that just when he is on the march, his body betrays him.
This has also been the case far too frequently for our current yusho leader, Yokozuna Kakuryu. At the moment he seems unstoppable. But fans should keep in mind that he spent most of 2017 out of sumo action due to chronic problems with his legs and back. Sadly we are one injury away from losing him once more to a lengthy rehabilitation process. But we are all hoping not to see that this tournament. Short of an injury, this is his tournament to lose.
Hatsu Leader Board
Leader – Kakuryu
Chasers – Mitakeumi, Tochinoshin, Daieisho
Hunt Grop – Tochiozan, Shohozan, Asanoyama
7 Matches Remain
What We Are Watching Day 9
Abi vs Asanoyama – There is still a lot of outstanding action going on at the bottom of the torikumi, with several of the lower ranked Maegashira turning in some excellent sumo. Day 9 gives us a match I have been eager to see: Abi and Asanoyama. In their only prior match, Asanoyama prevailed, but Abi really has his oshi sumo running strong.
Ishiura vs Daieisho – Daieisho is one loss behind the Yokozuna headed into day 9, and he meets Ishiura who is struggling to get above .500. Daieisho has been explosive out of the tachiai this tournament, and I am curious to see how that matches with Ishiura’s “submarine” sumo.
Shohozan vs Kagayaki – In spite of his day 8 loss, Shohozan’s sumo is winning matches at Hatsu. Kagayaki has been horribly inconsistent, but is still in the running for kachi-koshi later this week. This will likely be all Shohozan, but Kagayaki leads their career matches 4-2.
Takarafuji vs Tochiozan – Tochiozan has been cool and confident, and is looking genki. Takarafuji has managed to string together a 5-3 record thus far, and is showing us calm, confident and careful sumo. Tochiozan leads the series 10-7.
Kaisei vs Endo – After a strong start, Endo has gotten into a bit of a slump. Now he faces Brazilian mammoth Kaisei, whom he leads in their career records 6-3. Endo’s main inhibitor to good performance seems to be mental at the moment, and we all hope that he will find Kaisei a nice place out in the zabutan section.
Yoshikaze vs Kotoshogiku – Both of these sumo stalwarts are struggling this basho. Yoshikaze’s 3 wins all come against Yokozuna and Ozeki, but he can’t seem to muster any strong sumo for the rank and file. Kotoshogiku leads the career series 22-6, so this is likely a pickup for the Kyushu Bulldozer.
Ichinojo vs Onosho – Ichinojo brings his size based sumo against Onosho’s run-and-push sumo. Both are 4-4, and both are eager to keep themselves in the hunt for kachi-koshi. If Ichinojo gets a grip like he did day 8, it’s going to be his match.
Mitakeumi vs Tochinoshin – Mitakeumi made several tactical mistakes in his day 8 match with the boulder known as Ichinojo. His day 9 match is really no easier, as he faces Tochinoshin’s massive strength. Tochinoshin showed on day 8 that he was happy to win an oshi match, so Mitakeumi really needs to think this one through.
Shodai vs Takayasu – I would say Takayasu in a walk, but Takayasu’s sumo has been chaotic, unfocused and a bit frantic. This is a significant departure from the sumo that got him into the Ozeki ranks, and marks a dangerous turn for him. Still, it’s Shodai, so I am guessing that Takayasu may flatten him straight out of the tachiai.
Goeido vs Tamawashi – Goeido needs to bounce back, he is up to three losses, and seems to be stuck in the debugging mode of GoeidOS 1.5.1. He is evenly matched with Tamawashi in terms of score coming into day 9, and career record. Goeido will need to take control from the tachiai, or he’s going to end up moving backwards under Tamawashi’s blistering assault.
Kakuryu vs Arawashi – I am betting on a fairly straightforward win for the Yokozuna, to remain undefeated and the man to beat for the Emperor’s cup. Arawashi won their only prior match in January of 2017, but this version of Kakuryu is healthy and strong.
Mitakeumi may not be “ozeki level” in a subjective sense, but obectively, his performance has been better than any of the ozekis in the banzuke for quite a few tournaments running. Mitakeumi wouldn’t have been kadoban at all over the past year if he had been an ozeki, and we can’t say the same for any of the present or (obviously) former ozeki.
I agree that Mitakeumi does not look like an ozeki, but given the form and health of those ranked above him he could well get the necessary wins for promotion this year if he stays fit. Kotoshogiku hardly ever looked like an ozeki but he somehow held the rank for 5 years.
And somehow Takamatsu who looked like an Ozekis Ozeki while at Sekiwake somehow manages to look everyday less and less than an Ozeki. Which is a shame, because he and Mitakeumi are the two men in the makuuchi who grabbed my attention when I reentered the world of sumo. Still rooting for them, but both their trajectories have lost their drive somewhat. So I love what Mitakeumi is showing this basho. Hoping he has a plan vs. Tochinoshin. And is able to execute it. 😀
Takamatsu?
Takayasu. Don’t know what my autocorrect is smoking these days…
I just don’t know why I feel like I can’t trust Kakuryu right now (2017 aside). He does look better than he did in much of 2016, but lksumo’s torikumi prediction just threw up a reminder of so many matches where it can yet go wrong. Bizarrely I worry about him in a situation like this less against the Kisenosato’s of the world (for somewhat obvious reasons) than I do even against an imperfect Goeido and Takayasu or Mitakeumi who even during an inconsistent tournament probably have the beatings of his reactive sumo half the time.
I might be forced to eat my words here but I’m feeling a 13-2 yusho for someone maybe even via a playoff
I think you made an excellent point re: Mitakeumi, Bruce. He didn’t seem to think through the Ichinojo match and his strategy for Tochinoshin is going to be really important to tomorrow but also the rest of the basho in terms of whether he can challenge. Technically on his day he’s a match for anyone but in terms of his strategy and how he disarms his opponent he has much to learn from some of the senior members of san’yaku