Note on images – yes, I am using images from the Sumo Kyokai’s twitter feed. Apologies to any who may be offended, but given the starkly barren visuals from this basho, none of the imagery from our now vast collection really work.
Am I glad sumo is back? Certainly! But I find the empty arena unsettling. If there were to be a sumo tournament held in conjunction with a funeral, it seems this would be the format, and that casts an omnipresent pall over what is normally a jubilant event. I would guess the rikishi feel it, too. Most unsettling to me? The dohyo-iri. The rikishi step onto the dohyo with no cheers, not shouts of encouragement, just the clack of the hyoushi-gi ringing like shots through the empty hall, the echoes emphasizing the vacancy.
But the show must go on, and go on it did.
Highlight Matches
Kotonowaka defeats Daiamami – Daiamami got the better of the tachiai, landing a left hand outside grip, but either could not hold it, or changed his mind. Kotonowaka proceeded to take him apart, advancing with strength for the force-out. Kotonowaka picks up his first top division win.
Shimanoumi defeats Meisei – Very balanced attack / defense form from both rikishi, with Meisei getting a marginally inside position at the tachiai. But Shimanoumi came back strong and stopped Meisei’s attack, and kept working to get advantage, and took the win.
Chiyomaru defeats Azumaryu – Chiyomaru continues his winning streak over Azumaryu, as Chiyomaru landed a nodowa at the tachiai, standing Azumaru up. From there Chiyomaru relentlessly focused on a center-mass thrusting attack for the win.
Tsurugisho defeats Nishikigi – Tsurugisho was high at the tachiai, but did manage to get morozashi on Nishikigi, who found Tsurugisho’s belly too round to set up his preferred double arm bar hold. Tsurugisho came to the dohyo with quite a good amount of tape today, including around his hips.
Aoiyama defeats Kaisei – The battle of the mega-fauna was over in a flash. Kaisei found himself turned to the side, and exited with one mighty shove from Aoiyama.
Ikioi defeats Kotoshogiku – Ikioi came to the dohyo slightly less hurt than Kotoshogiku. Ikioi’s tachiai was fast and sharp, and he took a left hand inside grip, which Kotoshogiku could not manage. Just really no power left in Kotoshogiku’s knees at all, and he abandoned an attempt to pivot at the bales for a “rescue” throw.
Ishiura defeats Terutsuyoshi – Terutsuyoshi came in fast at the tachiai, and a bit too far foward. After receiving the initial contact, Ishiura got a hand behind Terutsuyoshi’s head, and stepped to his left, escorting Terutsuyoshi ahead and out for the win.
Chiyotairyu defeats Tochiozan – After a matta, Tochiozan’s timing was clearly off, and Chiyotairyu stood him up at the tachiai and immediately slapped him down.
Sadanoumi defeats Tochinoshin – I saw a lot more power transmitted to ground through that knee than I expected, so maybe Tochinoshin is not quite as poorly as I had though. But Sadanoumi made sure to keep him from planting his feet for any kind of grip or any attempt at a lift.
Takanosho defeats Kiribayama – Kiribayama delivered a strong tachiai, but Kiribayama got him turned to the side, then turned around and pushed him out for the win. A bit of ring rust there.
Tamawashi defeats Shohozan – We expected there would be a lot of brawling in this match, and we got it. Tamawashi timed his opening gambit perfectly, and shut down Shohozan’s attempt to sieze the initiative. But the tachiai drew blood on Shohozan, and this really underscores the danger of this tournament. Sure rikishi bleed in practice and competition all the time. But against the backdrop of an empty venue, we see just how much risk the competitors can face of contracting any virus from a match.
Kagayaki defeats Takarafuji – As expected, both men showed excellent form. I marvel at Takarafuji some times, today he sensed that Kagayaki was just a bit too far forward, and played it for all he could take. It was nearly enough to send Kagayaki out, but he recovered and took a double inside grip, which Takarafuji could not overcome.
Onosho defeats Myogiryu – Myogiryu had a strong start, after Onosho’s matta. But while Myogiryu focused on disrupting Onosho’s balance, Onosho was driving hard against center-mass, and landed a vice-like left hand grip. Myogiryu circled away, but his foot placement was poor and found himself driving forward, but not centered. Onosho read this and was able to fire off a shitatenage before Myogiryu could drive him out of the ring.
Ryuden defeats Abi – Abi completely dominated this match, batting Ryuden around more or less at will. But Ryuden focused on keeping upright and absorbing whatever Abi delivered. He found an opening when he was about to get off-center from Abi’s line of attack. Now too far forward, Ryuden slapped him down for a solid recovery.
Mitakeumi defeats Enho – Enho attempted a side-step and dive tachiai, but Mitakeumi was ready, trapping Enho and shutting down any chance the smaller man had to use speed and agility to his advantage. Great tactics from Mitakeumi today, and really impressive body control.
Yutakayama defeats Hokutofuji – Surprisingly even match, and even more surprisingly to me, Yutakayama was able to overpower Hokutofuji. Hokutofuji tends to go for a big opening gambit, where Yutakayama kept it simple, and took control of the inside position, thrusting against Hokutofuji’s chest.
Shodai defeats Tokushoryu – Ok, that was really very solid sumo from Shodai. If that guy mounts the dohyo for the next 14 days, he’s a contender. He gave Tokushoryu zero chance for that side-step thrust down that won matches for him at Hatsu.
Asanoyama defeats Okinoumi – As anticipated, a protracted yotsu battle that showed that Asanoyama still has plenty of room to grow as a rikishi. Yes, he was able to pull out the win, but he gave Okinoumi opening after opening to blunt Asanoyama’s offense.
Takakeisho defeats Takayasu – Takayasu went high, Takakeisho went center mass, and actually put a couple of tsuppari waves against Takayasu’s chest. When Takakeisho can get the wave-train going, it’s really tough to keep your feet. Thankfully, Takayasu looks a lot closer to healthy than he did in January. I saw power out of that left arm, but Takakeisho did a great job of making sure he could never get connect with his left.
Kakuryu defeats Daieisho – Great reactive sumo from Kakuryu, dare we hope he’s healthy this time? I mean it almost seems that Daieisho knows that Big K is going to find a weakness and take him apart. Look at that tachiai from Kakuryu, very nice form.
Hakuho defeats Endo – Less than what most were hoping for Endo clearly lost his balance and his footing after the tachiai (assisted by a Hakuho blow to the head), and Hakuho covered him like a Marine jumping on a grenade. Did I see Hakuho favoring that left food following the match? Ugh, let’s hope not.
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Tamawashi can sure be funny sometimes. He goes jumping like a happy hare over the referee and then, when they collide, he goes like “dafuq you think you doin old man?”
Hakuho always walks on tippy toes during dohyo-iri and after a match. It’s his style. There is no injury.
Yes, but there was a change on that left foot.
Yes, I saw that Hakuho was back to perching on the tawara at the end of the bout again, which I take as a sign that his feet are in good shape.
An odd atmosphere, sure, but so interesting to hear the sounds that are usually masked by crown noise.
I was primarily interested in Shodai, Asanoyama and Takayasu and agree completely with your recap/analysis of the bouts.
is yutakayama back?
we’ll see if he surpasses hokutofuji, to rank consistently above him soon
a less-injured yutakayama may also prove the better fighter over ozeki-apparent asanoyama
we need these strong and more straightforward men to fill the depleted and failing ranks up high
tochinoshin is the inverse
knees aren’t coming back, but he may continue to draw steady pay on the crawl dawn, like kotoshogiku
that was a little hakuho toe-wiggle or something, after falling on endo
go ahead, champ; with kyujo, sooner is better
kakuryu can still hold down the fort, unless you need him for playing checkers (well masked, of course)
different treatment for tokushoryu this basho
shodai sorting him was a cakewalk, more to come
finding his stuff, shodai
kintamayama was right after all- ozeki material by the new developing standards
I thought that Shodai was the pick of the bunch today and as we are in the “anyone can win” sub-era I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes on a mild-mannered rampage, wins the yusho, and gets ozeki promotion. In other news, Tamawashi looked menacing and brutal while Kagayaki has now won 22 of his last 32.
This is Tamawashi’s lowest ranking since July 2016, when he started his late-career rise. He should be a menace outside the joi.
That’s why I picked him in Jason’s competition which haven’t won since 2015. Unless there is an upper-rank cave-in Big Tam will be fighting mid-rankers for most of this basho, and if he’s “got in on him” as we say in Lancashire (rough Standard English translation “generally p*ssed off, angry, unpredictable and mean”), he could be a serious contender.
I would have bet anything against Shodai losing that match. You know he’s been wanting another chance at it for two months. I’ll also say this for the guy, there is plenty of historical context for guys with middling records like his suddenly hitting a big vein of form at 28-30, maybe he’s just a late bloomer.
Yutakayama was really impressive, probably my performance of the day. Mitakeumi was good as well, correctly predicting Enho’s opening sidestep and shutting it right down.
I took Kakuryu to win the tournament because he seems like the guy who mentally will be the least bothered with everything going on around him.
Agree. He always has that Zen calm about him making him seem impervious to his surroundings.
Wow – it is seriously weird how different it feels to watch it take place in the empty arena. Unheimlich.
It wasn’t until Onosho unfurled that delightful throw that I snapped out of it and cheered up.
And yes, Yutakayama was definitely passing the ‘eye test’ today – every time I see him win like this I think: Jeez, that dude looks the part. Like Asanoyama he is just a ruddy big unit, with a wide enough frame to carry around c.180kg without becoming ponderous.
Pleased to see both Shodai and Takakeisho start confidently – signs that a new order might be beginning to coalesce from out of the chaos…
Question: does anyone know if Terutsuyoshi still did his big throw? For once Nattosumo did not show it, so perhaps not?
…. sorry, I meant: if Terutsuyoshi still did his big salt throw?
The NHK broadcast was showing a portion of Goeido’s interview during Terutsuyoshi’s salt throw, so one had to be among the few people in the arena in order to witness it.
However, there was a lot of NaCl on the dohyo at the start of the bout.
He did. It even got some reaction from the reporters. It wasn’t in Natto’s or Kintamayama’s digest because NHK switched to showing Goeido’s intai announcement during Terutsuyoshi’s pre-bout. Only the lucky Abema viewers got it.
+100 points for use of Unheimlich in a comment!
After the live broadcast was over, I was surprised to realize that my excitement level was way down from usual. It felt like watching practice. I hope that this will change once story lines begin to emerge.
THIS! It was exactly like watching geiko in the heya! Thank you for finally helping me figure that out.
A salute to Hokutofuji for creating a little island of atmosphere in a silent arena with his hard-slapping, intense warm-up.
Also enjoyed seeing Goeido stood like a statue beneath the scaffolding watching all the bouts in one of those blue stock exchange pit jackets.
The sound of the wooden clappers was much clearer than usual and I now understand how striking the sound actually is. Very beautiful, so I consider that a silver lining this basho, as well as the general opportunity to watch the very unique way this basho is being held and how it affects the competing rikishi. Almost everyone seemed off their A game as a result of the tumultuous circumstances.
Kotonowaka defeats Diamami: With the Coronavirus about, a guy named Diamami winning the first top division match would probably be a bad omen. Thanks, Kotonowaka!
Tsurugisho defeats Nishikigi: I also find the amount of tape on Tsurugisho concerning. I hope for him to gambarize and get that kachi-koshi, what a trooper.
Aoiyama defeats Kaisei: Aoiyama pushed big Kaisei around with ease, which is great to see after he did pretty much no pushing the last 2 basho. If he keeps fighting at that level I would expect to see him rack up a big score over the 15 days.
Ishiura defeats Terutsuyoshi: This match went 100% like how I predicted it would. Stereotypical Terutsuyoshi move, he charges right in and falls for the stereotypical Ishiura sidestep. Not quite a henka today, but you can see he was totally going for one before he took the opportunity to capitalize on the salty man’s overextending.
Chiyotairyu defeats Tochiozn: Good sumo from Chiyotairyu today. Not much else to say, just an efficient slapdown.
Sadanoumi defeats Tochinoshin: Maybe the best match of the day? Maybe this basho without spectators is the perfect opportunity for the understated Sadanoumi to get his big break.
Takanosho defeats Kiribayama: This is a good example of a match where I think all the surrounding commotion of this basho affected the match. Kiribayama just didn’t seem like he was all there.
Tamawashi defeats Shohozan: I say the real story of this match is the blatant slippiotoshi at the end! A frustrating result for a Shohozan fan like myself!
Ryuden defeats Abi: It feels like Ryuden came in with a plan after losing to Abi so many times. Not exactly pretty, but well executed sumo.
Mitakeumi defeats Enho: Agreed, Mitakeumi showed excellent sumo by preventing Enho from getting his preferred position and marching him out before a plan B could happen. If he showed smart sumo like this every match he would be Ozeki already.
Yutakayama defeats Hokutofuki: Better luck next time, Hoku. You’ll get your first win over Yutakayama eventually.
Kakuryu defeats Daieisho: My other choice for best match of the day, this was a real display of Kakuryu’s signature defensive sumo. Excellent stuff.
Hakuho defeats Endo: Endo, always disappointing in his biggest moments…
Tsurugisho already is hobbling on that bad knee.
Tochinoshin is four inches taller and 44 pounds heavier than Sadanoumi, but it was Sadanoumi who overpowered his competitor today. Speaks volumes.
(Speaking of speaking volumes, it was interesting to be able to hear all the grunting, groaning, and heavy breathing from the rikishi today. And truly weird to witness the pantomime passing of the empty ladles.)
The Tamawashi-Shohozan tussle should have been billed as “There Will Be Blood.”
I’ve gotta say it: Shodai’s tachiais are looking pretty darn decent these days. Sky’s the limit.
Kakuryu completely whiffed on a swat to the side of Daiesho’s head. The Dai-guy sought to seize the moment with a lunge into Kakuryu’s chest, which chest was elsewhere when the lunge should have landed. Finis.
My Shodai haiku:
Sky is the limit
For the Kumamoto man.
Stay strong; stay fearless!
Was that Ryuden’s breath sounds or Abi? No lack of intensity in front of an empty house!
Mr. John Gunning said something about that in the English commentary – that this was like practice in a heya, where there are usually very intense matches in a quiet keiko-ba. So the wrestlers may be feeling more intense because of it.
It was interesting to hear the Gyoji speak quieter outside of their “hakkeyoi” cries because they knew they didn’t have to yell over the crowd noise. The “matta” call for Migoriyu/Onosho bout stood out to me for it’s calmness and simplicity.
I do think all of the rikishi are affected by the empty arena. It’s a stark reminder of the current health crisis and it will take more mental focus to ignore that difference and do proper sumo.
Fun day of sumo. All those deserving to win have won.
Hearing all the sounds of their breathing and impact is both cool and weird.