As action in that other competition heats up, our gladiators will square off this Sunday to kick off the Nagoya Basho. (I would not be surprised if a lot of sumo wrestlers are pulling for France in the World Cup. It looks like they had a lot of fun last month in Paris.)
The biggest storyline is the sudden kyujo of May’s tournament winner, Wakatakakage. He was rushed to hospital after experiencing severe pain in his thigh. He underwent surgery and we hope for a swift recovery. Thus, he is absent from the Day One match-ups. Another prolonged, multi-basho absence would be a real gut-check. He’d climbed back from the knee injury and we’d just started muttering the words, “Ozeki Run,” but now that’s gone. He will tumble into the midst of the rank-and-file for Aki, likely as far as Maegashira 10 or 11.
Hakuyozan, Juryo 13 West, will also be missing from action. He tore his achilles in June and is doubtful for a return this year. Let us hope the dohyo is suitably purified for the upcoming tournament. Matsuri broadcast will be live soon:
Welp, if you are a kadoban Ozeki, or a freshly demoted Ozeki, the Wakatakakage news is probably a welcome distraction. But let’s not forget that we will be looking for convincing performances from both Kotozakura and Aonishiki. Kotozakura will need eight wins to maintain his rank but he was not very competitive in several bouts last tournament. One feels it is a matter of time before he joins the crop of former Ozeki among the rank-and-file. He will face Takanosho on Day One. The pressure is on.
Aonishiki will need 10 wins to regain his Ozeki rank as he earned his demotion in May. Aonishiki will fight Hiradoumi on Sunday. The pressure is on.
Shall we turn to our pair of Yokozuna? Onosato was the shock kyujo from Natsu Basho with Hoshoryu pulling up lame in a disastrous tournamet start. Nevertheless, both men made the trip to Paris for the Exhibition. They returned to perform their dohyo-iri at Atsuta Jingu (above). Hoshoryu will fight his nemesis, Oho. Onosato will take on Yoshinofuji. The pressure is certainly on.
Meanwhile, Kirishima will fight Fujinokawa. Both men had a mixed-bag basho in May. A lot going for these guys but there is are certainly some faults in the armor, shall we say? Atamifuji will fight Gonoyama. Frankly, the same thing could be said of that pair. And Kotoshoho finds himself at Sekiwake, ready to battle Churanoumi. Lastly, somehow Takayasu is expected to show up and fight Wakamotoharu. Day One action might give us an early read on whether these men are “production ready.”
Apologies for the brief preview. I hope you get to watch the dohyo matsuri. As a reminder, it’s on in a few minutes.
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Took two tries to see the whole dohyo matsuri. They always start early, and I sometimes don’t tune in earlier enough. 🙄
It’s pretty quick, too. Done in just about 20 minutes tonight.
Now that I know what compartment syndrome is, it seems that while it is very serious, it may not cause any lasting problems if it is treated promptly. I’m optimistic Wakatakakage will be healthy soon.
Kotozakura looks like he is settling into the Goeido niche of an ozeki who does just enough to keep his rank, and no more. Based on that, I suppose he’ll get his eight.
I always find the dohyo matsuri an interesting ritual.
Looking forward to a pressure-packed basho, so many questions that will be answered soon.
Hoping for a injury free tournament.
There are definitely lots of questions that we will hopefully get answers for in the upcoming days. I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s bouts!
In a ‚meet the rikishi‘-event on the sidelines of Paris tournament Kotozakura stated that he wants to become a Yokozuna. Though this is a honorable and understandable objective, I thought he should aim for overcoming kadoban status first. And maybe get some double digits one fine day…
I love the ring purifying ceremony. It‘s so simple, careful and calming. I wish all their preparations will lead to an injury-free basho with justified results in the end. Yay, let the games begin!
How can you watch them fill in the hole in the middle at the end of the ceremony?
I have asked it before. Why is the Matsuri not open to the public anymore? Does anyone know?
I have my answer. They showed the public in one of the final shots.
Yeah, I don’t remember which tournament but rather recently they started letting people back. There are strict rules since it’s a Shinto ceremony.
It is open to the public. This particular broadcast zoomed in on the spectators. There was a good turnout.