Aki Basho 2016

Ura – Behind But Not Done

Bruce H Aki Basho 2016 ,

A great video above of Ura’s day 10 match against Toyohibiki.  Some things about this that make me smile:

  • Note that Ura has his own approach / style to the typical events that take place once both rikishi enter the ring.  Washcloth? Nah, thanks. Salt? Just a pinch. Staring and glaring? What’s the problem here jumbo?
  • Ura is a class act.  Please note how far he goes to act like he was raised with manners and respect. The bows, the interaction with the ushers, all of it.
  • He genuinely seems to be having fun.  Much like Amakaze, yes it’s competitive, yes it’s a profession, but these guys seem to just enjoy the match a bit more than most.  It’s as if they would wrestle if they had nothing else to do on an afternoon.

This really makes me very optimistic about the future of Sumo.

September Day 10 Preview

Bruce H Aki Basho 2016, Harumafuji (日馬富士), Kakuryu (鶴竜), Kisenosato (稀勢の里), Takarafuji (宝富士), Takayasu (高安), Tochiozan (栃煌山), Yoshikaze (嘉風), Ōzeki (大関) , , , , , , ,

takayasu

So I said to Terunofuji, No really, pull my finger….

Time To Gamberize!

  • Leader (9-0): Goeido
  • Chasers (8-1): Harumafuji, Endo
  • Hunt Group (7-2): Kisenosato, Kotoshogiku, Takayasu, Okinoumi, Kotoyuki
  • 6 Bouts Remain

The scheduling elves in the Sumo Kyokai are now working to bring about a climatic conclusion to the fall tournament (also know as the Aki Basho). What this translates to is – time to sort the winners from the losers. Time to put people like Goeido into the mill and see if he can continue to win. For some rikishi who have been doing a lot of tough bouts in the early days, they may find their schedule eases up. For those who have been performing very well, they will be tested.

While I have no crystal ball, I would assume the idea is to get at least one loss on Goeido, which bring him to a tie with Harumafuji and possibly Endo. If there can be a means where there is a tie that includes Kisenosato and some others, they have a ratings bonanza. A battle on the final day to see if Kisenosato can claim the title of Yokozuna would be one of the most watched events in recent years.

But if they can get there, who can tell. Always in motion is the future (with apologies to Yoda)

Featured Day 10 Matches

Osunaarashi v Azumaryu – At the top end of Juryo, the big question is if Osunaarashi’s pelvis will explode before he can limp his way to kachi-koshi. My biggest wish is the man not further damage himself in some desperate bid to regain Makuuchi.

Ura v Toyohibiki – Ura is really struggling this tournament, he is 3-6, and unless he stages a mighty comeback, he will face demotion for November. But with several Maegashira benched with injuries, they need at least one Juryo to even out the ranks. Advantage Toyohibiki.

Gagamaru v Kyokushuho – Gagamaru is 1 under even, but it is not a given he will make kachi-koshi, and I am sure he does not want to return to Juryo. The problem for Gagamaru, Kyokushuho has been fighting well If he can figure out how to take down one of the largest men in Sumo, we shall see. Slight advantage to Planet Gagamaru.

Endo v Sadanoumi – Endo is going to be promoted for November, he has made his winning record (kachi-koshi), but it will be interesting to see if he keeps up the intensity. My guess is he will. Though Sadanoumi is higher ranked by a few pips, he is facing an Endo who is in good form.

Kagayaki v Kotoyuki – Advantage here for Kotoyuki, who has been pressing hard to win every match, even if he has to pull a henka.

Amakaze v Tamawashi – Amakaze does not have anything close to a winning record, and will likely return to Juryo for at least one tournament. Meanwhile, Tamawashi is doing quite well, so I would give the advantage to Tamawashi.

Ikioi v Mitakeumi – Ikioi not much above .500, so it’s a coin toss on wether he makes the cut, he is fighting ok for a pusher-shover, but he does not have the depth and range that Mitakeumi has been showing. Advantage Mitakeumi

Kaisei v Yoshikaze – Another from the Kokugikan scratch and dent bin, Yoshikaze’s face looks like a prize-fighter’s, and Kaisei has been on a huge losing streak, with the exception of day 9’s win. Slight advantage to Yoshikaze.

Shodai v Tochiozan – Two good rikishi with losing records. Slight advantage to Tochiozan.

Takayasu v Okinoumi – This could be a really good one. On day 9 Okinoumi looked a bit lost in his bout, but I expect him to return to form day 10. Takayasu is looking like a likely Ozeki candidate, so this one will be a match that has impact. I give an advantage to Takayasu, which is 2x if his girlfriend is in the audience again (she was in day 9).

Kisenosato v Kotoshogiku – Wow: The Dozer vs The Great Pumpkin! This will be a fun fun match. Can Kotoshogiku retire Kisenosato’s dreams? I think probably not, as long as Kisenosato is on his game and plays out his plan.

Goeido v Terunofuji – Terunofuji is looking like he is headed to Kadoban, so I think Goeido is going 10-0.

Harumafuji v Aoiyama – The Horse must not be distracted by the flopping man-boobs. Just show him the door.

bt-taka-0919-akimoto-ogp_0

Takayasu – you lucky devil…..

Aki Day 9 Results – Goeido Wins, Okinoumi Loses

Bruce H Aki Basho 2016, Kakuryu (鶴竜), Kisenosato (稀勢の里), Takarafuji (宝富士), Takayasu (高安), Yoshikaze (嘉風), Ōzeki (大関) , ,

kise

Some high intensity action for day 9 at the Kokugikan in Tokyo, with the week 2 schedule under way, the san’yaku are focusing on competing with each other, and the Maegashira are largely left to sort out who gets demoted.  Congratulations to Endo for reaching his kachi-koshi.

  • Leader (9-0): Goeido
  • Chasers (8-1): Harumafuji, Endo
  • Hunt Group (7-2): Kisenosato, Kotoshogiku, Takayasu, Okinoumi, Kotoyuki
  • 6 Bouts Remain

Featured Results

Osunaarashi defeats Seiro – As show in the previous post, Osunaarashi is clearly injured, but fights on. this man wants back in Makuuchi ranks in November, and in fact his pay depends on it. Tachiai wishes him good fortune.

Tsurugisho defeats Ura – Ura is at a strange stage of his development. He is too small to use the “power sumo” hug and chug. His forte had been lighting fast attacks and always deploying an unexpected move at the most opportune time. With his placement at Juryo 1, we see Ura with a bit more weight, and after his initial losing streak, he seems to be questioning his own instincts. Many sumo fans are eager to see Ura promoted to Makuuchi, but there is no harm with him remaining in Juryo for another few tournaments. He has a lot of talent and natural ability. He just needs to get his winning recipes right.

Gagamaru defeats Daieisho – Daieisho put in a huge and worthy effort against one of the largest men in sumo. He overcommitted to an off balance push, and Gagamaru seized the opportunity to push him to the dohyo.

Endo defeats Sokokurai – Sokokurai had advantage early, but as he backed Endo to the tawara, Endo was able sneak a left hand grip on the mawashi of Sokokurai and force him out with a twisting reversal at the edge.

Nishikigi defeats Amakaze – Amakaze took command early, but could not finish off Nishikigi, who eventually was able to back Amakaze to the edge and hug him out.

Kotoyuki defeats Ikioi – Slaping and pushing fest that was all Kotoyuki. Match ended with both rikishi in a Shimpan’s lap.

Shodai defeats Daishomaru – No really, an actual win today. Shodai caught Daishomaru and threw him down with a nice kotenage arm throw. Welcome back Shodai, probably too late for kachi-koshi, but nice to see you resume your normally excellent sumo.

Yoshikaze defeats Tochinoshin – My favorite Georgian is really struggling, and I am going to say it’s injuries. But this match was not a traditional Yoshikaze slap fest, but rather a roving, grappling struggle that ended with Tochinoshin receiving a leg / shoulder combo push out / throw thing from Yoshikaze (Watashikomi?).

Kaisei defeats Okinoumi – Ok, so the good Kaisei mounted the dohyo today, and dominated Okinoumi. Kaisei wrapped up Okinoumi right off the tachiai, and just danced him out of the ring.

Kotoshogiku defeats Takarafuji – Text book power sumo match. Both rikishi really gave it everything, but we got to see Kotoshogiku in his optimal combat environment. The man is the master of the “chug” and was able to force out Takarafuji.

Goeido defeats Aoiyama – Over in mere seconds, Aoiyama initiated his preferred slappy / pushy form, Goeido grabbed some flab and pushed the man-mountain out of the ring. Goeido still undefeated at 9-0, he needs some Harumafuji love soon.

Takayasu defeats Terunofuji – Takayasu really looking very strong in what was a really good bout. Terunofuji was not going out without a fierce battle, but Takayasu was patient, took his time and waited for his opening. This has been the pattern with Takayasu, he has the mass and balance to blunt most attacks, and wears down his opponents. My vote for best Makuuchi match today.

Kisenosato defeats Chiyootori – Please sumo schedulers, stop feeding Kisenosato cream-puffs. If he is really worthy of the rope, let’s see him defeat all the other Ozeki and the Yokozuna.

Kakuryu defeats Myogiryu – This goes double for Kakuryu, please give him the honor of facing worthy opponents. Let the rikishi fall where they may.