Harubasho 2017 (Osaka)

The Osaka basho that takes place in March

Yokozuna Kisenosato’s Second Defeat

Bruce H Harubasho 2017 (Osaka)

Kise-14

Competed In Spite Of Painful Injury

In a move that surprised many, Yokozuna Kisenosato decided that he would not withdraw from Haru, and in fact mounted the dohyo to face Yokozuna Kakuryu on day 14. After Friday’s injury, many in the sumo press as well as myself expected Kisenosato to be barred from further competition by his doctor. Sumo association officials were very tight lipped about the exact nature of his injury and his condition. In information from the Japanese press (thanks to Kintamayama):

“This morning we had a chat about various things. He said he would like to participate today. He is strongly motivated.,” said his Oyakata Tagonoura. His condition? “He can move. There are two days left and there other other rikishi. He is a bit better than yesterday.. I’ll watch today’s bout and if it’s really bad we might have to reconsider..But if he will be OK he will appear on the last day as well. He will of course be doing the Yokozuna dohyo-iri and will move his body” added the Oyakata, not divulging much.

With Kisenosato’s loss, Terunofuji steps into sole the lead in the yusho race. The championship will be decided on day 15, when the injured Kisenosato faces Terunofuji in the second to last bout of the day. Tachiai hopes that Terunofuji has all of that henka nonsense out of his system, and faces Kisenosato like an Ozeki.

Kotoshogiku’s Ozeki Bid Ends

Bruce H Harubasho 2017 (Osaka), Kotoshogiku (琴奨菊), Terunofuji (照ノ富士), Ōzeki (大関) ,

Kotoshogiku-14

Terminated by Terunofuji’s Henka

In on of the most disappointing 5 minutes of sumo of my life, Sekiwake Kotoshogiku’s bid to reclaim his Ozeki rank, and likely retire on a high note, ended when Terunofuji chose to employ a henka rather than give the fading rikishi an honest fight. The match had trouble getting started, with Terunofuji coming off the line prematurely, and matta was called.

On the restart, Kotoshogiku launched into the tachiai, but found that Terunofuji had leapt to the side. Thus ends a valiant effort by a long serving rikishi to end things on a high note. The crowd in Osaka was shocked, and I might say insulted. Everyone assumed that Terunofuji was going to win this bout, but they wanted to see him win via strength and skill. The expression on the crowd’s faces on the image above speak volumes.

Haru Day 14 Preview

Bruce H Harubasho 2017 (Osaka), Harumafuji (日馬富士), injury, Kakuryu (鶴竜), Kisenosato (稀勢の里), Kotoshogiku (琴奨菊), Shōdai (正代直也), Takarafuji (宝富士), Takayasu (高安), Tamawashi (玉鷲), Terunofuji (照ノ富士), Yoshikaze (嘉風) , , ,

Kise-kak-14

Kisenosato Will Compete Day 14

The results from day 13 were catastrophic for the Japanese sumo industry. Their home-grown Yokozuna was hurt in a bout, many would say needlessly. Some my wonder why I label this a catastrophe, it’s because Kisenosato’s ascension led to a huge uptick in sumo’s popularity and cultural prominence. Any long term injury could lead to some very hard feelings between the Japanese public and some of sumo’s top performers. This would be an utter disaster for the sport.

As of the moment this is being written (and one of the reasons it’s so late), Kisenosato has decided he is going to show up and face Kakuryu on day 14. I fear that he is not at 100%, and may in fact risk a grave injury. But Kisenosato is so proud to be a Yokozuna now, he wants to show Japan that he is going to be there, no matter how much it hurts.

In other news from day 13 (most of you will have watched video by now). Terunofuji defeated Kakuryu in a fairly amazing bout. I am not sure what happened to bring “classic” kaiju mode Terunofuji back, but I think everyone (including myself) figured he was gone for good. Now he is back, and he is tied for the lead in the yusho race with an injured Kisenosato.

Takayasu continued his typical out of gas / collapse on day 13, losing to Yoshikaze. Yoshikaze is now kachi-koshi, which delights me, but I was hoping to see Takayasu set his defeat aside and charge ahead. Kotoshogiku also managed a win over Shodai, a convincing one, to keep his return to Ozeki status alive by the narrowest of margins.

Yusho Race – It’s either Terunofuji or Kisenosato. God help us, but they will face off on day 15.

Key Matches Day 14

Kisenosato vs Kakuryu – How injured is the Shin-Yokozuna? Time to find out. I doubt Kakuryu is going to give him any quarter. Kisenosato tends to beat Kakuryu, their career record is Kisenosato 31, Kakuryu 17. But this is going to be a tough match with Kisenosato’s left arm hurt. It’s also a must-win for Kakuryu, who only has 8 wins so far.

Kotoshogiku vs Terunofuji – Well, it’s been nice knowing you Kotoshogiku. Terunofuji seems only to be increasing in strength and intensity, where it’s clear the past few days the Kotoshogiku is on fumes. Terunofuji has gladly granted his opponents a double-inside “death grip” the past few days, and then proceeded to make them suffer. Given that Kotoshogiku will try for that same grip to start his hug-n-chug, the results could be ugly. Kotoshogiku must win all remaining bouts to return to his Ozeki rank.

Takarafuji vs Takayasu – Takayasu may be convincing himself that things are tougher than they should be. He needs to break above 10 to help his Ozeki push, and he needs to be able to recover from a disappointing loss like day 11 if he is to excel at sumo’s higher ranks. Takarafuji is fighting well this basho, so this is not an easy match.

Expected Day 15 Matches

  • Kakuryu vs Harumafuji
  • Kisenosato vs Terunofuji
  • Kotoshogiku vs Yoshikaze
  • Takayasu vs Tamawashi

Haru Day 13 Recap: WTF.

Andy Harubasho 2017 (Osaka)

Well, this yusho has been totally thrown on its head. As Bruce reported, Kise is down and likely out. We’ll get to the implications later but there was also a lot more action to cover. This tight race with Tochiozan and Takayasu has become decidedly less tight as both wrestlers fell today, leaving Terunofuji alone (presumably) in the lead by two bouts.

Would someone please return Terunofuji’s lunch money? He’s a new man as his knees seem to be holding up. Today, he demonstrated Championship level sumo against Yokozuna Kakuryu. Both wrestlers locked up quickly with two-handed belt grips. While the bout was closely contested, Terunofuji was never in any real danger, even as Kakuryu tried desperately to trip the big lug, kicking at those apparently-not-so-tender knees. Eventually, Terunofuji’s height advantage and leverage meant his atomic wedgie was superior…lifting Kakuryu over the straw bales.

Thus, with a two bout lead over his closest competitors, Terunofuji will seal the deal on his second yusho with a win tomorrow over Kotoshogiku. Kotoshogiku was able to finally get his kachi-koshi with a powerful tachiai and quick force-out victory over Shodai. Shodai will tumble into the rank-and-filers with nine or more losses now. His ozeki dreams are on hold. Mitakeumi, on the other hand, is keeping his sanyaku ambition alive after beating the ever-feisty Sokokurai. He’ll face Chiyonokuni in a tough match for a winning record. Sekiwake rank will be crowded if Giku fails to regain his Ozeki rank. Three Sekiwake in May with Mitakeumi held at Komusubi with 8 or even 9 wins?

Takayasu’s ozeki dreams are coming undone, as well. He really needed 11 or 12 wins this tournament and has not been in good form the past few days. He has been slow to get up after both defeats. Yoshikaze shoved him from the ring today after a frantic bout. Takayasu did not demonstrate the clear control and command he had in the first two thirds of this tournament. Likewise, Tochi-from-Kochi let Endo control the pace and position of their fight. Endo pushed, keeping Tochiozan on the defensive and eventually shoved him over the bales.

Tochinoshin wants to win and it showed against Kagayaki. He’s battling a bit below his abilities because of his injury but may still pull off a winning record. Likewise, Okinoumi has shown some life lately, picking up his eighth win against Ishiura. He’ll climb back up the banzuke, unlike Myogiryu. I’m worried about him. He’s got 6 wins this tournament so far but with the loss to Juryo-ranked Onosho. He will need to pull out all of the stops and win out in order to get a winning record and arrest his slide down the banzuke (possibly into Juryo).