Juryo (十両)

Haru Story 6 – Ura’s Makuuchi Debut

Bruce H Harubasho 2017 (Osaka), Juryo (十両), Ura (宇良)

Ura-Makuuchi

Plastic Man Has Bulked Up, But Can He Still Move?

Since he joined the ranks of Sumo in 2015, Ura has defied convention. His style is based on maneuver, speed and improvisation. As a result, he quickly moved up the ranks because most of his opponents had no idea what he was doing, or what they could do to defend against the next magic trick he would produce mid-bout.

From his debut in May of 2015, it took him only a year to reach Juryo – and impressive rise. He scored one yusho, and 3 Yusho-doten (where he lost in a playoff to the yusho winner). But once in Juryo, his speed and improvisation could not longer be counted on to carry the day. Ura decided he needed to bulk up in order to stand a chance against the much heavier men in the upper divisions. For a rikishi who’s sumo depends on speed and flexibility, many fans (myself included) worried he would have cultivate an entirely new collection of skills from scratch.

The 2016 Aki basho looked to be a turning point, where he entered the tournament a Juryo 1 East, the top wrestler in the division. He went to rack up a disappointing 6-9 record, and he remained in Juryo while rikishi like Ishiura were promoted to Makuuchi. Now, at long last for his fans, he has reached the upper division, being placed at Maegashira 12 West for the Haru Basho in Osaka (his home town).

Ura has added a great deal of mass, and fans will be watching his Makuuchi debut with great interest. As Andy pointed out, the Juryo crew figured out how to counter his low tachiai, which is what lead to his disastrous Aki score. As could be expected by a dedicated sumotori, Ura went back to the heya and came up with new approaches. He bulked up, adding at least 15 Kg since then, and has had to work hard to adjust his sumo to accommodate his much larger body. Clearly he had a working formula for Juryo, but now we get to see him face off against the top men in Sumo.

Ura is quite different from the common rikishi, his manners, his humble attitude, his general bright and sunny disposition nd amiable nature seem to really be something new and different on the dohyo, and for myself I find it quite compelling.

If readers have yet to watch Ura’s matches, I strongly suggest a quick search of youtube and watching the man in action. Some of what he does may impress you.

For example..

Hatsu Recap 1 – The Return of Osunaarashi (大砂嵐)

Bruce H Hatsubasho 2017, Juryo (十両), Osunaarashi (大砂嵐)

osunaarashi

A Fighting Spirit In A Damaged Body.

Story line 1 for Hatsu was the celebration of Egyptian sumotori Osunaarashi’s return to the top division. Osunaarashi had a sponsor arrangement that only really paid out when he was competing in top division matches, so he had a substantial financial incentive to return to Makuuchi. During the Kyushu basho, Osunaarashi drove himself relentlessly to compete in spite of obvious personal injuries and great physical pain. No one could question his devotion to sumo or his fighting spirt. But his injuries overcame him, and on day 13 of Kyushu, he withdrew from the tournament.

In spite of this withdrawal, the Japan Sumo Association gave him a chance for Hatsu basho. It was with great joy that his followers and fans noted that he had made the very last spot: Maegashira 16 East, on the Makuuchi banzuke. Everyone hoped that Osunaarashi would arrive day 1 in good physical condition and ready to compete and hopefully secure a winning record.

Sadly, after a fairly strong start where he defeated a trio of Kokonoe rikishi (M15e Chiyoo, M14e Chiyootori and M14w Chiyotairyu), he proceeded to grow progressively weaker, and more injured day after day. His finishing record was 4 wins, 11 losses: an ugly make-koshi.

This means that Osunaarashi will be deep in the Juryo pack for Osaka, and once again out of the top division. Osunaarashi needs time to heal and recover, or he is likely never to be a serious competitor again. Each basho he seems a bit more damaged, and his performance is declining.

Tachiai hopes that Osunaarashi will find the time to have his injuries addressed, and can return to fighting form.

Hatsu Basho Day 15 Preview

Bruce H Hakuho (白鵬), Hatsubasho 2017, Juryo (十両), Kisenosato (稀勢の里), Takayasu (高安), Yoshikaze (嘉風)

day15

Thus Ends A Great Tournament

It’s been a great two weeks of sumo, and this basho has been an exciting departure from the prior tournaments. After years of effort, Kisenosato has finally won a tournament. There is rampant speculation in the Japanese press that he is also going to undergo serious consideration for promotion to Yokozuna shortly after the tournament concludes on Sunday. This is typically the time that such deliberations take place given the cost and complexity of setting up all of the accessories and materials needed for life as a Yokozuna.

There a several rikishi who have one more chance to secure their winning record and stave off demotion, this includes – Kaisei, Chiyoo, Chiyoshoma, Sadanoumi. Yoshikaze and Endo. Interestingly enough, Chiyoshoma and Sadanoumi will fight each other. There can be only one!

There really is only one bout with gravity on day 15, the match between Hakuho and Kisenosato. As Kisenosato has already won the Yusho for the Hatsubasho, this bout is largely symbolic. But keep in mind Hakuho needs to tally wins in his attempt to break the all time win record this year, and Kisenosato wants his Yusho win record as high as possible for Yokozuna promotion consideration. But men will likely give it full throttle.

Other Notable Matches

Takanoiwa vs Sokokurai – Both Maegashira 10’s turned in incredible 11-3 records up to today, the winner will go an incredible 12-3, which in some past bashes has been enough to win.

Chiyonokuni vs Mitakeumi – Great performance from Chiyonokuni, and a win here will send him into double digit wins. Mitakeumi wants to get o 11 wins to stake his claim to a Sanyaku slot for March.

Takayasu vs Endo – Endo wants his kachi-koshi, and needs one more win. Takayasu wants 11 wins to re-start his Ozeki bid in March. Takayasu was not on his sumo day 14, and Endo is not going to let any mistake go unexploited.

Juryo – It’s down to 11-3 Ura and Daieisho, both of which are likely to be promoted to Makuuchi in March, but both want the Yusho for Hatsu Juryo

Hatsu Day 14 Summary – The New Talent Continues to Excel

Bruce H Hakuho (白鵬), Hatsubasho 2017, Ichinojo (逸ノ城), Juryo (十両), Kisenosato (稀勢の里), Kotoshogiku (琴奨菊), Mitakeumi(御嶽海), Osunaarashi (大砂嵐), Takayasu (高安) , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

day14b

Sumo’s Bright Future On Display

The second to last day of the January tournament turned in several thrilling matches, as low ranked Maegashira paired off against senior Sekitori to test their potential at future higher ranks. In general the new talent gave a very good showing, and in some cases surprised their senior opponents.

First there were visitors from Juryo today in the upper division, starting with Ura. Clearly Ura liked his first taste of Kensho, and was looking for more. Sadanoumi had a straight ahead approach, but a match with Ura requires improvisation. Juryo Daieisho also showed a great deal of poise and balance in his win over Takakeisho, having him his make-koshi (ouch!). The battle looked all Takakeisho until Daieisho executed a stunning thrust / throw at the tawara.

Ishiura’s dirty henka over Osunaarashi was demeaning, and Osunaarashi’s icy glare post match told the whole story. It was not like Osunaarashi had the strength in his lower body to offer much of a challenge. This was purely an insult. Chiyoo looked very good handing Kotoyuki his make-koshi, and survived a lot of really well place thrusts from Kotoyuki. Chiyoo eventually got a belt hold and gave Kotoyuki a nice hug-n-chug to exit him from the ring.

Takekaze displayed yet another fantastic, crowd pleasing Judo style throw in his win over Chiyootori, who sadly is now make-koshi and may be headed back to Juryo. Kaisei seems to have finally remembered his sumo, and will possibly save himself from further demotion. It does beg the question of why it seems to take him so many bouts in a tournament to get warmed up. His limited box of moves is “I am enormous and weight more than a side of beef”, so it limits him.

Mitakeumi gets to double digit wins in his blistering match against Hokutofuji, who is certainly fighting strong this basho. Keep an eye on Hokutofuji, as he has yet to turn in a losing record in his sumo career. Much as I worried, Takayasu was surprised by Sokokurai, who executed a fantastic move at the tawara that seems to have embarrassed Takayasu. This should be a lesson to the joi – don’t underestimate Sokokurai.

I felt a bit sorry for Ichinojo taking on Kisenosato. Here is a Maegashira 13 facing the dai-Ozeki, and clearly he is as nervous as can be. After a false start, you can clearly see his composure crumple and drift away. On the second attempt, Kisenosato easily escorts him out. If Ichinojo can stay healthy, and stay at this weight or lower, he has potential. But I fear he may end up like Terunofuji, where his body fails him after a few years. Ikioi picked up his kachi-koshi against poor Kotoshogiku who now carries a double-digit loss, and has nothing left.

Lastly, once again, Takanoiwa defeated Yokozuna Hakuho convincingly. The Yokozuna was driven back, raised up and Takanoiwa applied a series of hip-pumps to push Hakuho out. It was a shocking upset, and re-awakens concerns over Hakuho’s post-surgery strength and endurance.