Kyushu Basho 2016

Tochinoshin defeats Kisenosato

Bruce H Kisenosato (稀勢の里), Kyushu Basho 2016

tochinoshin

This turns out to have been the lynch-pin match for the multi-way playoff this weekend that so many sumo fans were hoping for. In what was really quite a nice effort by Tochinoshin (available on video from Jason’s All Sumo Channel here) we saw the big Ozeki finally overwhelmed in a massive display of strength sumo.

After some initial pushing that would probably have floored a rhino, the two men went chest to chest with Tochinoshin establishing a right hand inside grip. From there it was straight up high end yotsu sumo. They took each other to the tawara, they each tried throws, but eventually Tochinoshin was able to topple Kisenosato sideways at the edge. Let’s think about that. Tochinoshin was able to man-handle about 400 pounds of sumotori. If Tochinoshin gets bored with sumo, he should consider a career in the railroad industry… as a locomotive.

With this loss, Kisenosato is out of contention for the yusho. He put forth a massive and impressive effort this basho, and it’s really good to see him maintain his sumo. Sadly Kisenosato’s career is full of losses at the crucial moment – where he snatches defeat from the jaws of victory.

Kyushu Day 13 Preview

Bruce H Gōeidō (豪栄道), Hakuho (白鵬), Harumafuji (日馬富士), Kakuryu (鶴竜), Kisenosato (稀勢の里), Kyushu Basho 2016, Takarafuji (宝富士) , , , , , ,

kakuryu

If you do not control your opponent, your opponent will control you

Book of Five Rings

Sumo fans could not ask for a more exiting final Friday of 2016. Across the two upper divisions (Juryo and Makuuchi), there is a mad scramble for the championship. With just a few bouts remaining, there is a broad group of rikishi that could claim the yusho. Recall that by this time during the Aki basho, we were very sure it was going to be Goeido, we just did not know if it would be a perfect record or not.

Going into day 13, no one remains with a perfect record, and the mightiest men in Sumo now face each other, as the Yokozuna will compete against both the upper Ozeki, and their fellow Yokozuna during the last three days. As each of these men are leading contenders for the championship, which sekitori has the lead in the yusho race to change moment by moment during the final bouts of each day.

The idea scenario for maximum drama would require Hakuho to beat Kakuryu, Harumafuji to beat Goeido, Kisenosato to beat Tochinoshin, and Ishiura to beat Arawashi. That would create a 4 way tie for the lead, with 2 days left.

Notable Matches

Ishiura vs Arawashi – Ishiura faced a very capable Ikioi on day 12, and Ikioi did not charge head-long into Ishiura’s mini-henke. Time to see if Arawashi learned this lesson as well. I expect Ishiura to face at least one more higher level rikishi before the end of the basho. Ishiura is very evenly matched against Arawashi, with a 2-3 record.

Sokokurai vs Takarafuji – Takarafuji is going for his kachi-koshi again today, this time against Sokokurai. Thus match will likely be a strength test between the two men, with a slight edge to Sokokurai.

Shohozan vs Ichinojo – Shohozan should pick up his kachi-koshi today, as Ichinojo is really struggling this tournament. To his credit, Ichinojo is at .500 with three days to go, and kachi-koshi is still possible for him. Slight advantage to Fukuoka home town favorite Shohozan.

Endo vs Okinoumi – It has been a surprising basho for both of these rikishi. Endo had a very strong start, and has faded as of late. He needs a win here against the injured Okinoumi to make a credible case for finishing the tournament with a winning record. Slight advantage to Endo on this one.

Tamawashi vs Terunofuji – Tamawashi will attempt to score a winning tournament record today against the man-mountain Terunofuji. Tamawashi has been doing well, and Terunofuji is injured – but Terunofuji also just beat Hakuho, so I would say Tamawashi won’t find his eighth win today.

Tochinoshin vs Kisenosato – In the strangest match up of day 13, Maegashira 6 Tochinoshin faces off against Yokozuna killer Kisenosato. Tochinoshin has been (in the past) sort of a one trick pony – he likes to lift people up and carry them around. That won’t work against Kisenosato in any reasonable scenario. One of two things (or both) are happening here. First, it could be that the schedules want to give Kisenosato an easy match to make sure he can play spoiler in any potential play-off. Second, it may be the case that they want to see if Tochinoshin can recuse himself well against a solid Ozeki. Worth watching, but my thought is that Kisenosato will take care of him without too much bother.

Hakuho vs Kakuryu – This is one of the two highly anticipated matches for day 13. Hakuho has to be smarting, having been handed a third loss by Terunofuji. I am going to expect that he is hungry for revenge. Kakuryu has been winning, but he has been reactive to my eye, rather than dominating his matches. Hakuho dominates matches, even in his injured state. I can’t wait to see how this one turns out. Historically, Hakuho has a huge advantage over Kakuryu.

Harumafuji vs Goeido – Harumafuji should be gunning for Goeido. The path to Goeido’s Aki yusho went through Harumafuji, and their match was won at the last moment when Goeido engaged a twisting throw at the edge. I have absolute confidence that the “Good” Goeido will be on the dohyo today. After the brutal “codpiece throw” that is part of the NHK intro, Goeido has a large supply of payback to throw at Harumafuji. This will be, in my mind, possibly the most exciting sumo of the day, even though the Hakuho match will go farther to determine the yusho race. Harumafuji has a huge lead in their career record, 29-10. Go boldly Goeido!

Juryo Note

The Juryo-yusho race is every bit as wild as the one in Makuuchi. The sole leader, Seiro (10-2) faces off against Osunaarashi (9-3) early in the Juryo matches. Shortly afterwards, Satoyama (9-3) faces off against Sato (9-3). One of these rikishi is likely to be to Juryo tournament winner, and it’s great to see the schedule putting them head to head during the last few days.

Day 12 News & Highlights

Bruce H Gōeidō (豪栄道), Kakuryu (鶴竜), Kyushu Basho 2016, Takayasu (高安), Yoshikaze (嘉風) , ,

tochinoshin

Intense, Delightful and Satisfying.

Day 11 was big, it was pivotal, it was everything sumo fans wanted. But on day 12 we got more, so much more. This basho saved all of its mojo for the end, and it’s delivering the goods.

We start with the Yusho race – As noted earlier, both Harumafuji and and Hakuho lost their matches today, and Kakuryu won over a failing Kotoshogiku. Ishiura was defeated by Ikioi, which means that all of the leaders have dropped back into the hunt group and chasers, and the yusho race is getting wider, rather than narrower.

This also means the ugly shadow of the bad call against Goeido continues to grow. The race for the Emperor’s Cup now stands thusly:

Leaderboard

  • Leader: Kakuryu
  • Chasers: Harumafuji, Kisenosato, Ishiura
  • Hunt Group: Hakuho, Goeido*, Shodai

3 matches remain

If either Hakuho or Harumafuji can hand Kakuryu another loss, we will witness one of the more exciting finishes to a basho, and the sumo year, in recent history.

In Juryo, the re-rack of the leaderboard was just as dramatic, with early Juryo-yusho favorite Osunaarashi losing to Sato. That leaves Seiro, at Juryo 11, the sole leader. As fortune would have it. Seiro will face Osunaarashi tomorrow! A Seiro loss could put the Juryo-yusho into a 5 way tie, with just 2 days to go.

Notable Matches

Sokokurai defeats Arawashi – Sokokurai did indeed secure his kachi-koshi today. He will be staying in Makuuchi for January, and he may even see a nice promotion if he can pick up another win or two.

Ikioi defeats Ishiura – As predicted, the veteran Ikioi knew exactly what to do with Ishiura – stonewall at the tachiai, bottle him up and remove his mobility as a factor and show him the door. Ikioi also earned his kachi-koshi today with this bout, so it was doubly sweet.

Tochinoshin defeats Ichinojo – Ichinojo is really not looking himself, but Tochinoshin is on his sumo and moving very well. Kachi-koshi for Tochinoshin as well today, and he earned it well.

Yoshikaze defeats Takayasu – Heartbreak match here, with Takayasu getting his make-koshi, and demotion from Sekiwake. Not only did he not maintain his fight for Ozeki, he is suffering a huge reset. Prior to the Kyushu basho, he was reported to be in bad form during keiko, and many sumo experts were worried about him. During the basho, he took a couple of very nasty dives, and I would guess we can add injury to whatever else is haunting Takayasu.

Goeido defeats Endo – Good form again today from Goeido, I am happy to report. As the ichiban Ozeki for Kyushu, he will now face the Yokozuna to close out the year. I feel much more confident about his chances, now that he seems to be properly tuned up and running.

Kakuryu defeats Kotoshogiku – Kotoshogiku once again had nothing today. I hope he can get in better condition for January.

Kisneosato Defeats Harumafujji

Bruce H Harumafuji (日馬富士), Kisenosato (稀勢の里), Kyushu Basho 2016, Yokozuna (横綱), Ōzeki (大関)

kisenosatono

Ozeki Triumphs Over All Three Yokozuna

In a quick and stunning match, the big Ozeki completely overwhelmed Harumafuji, taking him straight to the edge and out. This is a massive win for Kisenosato, and for the yusho race at Kyushu.

After the disheartening collapse of Kisneosato’s yokozuna bid during the fall tournament, most sumo fans had few expectations for him at Kyushu. But Kisenosato is not one to seek attention, or to grandstand. His approach is quiet and powerful. With the pressure of all the media attention, and the hopes of a nation shifted to Goeido, Kisenosato returned to what he loves; good, solid Ozeki sumo.

Fun fact about today’s match. Up until today – these two had been tied for the most wins for 2016, with his victory over Harumafuji, Kisneosato has claimed, at least temporarily, that lead.

Between his performance at Kyushu, and Goeido’s (if you discount his manufactured loss to Okinoumi), this has to be giving the Yokozuna Deliberation Committee quite a bit to discuss following the tournament.