May 2015

Hakuho and Terunofuji LOSE on Day 1

Andy May 2015 ,

The marquee matchup of the day was Hakuho vs Ichinojo and it lived up to its billing. Ichinojo thrilled the crowd and stunned Hakuho. The two engaged in a strong tachiai but it seemed that as Hakuho settled in to grab for his compatriot’s belt, Ichinojo used his higher position to push straight down, forcing Hakuho to catch himself to keep from falling into the clay.

Harumafuji went back to basics with his quick, side-stepping win over Tochiozan. All of the ozeki looked strong in their wins. Kotoshogiku used UPPER body strength this time to throw Tochinoshin.

The big surprise of the day was Terunofuji’s Day 1 loss to M3 Sadanoumi. Terunofuji picked Sadanoumi up and moved him close to the edge of the dohyo but Sadanoumi was able to make use of better position and force the sekiwake out. Ozeki promotion may have to wait. The pressure is now on Terunofuji to grab wins. He faces a tough one in Oosunaarashi tomorrow.

Oosunaarashi got a quick win over Chiyootori which is to be expected with the latter’s knee injury. Endo and Aminishiki also lost their bouts as they struggled without the ability to plant and effectively counter their opponents. Aside from Oosunaarashi, Ikioi and Myogiryu benefited from the injured trio.

Kakuryu Kyujo Again: No May Tournament for the Yokozuna, but Endo’s in?

Andy Injuries, May 2015 ,

It was announced that Kakuryu will not compete in May, either. The yokozuna will miss his second tournament in a row with a serious left shoulder injury. Sadly, I think this will increase the pressure on Harumafuji to win. Interestingly, though, it sets up an easier path for Terunofuji as he will only have to face the lone yokozuna. With Ozeki Goeido coming off a shoulder injury and jackrabbit Kotoshogiku’s perpetually if-y knees as well, he is set up for success. He’ll still have a tough road to a yusho or 14-1 performance but 10 wins is certainly in the cards.

As for Endo, he surprisingly intends to compete! I wish him luck but we’ll see how effective he’ll be on Sunday. I understand the desire to not drop into Juryo but even with the relatively light schedule at M9, it will still be rough with a weak knee. We’ve seen Oosunaarashi tough it out with apparent knee issues but he’s certainly got the upper-body strength and the forearm delivery to bull through 4-6 wins when weakened. With those fat bounty envelopes, Endo will have a target on his back and every rikishi has that little bit more incentive to take him down.

If anyone’s heard news from Aminishiki or Chiyootori, certainly share in the comments. I’ll see what I can dig up.

May 2015 Banzuke Released

Andy May 2015

The Sumo Kyokai released the banzuke ahead of the May tournament. No surprises in the top ranks. Terunofuji and Myogiryu get sekiwake slots and the easier first week schedule. Tochiozan and Ichinojo get the komusubi slots. Along with Takarafuji and Tochinoshin at Maegashira 1, and Toyonoshima and Aminishiki at M2, they are going to have a rough first week… Though with Ichinojo and Tochinoshin there are definitely some big upsets in the making that first week.

I hope Aminishiki will be back but we’ll see. If anyone has any news on his injury, please share in the comments. With Goeido’s shoulder, I’ll be surprised if he has 3 wins by the end of the week. Last tournament, Takarafuji fought well against the maegashira but was winless against the ozeki and Hakuho. He also lost to Ichinojo, Myogiryu, and Tochinoshin. He will not face Harumafuji or Terunofuji but with Kakuryu back he’ll still have a difficult schedule for the first half of the tournament.

Sadanoumi and Osunaarashi come in at M3 with Chiyootori and Tokushoryu at M4. These are still really difficult positions. They should feel the full force of sanyaku so I hope they’re all back healthy, particularly Chiyootori. I’m not optimistic about Chiyootori or Aminishiki’s chances at coming back this tournament. I hope they take it off to recuperate.

Going down further along the banzuke to Kitataiki and Tamawashi at M5 and Gagamaru and Aoiyama at M6, they should benefit from lighter schedules so hopefully they’ll put up winning records. Endo fell to M9 after missing the final 9 days. Homarefuji’s probably hoping he’ll pick up an easy no-show victory on Day 1, and same with Ikioi.

Fujiazuma bounds back into the top division on the back of his Juryo yusho. It’s his first time back after a year in the second division. He’s joined by Takanoiwa and Amuru surprises by staying in the makuuchi. Tokitenku’s 3-12 record and Shohozan’s woeful 1-14 performance were punished with demotion.

Tosayutaka is clinging to the salaried sekitori ranks by the skin of his teeth. At J14 West, he’ll fall into sandanme if he can’t get a winning record, which would be sad. He’d just gotten back to maegashira ranks in January when he went down with what seemed to be a bad knee injury. He did get 6 wins last tournament so he might have a bit more left in the tank.