May 2016

Kotoshogiku Gets Henka’d, Again

Andy May 2016 , ,

I’d venture to say the odds of Ikioi trying that tomorrow are about 2,000,000,000:1. Has Ikioi EVER tried to pull off a henka? I’m serious. If anyone can remember Ikioi trying a henka, please leave a note in the comments. It will be hilarious if he did one in March and I just have terrible memory.

I’m enjoying this tournament a lot so far. No one in the lower maegashira is seriously outclassed and belongs in Juryo. Yoshikaze is definitely under performing. Three tournaments in sanyaku have taken their toll and he’ll probably welcome a little drop in rank. I wonder if there’s a nagging issue with him. The only clearly walking wounded is Terunofuji.

Shodai is the only one who’s definitely punching above his weight but it’s his first time being thrown in with the sharks. The last few tournaments the sanyaku punching bag has been winless through 6. Last tournament it was Takayasu at M1W. In January it was Aoiyama at M2W. In November it was Okinoumi at M1W, Sadanofuji before that M2W. Sadanofuji ended up 2-13 that tournament and dropped into Juryo after garnering a mere 4 wins in the next tournament. The sekiwake through M3 ranks are rough.

Hakuho & Kisenosato Lead

Andy May 2016

Kotoshogiku fell off pace by losing to Myogiryu. Tochinoshin handed Terunofuji his fourth straight loss. I’m getting tired of saying that he should be recuperating. Y’all are probably tired of hearing it. Ikioi’s in good position at 3-3 after a couple of good sanyaku victories. He’ll fight Kotoshogiku tomorrow in one of his remaining four battles against ozeki and higher opponents. If he stays healthy and picks up wins against the other opponents, whom he should beat, he’ll have a safe winning record. More updates will come when I get off the train.

Karuryu Fell to Ikioi. Hakuho, Kisenosato, and Goeido Lead.

Andy May 2016 , , ,

Our leaders, Hakuho, Kisenosato and Goeido remain unbeaten. Each wrestler was firmly in control of their match. Though Kisenosato’s lasted a bit longer than the others, he was never in any danger of losing. Kakuryu fell back to 4-1 as Ikioi put in the best match I’ve seen from him in a long time. Interestingly, the Yokozuna never seemed to have the upper hand in this…Ikioi wanted it, bad.

Terunofuji cannot plant his left leg. He should not be in this tournament. He should be healing until July but they’ve already messed that up. Sit him now and I don’t think he’ll be 100% until September.

Tamawashi tried to give Osunaarashi a dose of his own nose-breaking medicine…but failed. The Egyptian’s a master brawler. Sokokurai is capable of putting together some strong performances. He owned Chiyootori today.

Endo is steadily gaining confidence. In the last few, aside from nagging injuries, he’d seemed a bit meek and awkward with the attention paid to him. After today’s win against Nishikigi, he almost seemed to crack a smile. It was a strong, one-sided performance in which he charged through the debutante and forced him out of the ring.

Kotoyuki & Kaisei Get First Sanyaku Wins – Takarafuji #Henka Master

Andy May 2016 ,

Granted, Kotoyuki’s first sanyaku win comes against Ikioi, a man he’s beaten 9 times in 11 bouts, but still. A solid win is a solid win. At no point was he in danger, he was aggressive and went after the taller Ikioi. Both men are now 1-3 and really need to pick up 2 more wins this week if they hope to have a kachi-koshi. The surprising thing to me is that half of their bouts were back in 2010-2012 in Juryo. Kotoyuki briefly made it into makuuchi before getting injured and dropping back to Juryo. It seems to have delayed his career a bit but he’s now clearly on the up-swing. It will take a lot to stay at this level, though. Ikioi’s yo-yo pattern is not one he’s want to emulate.

Kaisei also got his first sanyaku victory over a weakened Terunofuji. I don’t know why Isegahama heya isn’t sitting him. Let him heal.

Screenshot (179)

The big upset of the day was Takarafuji’s brilliant henka against Kotoshogiku. Like Kaisei from the other day, Takarafuji got into a four-point stance early as the Geek settled into a crouch. I always get knee pain watching Kotoshogiku. It just looks like it hurts to bring his girth down for a tachiai. On the initial charge, rather than go after the ozeki, Uncle Taka jumped right, shoving Kotoshogiku, who tumbled and rolled off the dohyo. The leader board stays packed with Hakuho, Kakuryu, Kisenosato, and Goeido all remaining unbeaten.