Shohozan

Kyushu Day 7 Preview

Bruce H Abi (阿炎), Aoiyama, Arawashi (荒鷲), Asanoyama (朝乃山), Chiyoshoma, Chiyotairyū (千代大龍), Daieisho (大栄翔), Endo (遠藤), Gōeidō (豪栄道), Hokutōfuji (北勝富士), Ichinojo (逸ノ城), Ikioi (勢), Kagayaki (輝), Kaisei (魁聖), Kyushu Basho 2018, Mitakeumi(御嶽海), Myogiryu (妙義龍), Nishikigi, Ryuden (竜電), Sadanoumi (佐田の海), Shohozan, Shōdai (正代直也), Takakeishō (貴景勝), Takayasu (高安), Tamawashi (玉鷲), Tochinoshin (栃ノ心), Tochiozan (栃煌山), Yoshikaze (嘉風), Ōnoshō (阿武咲)

mitakeumi-tobizaru-hokutofuji-statue-2

A short preview tonight, as I am flying back to Texas from the snow encrusted tundra of New Jersey where I have spent this week. A reminder the fans that Saturday night into Sunday AM, NHK World will once again be live streaming the final hour of Makuuchi. So if you are the kind of person who would stay up late to watch the most compelling individual sport on the planet, get ready for some intense action on the middle day of this completely unpredictable Kyushu basho.

What We Are Watching Day 7

Onosho vs Arawashi – This is just cruel, Arawashi has one working leg, and some kind of wooden simulation for the other. I think Onosho will find an easy 6th win here.

Chiyoshoma vs Endo – This will be a good test for Endo, he and Chiyoshoma have a 5-4 career split, and come in with matching 3-3 records. Endo is not looking especially genki right now, but then again neither is Chiyoshoma. Might we get a mighty, flying henka?

Sadanoumi vs Aoiyama – Another matching pair of records, this time with 4-2. Both are quite mobile, but Aoiyama has an amazing reach. Sadanoumi will probably try to use his mobility to get Aoiyama off balance and overcommitted. Otherwise I see Aoiyama’s superior ranged attack likely carrying the match.

Abi vs Daieisho – Both come into this match 5-1 (spotting a theme here?). Daieisho does not have much of a reach, so I am going to guess we get to see day #7 of Abi-zumo work its magic.

Ikioi vs Kagayaki – Both big, strong and mobile. This should be a match worth watching, though Kagayaki has never won a match from Ikioi in 5 attempts.

Shohozan vs Asanoyama – Asanoyama needs to bounce back after 4 straight losses, but Shohozan is no easy mark. His day 6 win over Kotoshogiku is the most intense and entertaining of the basho thus far.

Nishikigi vs Tamawashi – You think, “sure – Tamawashi in a walk over win”. But then again think of what Goeido thought, or what Tochiozan assumed. Nishikigi, like Shodai, may actually have been replaced not long ago by a doodle from Toon Town, and now operate via the laws of cartoon physics. As such he is quite dangerous and somebody will have to deal with him.

Tochiozan vs Hokutofuji – Both rikishi lost on day 6, and today might be more about who’s rhythm was more disrupted by that loss. Hokutofuji has the size and intensity, and Tochiozan the moves and technique.

Myogiryu vs Kaisei – I think Kaisei is too hurt right now for quality sumo, and Myogiryu has been executing some of his best sumo in years. I would expect the Brazilian in the orange mawashi will rack up loss #6.

Chiyotairyu vs Ichinojo – I am starting to feel sorry for Ichinojo, because I am assuming he is not physically up to par. Chiyotairyu on the other hand seems to have hit his stride with his brand of “smash and grab” sumo. He’s gotten 5 wins so far, and I fear number 6 will happen today.

Mitakeumi vs Takakeisho – Hey, Mitakeumi. You know that Sekiwake slot you have enjoyed? This guy says it’s time for you to turn it over to him. You know that Ozeki run? He says he’s going to show you how it’s done. Stand and deliver.

Yoshikaze vs Tochinoshin – A pair of 3-3 records, and a lot of unpredictability. Yoshikaze and and frequently does defeat anyone of any rank on any given day. This basho he has looked a shade less aggressive than September, but then again so has Tochinoshin.

Ryuden vs Takayasu – Ryuden won their only prior match, but Ryuden is looking highly disorganized this basho. I would think that Takayasu will get the job done without too much fuss today.

Goeido vs Shodai – Goeido needs to take this one quite seriously. Picking up a 4th loss on day 7 puts him in genuine mathematical risk of going kadoban again. Shodai on the other hand has all of toon town cheering him on, and a whole bag full of cartoon sumo tricks.

Kyushu Day 6 Highlights

Bruce H Abi (阿炎), Aminishiki (安美錦), Aoiyama, Arawashi (荒鷲), Asanoyama (朝乃山), Chiyomaru, Chiyonokuni (千代の国), Chiyotairyū (千代大龍), Daiamami (大奄美), Daishomaru, Endo (遠藤), Gōeidō (豪栄道), Hokutōfuji (北勝富士), Ichinojo (逸ノ城), Ikioi (勢), Kagayaki (輝), Kaisei (魁聖), Kotoshogiku (琴奨菊), Kyushu Basho 2018, Mitakeumi(御嶽海), Myogiryu (妙義龍), Nishikigi, Ryuden (竜電), Shohozan, Shōdai (正代直也), Takakeishō (貴景勝), Takanoiwa (貴ノ岩), Takanosho, Takayasu (高安), Tamawashi (玉鷲), Tochinoshin (栃ノ心), Tochiozan (栃煌山), Yoshikaze (嘉風), Yutakayama, Ōnoshō (阿武咲) , , ,

Kyushu Day 6

We kicked off Kyushu Act 2 in fine style, and with just the Ozeki holding down the big end of the torkiumi, it’s makes for a really quick final division. While whoever wins this basho will always have an asterisk next to it (due to Nokozuna), its still an official tournament, and everything that happens does indeed count.

Somewhere in the stands today, our own “man in exotic lands” Josh was enjoying the matches. If I could guess, we may see some of his thoughts on this blog before the end of the day.

In other news, an off-hand remark I made in the day 6 preview seems to have severely impacted my weekend chanko recipe. This shall be painful, smelly and foul tasting. But it must be done.

Highlight Matches

Aminishiki defeats Daiamami – It’s one thing to have Uncle Sumo visit the top division for a day, and it’s another thing (a special, wonderful thing) to have him unleash sumo magic. I am certain Daiamami was looking for a henka, instead Aminishiki drove inside and set up a rare kimarite: Amiuchi (aka The Fisherman’s Throw).

Arawashi defeats Daishomaru – Notable because for the injured Arawashi, this is his first win of the basho. As you can see post-match, he can put very little pressure on that injured leg. Ranked at Maegashira 16, a make-koshi is a return trip to Juryo.

Onosho defeats Chiyomaru – There seems to be almost no hope for “Love Chunks” Chiyomaru, as Onosho puts him up for adoption with the nearest Oyakata.

Aoiyama defeats Takanosho – Aoiyama appears to have reconnected with his sumo, and improves to 4-2, meanwhile Takanosho looks to be in trouble.

Chiyonokuni defeats Endo – After Endo’s day 5 match, people began to think he had his body and his sumo re-connected. However, Endo ceded control of the match to Chiyonokuni at the tachiai, and Chiyonokuni never let him do anything more that try to react to his sumo.

Ikioi defeats Yutakayama – This is Ikioi’s first win over Yutakayama, and it underscores the impact of Yutakayama’s injuries. Ikioi made fast work of him, and we saw no defensive pressure from Yutakayama.

Shohozan defeats Kotoshogiku – THE match of the basho thus far! These two went at it with gusto, and neither one let an offensive move go unanswered. As the battle raged across the dohyo, the two swapped roles, techniques and advantages. In the end I think it was all down to Shohozan outlasting the former Ozeki. The crowd went wild for these two hometown favorites. I loved the bow that Kotoshogiku gave at the end of that match, pure respect for a worthy opponent, and a match that might be the highlight of his year.

Chiyotairyu defeats Takanoiwa – Takanoiwa did not survive Chiyotairyu’s cannon-ball tachiai with his balance intact, and the burly Kokenoe rikishi advanced and pushed the still-recovering Takanoiwa clear of the tawara.

Abi defeats Asanoyama – Two happy rikishi enter, one rikishi leaves happy. Again the double arm tsuppari of Abi-zumo left his opponent unable to do anything other than get pounded into defeat.

Yoshikaze defeats Kagayaki – As thought, the overwhelming intensity of Yoshikaze’s berserker attacks proved more than Kagayaki’s strong low stance and solid fundamentals could absorb. Kagayaki opened strong, but Yoshikaze rallied at the tawara. I will say that Kagayaki is getting better at enduring that style of attack, which is good news for his future sumo.

Nishikigi defeats Tochiozan – No really, undefeated Tochiozan went down to the tragically over-promoted Nishikigi for his second win in a row. I am not sure what they did to him, but Nishikigi has decided to win. Wow…

Takakeisho defeats Kaisei – Stand him up, slap him down. Takakeisho is now the only unbeaten Makuuchi rikishi at Kyushu. Without any Yokozuna or credible Ozeki to contain him, Takakeisho is really racking up the wins.

Mitakeumi defeats Hokutofuji – Mitakeumi decided to bring his sumo today, and while Hokutofuji started strong, it was clearly a grade below Mitakeumi’s “A Sumo”.

Myogiryu defeats Ichinojo – I am starting to feel quite sad for Ichinojo, as he continues to fade. Myogiryu, however, is bringing fire and energy to each match, something that is sorely missing in many other rikishi at the top end of the banzuke right now.

Takayasu defeats Tamawashi – Tamawashi allowed the match to go chest to chest at the tachiai, and gave up his primary advantage: mobility. At that point it was Takayasu’s fight, and it ended as could be expected with the big man applying a straightforward but powerful yorikiri.

Goeido defeats Ryuden – The Goeido techs were able to wipe the “Bouncy Castle” zero day exploit from his battle control systems, and the Goeido 2.1 stack functioned normally today.

Shodai defeats Tochinoshin – Once again Tochinoshin allows his opponent to dictate the terms of the match. Unable to land any sort of grip, Tochinoshin was helpless to stop Shodai’s cartoon physics from completely disrupting his sumo. He drops to 3-3.

Kyushu Basho Day 6: Storylines to Follow

Josh K Kotoshogiku (琴奨菊), Kyushu Basho 2018, Mitakeumi(御嶽海), Shohozan, Takakeishō (貴景勝), Takayasu (高安), Tochiozan (栃煌山)

Generic Kyushu Banner

Very much unlike a Yokozuna, I’m in action at the Kyushu basho over the course of the next two days of festivities, to wrap up the first week of what has been a truly perplexing basho.

The rest of the Tachiai squad will weigh in regarding a more comprehensive list of matches to watch, but based on the San’yaku-destroying carnage that has thus far unfolded, I’d like to update my wishes for the tournament with some new things I would like to see… starting with tomorrow.

Mitakeumi Fan Club to Drive Rally vs Hot Hokutofuji

In sumo, when the going gets tough, much of the time someone ranked lower than you eats your lunch and you get going. First-week flat track bully Mitakeumi is about to find that out the hard way, as in the space of about ten matches he has gone from promotion hopeful to losing his grip on sumo’s third-highest rank. On current form, I wouldn’t bet against him falling out of the san’yaku ranks altogether.

While there are no shortage of rikishi at the top of the banzuke who could draw sighs of disappointment thus far this tournament, I’m focused on Mitakeumi for a specific reason: he draws monstrous support from the crowd in a way that doesn’t normally transfer on TV and I’m eager to see whether the jitters start to set in amongst the faithful who show up to support him every day, and what the reaction will be if he drops another set on Day 6 to fiery Hokutofuji.

Right now, Hokutofuji just looks like he wants it more. Both men wear their emotions more than the average rikishi, but where Hokutofuji has shown strong performance even in defeat, the manner of Mitakeumi’s Day 5 exit to Kaisei was totally shocking. He had the better of the tachiai, and then he had Kaisei high. Having raised his centre of gravity, he drove the Brazilian to the edge but then suddenly Kaisei found an extra gear, pushed Mitakeumi across the dohyo on one good leg, and ushered him out. A strong start is all very well but you have to finish the job.

Clash of Styles for Returning Veterans

I said I wanted to see what kind of reception would be granted to the local heroes, and the schedulers couldn’t have drawn it up any more kindly for my first day at the Kokusai Center as we get Kotoshogiku vs Shohozan. Both men are natives to the area. Kotoshogiku enters in slightly better form, but as in any local derby, the form table is going to go out the window for this one and I expect the decibels to smash the ceiling.

The two men have very different styles, with Kotoshogiku’s hug and chug up against Shohozan’s run and gun. Shohozan has got to keep Kotoshogiku’s hands off his mawashi, and if he can upset the Bulldozer’s traction he’ll be in business, as Kotoshogiku often suffers when he’s forced to pivot and can’t keep his feet on the ground. The former Ozeki leads the overall series 14-6 but it’s been fairly even lately, with Shohozan taking 3 of the last 7.

Lower Rankers to Pile Pressure on Takayasu

With all of the final five matches on Day 5 ending in upsets, the highest-ranked remaining rikishi are in for real fights to avoid demotions or kadoban status, never mind challenge for the yusho. Takayasu had just about got away with it before day 5, having been (literally) turned around a couple times and almost dropped to defeat by wrestlers he should be beating before Tochiozan sprung yet another of the shocks of the day and tournament.

Having lost his share of the lead, the problems are going to become more difficult on Day 6. Fellow leaders/challengers Takakeisho, Tochiozan, Onosho, Chiyotairyu and Abi all face more winnable matches than does Takayasu. That’s not to say all of the aforementioned challengers will win, but Takayasu is going to come up against a Tamawashi who’s not only well rested after a fusen-sho gift from Kisenosato, but who also finds himself in good position to regain san’yaku status himself, having already knocked off one Ozeki in week 1.

Can Tamawashi take another scalp, or will Takayasu get his sumo back together in time to mount the yusho challenge that both he and the sport realistically need him to piece together?

Atmosphere to Match Impressive Contenders

While burgeoning superstar Abi is already a much cheered-for name, I’d like to hear the crowd really get behind guys like Hokutofuji, Chiyotairyu, Onosho, and especially Tochiozan. While I don’t think all of these guys will be contenders until the final days, they all have a glorious opportunity to raise their profile and it would be great to hear this recognised by the fans in attendance.

Onosho in particular, due to injury, has missed some of the moments in the limelight that have been afforded to his rival Takakeisho. As he looks to be finding his form, hopefully he can be drawn against competitors higher up the banzuke and re-establish himself as the big name he looked to be with those 30 famous wins he notched to start his makuuchi career.

And as for Takakeisho himself, he has a golden opportunity to punch his ticket to star status. If his fan-pleasing “wave action tsuppari” can flummox the one-legged Kaisei on Day 6, he’s going to have a lot to say about the run to the Emperor’s Cup. If the crowd brings as much energy as we know Takakeisho will, it’s going to be an electric day.

Kyushu Day 4 Highlights – Not Spoiler Free

Bruce H Abi (阿炎), Aoiyama, Arawashi (荒鷲), Chiyomaru, Chiyoshoma, Daiamami (大奄美), Endo (遠藤), Gōeidō (豪栄道), Hokutōfuji (北勝富士), Ichinojo (逸ノ城), Ikioi (勢), Kagayaki (輝), Kaisei (魁聖), Kisenosato (稀勢の里), Kyushu Basho 2018, Meisei, Mitakeumi(御嶽海), Myogiryu (妙義龍), Nishikigi, Okinoumi (隠岐の海), Shohozan, Shōdai (正代直也), Takakeishō (貴景勝), Takanoiwa (貴ノ岩), Takanosho, Takarafuji (宝富士), Takayasu (高安), Tamawashi (玉鷲), Tochinoshin (栃ノ心), Tochiozan (栃煌山), Yutakayama

Tochiozan

I will come out and say it, Kyushu 2018 is Aki’s battle injured uncle with PTSD. You love them, but you keep wondering if they are going to snap. The two tournaments seem to be night and day different. Aki was a parade of sumo’s top guns, all performing fairly well and dominating the ring. Kyushu continues the prior trend we have been watching for the past few years; the fading away of well loved veterans as their bodies break down and their sumo fails them.

The biggest story of the tournament is Kisenosato and his dismal 0-4 start. As Team Tachiai writer Herouth has pointed out, “The last time a Yokozuna had 4 consecutive losses from the start was in January 1931. 29th Yokozuna Miyagiyama got his first win on day 5. He ended up 5-6 (this was before the 15 day basho system) and retired by the next basho”. Fans of Kisenosato, or even people who have come to respect his ability to keep pushing through the challenges no matter what, should prepare themselves.

But with the lone Yokozuna in career trouble, the door is wide open for the yusho. This includes Kisenosato’s kohei, Takayasu, who has yet to win a tournament. Make no mistake, retirement of the only active Japanese Yokozuna would be a blow to the sport, and nothing could staunch that wound better than to shift focus to that Yokozuna’s understudy.

Highlight Matches

Daiamami defeats Chiyomaru – The banzuke team gave Chiyomaru a last chance to rescue his Makuuchi self, but it seems that whatever physical problems are plaguing him, he is not yet healed. The guy is hugely popular in Japan, so I am sure he will be ok, but for fans of “Spheroid Sumo”, the future is not looking good, with Planet Gagamaru relegated to the outer solar system and other giants continuing to struggle.

Meisei defeats Arawashi – Fast fun match that ended with both rikishi trying to throw the other, and the first monoii for the Makuuchi division this tournament. The result was a somewhat novel interpretation of the “dead body” rule, that confirmed the gyoji’s gumbai and awarding the match to Meisei.

Aoiyama defeats Chiyoshoma – Aoiyama seems to have reconnected with his sumo, but he’s looking fairly rough and sloppy. His match against Chiyoshoma was fairly chaotic, as if the big Bulgarian was throwing anything he could at his smaller and more agile opponent. But any white start you can grab counts.

Endo defeats Takanosho – Endo also seems to have gotten enough ring rust removed to execute working sumo. At Maegashira 12, he should be paving with these opponents, but thus far he is only 2-2. Endo represents another “Great Japanese Hope” that has yet to pay off, and the calendar is not his friend now.

Okinoumi defeats Yutakayama – Okinoumi made it look easy, and it seems to this sumo fan that Yutakayama is still moving well, but can’t generate any power offensively or defensively. At Maegashira 10, he’s probably going to stay in the top division for New Years if he can get at least a couple of wins… But right now that looks like it might be a struggle.

Abi defeats Takarafuji – I know I keep hyping for Abi to unleash something new, but like any successful organism, why evolve when you keep winning? At Maegashira 7, the double arm thrust is probably enough for a kachi-koshi most times. It’s not going to be universally effective in the top ranks, though.

Ikioi defeats Takanoiwa – Ikioi finally gets his first win, but both rikishi looks like they could use a tune up. Both are in the same boat as Aoiyama, painfully throwing everything they can muster in hopes of getting enough wins to hang on.

Kagayaki defeats Shohozan – Kagayaki continues to dominate the normally challenging Shohozan. When Kagayaki can get the right kind of opening, he knows how to win. He is surprisingly powerful in a handful of attack styles, and as long as the match can be squeezed into those parameters, he’s a force of nature.

Takakeisho defeats Shodai – For the first time in a long while, I think we are going to be watching for an endurance check against a rising star. Takakeisho made easy work of Shodai, and remains unbeaten. It’s always tough for rikishi to elevate their sumo into the second week, when a strong winning record against a shattered Yokozuna / Ozeki corps starts to work on a person’s mind – but I think we are going to see Takakeisho show the world what the future of sumo looks like. [The future’s bright. The future’s round. –PinkMawashi]

Myogiryu defeats Mitakeumi – As mentioned in the day 4 preview, I would like the Sekiwake to stop phoning it in. Mitakeumi seems to have thrown in the towel after being shut out of his Ozeki bid at Aki, and he’s failing to impress his opponents. While a 2-2 record is just fine, it’s not the kind of effort that propels a rikishi up the banzuke. However veteran Myogiryu seems to have found his genki, and is exceeding expectations.

Hokutofuji defeats Ichinojo – Ichinojo finds it impossible to maintain fighting form, plain and simple. When he’s on, he’s awesome. But he seems to only be able to muster that about ⅓ of the time. Much respect to Hokutofuji who seems to have fired up and is on a run.

Tochinoshin defeats Kaisei – As is usually the case, you have to wonder why Kaisei came back from kyujo. Tochinoshin had him wrapped up in a hurry, and effectively deployed the left hand lift and shift.

Takayasu defeats Nishikigi – My heart goes out to Nishikigi, who shows up to fight these huge battle wagons, and gives it what he can each day. Today, he may have surprised himself when he was not atomized by Takayasu’s nuclear tachiai.

Goeido defeats Tamawashi – Goeido gets his Mongolian challenger off balance at the tachiai, and does not fail to exploit his advantage. Tamawashi is better than this, but again this basho is a parade of folks performing below their capabilities.

Tochiozan defeats Kisenosato – For whatever reason, Kisenosato is not even fighting at Komusubi level right now. He’s unable to generate offensive pressure to his left side, and everyone knows it. They all attack from the left, and the Yokozuna can only stalemate them for so long. Game-set-match. Tochiozan’s sumo has not looked this good for some time, it’s great to watch as he employs some moves that are not seen anywhere else.