Hatsu Day 4 Preview

Bruce H Hatsu Basho 2019

Thus it ends. There is no joy in the event, just a grim acceptance that a great competitor has embraced the truth and accepted his fate. I recall the jubilation throughout the sumo world when Kisenosato was elevated to Yokozuna. The photo above is from a joint session of the ichimon to weave his first tsuna, and the triumphant faces, beaming with joy and optimism welcomed a new day in sumo. But fear not dear readers, there will be more days like this, and they will come soon.

There are a trio of high stakes matches on day 4, where 3-0 rikishi face off against each other in a “mini-darwin” match, where only one will keep their spotless record.

(an abbreviated preview tonight)

What We Are Watching Day 4

Chiyonokuni vs Aminishiki – Uncle sumo comes to visit the top division, and its time to see if Chiyonokuni’s opening win streak can survive a wily veteran. Chiyonokuni won their only prior match, but it’s anyone’s guess.

Kagayaki vs Yago – Yago brings a lot of bulk and a loft of strength to his sumo. Kagayaki brings a focus on the fundamentals, and a recent habit of opening head wounds in his opponents. Kagayaki, at 1-2, needs to get back to racking up wins, or he may swim in the lower part of the banzuke for a while.

Abi vs Endo – With the exception of the genuinely massive Kaisei, Endo has returned to good form, and is winning. Of course when you go up against a human chaos generator named Abi, all your plans are worth little.

Ryuden vs Asanoyama – Both of these rikishi are in sad shape, with Asanoyama having zero wins going into day 4. Ryuden is not much better, and looks to be in poor form. Perhaps a touch of Takayasu’s flu?

Kaisei vs Daieisho – Kaisei is unbeaten so far, and holds a 4-2 career lead over Daieisho. When Kaisei is working his sumo well, his amazing mass makes him tough to beat.

Aoiyama vs Onosho – Big, screaming match of awesome for today. Both are undefeated, both are powerhouse sekitori. Onosho will need to withstand Aoiyama’s brutal long-range attacks to generate any offense, so it’s going to be an ugly match no matter what.

Kotoshogiku vs Shohozan – It surprises me to say it, but Shohozan has yet to win one. In contrast, Kotoshogiku looks impressively genki, and I am starting to wonder how far he can take it.

Takakeisho vs Mitakeumi – Tadpole fight! Both are undefeated, both won a yusho in 2018, both are gunning for a shot at higher ranks. Mitakeumi is looking better this basho than he has since his yusho. But Takakeisho has been dead amazing with his unrestricted use of his wave-action attack. The second Darwin match of the day.

Tamawashi vs Tochinoshin – Oh Tochinoshin, how are you going to get this done? Clearly he is hurt, but he is in a bit of a trap. Take kyujo and try to get that leg fixed? Or keep going hoping you can find 8 wins in the next 12 days?

Ichinojo vs Goeido – Get this, you get up in the morning, you are hurt, you are having problems with your arm, and you are scheduled to fight a bridge abutment from the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge. Goeido is also winless, and has a similar ugly choice. The two have faced off on the dohyo 15 times, with Ichinojo prevailing in 7 of these bouts.

Takayasu vs Tochiozan – I am hoping that Takayasu is slowly recovering. He faces a longtime nemesis in Tochiozan, who holds a 19-7 career edge, so he needs to get back to Ozeki class sumo today. Then there is the distraction of his senpai’s retirement announcement (triggered by a loss to none other than Tochiozan). Good luck Ozeki, we are all pulling for you.

Kakuryu vs Myogiryu – Kakuryu is either hurt, or had a bit of bad luck. I am going to guess today will tell us which. His career record with Myogiryu is 9-8, so it’s a square fight all around. Kakuryu wins a lot of matches by being highly mobile, and we have not seen that this tournament.

Hokutofuji vs Hakuho – The third and final match of the undefeated rikishi. This one would seem to be greatly in favor of Hakuho, but Hokutofuji is really fighting well. Hokutofuji’s biggest weakness is that his opening gambit is predictable, and that will not hold up well against The Boss.

A Word On Kisenosato

Andy Hatsu Basho 2019, Kisenosato (稀勢の里), Retirement ,
Farewell

As Liam reported, Kisenosato has finally put an end to the drama and announced his retirement. Herouth explained how we got here and Bruce did a great job pointing out why this was what needed to be done. Minutes before the announcement came down, I had retweeted survey results from Sponichi that 78% of respondents thought he should retire, belying the idea that he had a groundswell of fan supporting the idea that he should continue. We could hear it in the crowds’ reaction to each of his three losses.

The great thing is, that drama is over now. Kisenosato will continue his sumo career as coach, then as head of his own stable of wrestlers. And there really was no other way forward. If he had lost again, the howls would grow along with the discomfort of the Sumo Kyokai and Yokozuna Deliberation Council. If he won, the inevitable may be delayed by a day or two. But with more wins, or some dream (fantasy) comeback kachi-koshi record, surely questions would arise about their legitimacy given his recent poor results. Perhaps this is where the idea of yaocho, that it’s all fixed, can finally be put to bed.

The second thing that I hope comes out of this is a real reform within stables regarding the treatment of wrestlers’ injuries, if it hasn’t started to happen already. We’ve seen some chronic injuries rested, but others continue to come back, tournament after tournament, only to finish with 1, 2, or at max 4 wins and never really healing completely…I’m looking at you Ikioi…not to mention the entire Ozeki corps. It would be a slow change but hopefully the days are over where a shattered arm would be patched up with an expectation of continuing with keiko bright and early the next morning.

I look forward to seeing Kisenosato wearing a blue jumpsuit of the NSK during future basho, in a hakama and presiding over mono-ii as shinpan, or in jeans, laughing with fans during jungyo in Ibaraki as he guides his own deshi through their own careers. Undoubtedly, he’s now free from the pressure to perform that has been hanging over his every appearance over the past year.

And a final note: Kisenosato owes Nishikigi a beer. Odds of a second kinboshi have now surely plummeted. If Nishikigi gets a kinboshi against Hakuho this tournament, I’ll eat my hat — with a special wasabi marinade — during the next podcast.

I wish Kisenosato well as he begins the next chapter of his sumo career as Araiso oyakata (荒磯親方).

Breaking: Yokozuna Kisenosato Announces his Retirement

Liam R Hatsu Basho 2019, Kisenosato (稀勢の里), Retirement

Kisenosato Retire

According to the NHK, the news everyone was expecting but nobody wanted to hear has broken: Yokozuna Kisenosato will retire. This is a very sad day for sumo, as is any day that one of its grand champions and longtime stars steps away from competition. However, I’m sure many will agree that this development has been a long time coming.

For those who have only seen Kisenosato compete in the last few basho, what you saw was only the ghost of a man who lived and breathed this incredible sport. Yet for much of his seventeen-year career, Kisenosato was an incredibly successful athlete, as well as one of the sports most dedicated proponents. Kisenosatos ascension to Yokozuna was an incredible celebration for a nation looking for a champion of their own, and the fact that his time at the top was so short makes writing this article that much harder. So too, was watching the shell of this very same man trying in vain to claw his way back to active duty after his debilitating injury. Much has been said about Kisenosato and how he should have called it quits long ago and how he’s bringing disgrace to the rank. But I can’t really fault him for trying everything in his power to hold on to his career, his life’s work, until the very last, even when everyone else could see the writing on the wall.

Reason has finally prevailed though, and now Kisenosato can look towards the next chapter of his life. He can take what he’s learned and pass it on to the next generation. And if his future disciples show even the slightest bit of skill, determination, and dignity of their Oyakata, then the sport will be better for it.

Hatsu Day 4 – Lower Division Ones To Watch

Bruce H Hatsu Basho 2019 , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kenho
The Enormous Kenho Pushes A Light Snack Into the Fryer While a Gyoji Looks On In Terror

Day 3 was a feast of lower division goodness, which included Ura’s first loss in several months. I am going to guess he has finally hit the level of competition that he will need to work to overcome, but I have no doubt he will overcome. Naya (Taiho’s grandson) won his match, as did Akua.

Day 4 looks solid, with perpetual loser Hattorizakura up first to start the day with a predictable loss. It’s hilarious to note, he may also be the only rikishi to lose twice in a single match, which happened day 1.

Hattorizakura vs Daigonishiki – We know how this one goes, but I am sure we are all curious to see if he might somehow manage a win (a real one) someday.

Kenho vs Toho – I do hope that Kenho’s mawashi is more secure this time. His day 2 match saw him struggling pre bout to keep it in the upright and locked position, and he was not entirely successful. Toho is a much smaller, faster rikishi, from Otake heya. His biggest challenge is to manage the sheer bulk that Kenho brings to the dohyo.

Musashikuni vs Irie – The Musashigawa scion has faced Irie twice, and lost both times. Irie is a 30 year old veteran who has been prowling around Makushita for 39 basho. He’s a big fellow. I hope Musashikuni’s giant hands are big enough to move this guy.

Midorifuji vs Asakoki – Midorifuji faces a lightweight brawler in Asakoki, who won their prior match on day 6 of Aki.

Hoshoryu vs Takaryu – From the annals of “keep hope alive”, if Hoshoryu wins, the much hoped for match up between Hoshoryu and Ura is still possible. So lets hope that Makushita veteran (and former Juryo 13) Takaryu is not in top form.

Ichiyamamoto vs Tokushinho – Likewise, this is a rematch between these two rikishi, with Ichiyamamoto losing their prior engagement at Hatsu last year. Tokushinho spent 27 basho in Juryo, so I am guessing this is going to be a bit of a spanking.