Jonidan

Wakaichiro In Action Day 6

Bruce H Natsu Basho 2018, Wakaichiro (若一郎)

Wakaichiro-Noodles

Texas sumotori Wakaichiro returns to tournament action on day 6, facing off against Kirizakura from Michinoku heya. Kirizakura is roughly the same height as Wakaichiro, but 20 kg lighter. Kirizakura is a 34 year old veteran who was been in sumo since 1999 (when Wakaichiro was 1 year old!). Both men come to this match with 1 win and 1 loss for the tournament, looking to pick up their second win.

As with prior Wakaichiro matches, we will post results and information as soon as they become available.

Wakaichro’s Back For Day 4

Bruce H Natsu Basho 2018, Wakaichiro (若一郎) ,

Wakaichiro-Clipping

Texas sumotori Wakaichiro returns to the dohyo in Tokyo on day 4 for this second match of the Natsu basho. Today he is facing Jonidan 15 Ono from Isenoumi heya. Ono is a relative newcomer to sumo, and his fighting at his highest ever rank. Wakaichiro has about at 15kg weight advantage over him, so this may be simply a matter of mechanics.

As with prior matches, we will bring you results and video if we can find it as soon as news hits the internet.

Wither Wakaichiro? Day 1 Preview

Bruce H Natsu Basho 2018, Wakaichiro (若一郎) ,

Wakaichiro Tachiai

Frequent readers of the site are aware that I have been keeping close tabs on an rikishi who hails recently from Texas, an outstanding young man who has taken the shikona Wakaichiro. When we last saw Wakaichiro, he was in Osaka, where he ended the tournament with a 3-4 make-koshi. While I am sure it was disapointing for him, his fans knew he would be able to rise again.

Heading into Natsu, he is ranked back in Jonidan, at 14 East. He has twice failed to maintain his posting into the Sandanme division, finding himself out-matched by larger, heavier and more experienced opponents. In addition, if the amount of taping and bandaging are any indication, Wakaichiro continues to accumulate petty or troubling injuries, which would seem to be constraining his performance on the dohyo.

Now we come to day 1, where the man from Texas will face off against fellow Jonidan 14 Tokimaru. One interesting little pattern that I have noticed – Wakaichiro fights much better when he is in Tokyo. I have no idea why that might be the case, perhaps like me he has trouble sleeping in new surroundings, and any resulting sleep deficit hinders his sumo. Either way we are keenly looking forward to his first match of Natsu, and wish him good fortune, a solid tachiai and powerful win.

Wakaichiro Fights Again Day 15

Bruce H Hatsubasho 2018, Wakaichiro (若一郎) ,

Wakaichiro Tachiai

The final day of the Hatsu Basho, and Texas Sumotori Wakaichiro returns to the dohyo for his final match of the tournament. Early Sunday, he faces off against Sadogatake rikishi Kotoseigo. Kotoseigo is in fact from the same stable as Kotoshogiku (and a swarm of others). He is 23 years old and is both taller and heavier than Wakaichiro. Kotoseigo reached as high as Sandanme 5 before injury dropped him down the banzuke. A second injury left his sumo career on the rocks, and then a third injury has forced him to more or less start over from the bottom.

So this final match of Hatsu will be against a highly skilled, strong and fast rikishi. It will be a tough test for Wakaichiro, but it will be a great test to see how far his sumo has progressed, and how ready he might be for a possible return to the Sandanme division in March.

As always, we will bring you details of his matches as soon as they are posted.