Onosho

Nagoya Day 14 Highlights

Bruce H Chiyonokuni (千代の国), Gōeidō (豪栄道), Hakuho (白鵬), Harumafuji (日馬富士), Hokutōfuji (北勝富士), Ishiura (石浦), Kotoshogiku (琴奨菊), Mitakeumi(御嶽海), Nagoya Basho 2017, Sōkokurai (蒼国来), Takayasu (高安), Takekaze (豪風), Tochinoshin (栃ノ心), Tochiozan (栃煌山), Ura (宇良), Yoshikaze (嘉風) , , , , , , ,

Takayasu-Harumafuji

It has been a rough morning in Castle Bermondsey, so I do beg forgiveness in being tardy with the update. Many of you will have seen the NHK highlight reel by now. For whatever reasons there seems to be a desire to keep Hakuho from claiming the yusho outright by now. I say this because Aoiyama has had a ridiculously easy schedule. Don’t get me wrong, he still won all of those matches fair and square. But compare this to some prior basho where anyone outside of san’yaku who was close to the leader group was given increasingly difficult matches until they fell away.

For example, you have a Maegashira 8 (Aoiyama) who is on a hot streak. So who does he get for day 14? A Komusubi? An Ozeki? Nah, lets pit him against a Maegashra 12. So there remains an outside tiny chance that Hakuho will lose to Harumafuji on day 15, and we will see The Boss square off against Aoiyama. Followed by several minutes of slow motion replay of Aoiyama’s pendulous man-mammaries swinging wildly as Hakuho batters his up and down the dohyo for sport.

In other news, Ura is now make-koshi, and it is for the best. He has many fans, and they seem to love their little wizard – he is lovable. But he was always going to go make-koshi the first time he faced the san’yaku battle fleet. In the grand scheme of things that would have been Aki, but due to injuries it was at Nagoya. He will come to rest down the banzuke, and with any luck be dominant down there and have a chance to not do further damage to that banged up knee. Trust me when I say, Ura will be back.

Selected Matches Day 14

Chiyonokuni defeats Sokokurai – Chiyonokuni’s rally is a great story coming out of Nagoya. After his turn in the meat grinder as Maegashira 1 during Natsu, he seemed to have started Nagoya down and unfocused. He was able to get his sumo together and return as strong as in the past, and lock down a winning record. Chiyonokuni is another rikishi we will likely see more good things from in the future.

Hokutofuji defeats Ishiura – Hokutofuji picks up kachi-koshi and will be a rank or two higher in Tokyo come September.

Onosho defeats Yoshikaze – Special prize for Onosho, I will predict. That would be two in a row for his first two Makuuchi basho. Yoshikaze looked like he was not quite fully spun up, and Onosho executed well.

Tochinoshin defeats Kotoshogiku – The big Georgain consigns Ojisan Kotoshogiku’s san’yaku rank to the past. Really nice execution by Tochinoshin in this match. His return to good form is a welcome development.

Tochiozan defeats Mitakeumi – No Ozeki run starting for Mitakeumi, there is always next time, but he will get to keep his Sekiwake rank. Tochiozan once again looked calm and worked his attack plan expertly.

Hakuho defeats Goeido – Goeido must beat Takayasu on day 15 to avoid the probationary kadoban status.

Harumafuji defeats Takayasu – Harumafuji once again deploys a tottari. Takayasu ends up looking even more hurt. This basho has really knocked him around, and I hope he gets a chance to heal up.

Nagoya Day 14 Preview

Bruce H Gōeidō (豪栄道), Hakuho (白鵬), Harumafuji (日馬富士), Kotoshogiku (琴奨菊), Mitakeumi(御嶽海), Nagoya Basho 2017, Takayasu (高安), Tamawashi (玉鷲), Tochinoshin (栃ノ心), Tochiozan (栃煌山), Ura (宇良), Yoshikaze (嘉風) , , , , , , , ,

dohyo-iri-nagoya13

Special Prize Contenders

Two more days of sumo until September, and the upcoming Aki banzuke promises to be a mad re-shuffle. But before everyone heads off to summer jungyo and awaits their next ranking, the final stanzas of Nagoya will play out. One thing yet to be revealed – the special prize winners. Below are some of my guesses on who could be eligible.

  • Tochiozan – He has been on a huge roll this basho, and will finish with at least 10 wins. He has looked calm, strong and confident in every match, especially his crumpling of Ozeki Takayasu.
  • Aoiyama – While he has yet to fight anyone in the higher ranks, his 11+ wins for the basho are likely to attract the special prize judges. Even thought I think any final day play off with Hakuho is unlikely and ill advised, he will likely end the basho with the jun-yusho, and for a rank and file Maegashira, that’s a praiseworthy accomplishment.
  • Yoshikaze – When Yoshikaze is having a good basho, he is almost always in consideration for another special prize. The guy probably as a whole wall of his apartment with them. He will end with a 9+ win kachi-koshi from the very difficult Komusubi rank.
  • Onosho – The kid has the juice, no doubt about that. He has been consistently excellent, and he is headed for the joi-jin in September. The day 14 Yoshikaze / Onosho match result may decide which of them gets a special prize.
  • Tochinoshin – From the Maegashira 2 rank, he has defeated a Yokozuna, both Sekiwake and an Ozeki, plus will finish with kachi-koshi. This guy has been competing in spite of some really painful injuries, and this kind of record is a testament to his dedication to recover, and his love of the sport.

Nagoya Leader board

This is Hakuho’s basho to lose. The biggest threat is on the finally day, when he will face Harumafuji in the final match of the basho’s final day.

Leader – Hakuho
Chaser – Aoiyama
Hunt Group – Harumafuji, Tochiozan

2 Matches Remain

What We Are Watching Day 14

Yoshikaze vs Onosho – I do strongly suspect the winner of this match will get the special prize nod. Onosho is going to be in the top 3 Maegashira ranks September, and it’s time to give him a taste of some of the rikishi he will face. A genki Yoshikaze is a great place to start, as he will discombobulate his opponent and then defeat them. Onosho has been quite resilient thus far, so I am keen to see how this goes. This the their first match.

Tochinoshin vs Kotoshogiku – The Kyushu Bulldozer needs to pick up both day 14 and day 15 matches. His record against Tochinoshin os 23-4, so he has history on his side. But Tochinoshin is looking very strong this basho, and it may be down to the big Georgian to end Kotoshogiku’s san’yaku standing.

Tamawashi vs Ura – I am looking for Ura to be in defensive mode, and for this to be a fairly easy win for Tamawashi. I agree and approve of this strategy, as Ura’s make-koshi is a function of his schedule now, and the most important thing to take away from Nagoya now (for Ura) is a body that can be healed enough to compete in the Aki basho in 7 weeks.

Tochiozan vs Mitakeumi – Tochiozan has never beaten Mitakeumi. I am sure Mitakeumi would like to pick up at least one more win in order to punctuate his remaining at the rank of Sekiwake. This match has interest because Mitakeumi’s style is somewhat frantic, while Tochiozan has been very controlled and methodical.

Hakuho vs Goeido – Interesting because Goeido tends to do whacky stuff when he is desperate. And he is quite desperate now. Doing wacky stuff in a match with Hakuho can have unexpected and sometimes amazing results.

Takayasu vs Harumafuji – I expect Harumafuji to handle this without much too much fuss. I would like to see Takayasu at full throttle for this bout (and his Goeido match tomorrow), but he seems injured, stiff and off his sumo.

Nagoya Day 13 Highlights

Bruce H Chiyonokuni (千代の国), Gōeidō (豪栄道), Hakuho (白鵬), Harumafuji (日馬富士), Hokutōfuji (北勝富士), Ikioi (勢), Kotoshogiku (琴奨菊), Mitakeumi(御嶽海), Nagoya Basho 2017, Takarafuji (宝富士), Takayasu (高安), Tamawashi (玉鷲), Tochinoshin (栃ノ心), Tochiozan (栃煌山), Ura (宇良), Yoshikaze (嘉風) , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hakuho-1048-NSK

Hakuho Takes The Record, Aoiyama Remains One Behind

Day 13 brought the long expected celebration of yet another record to Yokozuna Hakuho’s name. The sumo world is rightly celebrating the man and his great achievements. Hakuho’s excellence may have saved sumo on more than one occasion, and the fact that he continues to dominate the sport this far into his career is a testament to his love of all things sumo.

On the eve of his record achievement, the Japanese press began to talk of Hakuho taking a step he has resisted this far – seeking Japanese citizen ship and securing an enduring role in the sumo kyokai. Hakuho loves being Mongolian, but in the past several months, there has been discussions between the kyokai and Team Hakuho about his future. While we are all enjoying seeing the greatest rikishi in modern times continue to win match after match, the day when he will retire is not so very far away. What will sumo do to continue to bask in the publicity and excellence that Hakuho brings to the sport?

Meanwhile, the man mountain that is Aoiyama was declared the winner in a strange bout with Kagayaki. Rather than try to describe it, I encourage readers to watch it via Youtube (Kintamayama) or the NHK feed later today. With his win, he remains at 2 losses and is in a position to contest for the yusho against Hakuho should the Yokozuna manage to lose any of his upcoming matches against Harumafuji or Goeido. On the extreme outside range of likeliness, there is a bizzare chance that there could be a Hakuho / Aoiyama play off on the final day. Hakuho has an 18-1 record against Aoiyama, so it would likely be some kind of beating applied should it come to pass.

Highlight Matches

Chiyonokuni defeats Sadanoumi – Chiyonokuni’s turn around from a really crummy first few days has been dramatic. With his next win, he will secure his winning record and a likely return to the top half of Makuuchi for the fall basho. Both men landed solid mawashi grips early and it was a battle of strength. Several times Sadanoumi nearly shook him off, but Chiyonokuni was able to get him to the bales and lift him out.

Nishikigi defeats Okinoumi – Continued respect to Nishikigi, who is giving it everything he can muster every day. he is now one win from staying in Makuuchi. Nishikigi got inside early and applied the pressure. Okinoumi seems to have really faded, most likely due to injuries.

Chiyomaru defeats Daieisho – Excellent tsuppari battle that locks in Chiyomaru’s kachi-koshi and ensures he will not be back in Juryo in septepber.

Shohozan defeats Onosho – Big Guns picks up his kachi-koshi against Onosho. Although Onosho has been fighting well this basho, this match was all Shohozan from the start.

Tochiozan defeats Takarafuji – Tochiozan shows no signs of slowing down. He is now in double digit wins, and I would guess headed for a special prize. He has had an outstanding basho. Today’s match was another calm, focused effort by Tochiozan. He was able to get inside on Takarafuji, and controlled him from there.

Kotoshogiku defeats Ura – Ura does not even offer a stiff challenge to Kotoshogiku, and I suspect this was a strategic loss to protect himself from further injury. Kotoshogiku’s chances of kachi-koshi once again rise, and it becomes increasingly possible he can retain his san’yaku slot at least one more basho.

Yoshikaze defeats Ikioi – Ikioi really put up an excellent struggle, but like so much of this basho he came out the loser at the end. Ikioi has strength and skill, but his performance has been lagging as late. I would love to see him geanki once more.

Tochinoshin defeats Mitakeumi – In spite of the really great performance Tochinoshin has had the entire basho, he was unable to secure his winning record until today. The bout with Mitakeumi quickly went to the mawashi, and Mitakeumi could not out-muscle one of the strongest men in sumo. Mitakeumi now needs both final bouts to be wins if he wants to stake any claim towards a (in my opinion premature) Ozeki campaign.

Hokutofuji defeats Tamawashi – Tamawashi is now in real danger of losing his Sekiwake rank for September, he must win both remaining matches for a minimal kachi-koshi to defend his position. Today’s bout was all Hokutofuji from the tachiai. Hokutofuji was able to take command, get the dominant pushing attack started and drive Tamawashi out.

Harumafuji defeats Goeido – Goeido is now in serious jepardoy of re-earning kadoban status. His only hope is a final day win against Takayasu. Harumafuji opened strong, and Goeido had no effective counter strategy to stop himself from being driven backwards out of the ring.

Hakuho defeats Takayasu – Well, that was different and kind of wild. Hakuho decided he was going to do a strong-man pushing contest with Takayasu, and won! The Boss deployed a fair amount of nodawa, which put Takayasu first on defense, then off balance, and finally the Yokozuna tossed Takayasu sideways to the clay. Tomorrow Hakuho faces Goeido.

Nagoya Day 13 Preview

Bruce H Chiyonokuni (千代の国), Gōeidō (豪栄道), Hakuho (白鵬), Harumafuji (日馬富士), Hokutōfuji (北勝富士), Ichinojo (逸ノ城), Kisenosato (稀勢の里), Kotoshogiku (琴奨菊), Mitakeumi(御嶽海), Nagoya Basho 2017, Takayasu (高安), Tamawashi (玉鷲), Tochinoshin (栃ノ心), Ura (宇良), Yoshikaze (嘉風) , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Aoiyama

We enter the final days of Nagoya, there are still a number of questions on how things will turn out. Thus far it’s clear that the young crop of new rikishi have performed surprisingly well this basho, and with any luck they will be a stable element of many tournaments to come.

From the day 12 and 11 bouts, it’s clear that Ura has sustained an injury to his right ankle and or foot. He has difficulty putting power to ground now, and is most likely competing in “survival mode” for the rest of the basho. I know he has a large and enthusiastic following, but a make-koshi is looking more possible, and should not be viewed as entirely a rebuke of this novel young rikishi’s sumo. Due to injury in the upper ranks, he was pushed to compete at a level that he was probably not ready to endure just yet. It’s true he was able to surprise Harumafuji and put up a stiff fight for Hakuho, but he made a complete tour through the surviving Ozeki and Yokozuna corps. Ideally he would have eased into that, but that’s how upper Maegashira has gone the past year.

Away from the excitement of the basho, a commentator on sankei.com news suggests that Kisenosato may be out of action for up to a year to get his torn muscles repaired and to regain strength. If that is the case, it underscores the dilemma facing not just Kisenosato and the Tagonoura heya, but the sumo association as a whole.

Nagoya Leader board

Hakuho has a clear hold of the yusho now, with only Aoiyama within reach should Hakuho lose another match. The Yokozuna faces a series of high ranking rikishi over the next few days, any of which could upset his path to victory. There is still a small but non-zero chance that Harumafuji could stage a come from behind yusho if there are a series of upsets in the remaining days.

Leader – Hakuho
Chaser – Aoiyama
Hunt Group – Harumafuji, Tochiozan, Onosho

3 Matches Remain

What We Are Watching Day 13

Chiyonokuni vs Sadanoumi – Both rikishi are still pressing for a shot at a winning record, with Sadanoumi able to lock that down today with a victory. These two are evenly matched with Sadanoumi leading their career record 3-2.

Nishikigi vs Okinoumi – I had to double check, but this does appear to be the first match between Okinoumi and Nishikigi in history. Okinoumi now make-koshi, but Nishikigi still has a shot at holding on to Makuuchi, if only just barely.

Chiyomaru vs Daieisho – Chiyomaru can pick up kachi-koshi today if he can overcome Daieisho’s tendency to win their matches (3-1). At Maegashira 15, Chiyomaru needs to have a winning record to remain in the top division.

Shohozan vs Onosho – Shohozan has had a good basho, and is looking to end with a winning record. Onosho is getting close to having his name in contention for a special prize, and double digit wins would be a compelling factor. If Onosho can take the bout from Shohozan, it would be the first win over him in his career.

Aoiyama vs Kagayaki – Kagayaki is inconsistant in his sumo, so it is unclear what kind of battle he will bring to the dohyo as he faces Aoiyama day 13. An Aoiyama loss would clarify the yusho race greatly, but Kagayaki is already make-koshi, and may be out of gas. Kagayaki has yet to beat Aoiyama in their 3 prior matches.

Ura vs Kotoshogiku – Kotoshogiku teeters on the edge of demotion out of san’yaku, but Ura is now clearly hurt and may not have what is needed to overcome the Kyushu Bulldozer. Kotoshogiku will look to lock up Ura at the tachiai and drive him backwards. I worry if we might see one of Ura’s reverse tachiai’s today, as it would allow him space to maneuver out of Kotoshogiku’s way and possible open an attack route that has a chance of being effective. This is the first match.

Yoshikaze vs Ikioi – Evenly matched at 6-6, these two tend to have powerful pushing and slapping bouts. Yoshikaze has successfully defended his Komusubi rank, and Ikioi is already make-koshi, so this one is for fun.

Tochinoshin vs Mitakeumi – Mitakeumi has successfully defended his Sekiwake rank, but if he wants to open a bid for Ozeki in 2018, he will need double digit wins. Tochinoshin is one win away from kachi-koshi. He is hungry, strong and looking healthy this basho. So this will possibly be a highlight match of the day.

Tamawashi vs Hokutofuji – First match between these two, who are both pushing hard to close out with a winning record. Both need to win 2 of their last 3 matches. Hokutofuji’s performance against the upper ranks indicate he is advancing well, but not quite ready to for san’yaku yet. Tamawashi, however, is at real risk of losing his Sekiwake rank.

Goeido vs Harumafuji – Day 13 kicks off the cycle of Yokozuna and Ozeki bouts that always close out a basho. Though Harumafuji leads the career total 30-11, the outcome is far from certain as Goeido has been running in 2.0 mode this basho. When he is dialed in, Goeido can nearly match Harumafuji in speed, but his key is that he fights with reckless abandon. His blistering attack straight out of the tachiai leaves him no recourse for defense or second moves, but they frequently overwhelm his opponent. For Harumafuji, this is the perfect time for a mini-henka.

Hakuho vs Takayasu – As a Takayasu fan, I am very happy he locked in his kachi-koshi already, as he faces a difficult 3 days. With any luck, he will be focused after dropping that bout to Tochiozan, and he will give Hakuho a good contest. Their career record is 15-2 in favor of The Boss.