Osunaarashi

Hatsu Day 3 Preview

Bruce H Hakuho (白鵬), Harumafuji (日馬富士), Hatsubasho 2017, Kakuryu (鶴竜), Kisenosato (稀勢の里) , , , , , , ,

mitakeumi-kensho

Can Mitakeumi’s Kensho Loot Pile Grow?

Day two is in the record books and it’s clear that some of the rikishi are still struggling to clear the cobwebs and settling into their sumo.

  • Osunaarashi – He came in locked down and ready to win. After his brutal kyujo demotion in 2016, all the man has wanted was back in the top division. Clearly he is still hurt and in quite a bit of pain, but he is laying the doom on the Chiyo crowd.
  • Kaisei – After so many poor tournaments, it’s really good to see Kaisei actually winning again. Maybe he has dropped own the banzuke far enough that he is competitive. I think he may have gotten too much mass to effectively work.
  • Kisenosato – Kise is bored, let’s be honest. No one has put up much of a contest to the Great Pumpkin so far. It sometimes irks me that everyone wants to take a great Ozeki and cast him as a Yokozuna. Because his does Ozeki so very very well.
  • Mitakeumi – The kid is on fire right now. We may see a second week collapse, like we did for Okinoumi, but right now he is moving well. The fact that he shut down Harumafuji’s death spin impressed me quite a bit.
  • Hakuho – I would guess he is done with his recovery and back to what is the new Hakuho normal. Still amazing but not quite what he was. Everyone ages, and loses some physical strength in the process. He is still a joy to watch.

Notable Matches

Osunaarashi vs Chiyotairyu – Just how many Chiyos can one man take? Let’s see if it’s at least three! This would be Osunaarashi’s first win against this Chiyo, should be prevail.

Nishikigi vs Sokokurai – Both of these guys has a strong first two days, and both are looking good this basho. Looks like the first match between these two.

Kaisei vs Takanoiwa – Can the Brazilian make it 3 in a row, or will the resurgent Takanoiwa keep his own record clean? Kaisei has a distinct 3-1 advantage in wins between them.

Ishiura vs Chiyonokuni – Two small and strong rikishi go head to head. Ishiura is suffering the NHK curse – he went on NHK World for a highlight piece, and now he is failing hard. Chiyonokuni has bulked up quite a bit in the last 6 months, and is still re-working his sumo to handle the extra mass. Ishiura has lot both of their previous bouts.

Tamawashi vs Shodai – in a Sekiwake head to head, we see them both come in 1-1, each trying to survive sumo’s toughest rank. In their only prior match, Shodai lost.

Shohozan vs Harumafuji – Shohozan brought a masterful attack against Yokozuna Kakuryu on day 2, losing because he mis-timed the throw. Given Harmuafuji’s ankle problems, it maybe time for another Kinboshi. It’s a long shot, as Harumafuji leads their series 12-2

Hakuho vs Mitakeumi – Mitakeumi has a good start, with one Yokozuna and one Ozeki scalp already. Now he faces the most difficult foe in sumo. Clearly Hokuho has the advantage here, but I am keen to see if Mitakeumi can gamberize. Hakuho has won both their prior meetings

Juryo Star Osunaarashi Withdraws From Kyushu

Bruce H Juryo (十両), Kyujo (休場), Kyushu Basho 2016 , ,

osunaarashi-kyujo

In an unexpected move, star Egyptian sumotori Osunaarashi withdrew from the Kyushu tournament at the start of day 13, handing his opponent, Seiro, a fusen win, and likely the Juryo championship. At this moment, the team at Tachiai don’t have any news on why Osunaarashi withdrew, but we will bring you all the news we discover.

Osunaarashi had been a favorite to compete for the Juryo champion, and a hopeful to return to the Makuuchi top division in the January basho. Given his winning record (9-4), he will receive a nice promotion, but will likely remain in Juryo for at least one more tournament.

We wish Osunaarashi the best of luck, and hope to see him in action again soon.

Update 25 Nov, 17:00 GMT

Thanks to co-blogger Andy, there is some detail now on what caused Osunaarashi to withdraw.  Seems there has been an injury sustained to his right knee, and he has been ordered to rest for at least 28 days in hopes of repairing it.  As we have seen with Kotoshogiku and Terunofuji, damage to a rikishi’s undercarriage is serious business.  Knee injuries are difficult to treat, and difficult to heal.  So much of sumo depends on transferring power to earth via a rikishi’s legs, health of the knee join is essential.  We are all hoping Osunaarashi can recover strongly, and join the Hatsu basho in January.

Kyushu Day 4 Results

Bruce H Gōeidō (豪栄道), Hakuho (白鵬), Harumafuji (日馬富士), Ichinojo (逸ノ城), Kakuryu (鶴竜), Kyushu Basho 2016, Takayasu (高安) , , , ,

endo-3-ozeki

Goeido, Two Yokozuna Undefeated

A handful of Maegashira are having a fantastic basho, but by far the best overachiever has been Endo. Today he claimed his third Ozeki win, and did it decisively against a struggling Kotoshogiku. Ishiura continues to dominant in his makuuchi debut, with his strength and speed quite reminiscent of the late, great Chiyonofuji at times. Ishiura, if he can stay healthy, would seem to have a great future in sumo.

Goeido remains on track, but seems to have a soft road so far that ill-prepares him for what is likely to be a brutal week two, as all three Yokozuna seem to be performing well, though it seems that Harumafuji may have injured his ankle on day 1 in his loss to Tamawashi, where he was turned sideways and pushed into the crowd.

In Juryo, two notables, first off Osunaarashi remains undefeated at 4-0, and I am starting to dare hope that he has overcome his injuries enough to earn his place in Makuuchi again. Also we got to see Kotoeiko apply the Amiuchi kimarite, for fans this is a rare move that is akin to throwing a fishing net.

With day 4 in the books, we now have a shrinking set of undefeated rikishi. It’s too early the call them leaders, but they are definitely the ones to beat.

Undefeated

  • Kakuryu – I am going to say the Kakuryu we want is in Kyushu. He looks focused, patent and effective. Very happy to see him in form once more
  • Hakuho – He has yet to have to really put too much effort into any bout. Kaisei gave him a nice run, but it’s too early to tell if the boss is back to his pre-injury intensity.
  • Goeido – Two big challenges, Takayasu and Yoshikaze, slipped and fell. With apologies to the classics, this is an “unusual athletic coincidence”. With other other Ozeki looking weak, and the Yokozuna looking strong, If Goeido is going to take a serious run at the rope, he needs every rikishi to challenge him. Each and every day, or he won’t be ready for the final exam.
  • Sokokurai – He just keeps motoring ahead, very nice performance so far. I would expect his schedule to get tougher soon.

Notable Highlights

Sokokurai defeats Chiyotairyu – Quick and one sided, notable as it’s Sokokurai’s 4th consecutive win.

Hidenoumi defeats Toyohibiki – Hidenoumi finally gets a win!

Ishiura defeats Chiyootori – A win for Ishiura, he turned Chiyootori around and pushed him out from behind. For his debut basho, this guy is really cleaning up Makuuchi. I also think his schedule will get tougher soon. He has a lot to show us.

Hokutofuji defeats Ichinojo – It seems Ichinojo to have forgotten that he’s a massive sumo robot, and let Hokutofuji push him around. I begged him not to upgrade to iOS 10.

Arawashi defeats Ikioi – Ikioi finally loses his first match, and Arawashi looked good doing it. Worrisome that both men went into the cushions and were slow to get up.

Chiyoshoma defeats Takekaze – Takekaze on the receiving end of the Henka bouquet today, it’s still a waste of sumo.

Nishikigi defeats Sadanoumi – Nishikigi was in control from the start, establishing a solid left hand grip. He got Sandanoumi over the edge, but it was a sloppy match.

Takayasu defeats Okinoumi – Okinoumi started strong and delivered a huge effort for a wounded man, but Takayasu has superhuman endurance and stamina. He simply lets people wear themselves out, then he rallies and overpowers them.

Endo defeats Kotoshogiku – Endo with his third Ozeki scalp, claimed by a quick pull down of Kotoshogiku, who is looking really iffy this basho.

Goeido defeats Mitakeumi – There was trouble getting the match started, but Goeido was in control the whole time. At the tachiai he took Mitakeumi high, and kept him off balance. Goeido needs tough matches to prepare for week 2 or his Yokozuna run will fail

Terunofuji defeats Shodai – The kadoban Ozeki breaks Shodai’s winning streak. Terunofuji showed some poise and strength today. Maybe there is still hope for him.

Hakuho defeats Tamawashi – Hakuho quickly flipped Tamawashi onto his face for an easy win. The Boss has not yet really had much of a fight this basho, and I am fine with warming him up a day at a time, but it’s time to challenge him (if they can).

Kakuryu defeats Kaisei – Kakuryu is definitely engaged and fighting well in Kyushu, Kaisei was no effort for him.

Harumafuji defeats Aoiyama – Harumafuji put Aoiyama in his patented “spin cycle” twice, and Aoiyama survived both times. That fact along is quite impressive given how many rikishi are defeated that way. Aoiyama then went for a throw and collapsed. Both me were slow to get up, with Harumafuji now having trouble with the right ankle that took a twist during his day 1 loss.

Osunaarashi – They May Have To Carry Him Out Soon

Bruce H Aki Basho 2016, Injuries, injury , ,

Osunaarashi (Juryo 1) remains steadfast in his conviction to compete, no matter what the cost to his body. Below we see his bout on day 10 against Azumaryu (Juryo 3). The Egyptian Osunaarashi is clearly massively hurt, with muscle injuries to his hips, knees and lord knows what else. But the man gets on the dohyo and gives it his all.

Notice at the end, Osunaarashi tries for a throw, but simply cannot execute due to the state of his damaged body.

If he ends up being carried out of the Kokugikan on a stretcher, will it finally be time to bring back Kōshō Seido? – recuperative / injury periods for rikishi, which were eliminated in the early 2000’s.