Yūshō (優勝)

Goeido – Redemption

Bruce H Aki Basho 2016, Gōeidō (豪栄道) , ,

goeido-redemption

From Kadoban to Yusho – Zensho Achieved (First in history)

Before the start of the Aki basho two weeks ago, I mockingly referred to Goeido and Kotoshogiku as the “Kadoban Twins”. Frankly both of their performance had been spotty and uneven, and I frankly predicted at least one of them would fail to achieve a winning record and would be demoted.

I was wrong

In one of the great redemption and come back stories in sports, Goeido came into Aki in danger of losing sumo’s second highest ranking, and drove himself relentlessly in every match. As noted before in Tachiai, his all out commitment to his offensive moves was dramatic, more like Hakuho, than what has been typical for Goeido of late.

On his march to total victory, he has shown surprising versatility in his winning moves, and an absolute fearless approach to sumo. The fans have loved it, as it was clear that Goeido was going to settle for nothing less than a win on every day.  I sincerely hope that Goeido can maintain this level of sumo, as it is really quite thrilling to watch. After so many years of the Japanese sumo fans yearning for strong performance from someone other than Mongolians, they may have finally found a worthy champion.

List Of Victories – Aki Basho

  • Day 1 – Tochinoshin
  • Day 2 – Shodai
  • Day 3 – Tochiozan
  • Day 4 – Takanoiwa
  • Day 5 – Takarafuji
  • Day 6 – Takayasu
  • Day 7 – Okinoumi
  • Day 8 – Yoshikaze
  • Day 9 – Aoiyama
  • Day 10 – Terunofuji
  • Day 11 – Kisenosato
  • Day 12 – Kakuryu
  • Day 13 – Harumafuji
  • Day 14 – Tamawashi
  • Day 15 – Kotoshogiku

Some facts about Goeido’s win, harvested from nikkansports.com:

  • Only the 8th time in history and kadoban Ozeki has won a tournament
  • First time ever a kadoban Ozeki has won undefeated – zensho yusho
  • First time in 86 years a rikishi from Osaka has won a tournament.
  • Only Harumafuji, Hakuho and now Goeido, out of the current sekitori, have won with a perfect record.

The video below of his win day 14 over Tamawashi, and the reaction of the crowd says it all. Congratulations to Goeido, your performance during Aki has been incredible.

 

Aki Basho Begins Week 2

Bruce H Aki Basho 2016, promotion, Yokozuna (横綱), Ōzeki (大関) ,

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In most sumo tournaments (basho), there is a somewhat predictable rhythm. While it is not guaranteed that given ranks will fight on a certain number day, there are broad themes that happen, and there is a marked difference between week one and week two.

One of the highlights of week two is the san’yaku ranks focus largely on matches between themselves, with the occasional high performance Maegashira for flavoring or to fill in gaps from same-stable conflicts (such as Kisenosato and Takayasu both being from Tagonoura-beya). So in general week 2 is when we see the top players grind through determining the champion, and the Maegashira drive for their kachi-koshi (more wins than losses). Kachi-koshi means advancement, it’s evil brother make-koshi (more losses than wins) means demotion.

Wrestlers likely to achieve kachi-koshi
Goeido (achieved), Okinoumi, Endo, Kisenosato, Kotoshogiku, Takayasu, Kotoyuki

Wrestlers in peril of facing make-koshi
Kaisei, Shodai, Chiyootori, Tochinoshin, Myogiryu, Daishomaru

I leave out the Yokozuna, as they retain rank, typically no matter what. For the rest of the rikishi, they can go either way during the next 7 days.

Everything in the first week was to nominate a handful of rikishi for the push to the championship, and to leave the others to fight off demotion.

Leader (8-0): Goeido

Chasers (7-1): Harumafuji, Okinoumi, Endo

Hunt Group (6-2): Kisenosato, Kotoshogiku, Takayasu, Kotoyuki

7 Bouts Remain

初場所 2016, 15日目: Kotoshogiku Yusho

Andy Hatsubasho 2016, yusho ceremony ,

WP_20160124_10_11_28_ProApologies for the late update. I was up to watch the final day but internet was out. I live near DC and we’ve been having a snowstorm the past few days. I was upset not being able to watch live. Thanks to Kintamayama, I was able to watch just now.

It’s official, we have the first Japanese yusho in 10 years. I’m excited for Kotoshogiku and for the sport. Hopefully this will spark more interest among Japanese – and Kotoshogiku. He’d not had a good 2015, starting the year kadoban after 6 wins in November 2014 and then going kadoban again after the May tournament. I’m hoping for consistent double-digit wins from him and ozeki-worthy performances.

I’m concerned for Goeido. He was only able to pull out four wins and is kadoban for the third time in his short ozeki tenure. He’s had 1 tournament with 9 wins and 5 where he’s scraped by with 8.