Shishi is becoming a favourite of mine! He's got a great chance of winning the fighting spirit trophy.
Incredible isn’t he. Give him a couple of years and he could make it to the top, if staying injury-free. I’m really liking Hoshoryu this tournament. Normally starts slow but he looks imperious. Wakatakakage v Onosato tomorrow. Should be a cracker.
First week done and it's anyone's Basho. Looking forward to seeing Takerufuji and Onokatsu against the higher ranks.
Much more interesting than the days when Hakuho would just bulldoze everybody tournament after tournament.
He's still all over NHK, probably the greatest ever. I'm fortunate enough to have seen him live.
Yes, probably the best ever, very popular and was the sport's biggest draw, but the Sumo authorities don't like him, don't trust him and would rather stitch him up at every opportunity than get on board with him to promote sumo. Sport governing bodies are dreadul everywhere, not just in England!
I make Abi a real strong chance right now, despite 2 defeats. He’s fought all the big guys already, whereas the 3 Ozeki have to fight one another this coming week and any of the lesser rank and filers still in contention will also come up against much higher ranked oppo. Should be a cracking finale.
Great climax. I’d really like Hoshoryu to take it. Close one today but he’s so good at the edge of the dohyo. Shame that Shishi’s faltered. All good experience and he’ll be back. Atamifuji was a first time flop at Makuuchi.
I think Hoshoryu takes it. His victory on Friday screamed name is on the trophy, to coin a Gary Neville phrase. Unusual for it to be contested between the two most experienced Ozekis.
Shame about Shishi, his recent performances have been luck luster. Sometimes you need to take a step back to take a step forward and victories at juryo will give him a much needed confidence boost.
Two impressive wins by the leaders today. I reckon both are fighting better and more consistently than they’ve ever fought. Whether Hoshoryu can manoeuvre/push Kotozakura around like he has others I’m not sure but I really hope he wins it. Not that I’ve got anything against K. It’s just H’s style is a lot more dynamic. Should be a belter.
Up to day 12 so far, looking forward to catching the rest. First full tournament I'll have seen, will definitely keep an eye out for the rest. You feeling like you get to know the individual styles for each fighter.
Up to day 12 so far, looking forward to catching the rest. First full tournament I'll have seen, will definitely keep an eye out for the rest. You feeling like you get to know the individual styles for each fighter.
Sorry about the spoilers. Unfortunate slip by Hoshoryu but fair play to Kotozakura - he fought very well and consistently over the 15 days and deserves the win. A big monkey off his shoulder. I think both Hoshoryu and Kotozakura have a shot at Yokozuna in Jan. The “rule” is 2 consecutive tournament wins as an Ozeki or a score equivalent to a win. 13 would probably do it for H if he wins well in Jan. But of course Terunofuji is aiming to return in Jan! Glad Wakatakakage won a Prize. Hopefully back to Sanyaku in Jan.
Looked to me that Kotozakura off balanced him by defending the throw and did a slight slap down for the takedown rather than an outright slip. Still not the best finish for the grand finale.
Looked to me that Kotozakura off balanced him by defending the throw and did a slight slap down for the takedown rather than an outright slip. Still not the best finish for the grand finale.
Agreed - could have been a classic but for the slip assisting the takedown but K definitely off-balanced him and got in a slap. K is just 27, H is 25. Pretty sure they debuted in Makuuchi at the same time. This could be one hell of a rivalry for years to come, especially if they both make Yokozuna. Add Onosato into the mix and Holy Cow!! No set quota for Yokozuna and there have been 4 at times. Would be a remarkable turnaround on the last 2 years.
Fantastic news that Sumo is coming once again to London next year, for 5 days 15-19 October at the Royal Albert Hall. 40 of the top Rikishi will compete for only the 2nd ever time in a tournament outside Japan, though not a full Basho of course. I was very fortunate to be able to see it twice during the 3 day tournament at the RA Hall in 1991, once a couple of rows back from the dojo with Mrs Molloy,, when Sumo first came to the UK - the likes of Akebono, Konishiki, Terao and Asahifuji (now Master of Isegahana stable and Terunofuji’s Head Coach). Definitely going to try to get tickets when they go on sale early next year and thoroughly recommend it to anyone curious about Japan.
Comments
impressive from Wakatakakage to outmuscle Kirishima.
No spoiler but one of the best bouts I’ve ever seen for sheer guts - Shishi v Onokatsu.
Fantastic.
I’m really liking Hoshoryu this tournament. Normally starts slow but he looks imperious.
Wakatakakage v Onosato tomorrow. Should be a cracker.
Much more interesting than the days when Hakuho would just bulldoze everybody tournament after tournament.
Yes, probably the best ever, very popular and was the sport's biggest draw, but the Sumo authorities don't like him, don't trust him and would rather stitch him up at every opportunity than get on board with him to promote sumo. Sport governing bodies are dreadul everywhere, not just in England!
He’s fought all the big guys already, whereas the 3 Ozeki have to fight one another this coming week and any of the lesser rank and filers still in contention will also come up against much higher ranked oppo.
Should be a cracking finale.
Takerfuji v Onosato tomorrow!
I’d really like Hoshoryu to take it.
Close one today but he’s so good at the edge of the dohyo.
Shame that Shishi’s faltered. All good experience and he’ll be back.
Atamifuji was a first time flop at Makuuchi.
Shame about Shishi, his recent performances have been luck luster. Sometimes you need to take a step back to take a step forward and victories at juryo will give him a much needed confidence boost.
I reckon both are fighting better and more consistently than they’ve ever fought.
Whether Hoshoryu can manoeuvre/push Kotozakura around like he has others I’m not sure but I really hope he wins it.
Not that I’ve got anything against K. It’s just H’s style is a lot more dynamic.
Should be a belter.
What a climax to the basho!
What a basho to finish a great year.
Unfortunate slip by Hoshoryu but fair play to Kotozakura - he fought very well and consistently over the 15 days and deserves the win. A big monkey off his shoulder.
I think both Hoshoryu and Kotozakura have a shot at Yokozuna in Jan.
The “rule” is 2 consecutive tournament wins as an Ozeki or a score equivalent to a win.
13 would probably do it for H if he wins well in Jan.
But of course Terunofuji is aiming to return in Jan!
Glad Wakatakakage won a Prize. Hopefully back to Sanyaku in Jan.
K is just 27, H is 25. Pretty sure they debuted in Makuuchi at the same time.
This could be one hell of a rivalry for years to come, especially if they both make Yokozuna.
Add Onosato into the mix and Holy Cow!! No set quota for Yokozuna and there have been 4 at times.
Would be a remarkable turnaround on the last 2 years.
5 days 15-19 October at the Royal Albert Hall. 40 of the top Rikishi will compete for only the 2nd ever time in a tournament outside Japan, though not a full Basho of course.
I was very fortunate to be able to see it twice during the 3 day tournament at the RA Hall in 1991, once a couple of rows back from the dojo with Mrs Molloy,, when Sumo first came to the UK - the likes of Akebono, Konishiki, Terao and Asahifuji (now Master of Isegahana stable and Terunofuji’s Head Coach).
Definitely going to try to get tickets when they go on sale early next year and thoroughly recommend it to anyone curious about Japan.
https://x.com/rainmaker1973/status/1870348478242861214?s=61
It would be the full bow if practicalities permitted.