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Whoopdy Do's avatar

Just the other day I mentioned how there's nobody better than Wakatakakage with two heels on the ropes. This time he lost his situational awareness. I hope he gets his 10th tomorrow!

I can't imagine the kind of power Takayasu has, to throw a guy like Atamifuji around like a hay bale, just like he did Ichiyamamoto the other day too. He won't be runner-up tomorrow, but he can be the spoiler.

Kayo was winning while going forward, then suddenly decided to back up and lost. Is it a strength issue, or just a lack of self-confidence that keeps him from going on offense?

Shodai also having his best tournament in months. Time to go for ozeki again! ;-D

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Tim Bissell's avatar

Takayasu may be the strongest guy in the division. He can really move guys around with just the flick of his wrist.

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Dj sto's avatar

Such exciting bouts, we saw some proper execution styles, that have absolutely demonstrated and shown that for example some have been on the ball, watching Aonishiki taking notes, watching playbacks, putting techniques in to practice Kotozakura used a Beltless arm throw, we don’t often see that move, today we saw Aonishiki outmanoeuvred by his own slippery moves and Kusano got one over him.

Shodai used an over arm throw, and

Now we are seeing these Rikishi uses there brains, learning from watching using unusual movements and technique to get a basic move like a frontal push out, but the opponent hasn’t seen it coming because they are confused by the sudden technique changes

So I got one right Aonishiki and was unsure about Kusano, but here we are.

Now Atamifuji beaten by Takayasu who has clearly been watching and learning and to be fair he completely out manoeuvred Atami with an under arm belt throw, again we don’t see that often either

But our boy got ten and maybe tomorrow he will finish on 11-4

But the great Tim Bissell is right, this showed that Atamifuji needs more experience before he gets thrown into the stadium of full elite, keep clapping people

Takayasu is not to be sniffed at he’s power full and experienced, he wants to go up, let’s not forget Tamawashi very impressive for a 40 yr old,

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Tim Bissell's avatar

At just 22, Atamifuji is still improving by a lot. Every experience he has, good or bad, is helping him become a better wrestler. I think we're going to see him involved in more title runs over the next 12 months. His clinch wrestling is some of the best in the division, so I wouldn't be surprised if he finally clinches that yusho sometime soonish.

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Dj sto's avatar

What a day that will be, his fans adore him !

You should take a listen to Goose and J.J. 😒

Apparently Atamifuji is un- coachable and various other things I suppose us grannies don’t want to hear about our fabulous boy!!

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Andreas's avatar

Such an exciting and unpredictable tournament! Thanks for the coverage. I recommend trying to find Atamifuji's reaction when he walked out after his match with Takayasu. He was very upset and angry with himself over that match, as well as missing out on a chance to win the tournament.

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Tim Bissell's avatar

Hi Andreas, thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you're enjoying the coverage. Atamifuji did look wrecked after that bout. He's a rare rikishi who wears his heart on his sleeve (as much as he can get away with). That's a big reason why he's so popular.

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Whoopdy Do's avatar

I saw that too, on NHK Channels highlights program. They kinda made a point of showing it. Rare to see that much reaction from any sumo wrestler, but he really did do it to himself. Takayasu only had his mawashi by one loop, but Atamifuji paused to catch his breath, and that let Papa Bear grab the whole thing and go for the toss.

Regardless, this has been a great tournament for Atamifuji. Good to see him in the running, and let's hope this is typical of him going forward!

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Daniel Nickel's avatar

He was sooo grumpy. What a wild ride tournament this has been.

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Dj sto's avatar

It’s been a horrible day, my TV has gone to the great Hospice in the sky, so I managed to see some of the coverage on my phone, but the agony of having to listen to and these two men one called Goose the other J.J. was just awful

And they were a bit unkind to well you all know who 😩

Aonishiki was out pegged by Kotoshoho, who cleverly been boning up on technique and wasn’t afraid to use any move

Aonishiki has mostly been beating the Old School techniques, so now it’s getting to be an even playing field, but it was the youngsters who had the day which was my point from the start, they need to move with the times

Tamawashi got an outstanding prize, as did overall winner Kotoshoho who we have to accept pulled it out the bag!

Kusano is one to watch along with Aonishiki in the future !

Disappointing results for Yokozuna and Ozeki

It’s hard work for Yokozuna and a lot of things are expected, I think struggling either way all the expectations on his own missing Hoshoryu

Ozeki well he feels lost right now !

I feel Mitakeumi has been left out, he’s worked hard along with Atamifuji I felt they deserved fighting spirit at least

Atamifuji has done so well I am delighted and can’t wait to see my scrumptious boy at the next Baso

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Whoopdy Do's avatar

Another great podcast interview, Tim! If she keeps getting you back I'm gonna have to subscribe. I had a laugh-out-loud moment when you discussed Chiyoshoma. Good point, too, about Kayo coming into the sport at the exact wrong moment for him. Am already looking forward to your interview next week!

PS: Never been into MMA, but your column at mmamania.com might be my "in!"

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Tim Bissell's avatar

Thanks man. I'm definitely enjoying these more nowadays.

And I'm glad you like the column. I'm kinda stuck in MMA, since I've been doing it for over a decade. It's definitely at a low point right now, both culturally and from a sporting sense. A big reason I leaned so far into sumo was because of how unsatisfying MMA has been for the past few years.

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mklip2001's avatar

If you start checking out that site, I would see the morning reports. Andrew Richardson tends to have a pretty good writing style as well, and he ends them with random stuff and songs.

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Tim Bissell's avatar

Yeah, Andy's stuff is great.

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