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Whoopdy Do's avatar

The Yokozunas are handing out gold star victories like they're feeding baby koi! I think I've seen more gold stars in these first four days than I've seen in the past couple years put together.

Aonishki never let Wakatakakage get a grip on him. He's not only tricky, but smart too.

Happy to see Kirishima atop the leaderboard again, but with Big O just one match back there's no room to lose.

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Tim Bissell's avatar

I'm delighted by Kirishima's performances. I hope he can keep it going. I think Onosato is a terrible match-up for him, though.

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Buck Schlerf's avatar

I cant be the only person who thought Hoshoryu kept his foot elevated until after Abi touched down right? Tim, you seemed to have seen the exact opposite but it to me it looks clear as day that Hosh's heel didn't touch the ground.

Tough break for my boy, when he really couldn't afford it. All hail the Troll King baby!

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Tim Bissell's avatar

On my first watch, I was convinced that the heel was down, because Hoshoryu pushed off and lifted his foot. I don't think he could have done that with just the part of his foot that was connected to the straw (with was little more than his toes). I've since isolated the clip, zoomed in and slowed it down. I still think he touched, but I'm not as confident as I was when I saw it the first time.

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Buck Schlerf's avatar

I will take this crumb of consolation and feast on it until day 5. Thank you 😂

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Tim Bissell's avatar

LOL either way, like you said, very tough break for Hoshoryu. He was my pick to win this won. I really want to see him be a thorn in Onosato's side and hope that kind of dynamic brings out the best in both of them.

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Whoopdy Do's avatar

I gotta say, it looked down to me, although the judge had a bad angle on it.

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Oliver Bateman Does the Work's avatar

Glad to see the revival of the re-promoted Mitakeumi but sad to see my sentimental favorite Kayo — truly the most stereotypical of the sumos, like a John Kruk-type first baseman — struggling in Nagoya

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Tim Bissell's avatar

Mitakeumi is doing much better than I thought he would. I doubt he can keep this up much longer, though. Maybe Kayo is just a giy who starts slowly before bouncing back. Early days for everyone (except maybe Hoshoryu).

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Dj sto's avatar

Today’s bouts were very different

Atami in

Mitakeumi in

Even Shodai and Takanosho are showing up

And what about Tamawashi he’s got 4-0 under his belt !

Kusano is looking strong despite 1 loss he’s powerful

Aonishiki is now starting to look like he’s found footing and that has given him confidence he won over Wakakatakage today I think this win will really boost his confidence as Waka is a tough adversary

But wow what is going on ! Hoshoryu is looking like he’s gone over a rock loosing to Abi

And Oho sent Onosato out !

So we were left with 1 Ozeki that thank goodness came through, but it was hard.

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Tim Bissell's avatar

Great performance from Aonishiki, wasn't it? At 21 he seems immune to pressure.

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Dj sto's avatar

Excellent, I am not his biggest fan, but I am impressed by his bouts, he’s using a lot of different styles to get the job done, he doesn’t rely on one technique, like push and shove, he will use leg sweeps arm pulls anything to get the win

He beat Wakatakakage and I think that is going to give him enormous confidence in the coming days, he could win this !!

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Whoopdy Do's avatar

I'm really rooting for Kayo too, but he was playing pure defense today, all dodging, sidestepping and backpedaling. That's not going to win you a bout, especially against the likes of Kusano.

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Oliver Bateman Does the Work's avatar

He’s such an odd performer. A kind of utility sumo, but short and fat. Real “dump truck” energy. One of the few current ones who shows almost no signs of modern weight training methods, a true throwback

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Whoopdy Do's avatar

I think of him as a baby Takakeisho.

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Oliver Bateman Does the Work's avatar

Yes, with Takakeisho gone, he’s my go to for this type of guy

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Buck Schlerf's avatar

I also like seeing Mitakeumi back in strong form! Honestly. despite his record I'm still very impressed by Kayo so far. Even in May I thought he looked very athletic for some one as short/heavy as he is. I'll be excited to keep watching him!

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Dj sto's avatar

Yes Kayo despite his record is looking fit and athletic, this could well work in his favour later on this week

He could be the one to upset everyone including Kusano who is doing well, I feel like in the future these two could well be rivals and pitted against each other

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Oliver Bateman Does the Work's avatar

He’s tons of fun to watch. Seems to be a real character when it comes to interviews too, talking about how much he eats and sleeps even relative to other guys

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Dj sto's avatar

He is funny, and likes to joke

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Tim Bissell's avatar

He's making a mockery of my prediction post. I had him going 3-12 LOL

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Dj sto's avatar

Well 0-4 isn’t bad

It’s not good either lol

But he’s playing the long game !!

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Dj sto's avatar

So Aonishiki has really grown, he had lively bouts and was at the beginning a bit closed off .

But then something happened he beat Waka and his confidence just excelled.

All the way thru he has used different moves, he’s been able to strategise then change direction on a button, he’s done his homework on each wrestler exploiting their weaknesses and manipulating their movements.

Today we saw him beat Ichiyamamoto, he was confident and it paid off

Onosato hasn’t learned anything, he was so busy being busy he didn’t see his opponent use a leg just like Aonishiki did and again the look of surprise

Kirishima put down by an outside leg movement he just didn’t see it coming, the look on his face was priceless

Onosato V Kotoshoho, again put down by a small bit of knee pushing movement, an experienced wrestler and Yokozuna should have expected a fight but he just didn’t anticipate a difference in style and

so he lost

I worry for ura, I thought he looked in not a good way after being tossed out we hope he’s ok !

So tomorrow Aonishiki V Kotoshoho

It’s an even split but exciting!

And well last but not least, and you all by now know where I am going

Atamifuji he did it 10-3 I am so proud of him, he works so hard even other wrestlers smiled as he climbed down with his winnings with that great big smile it warmed my heart, I do still agree with the Mighty Tim Bissell he does need more experience in the elite level, but he beat Kotozakura no mean feat !!!

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