Great stuff all day. Takayasu (who is like the uncrowned Yokozuna, in ability if not consistency) vs. Aonishiki has loads of promise. Gonoyama, one of the best “basic sumo” guys out there, really has Hakuoho’s number.
I think Gonoyama takes Hakuoho bouts personally. They came up the same time and Hakuoho was the one who was getting all the shine, while Gonoyama quietly did just as well as he did.
and beat him for that juryo title! He is older, but he just does a little of everything and will clearly be around for as long as his health holds up. Probably will earn a few promotions over the years, too.
Yeah, I've been very high on Gonoyama in the past. He showed some interesting developments in November and I thought he would at least hit komusubi this year. After the last few basho my expectations got lowered to me wondering if he could even hang in the joi. I do like him, though, and I quite enjoyed that stare down he had with Hoshoryu a few years ago.
I have to say Gonoyama is one of those guys who is just meh to me. Kinda like filler down in the maegashira ranks. Kimbozan was one of those until he made his big run last year. Now he has my complete attention.
I thought Kinbozan would do well thia tournament and I still think he could hang in the joi at some point. He has great size. It feels like you can only get so far as a pusher/thruster, though.
I think Takayasu has more runner-up finishes than anybody else in the sport, certainly more than anybody else currently wrestling. He always gets hurt or chokes in the end. He's getting up there in years, but I would love to see him get an Emperor's Cup before he goes.
What a day ! We have a Yokozuna Hoshoryu out of this Basho and Onosato 4-1 Over taken by 5-0 by Mitakeumi and Ichiyamamoto
As predicted by me yesterday Aonishiki has indeed had a major confidence boost, by nailing wakatakakage yesterday he came in today believing he could win and he did, he beat non other than
Kirishima and to be honest I didn’t
anticipate that win !
The thing is Aonishiki is using a lot of very different moves, never the same each day, he’s winning now because I feel some of the wrestlers are stuck in a time warp of specific moves, I can’t remember the last time I saw someone grab a leg and pull out from underneath the opponent, I think with the new wrestlers younger coming through, the days of just slapping and belt grabbing are over, the younger opponents are watching these moves and thinking I can do that!
Aonishiki does feel like a cheat code right now, he's playing sumo in ways other guys aren't expecting. I think people will catch on soon, though. Even so, I think he's great and I wouldn't be surprised if he lifted a cup in the next 12 months.
I agree. Atamifuji and Takerufuji were both white hot when they came into the top ranks, but guys soon got them figured out and now they're trying to work their way out of maegashira. I think Aonishki needs to make a big splash in Nagoya, because after this he ain't gonna find it so easy.
Kirishima slapped the absolute crap out of him at the start, and Aonishki didn't flinch. When Kirishima was bearing down on him I thought it was over, but the kid just has a pocketful of moves.
Yes Aonishiki is using a lot of moves other wrestlers just aren’t doing.
Mostly all we are seeing is slapping, holding round arms so opponents can’t move or slap downs, some are so predictable that the younger ones now see it coming, they are faster more athletic and some older wrestlers have clearly been stunned after being ejected from the ring , it’s just not good enough any more, and these older wrestlers have to up there game or get out, nowadays the name of the game is being flexible
Aonishiki is very flexible, he can change his game plan on a button and if this goes on we are going to see other Rikishi out run and retirement in droves
Kayo going sideways and backward again! I feel like most people in this comment section are rooting for Butterball, but his stable master has to tell him to keep all that weight moving forward!
I can't be too sad that my fave Wakatakakage lost, because he lost to one of my other faves, Papa Bear Takayasu. I'll be rooting for Taka tomorrow. That kid Aonishki is looking so good, he's too easy to root for.
Kotozakura looked like his old self today. I hope he maintains that.
I have a sneaking suspicion this match will come down to Onosato vs Aonishki.
Atamifuji is pulling himself together at last, come on everyone you know I have a very big soft spot for that sweet boy !!
Kusano is fast agile nimble and fresh
But let’s not forget Mitakeumi, one loss let’s not pan him out yet! Tamawashi is up there as well
But we all have to face facts
We live in even Japan where the world has changed, the younger Rikishi are using all the tools available and when I say tools I mean
They watch their opponents on play back watching all there techniques, they train in the gym they are toned, athletic nimble and fast, they are the new era of the 21st century sumo , they tic toc, instagram facebook they want to earn money, get famous they care about training, going to the Gym stable training, they are now watching Aonishiki drinking in his moves, realising they can grab a leg ankle or knee, they don’t have to just try to keep belt grabbing or shoving or slapping
In a way Aonishiki has given a great deal of confidence to younger Rikishi they see him as a influencer encouraging them to change styles to be flexible not keep using the same moves every bout
Kusano well he’s certainly got what it takes to bring a crowd round, he’s exciting to watch
And we see Shodai and Takanosho all showing up! Atamifuji is looking better at 5-2 he’s now back in the conversation , You all know I will be delighted with that news.
Kotozakura is looking better as well on 5-2
I feel it’s possible that Kirishima could be the market end leader but let’s not forget Aonishiki again he used a regular move, but I bet his opponent was head locked in to thinking he would use a different tactic/ strategy?
That’s Aonishiki super power you never know what you’re gonna get !
Kotozakura looking good again is making me happy! I hope he's almost fully healthy and can have a good tournament. I want to see him at his peak power vs Onosato and see how the yokozuna deals with Koto's size and technique.
Great stuff all day. Takayasu (who is like the uncrowned Yokozuna, in ability if not consistency) vs. Aonishiki has loads of promise. Gonoyama, one of the best “basic sumo” guys out there, really has Hakuoho’s number.
I think Gonoyama takes Hakuoho bouts personally. They came up the same time and Hakuoho was the one who was getting all the shine, while Gonoyama quietly did just as well as he did.
and beat him for that juryo title! He is older, but he just does a little of everything and will clearly be around for as long as his health holds up. Probably will earn a few promotions over the years, too.
Yeah, I've been very high on Gonoyama in the past. He showed some interesting developments in November and I thought he would at least hit komusubi this year. After the last few basho my expectations got lowered to me wondering if he could even hang in the joi. I do like him, though, and I quite enjoyed that stare down he had with Hoshoryu a few years ago.
I have to say Gonoyama is one of those guys who is just meh to me. Kinda like filler down in the maegashira ranks. Kimbozan was one of those until he made his big run last year. Now he has my complete attention.
I thought Kinbozan would do well thia tournament and I still think he could hang in the joi at some point. He has great size. It feels like you can only get so far as a pusher/thruster, though.
I think Takayasu has more runner-up finishes than anybody else in the sport, certainly more than anybody else currently wrestling. He always gets hurt or chokes in the end. He's getting up there in years, but I would love to see him get an Emperor's Cup before he goes.
Absolutely. He’s good, so unlucky, so hairy, and because of that hair is surely one of the most low-key muscular men in the sport
Is Midorifuji vs Fukinokawa the lowest total weight in a sumo match? Each guy is under 120kg, i.e. they could make MMA heavyweight limit.
In the top division, yeah. In makushita and below there are lots of skinny kids yet to put on a lot of weight.
That match was almost like injecting a little humor into the tournament. I have to laugh when I see a sumo wrestler waving both feet in the air.
Your comment goes along perfectly with your username, lol.
What a day ! We have a Yokozuna Hoshoryu out of this Basho and Onosato 4-1 Over taken by 5-0 by Mitakeumi and Ichiyamamoto
As predicted by me yesterday Aonishiki has indeed had a major confidence boost, by nailing wakatakakage yesterday he came in today believing he could win and he did, he beat non other than
Kirishima and to be honest I didn’t
anticipate that win !
The thing is Aonishiki is using a lot of very different moves, never the same each day, he’s winning now because I feel some of the wrestlers are stuck in a time warp of specific moves, I can’t remember the last time I saw someone grab a leg and pull out from underneath the opponent, I think with the new wrestlers younger coming through, the days of just slapping and belt grabbing are over, the younger opponents are watching these moves and thinking I can do that!
Aonishiki does feel like a cheat code right now, he's playing sumo in ways other guys aren't expecting. I think people will catch on soon, though. Even so, I think he's great and I wouldn't be surprised if he lifted a cup in the next 12 months.
I agree. Atamifuji and Takerufuji were both white hot when they came into the top ranks, but guys soon got them figured out and now they're trying to work their way out of maegashira. I think Aonishki needs to make a big splash in Nagoya, because after this he ain't gonna find it so easy.
Kirishima slapped the absolute crap out of him at the start, and Aonishki didn't flinch. When Kirishima was bearing down on him I thought it was over, but the kid just has a pocketful of moves.
Yes Aonishiki is using a lot of moves other wrestlers just aren’t doing.
Mostly all we are seeing is slapping, holding round arms so opponents can’t move or slap downs, some are so predictable that the younger ones now see it coming, they are faster more athletic and some older wrestlers have clearly been stunned after being ejected from the ring , it’s just not good enough any more, and these older wrestlers have to up there game or get out, nowadays the name of the game is being flexible
Aonishiki is very flexible, he can change his game plan on a button and if this goes on we are going to see other Rikishi out run and retirement in droves
This basho is so different than the last! So many fun and intriguing matches and possibilities!
It's nice not to have a runaway leader or a two horse race for a change.
Kayo going sideways and backward again! I feel like most people in this comment section are rooting for Butterball, but his stable master has to tell him to keep all that weight moving forward!
I can't be too sad that my fave Wakatakakage lost, because he lost to one of my other faves, Papa Bear Takayasu. I'll be rooting for Taka tomorrow. That kid Aonishki is looking so good, he's too easy to root for.
Kotozakura looked like his old self today. I hope he maintains that.
I have a sneaking suspicion this match will come down to Onosato vs Aonishki.
Onosato vs Aonishiki might be a greay rivalry for the future (if Aonishiki can figure out how to deal with all thay size of Onosato).
Kotozakura looking like his old self is one of my favourite things happening right now.
We see Kirishima as a potential upset for Onosato
Atamifuji is pulling himself together at last, come on everyone you know I have a very big soft spot for that sweet boy !!
Kusano is fast agile nimble and fresh
But let’s not forget Mitakeumi, one loss let’s not pan him out yet! Tamawashi is up there as well
But we all have to face facts
We live in even Japan where the world has changed, the younger Rikishi are using all the tools available and when I say tools I mean
They watch their opponents on play back watching all there techniques, they train in the gym they are toned, athletic nimble and fast, they are the new era of the 21st century sumo , they tic toc, instagram facebook they want to earn money, get famous they care about training, going to the Gym stable training, they are now watching Aonishiki drinking in his moves, realising they can grab a leg ankle or knee, they don’t have to just try to keep belt grabbing or shoving or slapping
In a way Aonishiki has given a great deal of confidence to younger Rikishi they see him as a influencer encouraging them to change styles to be flexible not keep using the same moves every bout
Kusano well he’s certainly got what it takes to bring a crowd round, he’s exciting to watch
And we see Shodai and Takanosho all showing up! Atamifuji is looking better at 5-2 he’s now back in the conversation , You all know I will be delighted with that news.
Kotozakura is looking better as well on 5-2
I feel it’s possible that Kirishima could be the market end leader but let’s not forget Aonishiki again he used a regular move, but I bet his opponent was head locked in to thinking he would use a different tactic/ strategy?
That’s Aonishiki super power you never know what you’re gonna get !
Kotozakura looking good again is making me happy! I hope he's almost fully healthy and can have a good tournament. I want to see him at his peak power vs Onosato and see how the yokozuna deals with Koto's size and technique.