So many great bouts! Like that you mentioned Kotozakura there. I think a lot of people kind of gloss over him (maybe because of his physique). I think he's one of the most technical and strategic guys out there.
Yeah, it's a joy to watch that strangely-built, pedigreed titan work that big body of his in one defensive chess match after another. Is something wrong with his knee? He hasn't been quite the wall he was during his breakthrough run
I love Ura too, but he always has the same opening move, coming in low and burying his head in the opponent's chest. He doesn't strike me as all that short. I think he'd do better if his opponents weren't so sure what was coming.
He’s actually only 5’ 9” so not a very tall rikishi, but I do think he maybe overuses a specific technique with certain types of wrestlers. I think his height does help him bury that back straight leg to stop the other wrestlers momentum well off the tachiai. Either way, just always thrilled to see him win.
I had to skip a couple days and then binge-watch the last 4 bouts, but you better believe I wouldn't miss Wakatakakage vs Onosato! The odds were against him, but Waka at least made the big guy work for it more than anybody else this tournament. I think Ono was surprised to find he couldn't simply bulldoze Waka the way he's done everybody else. When Waka was driving him backwards I jumped out of my seat! So close!
It seems impossible to defeat Onosato head-on. I wonder that nobody's tried a henka or going for his legs with a trip or grab. He needs to be outwitted.
Just top-tier stuff up and down today, like you noted. Asakoryu, Ura, Hoshoryu, Kotazakura, Onosato...so much impressive strategy on display.
So many great bouts! Like that you mentioned Kotozakura there. I think a lot of people kind of gloss over him (maybe because of his physique). I think he's one of the most technical and strategic guys out there.
Yeah, it's a joy to watch that strangely-built, pedigreed titan work that big body of his in one defensive chess match after another. Is something wrong with his knee? He hasn't been quite the wall he was during his breakthrough run
So happy to see Midorifuji and Ura win on the same day!
I love Ura too, but he always has the same opening move, coming in low and burying his head in the opponent's chest. He doesn't strike me as all that short. I think he'd do better if his opponents weren't so sure what was coming.
He’s actually only 5’ 9” so not a very tall rikishi, but I do think he maybe overuses a specific technique with certain types of wrestlers. I think his height does help him bury that back straight leg to stop the other wrestlers momentum well off the tachiai. Either way, just always thrilled to see him win.
No argument there!
I had to skip a couple days and then binge-watch the last 4 bouts, but you better believe I wouldn't miss Wakatakakage vs Onosato! The odds were against him, but Waka at least made the big guy work for it more than anybody else this tournament. I think Ono was surprised to find he couldn't simply bulldoze Waka the way he's done everybody else. When Waka was driving him backwards I jumped out of my seat! So close!
It seems impossible to defeat Onosato head-on. I wonder that nobody's tried a henka or going for his legs with a trip or grab. He needs to be outwitted.
PS: I enjoyed your buddy's video about Waka!