OK, my prediction that Atamifuji would take the Emperor's Cup did not pan out. I'm afraid this negates my other prediction, that Butterball Kayo will rise to become Yokozuna in 2027.
However, there was so much more to love about this tournament! Wakatakakage and Takayasu got their Ks. Kirishima is eyeing a return to ozeki. Onosato is not invincible. And as Tim pointed out, even Aonishki becoming a Yoke is a good thing, with the top three fighting for the cup rather than one Yoke dominating every tournament the way Terunofuji did. Truly we are heading into a Golden Age of sumo!
A Golden Age indeed. I love that the older guys aren't getting totally swept aside. It would be nice if we could keep the san'yaku stocked with Wakatakakage, Takayasu and Kirishima and hopefully have one grab that open ozeki spot that will be there sooner rather than later.
Hey All, how are all our nerves? Mine were in tatters going into final day matches
However Mr insufferable 😫 has been utterly insufferable after Aonishiki won the final match. I am not betting again I can’t afford it !!
I was delighted that Atamifuji came to the final match, and just saying, in my opinion he definitely had the first half of match on his side, I was pleased to see that Aonishiki didn’t take Atamifuji for granted, he entered the ring looked at Atami and knew it was game on, he was startled by how aggressive Atamifuji had suddenly become and knew he was in for a fight and a fight it was. I think Atamifuji startled many of the more experienced Rikishi
I am so proud of Atamifuji, that said I was a bit annoyed he only got one prize I felt he deserved more recognition with outstanding performance and it was.
But obviously I do get the horror and quandary of the JSA whom let’s face think Atamifuji nice bloke but not really thinking he was going anywhere, that came of the bat of thrashing two Yokozuna which has obviously gone down like a lead balloon 🎈
I think both Yokozuna should sit March out and get as fully fit as possible
It’s fair to say many people were upset, cross or put out that we had no Yokozuna in the race for the win at end, I do understand that everyone was thinking at least one, but none?
I hope now we see Takayasu, Kirishima and Wakatakakage and ABI push forward.
I think it’s time Tamawashi started thinking about his future a couple of times I worried he was going to be really hurt
Midorifuji was less than impressive as was Yoshinofuji despite him getting 8-7 I felt it was a disappointing final score considering the hype
What’s happened to hakenofuji ?
Mr insufferable says Aonishiki will win March and then Yokozuna in time for the Paris tour
I would have to say that yesterday at end was the first time Hoshoryu was not smiling or even attempting to brave it out
Despite him being ahead of Onosato he’s really not scrubbing up , so what will happen now, will there be a nice little chat from JSA telling them to sort their injuries out take better care of themselves eat better, early nights ?
When it came down to Aonishiki and Atamifuji my thoughts were firmly on you and Mr. Insufferable. I hope the viewing experience was still pleasurable, even with you two on opposite sides.
Mr. Insufferable has been right twice no, can he make it three times in a row? We'll see.
Hi Tim are you better we all hope so ?Mr Insufferable didn’t even watch ! He just looked up , said told you so, and went back to his either cooking or farming equipment and crops on YouTube
It was Amazing and Atamifuji fought well, gave Aonishiki a run for his money!
Aonishiki pulled off a really good move and he was clearly surprised at the aggression shown.
He says Aonishiki will win march and be Yokozuna before May to Paris !
He also reckons Atamifuji and Kirishima will be in the pack and not to look away from Shishi , Mr Insufferable says Shishi is all about stamina, or rather lack of at the moment.
Mr Insufferable reckons Atamifuji will be Yokozuna one day
Mr Insufferable is interested in your thoughts re: Hoshoryu?
I love Mr. Insufferable's predictions! I think Hoshoryu fought a good tournament, all things considered. And I think his legacy really rests on him being able to consistently beat Onosato. If he keeps that end of the bargain up, we'll have this fascinating rock, paper, scissors dynamic with him Onosato and Aonishiki to keep things interesting over the coming years.
Mr Insufferable believes that Aonishiki will overtake both present Yokozuna
He says, Hoshoryu only came out on top of Onosato because right now he’s considerably injured!
There was a time originally when Hoshoryu was able to put Onosato down, but that day has gone, the confidence Onosato suddenly captured was very quick
Now you all know my preferred Yokozuna is/was Hoshoryu, but he’s just not delivering in terms of the top wins !
Let’s be honest who saw Atamifuji coming ? They both completely underestimated him, unlike Aonishiki who had a healthy respect for him. In interview Aonishiki called him tough and strong.
Mr Insufferable says that until Onosato is 100% fit we won’t know if Aonishiki can genuinely win his bouts against him, he won this time because Onosato is very unfit with a really bad injury made worse by feeling and forced to finish January basho
yeah, but once aonishiki figures out how to beat onosato, it's over for those bitches (apologies to both yokozuna for the choice of word, it's just that that's how the phrase goes)
This tournament was hot fire all the way through until the end. My wife and I were all kinds of giddy when we started watching the final day. I love it when these tournament-ending matches just have that “big fight” feel and all of the excitement that comes along with that feeling.
I know what you mean. Unlike in MMA and boxing, when we get excited just for the names involved, in sumo we have the name value and the form we've seen over the past 14 days to get excited about. More often than not we're seeing the two best wrestlers at a given time settle things in the ring. The format of this sport is just so wonderful for creating these dramatic narratives and big climatic endings.
btw, did anyone else find themselves starting to spot certain moments over the course of the basho and thinking to themselves "hey, this would make for a great gif of the day!"?
Thank you for this! Sumo is both weird and fascinating. I have been away for awhile, used to follow Tochinoshin. Do you know what has happened with him?
Thanks for stopping by! Tochinoshin retired a few years ago. He didn't take Japanese citizenship so he was not eligible to became an elder within the Grand Sumo system. He's on instagram and seems to be very happy. He has a young son, a poodle that he adores and a line of Georgian wine that he sells in Japan.
This was such a great basho! Thanks for another 15 days of excellent sumo coverage 💪
I'm glad you enjoyed it. Was there anyone who you found especially fun to watch this month?
Fujinokawa! Always Fujinokawa haha
Must-watch TV. I can't wait to see him in March, where he could be fighting guys like Hoshoryu and Onosato.
OK, my prediction that Atamifuji would take the Emperor's Cup did not pan out. I'm afraid this negates my other prediction, that Butterball Kayo will rise to become Yokozuna in 2027.
However, there was so much more to love about this tournament! Wakatakakage and Takayasu got their Ks. Kirishima is eyeing a return to ozeki. Onosato is not invincible. And as Tim pointed out, even Aonishki becoming a Yoke is a good thing, with the top three fighting for the cup rather than one Yoke dominating every tournament the way Terunofuji did. Truly we are heading into a Golden Age of sumo!
A Golden Age indeed. I love that the older guys aren't getting totally swept aside. It would be nice if we could keep the san'yaku stocked with Wakatakakage, Takayasu and Kirishima and hopefully have one grab that open ozeki spot that will be there sooner rather than later.
i felt sorry for atamifuji despite being a massive aonishiki stan. he had a fantastic tournament.
He's such a lovable guy. It's hard not to want to see him succeed.
Great Basho coverage, Tim! Hope you feel better soon.
Thanks Dan! Feeling better now. Did you have a standout performer beyond those who scooped all the headlines?
The beast Fujinokawa!
How can you not love that guy?
he is so much fun, and so cool, and just awesome. love him.
Hey All, how are all our nerves? Mine were in tatters going into final day matches
However Mr insufferable 😫 has been utterly insufferable after Aonishiki won the final match. I am not betting again I can’t afford it !!
I was delighted that Atamifuji came to the final match, and just saying, in my opinion he definitely had the first half of match on his side, I was pleased to see that Aonishiki didn’t take Atamifuji for granted, he entered the ring looked at Atami and knew it was game on, he was startled by how aggressive Atamifuji had suddenly become and knew he was in for a fight and a fight it was. I think Atamifuji startled many of the more experienced Rikishi
I am so proud of Atamifuji, that said I was a bit annoyed he only got one prize I felt he deserved more recognition with outstanding performance and it was.
But obviously I do get the horror and quandary of the JSA whom let’s face think Atamifuji nice bloke but not really thinking he was going anywhere, that came of the bat of thrashing two Yokozuna which has obviously gone down like a lead balloon 🎈
I think both Yokozuna should sit March out and get as fully fit as possible
It’s fair to say many people were upset, cross or put out that we had no Yokozuna in the race for the win at end, I do understand that everyone was thinking at least one, but none?
I hope now we see Takayasu, Kirishima and Wakatakakage and ABI push forward.
I think it’s time Tamawashi started thinking about his future a couple of times I worried he was going to be really hurt
Midorifuji was less than impressive as was Yoshinofuji despite him getting 8-7 I felt it was a disappointing final score considering the hype
What’s happened to hakenofuji ?
Mr insufferable says Aonishiki will win March and then Yokozuna in time for the Paris tour
I would have to say that yesterday at end was the first time Hoshoryu was not smiling or even attempting to brave it out
Despite him being ahead of Onosato he’s really not scrubbing up , so what will happen now, will there be a nice little chat from JSA telling them to sort their injuries out take better care of themselves eat better, early nights ?
Thanks for all praying the Atami do well
When it came down to Aonishiki and Atamifuji my thoughts were firmly on you and Mr. Insufferable. I hope the viewing experience was still pleasurable, even with you two on opposite sides.
Mr. Insufferable has been right twice no, can he make it three times in a row? We'll see.
Thank you Tim for all your hard work even though you have been really under the weather
Hi Tim are you better we all hope so ?Mr Insufferable didn’t even watch ! He just looked up , said told you so, and went back to his either cooking or farming equipment and crops on YouTube
It was Amazing and Atamifuji fought well, gave Aonishiki a run for his money!
Aonishiki pulled off a really good move and he was clearly surprised at the aggression shown.
He says Aonishiki will win march and be Yokozuna before May to Paris !
He also reckons Atamifuji and Kirishima will be in the pack and not to look away from Shishi , Mr Insufferable says Shishi is all about stamina, or rather lack of at the moment.
Mr Insufferable reckons Atamifuji will be Yokozuna one day
Mr Insufferable is interested in your thoughts re: Hoshoryu?
Yeah, I'm all better now.
I love Mr. Insufferable's predictions! I think Hoshoryu fought a good tournament, all things considered. And I think his legacy really rests on him being able to consistently beat Onosato. If he keeps that end of the bargain up, we'll have this fascinating rock, paper, scissors dynamic with him Onosato and Aonishiki to keep things interesting over the coming years.
Mr Insufferable believes that Aonishiki will overtake both present Yokozuna
He says, Hoshoryu only came out on top of Onosato because right now he’s considerably injured!
There was a time originally when Hoshoryu was able to put Onosato down, but that day has gone, the confidence Onosato suddenly captured was very quick
Now you all know my preferred Yokozuna is/was Hoshoryu, but he’s just not delivering in terms of the top wins !
Let’s be honest who saw Atamifuji coming ? They both completely underestimated him, unlike Aonishiki who had a healthy respect for him. In interview Aonishiki called him tough and strong.
Mr Insufferable says that until Onosato is 100% fit we won’t know if Aonishiki can genuinely win his bouts against him, he won this time because Onosato is very unfit with a really bad injury made worse by feeling and forced to finish January basho
yeah, but once aonishiki figures out how to beat onosato, it's over for those bitches (apologies to both yokozuna for the choice of word, it's just that that's how the phrase goes)
Yeah, I agree. I'm hoping this strange and oddly balanced ecosystem survives, though.
or evolves into them getting better and better at fighting each other. should be fun!
What! A! Basho!
This tournament was hot fire all the way through until the end. My wife and I were all kinds of giddy when we started watching the final day. I love it when these tournament-ending matches just have that “big fight” feel and all of the excitement that comes along with that feeling.
I know what you mean. Unlike in MMA and boxing, when we get excited just for the names involved, in sumo we have the name value and the form we've seen over the past 14 days to get excited about. More often than not we're seeing the two best wrestlers at a given time settle things in the ring. The format of this sport is just so wonderful for creating these dramatic narratives and big climatic endings.
and no dana white or joe rogan anywhere in sight. big plus IMHO.
I mean, that's also wonderful.
Agreed :)
thanks for all of these, tim!
btw, did anyone else find themselves starting to spot certain moments over the course of the basho and thinking to themselves "hey, this would make for a great gif of the day!"?
You're very welcome. And I'm always looking for gif material! Ura is the gift that keeps on giving in that respect.
wait, you mean you would've taken suggestions? i'll keep that in mind for next time!
If it's on the videos NHK puts out, I can grab it!
oooh you're on! do i just put a time stamp in the comments of the previous day or how would i do that?
Yep, that works :)
excellent!
Thank you for this! Sumo is both weird and fascinating. I have been away for awhile, used to follow Tochinoshin. Do you know what has happened with him?
Thanks for stopping by! Tochinoshin retired a few years ago. He didn't take Japanese citizenship so he was not eligible to became an elder within the Grand Sumo system. He's on instagram and seems to be very happy. He has a young son, a poodle that he adores and a line of Georgian wine that he sells in Japan.
aww that sounds like the good life, nice! (i know nothing about the guy but happy retired sportspeople are a very good thing)
Thanks for that information. I'm glad that he is OK. Very much enjoyed watching him in sumo matches. Sumo is the quintessential Japanese sport.