I just watched the NHK Channel preview show. On reflection, I really hope Atamifuji continues his rise. I love the big rotund guys; for me they are the essence of sumo. Atom Bomb had a good tournament last time around, and I think he's shown enough mental stamina to take him a lot further.
At the other end of the spectrum, the show (which doesn't usually cover juryo) made a point of highlighting little Enho, who has overcome injury to climb back up the ranks. When I first started watching sumo I was immediately drawn to the little guy, and was sad to see him drop out. Now the top ranks are full of little guys, and I hope Enho finds his way back.
I used to call Atamifuji 'Clipart' at home, because he felt like what you'd see if you searched for sumo wrestler clipart (dating myself, much?). I wish he'd bring back the silver mawashi he wore in juryo, though.
Really pulling for Enho to survive this first trip back to juryo.
Five wins for Kotoshōhō? Wow Tim, you really do have it out for him. I think he will surprise us with a kachi-koshi and remain at Sekiwake. I may be thinking with my heart instead of my head but that's my prediction. He's been up and down the ranks in the past but I think he's maturing and now knows when to reign in his "all violence" team nature.
He just seems to swing back and forth like a pendulum. He was controlled chaos in the last tournament and I think he'll be runaway train in this one. I could be wrong, though! (I often am in these predictions)
To your point, I watched a May Tournament preview on NHK where Murray Johnson said that Kotoshōhō was like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get.
I'm rather hoping for a cup for Kotozakura. As you say, he can do well against both Horshoryu and Kirishima, and with Aonishki limited, if he can beat one or two of those guys he can run the rest of the table.
Hilarious gif of Hiradoumi! I always wondered why nobody wears a white belt, and now I know. Shart!
He's got an even better chance now, with Aonishiki and Onosato officially out. I'm certainly hoping Kotozakura can fight to his abilities in this tournament. That November tournament where it was him and Hoshoryu going down to the wire was one of my favourite tournaments in recent memory.
I'm looking for Chiyoshoma and/or Hakunofuji to mount serious challenges for the sanyaku in later days, being seriously under their usual ranks this basho.
I really want Hakunofuji to find his way. Back when he was Ochiai, I thought he was the second coming. He's just had a nightmare since then and a lot of it was completely out of his control.
His talent is, and remains, undeniable; + that will, with health + time, keep him afloat for a good few years yet. Still, I'd be lying if I said I'd be surprised if a stable change was in his future. I don't think Isegahama has his best interests in mind; for reasons we can educatedly guess at.
Hi Tim, so how’s the new profession? News Onosato and Aonishiki are both Kyujo due to injury ! Saying it again Onosato should not have competed in March !! For some reason I thought the Paris tour was May 😟 it’s actually June
The JSA are in a quandary because they thought Aonishiki would be in position,
Mr insufferable is distraught
but that now has flown out window!!
Have you heard any news on URA? Apparently he has asked for his fan club to be shut down at the end of next Basho [ July] I think in Nagoya ? Rumours of Retirement are circulating??
Still waiting for my graduation to take place and my diploma to get printed, so I've not been chasing work very much. I'm both nervous and excited to be applying for work in the near future.
Yeah, Onosato must have done additional damage in March. Such a shame.
I had not heard this about Ura... It makes sense, but what a loss he will be.
He will lose the rank. He'll be a sekiwake at the July tournament. If he gets 10 wins or more there, he goes right back to ozeki for September. If he doesn't do that, then he's back to square one and has to earn ozeki again the hard way.
That is a fairly generous option to get back to ozeki in one tournament. Up until now, Blue Thunder has always gotten at least 11 wins in each makuuchi basho anyway.
I just watched the NHK Channel preview show. On reflection, I really hope Atamifuji continues his rise. I love the big rotund guys; for me they are the essence of sumo. Atom Bomb had a good tournament last time around, and I think he's shown enough mental stamina to take him a lot further.
At the other end of the spectrum, the show (which doesn't usually cover juryo) made a point of highlighting little Enho, who has overcome injury to climb back up the ranks. When I first started watching sumo I was immediately drawn to the little guy, and was sad to see him drop out. Now the top ranks are full of little guys, and I hope Enho finds his way back.
I used to call Atamifuji 'Clipart' at home, because he felt like what you'd see if you searched for sumo wrestler clipart (dating myself, much?). I wish he'd bring back the silver mawashi he wore in juryo, though.
Really pulling for Enho to survive this first trip back to juryo.
Five wins for Kotoshōhō? Wow Tim, you really do have it out for him. I think he will surprise us with a kachi-koshi and remain at Sekiwake. I may be thinking with my heart instead of my head but that's my prediction. He's been up and down the ranks in the past but I think he's maturing and now knows when to reign in his "all violence" team nature.
He just seems to swing back and forth like a pendulum. He was controlled chaos in the last tournament and I think he'll be runaway train in this one. I could be wrong, though! (I often am in these predictions)
To your point, I watched a May Tournament preview on NHK where Murray Johnson said that Kotoshōhō was like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get.
I love that :)
I'm rather hoping for a cup for Kotozakura. As you say, he can do well against both Horshoryu and Kirishima, and with Aonishki limited, if he can beat one or two of those guys he can run the rest of the table.
Hilarious gif of Hiradoumi! I always wondered why nobody wears a white belt, and now I know. Shart!
He's got an even better chance now, with Aonishiki and Onosato officially out. I'm certainly hoping Kotozakura can fight to his abilities in this tournament. That November tournament where it was him and Hoshoryu going down to the wire was one of my favourite tournaments in recent memory.
I'm looking for Chiyoshoma and/or Hakunofuji to mount serious challenges for the sanyaku in later days, being seriously under their usual ranks this basho.
I really want Hakunofuji to find his way. Back when he was Ochiai, I thought he was the second coming. He's just had a nightmare since then and a lot of it was completely out of his control.
His talent is, and remains, undeniable; + that will, with health + time, keep him afloat for a good few years yet. Still, I'd be lying if I said I'd be surprised if a stable change was in his future. I don't think Isegahama has his best interests in mind; for reasons we can educatedly guess at.
Yeah, Isegahama stable needs to be broken up. I wish they would give Miyagino to Ishuira and let anyone who wants to move other go and join him.
Hi Tim, so how’s the new profession? News Onosato and Aonishiki are both Kyujo due to injury ! Saying it again Onosato should not have competed in March !! For some reason I thought the Paris tour was May 😟 it’s actually June
The JSA are in a quandary because they thought Aonishiki would be in position,
Mr insufferable is distraught
but that now has flown out window!!
Have you heard any news on URA? Apparently he has asked for his fan club to be shut down at the end of next Basho [ July] I think in Nagoya ? Rumours of Retirement are circulating??
Hiya.
Still waiting for my graduation to take place and my diploma to get printed, so I've not been chasing work very much. I'm both nervous and excited to be applying for work in the near future.
Yeah, Onosato must have done additional damage in March. Such a shame.
I had not heard this about Ura... It makes sense, but what a loss he will be.
What happens with Shiki’s ozeki ranking if he misses this tourney?
He will lose the rank. He'll be a sekiwake at the July tournament. If he gets 10 wins or more there, he goes right back to ozeki for September. If he doesn't do that, then he's back to square one and has to earn ozeki again the hard way.
Things can really change fast in the world of sumo!
That is a fairly generous option to get back to ozeki in one tournament. Up until now, Blue Thunder has always gotten at least 11 wins in each makuuchi basho anyway.