2019 Hatsu Basho.

[Swami]

Hatsu Day 13: Tamawashi pulls ahead after Hakuho drops third straight
Details
Written by Kyodo
Published: 25 January 2019
Hits: 5

Hakuho gave up his share of the lead, falling one win behind Tamawashi (11-2) with two days remaining in the 15-day tournament at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.

In the day’s final bout, the two wrestlers shoved each other in the chest after their initial clash. Hakuho was trying to reach for Takakeisho’s mawashi belt, but the sekiwake remained calm and pulled the yokozuna down for his first victory in four career tries against the Mongolian.

“I might be showing a little fatigue. I’m not moving well,” said Hakuho, who sat out November’s grand tournament following knee and ankle surgery. “I tried to pull him in, but he was good.”

Takakeisho (10-3), the winner of the November tournament, remains in contention for his second-straight makuuchi division championship.

A day after his first career win over Hakuho, Tamawashi defeated No. 2 Hokutofuji (7-6) to stay on course for his maiden makuuchi championship. Tamawashi bulldozed Hokutofuji to the edge and slapped him down in a bout lasting only 2.9 seconds.

In the day’s penultimate match, Goeido won an all-ozeki clash. He got a hold of Takayasu’s belt and quickly bulldozed him out, leaving both men with 7-6 records.

Komusubi Mitakeumi (8-2-3) received one of the loudest ovations from the sell-out crowd when he pushed 226-kg Ichinojo (6-7) out of the ring. The win over the top-ranked maegashira was Mitakeumi’s third straight after he missed four bouts with a knee injury.

Among the three wrestlers who started the day with three losses, No. 8 Kaisei and No. 9 Endo suffered defeats and slipped further behind.

After receiving shoves from No. 5 Aoiyama (7-6), Endo slipped and fell forward before the Bulgarian thrust the fan favorite down to the clay. Kaisei lost to No. 11 Ikioi (8-5).

 

[Michelle Stevens]

These last two days of this basho are going to be surprisingly interesting. A good win by Takakeisho. I don't know what's Hakuho's issue. Three in a row seem unusual. Granted, he almost lost to Nishikigi and Hokoutofuji earlier in this basho.

Tamawashi is interesting as unlike many on the top of the yusho race he's slightly older than Hakuho.

Much respects to Mitakeumi as he looks like he's wrestling through pain. Good to see him get his eighth win.

 

[Swami]

These last two days of this basho are going to be surprisingly interesting. A good win by Takakeisho. I don't know what's Hakuho's issue. Three in a row seem unusual. Granted, he almost lost to Nishikigi and Hokoutofuji earlier in this basho.

Tamawashi is interesting as unlike many on the top of the yusho race he's slightly older than Hakuho.

Much respects to Mitakeumi as he looks like he's wrestling through pain. Good to see him get his eighth win.

Still a hard one to predict the winner from, a lot could still happen over these last two days.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Hakuho withdraws from New Year Basho on penultimate day
Details
Written by Kyodo
Published: 26 January 2019
Hits: 14

Yokozuna Hakuho has withdrawn from the ongoing New Year Grand Sumo Tournament due to injuries, ending his bid for a record-extending 42nd top division championship.

The Mongolian won his first 10 bouts at the year’s opening grand tournament, but suffered three consecutive losses and fell behind sekiwake Tamawashi, who took the lead Friday with his 11th win at Ryogoku Kokugikan.

The 33-year-old Hakuho was diagnosed with injuries to his right knee and left foot, requiring about a week of recovery.

“(His right knee) is swollen and it can’t be helped. His ankle also seems (to have a problem),” Hakuho’s stablemaster Miyagino said.

According to Miyagino, Hakuho injured his right knee on Day 4 when he beat No. 2 maegashira Hokutofuji, and hurt his left ankle the next day against No. 2 Nishikigi.

“He contacted me (Friday night) saying he couldn’t sleep because of the pain. It will ruin his career if he keeps pushing himself,” Miyagino said.

“It’s regrettable, but there’s nothing he can do. More than anything, I think he wanted to win the Heisei Era’s last tournament in Tokyo.”

Hakuho’s absence leaves the 15-day tournament without a yokozuna, following Kisenosato’s retirement and Kakuryu’s withdrawal on Day 6 due to right ankle pain.

It is Hakuho’s second straight withdrawal and the 11th time he’s missed all or part of a tournament since he began his career in 2001. He sat out the Kyushu Basho in November due to knee and ankle surgery after going 15-0 in September and claiming his 41st championship.

Ozeki Goeido, Hakuho’s opponent on Saturday, will win his scheduled match by forfeit to secure a winning record at 8-6.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Hatsu Day 14: Tamawashi maintains lead heading into final day in quest for first title
Details
Written by Kyodo
Published: 26 January 2019
Hits: 22

Sekiwake Tamawashi maintained his lead by beating No. 5 maegashira Aoiyama and will go into Sunday’s bout at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan with a one-win lead over sekiwake Takakeisho.

Aoiyama (7-7) seemed victory bound after the initial clash, shoving Tamawashi toward the edge of the ring by his face and neck. However, the sekiwake remained calm and turned the 198-kg maegashira around before pushing him from the ring.

Tamawashi will face No. 9 Endo (10-4) on Sunday in his campaign to claim his first top-level championship. He has won nine of 15 previous career matches against the fan-favorite maegashira.

Newly promoted sekiwake Takakeisho (11-3) kept his hopes of winning back-to-back top makuuchi division titles alive following his win over No. 4 maegashira Okinoumi (6-8).

The 22-year-old, who won the November Basho in Fukuoka, needed only 2.9 seconds to push the maegashira out. Takakeisho will fight ozeki Goeido in Sunday’s final bout.

Goeido (8-6) secured a winning record following a victory by forfeit over the injured Hakuho, who opened with 10 straights wins.

Along with Goeido, ozeki Takayasu also posted his eighth win after defeating komusubi Mitakeumi. Mitakeumi (8-3-3) entered the ring with a three-match winning streak after he missed four matches with injury.

Three remaining wrestlers — No. 8 Kaisei, Endo and No. 10 Abi — sit in third place with 10 wins.

Brazilian wrestler Kaisei defeated No. 13 Yago (8-6), who is making his debut in the top division at this tournament.

Up-and-coming youngster Abi overcame a 10-year age difference with No. 3 Shohozan (5-9), slapping the 34-year-old to the clay.

Endo made short work of top-ranked maegashira Tochiozan (5-9), quickly pushing out the 158-kg wrestler without giving him a chance to resist.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Hatsu Day 15: Tamawashi secures first title by beating Endo on final day
Details
Written by Kyodo
Published: 27 January 2019
Hits: 44

Sekiwake Tamawashi became the second-oldest wrestler in sumo’s current format to secure his maiden championship, winning the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday, the tourney’s 15th and final day.

The 34-year-old Mongolian wrapped up his triumph with his 13th victory, beating No. 9 maegashira Endo (10-5) for the 10th time in 16 career bouts. Tamawashi had entered the day with a one-win lead over 22-year-old Takakeisho, who had won his maiden championship in November.

Tamawashi made quick work of Endo, receiving his charge, pushing him up, throwing him off balance with a couple of full-blooded shoves and then casting him down.

The oldest wrestler to win his first championship since sumo went to six grand tournaments a year in 1958 was his compatriot Kyokutenho, who secured his lone title as a No. 7 maegashira in May 2012 as a 37-year-old. With the title in his hands, Tamawashi sat by ringside, where he continually wiped at his eyes while the final bouts were fought.

The victory was cause for double celebration as Tamawashi’s wife gave birth to a son earlier in the day.

With a second straight championship out of reach, Takakeisho (11-4) faced ozeki Goeido (9-6) in the tournament’s final bout. He was run out of the ring in a heartbeat, carried out by the ozeki’s charge in 1.9 seconds.

Although Takakeisho met one standard for ozeki promotion, 33 wins over three grand tournaments, his poor performance on the final day, and his 9-6 record in September have put his promotion on hold.

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

An interesting basho! Congratulations to Tamawashi with finally winning a yusho. All the hard work paid off in the end for him.

Again, sad to see Kisenosato retire during this tournament and the withdraw by Kakuryu, Tochinoshin, and even Hakuho. It seemed the two remaining ozeki seem to pick-up their pace as the basho continued and looked good at the end.

I'm curious as to how long it takes Takakeisho and Mitakeumi to get to ozeki rank.

I'm hoping Yoshikaze and Kotoshogiku have a better basho in March. I like these older rikishi.

 

[Swami]

An interesting basho! Congratulations to Tamawashi with finally winning a yusho. All the hard work paid off in the end for him.

Again, sad to see Kisenosato retire during this tournament and the withdraw by Kakuryu, Tochinoshin, and even Hakuho. It seemed the two remaining ozeki seem to pick-up their pace as the basho continued and looked good at the end.

I'm curious as to how long it takes Takakeisho and Mitakeumi to get to ozeki rank.

I'm hoping Yoshikaze and Kotoshogiku have a better basho in March. I like these older rikishi.

Mitakeumi really put his body on the line this time, he was battered by the end. I think it will keep Hakuho busy to see out this year, even though he has said he hopes to remain active ahead of the 2020 Olympics in Japan.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Tamawashi vows to keep up with young challengers
Details
Written by Kyodo
Published: 29 January 2019
Hits: 24

Late-blooming sekiwake Tamawashi, who won his first title at the age of 34 in the just-concluded New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, said he does not intend to slow down despite taking his time to claim the Emperor’s Cup.

A day after winning the 15-day championship at Ryogoku Kokugikan with a 13-2 record, the Mongolian said he will shatter the young athlete ideal by fighting age and working out to stay younger for longer.

“I have to be young. I have to train as hard (as the younger wrestlers),” said Tamawashi, who became the second-oldest wrestler in sumo’s current six-basho format to win his first championship.

“I still can’t believe it. (The silver trophy) was very heavy. Dreams are meant to come true,” he told a press conference at his Kataonami stable. “I want to continue fighting past the age of 40.”

Tamawashi, at sumo’s third-highest rank, capitalized on the absence of three top-ranked yokozuna to secure victory by beating fan-favorite maegashira Endo on Sunday, the same day his wife gave birth to their second child.

“My wife worked hard so I felt I had to, too,” he said.

He finished two wins ahead of fellow sekiwake Takakeisho, who was gunning for his second straight title following his feat at the Kyushu meet in November, where he became the sixth-youngest wrestler to clinch a first career championship at the age of 22 years and three months.

When asked about his expectations for promotion to ozeki, Tamawashi, who got less than three hours of sleep, humbly said, “I’m taking one bout at a time trusting that results will come without looking at what might come later.”

Tamawashi’s journey to championship was not all smooth sailing.

Having never missed a tournament since his 2004 debut, Tamawashi’s streak of 1,151 consecutive bouts is the longest among active wrestlers. However, he needed to fight in 38 grand tournaments in the top-flight makuuchi division before earning promotion to the three sanyaku ranks below yokozuna, the longest run ever needed for a foreign wrestler.

Still, quitting was never an option, and he had his reasons.

“Never,” Tamawashi said when asked whether he had ever considered quitting sumo.

“There are people who have always been supportive of me. It would be sinful to betray them,” he said.

Tamawashi is cognizant of the next generation of wrestlers, not as threats but as inspirations as he eyes continued success.

“I’m in awe when I see the way others approach sumo. Like them, I want to put on a sumo performance that allows people to have fun and feel joy,” he said.

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

If Tamawashi gets 11 or 12 wins in March do you think he would get an ozeki promotion?

 

[Swami]

If Tamawashi gets 11 or 12 wins in March do you think he would get an ozeki promotion?

Not sure, probably not given that he hasn't really had a run at ozeki promotion before. Plus taking into account the fact that Tochinoshin hasn't performed well since promotion, they may wait an extra basho.

Swami

 

[Swami]

Juryo promotions and retirees after Hatsu Basho
Details
Written by Tachiai.org & Sumoforum.net
Published: 30 January 2019
Hits: 32

Wakamotoharu

The Nihon Sumo Kyokai announced the names of the rikishi who will be promoted to Juryo Division for the upcoming Osaka's Haru Basho in March.

Four slots were open following retirements by Kisenosato, Takanoiwa, and Takekaze and impending demotion of Jokoryu. As expected, these will be filled by two brand-new sekitori and two returning ones.

The newcomers are 22-years-old Kiribayama (Ms1w 4-3) from Michinoku Beya, and Makushita yusho winner Wakamotoharu (Ms3w 7-0 Yusho), Wakatakakage’s older brother from Arashio Beya.

The men returning to the salaried ranks are Daiseido (Ms1e 4-3), who will be back after seven basho, and Takanofuji (Ms3e 5-2), former Takayoshitoshi, who will make his comeback after five basho joining his twin Takagenji in the second division.

Aside from already known Takanoiwa, Kisenosato and Takekaze, it's another 18 rikishi who are leaving the sumo world:

Kansei (Sakaigawa)
Asahiryu (Asahiyama)
Kotootori (Sadogatake)
Saio (Nishikido)
Sasayama (Kise)
Tochiminato (Kasugano)
Hokutohana (Hakkaku)
Isenohana (Isegahama)
Daishoko (Oitekaze)
Tatsunofuji (Isegahama)
Daiisshin (Isegahama)
Hakkairyu (Miyagino)
Masutenryu (Chiganoura)
Watai (Chiganoura)
Hatakeyama (Onoe, banzuke-gai)
Iguchi (Tamanoi, banzuke-gai)
Wakaoyama (Nishiiwa, banzuke-gai)
Inanofuji (Nishikido, banzuke-gai)

Swami

 

[Michelle Stevens]

I didn't know Takekaze had retired. I'm not surprised. He is nearly forty. One wonders when Aminshiki will retire.

 

[Swami]

I didn't know Takekaze had retired. I'm not surprised. He is nearly forty. One wonders when Aminshiki will retire.

Once he gets in danger of demotion to Makushita, Aminishiki will more than likely retire.

I still cannot believe Terunofuji chooses to remain active.

Swami