Trick-or-Treat Stevens
'The Lovely Michelle'
Not a surprise at all that Hakaho clinched this yusho. He was nearly flawless this time around. The match I liked the most today was Endo vs Tamawashi.
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Swami
Telly Talk Supreme
Kyushu Day 15: Hakuho puts final winning touch on 43rd championship
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Written by Kyodo
Published: 24 November 2019
Hits: 22
Grand champion Hakuho finished his championship run at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday with a victory over ozeki Takakeisho at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
In a bout that was preceded by a long staring contest before the start, Hakuho quickly gained the advantage and forced his 23-year-old opponent to the straw's edge. But with his back to the straw, Takakeisho froze, and the two wrestlers waited for over a minute to see who would make the next move.
Hakuho eventually put an end to the human statue competition, hoisting Takakeisho (9-6) up by the belt and forcing him out. The yokozuna, who had extended his record for career championships to 43 on Saturday, finished with a 14-1 record.
"I'm coming off injury and surgery, so I wasn't without anxiety here," Hakuho said during the award ceremony. "So to be standing here at the end is the greatest."
"I think he (Takakeisho) is just the harbinger of strong young wrestlers yet to come who will represent the sumo world well."
May champion Asanoyama, whose 55 wins led all top-division wrestlers this year, and who was in the title hunt until Hakuho's victory in Saturday's final bout, won the first Technique Prize of his career but was unable to finish the year with a win.
No. 10 maegashira Shodai bounced back from his loss on Saturday to force out Asanoyama and claim his third career Fighting Spirit Prize. The pair finished with identical 11-4 records.
Enho, the lightest makuuchi division wrestler at 98 kilograms, applied the brakes to Daieisho's charge and flung him aside to earn his eighth win. No. 1 Daieisho had clinched his winning record on Saturday.
The only wrestler to defeat Enho's stablemate Hakuho, Daieisho received an Outstanding Performance Prize for his efforts.
Enho's victory made it a successful tournament for the Miyagino stable, with No. 11 Ishiura earning nine wins and Hakuho winning the championship.
"The three of us are going to share some delicious sake for sure," Hakuho said, while lamenting his lone loss to Daieisho.
"I guess he (Enho) one-upped me in that respect."
In the three clashes between wrestlers with 7-7 records, komusubi Endo was catapulted from the ring by No. 4 Kotoyuki. No. 4 Tamawashi overpowered No. 8 Sadanoumi from the jump and shoved him straight out. No. 2 Myogiryu, too, won the initial clash, knocked No. 6 Onosho sideways and drove him out.
Hometown hero Kotoshogiku brought the crowd to its feet with a stirring win over much larger No. 5 Aoiyama. Despite a 27-kilogram disadvantage, No. 9 Kotoshogiku, a former ozeki, held his ground and threw down the Bulgarian bruiser, leaving both men with 6-9 records.
No 3. maegashira Tomokaze, who withdrew on Day 3, is currently undergoing rehab after having surgery on his right knee, stablemaster Oguruma revealed. Tomokaze, who will turn 25 on Dec. 2 and already has two "kimboshi" wins over yokozuna, had never posted a losing record until going 7-8 in September.
"It's probably going to take about half a year," Oguruma said. "There's no point getting worked about something that can't be helped."
Swami
Details
Written by Kyodo
Published: 24 November 2019
Hits: 22
Grand champion Hakuho finished his championship run at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday with a victory over ozeki Takakeisho at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.
In a bout that was preceded by a long staring contest before the start, Hakuho quickly gained the advantage and forced his 23-year-old opponent to the straw's edge. But with his back to the straw, Takakeisho froze, and the two wrestlers waited for over a minute to see who would make the next move.
Hakuho eventually put an end to the human statue competition, hoisting Takakeisho (9-6) up by the belt and forcing him out. The yokozuna, who had extended his record for career championships to 43 on Saturday, finished with a 14-1 record.
"I'm coming off injury and surgery, so I wasn't without anxiety here," Hakuho said during the award ceremony. "So to be standing here at the end is the greatest."
"I think he (Takakeisho) is just the harbinger of strong young wrestlers yet to come who will represent the sumo world well."
May champion Asanoyama, whose 55 wins led all top-division wrestlers this year, and who was in the title hunt until Hakuho's victory in Saturday's final bout, won the first Technique Prize of his career but was unable to finish the year with a win.
No. 10 maegashira Shodai bounced back from his loss on Saturday to force out Asanoyama and claim his third career Fighting Spirit Prize. The pair finished with identical 11-4 records.
Enho, the lightest makuuchi division wrestler at 98 kilograms, applied the brakes to Daieisho's charge and flung him aside to earn his eighth win. No. 1 Daieisho had clinched his winning record on Saturday.
The only wrestler to defeat Enho's stablemate Hakuho, Daieisho received an Outstanding Performance Prize for his efforts.
Enho's victory made it a successful tournament for the Miyagino stable, with No. 11 Ishiura earning nine wins and Hakuho winning the championship.
"The three of us are going to share some delicious sake for sure," Hakuho said, while lamenting his lone loss to Daieisho.
"I guess he (Enho) one-upped me in that respect."
In the three clashes between wrestlers with 7-7 records, komusubi Endo was catapulted from the ring by No. 4 Kotoyuki. No. 4 Tamawashi overpowered No. 8 Sadanoumi from the jump and shoved him straight out. No. 2 Myogiryu, too, won the initial clash, knocked No. 6 Onosho sideways and drove him out.
Hometown hero Kotoshogiku brought the crowd to its feet with a stirring win over much larger No. 5 Aoiyama. Despite a 27-kilogram disadvantage, No. 9 Kotoshogiku, a former ozeki, held his ground and threw down the Bulgarian bruiser, leaving both men with 6-9 records.
No 3. maegashira Tomokaze, who withdrew on Day 3, is currently undergoing rehab after having surgery on his right knee, stablemaster Oguruma revealed. Tomokaze, who will turn 25 on Dec. 2 and already has two "kimboshi" wins over yokozuna, had never posted a losing record until going 7-8 in September.
"It's probably going to take about half a year," Oguruma said. "There's no point getting worked about something that can't be helped."
Swami
Trick-or-Treat Stevens
'The Lovely Michelle'
Not a dramatic basho but still a good watch. Hard to believe Shodai was tied as runner-up. He had a great basho after some poor showings in July and September. Hakuho seemed stronger than in many recent bashos so I'm eager to see how he does when (hopefully) Kakuryu and the other higher rank rikishi return.
Good to see Kotoshogiku win on his final day. 6-9 at Maegashira #9. I assume he'll be about at Maegashira #11 or so in January.
Sorry to see Mitakeumi drop from his sekiwake rank after winning the yusho in September. It seems he'll have to wait a while for any ozeki run. Asanoyama may very well beat him to that level.
Poor Nishikigi looks to be heading to juryo in January. His brand of sumo was really off this time around.
Good to see Kotoshogiku win on his final day. 6-9 at Maegashira #9. I assume he'll be about at Maegashira #11 or so in January.
Sorry to see Mitakeumi drop from his sekiwake rank after winning the yusho in September. It seems he'll have to wait a while for any ozeki run. Asanoyama may very well beat him to that level.
Poor Nishikigi looks to be heading to juryo in January. His brand of sumo was really off this time around.
Swami
Telly Talk Supreme
Hakuho motivated by quest to reach 50 championships
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Written by Kyodo
Published: 25 November 2019
Hits: 29
A day after claiming his 43rd career title with a win at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, yokozuna Hakuho said he intends to fight on in pursuit of his 50th championship.
While the 34-year-old has already said he plans to continue wrestling until next summer’s Tokyo Olympics, he revealed an even bigger ambition at a news conference in Fukuoka on Monday.
“I’m not sure (when I can accomplish it), it may be two years or three years from now,” said Hakuho, who holds the all-time record for the most titles in sumo’s top makuuchi division.
Hakuho, who was promoted to the sport’s highest rank in 2007, secured his latest championship with a win over sekiwake Mitakeumi on Saturday.
The Mongolian-born wrestler beat ozeki Takakeisho on the final day to finish the 15-day meet at Fukuoka Kokusai Center with a 14-1 record.
He said winning the Emperor’s Cup in the final tournament of the year was all the more special considering his recent battles with injuries.
He skipped the May tournament in Tokyo to treat a muscle tear in his upper arm which he sustained in March. He also withdrew from the September tournament, his first basho since becoming a Japanese citizen, due to a fracture to his right little finger.
“I suffered an injury on the final day (of the March tournament) and my doctor said I wouldn’t be able to completely recover. I thought I would never be able to accomplish (winning a championship) again,” he said.
Hakuho’s only loss in Fukuoka was against top-ranked maegashira Daieisho on Day 2. The yokozuna bounced back with 13 straight convincing wins in a competition that was missing some of the sport’s highest-ranked wrestlers.
“(Their absence) made me think that I need to keep myself together,” he said.
Hakuho made his debut in the makuuchi division in May 2004, and became the sole owner of the all-time championship record when he won his 33rd Emperor’s Cup in January 2015.
He is expected to compete at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, which opens on Jan. 12 at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Swami
Details
Written by Kyodo
Published: 25 November 2019
Hits: 29
A day after claiming his 43rd career title with a win at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, yokozuna Hakuho said he intends to fight on in pursuit of his 50th championship.
While the 34-year-old has already said he plans to continue wrestling until next summer’s Tokyo Olympics, he revealed an even bigger ambition at a news conference in Fukuoka on Monday.
“I’m not sure (when I can accomplish it), it may be two years or three years from now,” said Hakuho, who holds the all-time record for the most titles in sumo’s top makuuchi division.
Hakuho, who was promoted to the sport’s highest rank in 2007, secured his latest championship with a win over sekiwake Mitakeumi on Saturday.
The Mongolian-born wrestler beat ozeki Takakeisho on the final day to finish the 15-day meet at Fukuoka Kokusai Center with a 14-1 record.
He said winning the Emperor’s Cup in the final tournament of the year was all the more special considering his recent battles with injuries.
He skipped the May tournament in Tokyo to treat a muscle tear in his upper arm which he sustained in March. He also withdrew from the September tournament, his first basho since becoming a Japanese citizen, due to a fracture to his right little finger.
“I suffered an injury on the final day (of the March tournament) and my doctor said I wouldn’t be able to completely recover. I thought I would never be able to accomplish (winning a championship) again,” he said.
Hakuho’s only loss in Fukuoka was against top-ranked maegashira Daieisho on Day 2. The yokozuna bounced back with 13 straight convincing wins in a competition that was missing some of the sport’s highest-ranked wrestlers.
“(Their absence) made me think that I need to keep myself together,” he said.
Hakuho made his debut in the makuuchi division in May 2004, and became the sole owner of the all-time championship record when he won his 33rd Emperor’s Cup in January 2015.
He is expected to compete at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, which opens on Jan. 12 at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Swami
Swami
Telly Talk Supreme
Juryo promotions and retirees after Kyushu Basho
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Written by Tachiai.org & Sumoforum.net
Published: 28 November 2019
Hits: 21
There were no surprises in the Nihon Sumo Kyokai's announcement of the Juryo promotions for the upcoming 2020 Hatsu Basho in January. As expected, Churanoumi, Chiyootori, Asagyokusei, Sakigake and Makushita yusho winner, former ozeki Terunofuji will be back to the sumo's second division.
Terunofuji returns to the salaried ranks after sitting out four tournaments and spending five more in the lower divisions.
For Churanoumi, this is his third trip to Juryo; both of the previous ones ended with immediate demotions. Chiyootori, Chiyomaru’s brother, was ranked as high as Komusubi but has been toiling in the unpaid ranks for two full years.
Asagyokusei is coming up to the second division for the second time; his first visit was in September. Sakigake has also been in Juryo before, but not since January 2015 and is the new all-time fourth place in the slowest return to Juryo Division.
The corresponding demotions from Juryo have not been announced, but they should be the injured J6w Ichiyamamoto (0-2-13), the J11 duo of Kaisho and Wakamotoharu (both 5-10), J12w Gagamaru (1-12-2) and J14e Akiseyama (5-10).
Besides the official acknowledgement of not-quite-voluntarily retired Takanofuji, there are 9 more intai for this basho:
Sandanme: Awajiumi (Tagonoura)
Jonidan: Chiyotensho (Kokonoe), Raiga (Futagoyama), Shimakaze (Oguruma), Toki (Tatsunami)
Jonokuchi: Toyama (Musashiagawa), Yamamotozakura (Shikihide)
Banzuke-gai: Sachinofuji (Isegahama), Konno (Naruto)
Swami
Details
Written by Tachiai.org & Sumoforum.net
Published: 28 November 2019
Hits: 21
There were no surprises in the Nihon Sumo Kyokai's announcement of the Juryo promotions for the upcoming 2020 Hatsu Basho in January. As expected, Churanoumi, Chiyootori, Asagyokusei, Sakigake and Makushita yusho winner, former ozeki Terunofuji will be back to the sumo's second division.
Terunofuji returns to the salaried ranks after sitting out four tournaments and spending five more in the lower divisions.
For Churanoumi, this is his third trip to Juryo; both of the previous ones ended with immediate demotions. Chiyootori, Chiyomaru’s brother, was ranked as high as Komusubi but has been toiling in the unpaid ranks for two full years.
Asagyokusei is coming up to the second division for the second time; his first visit was in September. Sakigake has also been in Juryo before, but not since January 2015 and is the new all-time fourth place in the slowest return to Juryo Division.
The corresponding demotions from Juryo have not been announced, but they should be the injured J6w Ichiyamamoto (0-2-13), the J11 duo of Kaisho and Wakamotoharu (both 5-10), J12w Gagamaru (1-12-2) and J14e Akiseyama (5-10).
Besides the official acknowledgement of not-quite-voluntarily retired Takanofuji, there are 9 more intai for this basho:
Sandanme: Awajiumi (Tagonoura)
Jonidan: Chiyotensho (Kokonoe), Raiga (Futagoyama), Shimakaze (Oguruma), Toki (Tatsunami)
Jonokuchi: Toyama (Musashiagawa), Yamamotozakura (Shikihide)
Banzuke-gai: Sachinofuji (Isegahama), Konno (Naruto)
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