Sumo Summer Basho

[LoneLaugher]

The natsu-basho ( summer tournament ) is in day 10 and the competition is heating up. Here is a link to a good source of Sumo info.

CIBERSUMO

You can buy NHK TV on some cable networks. Lots of fun if you understand what's going on.

 

[Unkotare]

What a pleasant surprise to find this thread!

It's been interesting to see the clips of old basho from the 60s and 70s.

At this point, it looks like Hakuho's basho to win. A lot of folks have their hopes pinned on Kisenosato, but I figure he'll choke before all is said and done.

Harumafuji continues to disappoint as a Yokozuna. I predict his retirement within the next two years at most.

The question I have is will Kotooshu make it out of kadoban, or join Baruto among the ranks of former Ozeki?

 

[LoneLaugher]

YouTube

This guy really made me a fan.

 

[Unkotare]

YouTube

This guy really made me a fan.

'The Wolf.' One of the all-time greats.

 

[Unkotare]

Well, it's day 13 of the tournament and as of right now only Ozeki Kisenosato and Yokozuna Hakuho remain undefeated. Excitement is building among Sumo fans, and even those who only casually follow the sport. If Kisenosato manages to win the yusho he would be the first home-grown Japanese rikishi to do so in 7 years. Japanese fans are hungry for a Japanese wrestler to root for. Foreigners, mainly Mongolians, have really dominated the sport in recent years. I'm not a big fan of Kisenosato, but it is good to see a lot of attention being paid to the sport surrounding his chance at taking the yusho this time.

Stay tuned...

 

[Unkotare]

In other news, Osunaarashi (big sand storm), the first rikishi from the African continent (Egypt) won the Makushita division tournament and is now positioned to move up to Jusho, which is just one division below the top pro division of Makunouchi. There is a lot of buzz around Osunaarashi, given that he is the first wrestler from that entire continent to crack the pro ranks. The sports media has been chronicling his every step since the day he arrived in Japan. One to watch in the future, for sure.

 

[Unkotare]

Well, on day 13 both Hakuho and Kisenosato won to remain undefeated. Tomorrow they face off against each other. This will very likely decide the yusho. Should be an exciting day of Sumo.

 

[LoneLaugher]

Yep. It will be one to watch.

 

[Unkotare]

On day 14, Hakuho defeated Kisenosato in a great match. Looks like Hakuho's yusho at this point, but it is still technically possible for Kisenosato to force a playoff if he wins on day 15 and Hakuho loses to the other Yokozuna Harumafuji. All this is going on exactly right now.

.........

 

[Unkotare]

And that does it. Kisenosato just lost to fellow Ozeki Kotoshogiku, effectively giving the yusho to Hakuho. The great Mongolian grand champion wins yet another tournament, further solidifying his place among the all time greats the sport has ever seen.

 

[Unkotare]

After receiving the Emperor's Cup, Hakuho was interviewed (as is the custom) and showed his typical class and sportsmanship. He went to some lengths to praise Kisenosato, and mentioned the winner of the lower-level tournament who is from his same stable. It should be noted that Hakuho regularly donates a good deal of money and time to supporting the people still suffering from the 2011 tsunami. He also organizes other top pros in doing the same. He really represents what a Yokozuna should be, even if he is not Japanese himself.

Also of note this tournament is that the head referee (who only works the Yokozuna matches), having reached retirement age, officially retired at the end of the final bout of the day. He received a rousing ovation from the crowd, and was presented with a huge boquet from Hakuho as well as great praise from all the assembled wrestlers and officials. It was a moving display.

The next Grand Sumo Tournament will take place in Nagoya in two months. This was Hakuho's 25th yusho (and 10th with a perfect score), tying him with Asashoryu, another Mongolian former Yokozuna considered one of the sport's best ever. One more tournament win puts Hakuho in a whole other category.

Stay tuned!

 

[LoneLaugher]

That dude does have class. And...when he allows himself to smile, he transforms from a menacing warrior to a big teddy bear in an instant. Easy to root for. At 28 and free from major injury, look for more wins.

 

[Unkotare]

Any predictions for the Nagoya Basho?

 

[LoneLaugher]

Hakuho wins. He's got a lot left in that tank.

 

[Unkotare]

That's the safe money all right.

 

[martybegan]

Hakuho wins. He's got a lot left in that tank.

The bigger question is 1) Will Baruto be able to compete in July and 2) If he does how far down the Magashira list does he drop?

 

[Unkotare]

I'm curious to see if Homasho ever manages to make it back up to the top division.