A mid-basho tribute to our fallen hero

You are gone for now, but you are never forgotten, Asashoryu! *tear*

Nagoya basho day 8 action

WE DIG SUMO!

Thanks for coming back to check out day 8 action from Nagoya! As always you can check out the previous days’ highlights by checking my recent posts. It’s been fast and furious at this years Nagoya basho and right now it looks like Hakuho could have a zensho-yusho (unbeaten tournament). We’ll have to see what happens today. So grab your zabuton and get ready for any potential upsets that might take place! Now that Oshu is out of the yusho race I have to cheer for Ama, so: AMA GANBARE!

Lets get to it! Enjoy the video!

Kokkai and Tochinoshin had a little go of it early on in a battle of East European maegashira. Tochinoshin gave it his all but Kokkai had his number shoving Tochi out (yorikiri).

Takamisakari lost to that mountain of a man, Miyabiyama (see what I did there?). From the get go Takami had no response for Miyabiyama’s sheer size and was unfortunately pushed out (oshidashi). Takami is even at 4-4 and Miyabiyama is in there at 2 off the pace at 6-2.

Asasekiryu, fresh off of his henka of ozeki Kotooshu, (Yes, I’m still bitter) won today against Baruto, drawing even at 4-4 (yorikiri).

Ama did a great job dispatching Kisenosato to stay in the hunt at 7-1 (yorikiri). After the tachi-ai Ama gave Kisenosato a couple slaps before taking him backwards and beyond the tawara. Go Ama!

Wakanoho continues to have troubles at the tachi-ai and has lengthened his slide to 8 consecutive losses (yorikiri). Kotoshogiku did some belly banging to push noho out of the ring. Kotoshogiku improves to 5-4. Poor Wakanoho can’t get a break!

Not even a henka could help Aminishiki against Kaio. The ozeki got his arms around Aminishiki and while Nishiki tried to throw Kaio, he just couldn’t get the big guy off his feet. Kaio chased him across the ring and pushed him out to move up to 5-3 (yorikiri).

Kotomitsuki found himself in a heap of trouble early on against Wakanosato. He had a strong left hand grip, but his right arm was trapped above his head just swinging in the breeze as a result of Wakanosato’s own tight left hand grip. It looked as though Mitsuki was on the verge of being pushed out when he somehow got his arm under Wakanosato’s arm and ended it with hikiotoshi. Great match for Kotomitsuki and one he needed to stay in the hunt. He sits at 7-1 along with Ama.

I must say I’m a little bit disappointed in Kotooshu today. I understand he was just eliminated from the yusho race yesterday, but to henka a maegashira 3 is too much. He got the win over Tochinonada, but it wasn’t spectacular or very fun to watch at all. If he keeps this kind sumo up will he really have a chance to be yokozuna someday? Of course he is my champ and I won’t stop supporting him, but I just wish he’d get a bit more dominant on the dohyo and stop resorting to cheap tricks. He moves up to 5-3 (yorikiri).

Chiyotaikai tsuppari’d his way to a win over Futeno and is looking pretty feisty this tournament. He improves to 6-2 (oshidashi).

And in the final bout, Toyonoshima was unable to duplicate his upset of Asashoryu against Hakuho. It looked as though Haku was going to end it at the tachi-ai with a hatakikomi, but gave Toyo a bit of a chance though ultimately punishing the komusubi with a yoritaoshi.

Its almost impossible for me to imagine a scenario where Hakuho loses this yusho. I just can’t see it happening. He is too dominant right now. Come back later for some video of today’s bout and perhaps a special mid-basho post! Thanks again for stopping by!

About half way there! Nagoya basho day 7

Yeah, that’s right. He really is hurt. It seems that it isn’t a serious injury and that he should be back in time for the next basho. I still have a feeling that this has at least a little to do with the call against him in his match with Tochinonada. I guess we will have to wait and see what happens. With Asa gone the face of this basho is completely changed. I can’t wait!

If you have missed any of the previous days’ action or just want to see some video clips please check out my recent posts to the right there. I have every day accounted for so far, so get caught up!

With that said, lets move on to day 7 action from Nagoya! Video is up!

Iwakiyama and Kimurayama had an absolutely brutal slug-fest in the first half of makuuchi action today. The two maegashira traded vicious slaps while struggling for ground, but in the end Iwakiyama had the better of Kimurayama crushing him to the dohyo in an extremely violent manner (yoritaoshi). There are few times when I am taken back by the violence inherent in sumo, but this was certainly one of them.

Takamisakari prevailed in his bout against Tochiozan (yorikiri). He moves up to 4-3. Takamisakari is everything that is right with sumo. He knows he isn’t the best and that he’ll probably never make yokozuna, but he gives it his all and does it all for the fans. In a sport where almost everyone is solemn almost to he point of looking dejected, Taka puts his heart on his sleeve. It is no wonder why he is so loved! Keep trying Takami!

Baruto trumped Tokitenku, but only after a mono-ii was called to determine the outcome of the match. It seems the gyoji called the match for Tokitenku though his hand was down before Baruto touched. This time they got the right call and Baruto is declared the winner (kotenage). Both Baruto and Tokitenku sit at 4-3.

Aminishiki charged off strong at the tachi-ai against Wakanosato, but was promptly pushed back by the 161 kg maegashira. After a few throw attempts, Aminishiki tripped Waka planting him firmly on his bum to improve to 3-4 (sotogake).

Futeno picked up his first win for the basho, just barely staving off a yorikiri defeat by turning Kisenosato around and forcing him out of the dohyo (yorikiri).

In the second match today requiring a mono-ii, Toyonoshima was given the decision over Kotoshogiku (hikiotoshi). Although I am watching on the Nihon Sumo Kyokai’s feed, which is of terrible quality, I could clearly see that Toyo won. Good call.

Kotomitsuki pulled it off again today sending Hokutoriki to his seventh straight loss (okuridashi). Its looking pretty bad for Hoku, but Kotomitsuki is picking up steam and hanging in there at 6-1.

Kotooshu saw his chances for promotion to yokozuna wiped out today by *surprise* a henka to uwatedashinage from Asasekiryu. A real piss poor move, but not completely surprising for a maegashira coming into today’s bout sitting at 2-4. Oh well. I hope Kotooshu can learn from these mistakes and come back stronger tomorrow.

Chiyotaikai dropped poor Wakanoho to his seventh loss (oshidashi). I think noho needs to go back to his leap frog antics. He isn’t as fun to watch when his feet are planted firmly on the dohyo. Taikai sits at 5-2.

The henka train wasn’t done for the day apparently. A skittish Ama, who after faltering a bit at the tachi-ai, decided to henka Kaio at the outset and push the big ozeki out (oshidashi). Ama hangs in there at 6-1. I guess you have to do what you have to do, but as Martin from sumo talk says: “Live by the henka, die by the henka.” It was true today for Kotooshu wasn’t it?

And in today’s final battle, Hakuho didn’t waste any time showing Tochinonada who was boss. The yokozuna pushed the dragon slayer out in quick fashion to remain perfect at 7-0 (yorikiri).

It’s starting to look like this basho is all Haku’s. Ama and Kotomitsuki are the only fighters sticking around at 6-1. With Kotooshu’s loss today, any talk of a yusho for him is pure fantasy (I want to believe!) which is disappointing for me to say the least. We are almost at the half way point here in the tournament and so far its been pretty crazy. Will Hakuho remain perfect until the end or will someone come along and put an end to his dominance? Check back tomorrow, same sumo time, same sumo blog!

Asashoryu withdraws! Nagoya basho day 6

Yokozuna Asashoryu has withdrawn on day 6 of the Nagoya basho. A couple of sources have confirmed that he has withdrawn because of a ligament injury in his left elbow suffered as a result of his controversial match with Tochinonada. His recovery is expected to last three weeks. This is only the third time Asa has gone kyujo. What a shock! I’ve heard that he may have some lingering ankle injuries as well. Hopefully, Asa can recover and come back 100%!

On that depressing note, lets check out the day three highlights, now with video! Thanks to my sumo angel!

Here is some good news: Takamisakari got a win against Kokkai to even his record to 3-3 (hikiotoshi). Go Taka!

In what had to be today’s fastest match, Tokitenku dispatched Goeido by using a seldom seen ketaguri. The promising 22 year old Goeido went tumbling to the clay within seconds of the tachi-ai. Kind of a low blow if you ask me.

Unfortunately, Ama‘s winning streak was ended today by Kotoshogiku (yoritaoshi). Ama was 1-6 against Kotoshogiku going into today so it wasn’t so much of a shock. Kotoshogiku dominated him throwing him to the ground after a valiant effort. Ama stands at 5-1 and is still very much in the game. Go Ama!

Kotooshu was clearly on his A-game today against Kisenosato, pulverizing the Komusubi into the seats (yorikiri). With the departure of Asashoryu from the tournament Kotooshu may yet have a chance to grab the yusho for himself and become yokozuna! He sits at 4-2.

Kaio made mincemeat out of poor Wakanoho pushing the still winless maegashira out with little trouble (yorikiri).

Wakanosato improved to 4-2 as a result of Asa pulling out of the tournament.

Kotomitsuki looked hesitant today leading to two re-sets, but after tachi-ai he was all business slamming into Toyonoshima in a non-stop motion directing the komusubi out of the ring and to his third loss (yorikiri). Mitsuki is having a great basho and is right in the middle of the hunt with his record of 5-1.

In the final bout of the day, Hakuho made very quick work of Futeno slapping the maegashira down to the clay (tsukiotoshi).

At the end of day 6 its all Hakuho, who is still perfect at 6-0. There are five wrestlers sitting at 5-1 just waiting to upset the sole yokozuna for this tournament. With Asa gone the yusho is really up for grabs and its anyone’s guess as to who will end up with it. At this point though, Hakuho is the man. Check back later for video highlights! Thanks for all your comments and also thanks to James from Japan Probe for putting me in the news feed!

Asa vs. Nada in pictures

Here are some pictures from yesterday’s final bout. It is very clear that Tochinonada was out first, perhaps the shinpan decided to stick to Asa by giving it to Tochinonada? It will be interesting to see where Asa goes from here, because it seems like the dominant Asa we used to know is gone. What will happen on day 6? Check back later for the play by play! To check the video of the match go here!

Asashoryu falls again! Nagoya basho day 5 highlights

Hey everyone! Thanks for coming back for day 5 action from the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium! If you missed day 4′s highlights please check here for some commentary on the best bouts of the day and some video highlights as well!

On to day 5! Video is up!

Estonian Baruto sent Wakanosato to the dirt to improve to 3-2 (kainahineri).

Toyonoshima, who started causing havok from opening day, seems to have lost his fire as he dropped his second in a row to Kisenosato (tsukiotoshi).

Sekiwake Ama continues to tear up the banzuke going after Chiyotaikai in an almost reckless fashion right from the get go while evading Chiyo’s tsupari. Ultimately, Ama regained his composure in time to push the Ozeki off the dohyo (oshidashi). Ama is still in perfect standing at 5-0. He is on the way to 10 wins; hopefully he can pull it off and start a promotion bid.

Kotomitsuki sent Maegashira 1 Aminishiki flying off of the dohyo and into one of the shinpan. At first I thought perhaps he or the shinpan was hurt, but Aminishiki got up scratched the back of his head a bit and took his bow (oshitaoshi). Kotomitsuki is hanging in there at 3-1.

Wakanoho was a bit too eager in today’s match against Kotooshu. He jumped at the Ozeki and seemed quite a bit embarassed as a result. Upon the actual tachi-ai Koto wrapped him up and rather gently placed him outside the straw bales (yorikiri). Kotooshu stands at 3-2.

Hakuho got himself in a bit of trouble at first against Hokutoriki. Hokutoriki managed to get a tight right underarm grip on Haku’s mawashi, but almost as though he was fighting a child, Hakuho got his arm under Hokutoriki’s and pushed him out of the ring (yorikiri). Haku stands perfect along with Ama at 5-0.

And in the final bout of the day, a shocker and somewhat of a controversy, as Tochinonada went up against Asashoryu. Both wrestlers seemed to have good position at tachi-ai and were struggling to gain ground on each other. As the bout went on though Asa seemed to lose momentum and was pushed back by Tochinonada. Their movement propelled both of them clear off of the dohyo in what looked like a very close call. Amid a rain of zabuton, a mono-ii was called and after what seemed like an eternity the decision was given to Tochinonada via oshitaoshi. How exciting! Asa falls for the second time this tournament. It seems like we are watching a completely different Asashoryu than from last year. Very interesting. Tochinonada improves to 3-2 and the yokozuna falls to 3-2.

UPDATE: Apparently the shinpan screwed this call up. NHK replays showed Tochinonada’s hand hitting the dohyo before Asa hit. That means that Tochinonada actually lost though the decision will stand. I have yet to see this for myself, but once the video is availible I will put it up.

It’s Ama and Hakuho on top and still perfect at 5-0. Can they keep it together? Will we have any more yokozuna upsets? Check back tomorrow for day 6 action and for video highlights of today’s bouts! Thanks for stopping by!

Nagoya basho day 4 highlights

Back for more sumo!

We had some great bouts today. You can see the results of all bouts here. Day 3 highlights are found here.

Day 4 highlights:

Starting us off early in the Makuuchi division, Maegashira 14, Tochinoshin picked Maegashira 15, Yoshikaze, right off of his feet and followed up by crushing him with a nice yoritaoshi.

Takamisakari had a rather spirited match with Iwakiyama. The two went back and forth until finally Taka managed to drop Iwakiyama with a shitatenage. Taka sits at 2-2.

Kyokutenho, one of the few undefeated rikishi left in the tournament, was handed his first lost today at the hands of Roho (uwatenage).

Baruto defeated Homasho after a close call forced the shinpan to hold a mono-ii (shitatenage).

Aminishiki absolutely leveled Goeido to stand even at 2-2 (tsukitaoshi).

In the most anticipated bout of the day (at least for me), undefeated rikishi Ama and “the upsetter” Toyonoshima went to blows. Ama dominated the fight almost from the beginning sending Toyonoshima to his first loss and putting a damper on the komusubi‘s mean streak that claimed Asashoryu as well as Kotooshu (yorikiri). Ama stands perfect at 4-0

Hometown boy, Kotomitsuki, fell to Tochinonada, dropping him to 3-1 (sukuinage).

Kotooshu made it even today against Futeno. He’ll need to be perfect from here on out to have any real shot of taking the yusho (oshidashi). GO KOTOOSHU!

Yokozuna Asashoryu gave poor little Hokutoriki a nice long stare down before throwing the winless Maegashira to the dohyo (okuritaoshi). Oh, by the way, when I say “poor little Hokutoriki” I mean 300 lbs (147kg) little. The yokozuna is 1 off the pace at 3-1.

In the final bout of the day, yokozuna Hakuho defeated Asasekiryu by way of uwatedashinage. The yokozuna is perfect at 4-0 while Asasekiryu (also known as “Sexy” among some sumo fans) is win-less.

At the end of day 4 there are only 3 rikishi with a perfect 4-0 record. Still plenty of days left in the basho, so it will be exciting to see if they can keep it up! Check back later for video of today’s bouts!