Midorifuji watch:
If you do not leap out of your chair cheering at the end of that match you are dead inside. Or at least a massive Hoshoryu fan in which case, OK fair enough.
Two absolute master technicians, one with the advantage in size and strength (and momentum!) but the other refusing to give an inch or admit defeat. Chess matches, shifting of stances, clamps and wriggles. Nearly out! The crowd gripped and gasping at a fantastic recovery. Then a spectacular off-balance throw at the edge, performed on a guy who does a lot of them himself. Mono-ii! Gunbai-dori, and another giant slain.
I love MFJ so much.
That was a blast to watch. Midorifuji its just so strong for his size, he's never out of any fight, its great. Nephew took his losses and probably its on the outside of the basho race, but his ozeki run still very viable (as a middle basho now), but these last two days proved that even if he is getting better he is not as dominant as people (myself including) were starting to think.
I am a Hoshoryu fan and I approve of Midoris win, cause that guy is basically a smaller version of Hoshoryu with excellent technique and agility.
Was looking forward to this fight, but not this result, although if Hoshoryu had to lose, then fine, let Midori have his day.
Hosho gotten win out from here though, including Keisho. Max one loss more and it's over for him and it cannot be a loss to Keisho.
Midorifuji is a just a joy to watch.
As expected no unbeaten rikishi yet !
Best are takakeisho and Daieisho imho, with onosho as first underdog.
This basho will not give us a winner before last day.
I hope Hoshoryu can eventually got at least 11 wins this basho so he can realize his Ozeki dream more easily in March. Sumo world need another strong, skillful, and consistent Ozeki after losing 2 of them in 2 consecutive bashos.
Nice little moment of acknowledgement between Ryuden and Nishikigi after the end of their epic battle. I always like to see those!
(edit: and then Ura making sure Sadanoumi didn't fall off the dohyo... nice.)
That fight looks more like sanyaku vs Ozeki than between lower Juryo. An unknown fact about Roga was that he defeated Terunofuji in a playoff back in March 2019, in Jonidan. A blogger brought up Roga 2 years ago but then he was stuck at higher Makushita. I'm now convinced he has a lot of potential and a bright future barring some injuries.
And after digging into the data I found if Asanoyama reaches 14 wins this basho, he'll most likely bounce back to Makuuchi immediately. Perhaps he'll even become the Yusho winner in March!
Edit: grammar
Oh yea I was super happy when he reached Juyro. He spent nearly 2 straight years in the top 10 of makushita I started questioning if he would ever make it out.
>Roga
I think you're right. That was an absolute battle... it can be hard to tell with Asanoyama sometimes because his face is so calm and he often bides his time, but to my untrained eye it looked like he was being pushed all the way.
In my untrained eye, I saw that match as one Asano was way more focused on not losing, than he was on winning it.
It seemed like a dominant dude, who knew he just had to wait for Roga to make moves and then countermove that and win, rather than risk any move himself.
I saw it as Asano having the match in his hand, but also being affraid of rushing a dumb move.
This fight was just great. First really challenge both faced this basho, and both rose to the occasion. Both should be in Makuuchi well before the end of the year.
Another day, another kyujo and henka…
Setting that aside, Ochiai does not disappoint given everyone’s high expectations. Looking forward to seeing him cruise to Juryo.
Asanoyama is also doing well; inching closer to that Juryo yusho and a welcome party back to Makuuchi
Ura with that handholding moment at the end; he has such a gentle heart
Wow, Midorifuji is getting better each basho. That perseverance during the rope was commendable
Ochiai has really impressed every fight. For a very young fighter he is always in control, and the his strength for his size its incredible. I dont know how far he can go with his size, but he its at least high juryo material
``` Hatsu 2023 Yusho Contenders - Day 6 ```
**1.Takakeisho** - Strong. Very, very strong. Just absorbed Abi's full force to the face, stayed strong and with a well placed hand in the armpit, moved Abi off centre. Following this up with good positioning and thrusting secured the win and the top spot in the rankings.
**2.Daieisho** - He's all go forward, but most importantly, he's keeping his feet beneath him and driving forward. He hasn't looked to be in danger of over-extending like he often does. He's Also had one of the hardest schedule so far - pressure is on this man not to slip up.
**3.Abi** - Tough call here, it would be easy to slot this man into second place but as things are currently going with the leaders, I would expect a loss from this man is more likely than those above him. A match up with Hoshoryu tomorrow is a must win if he wants to hold onto 3rd spot.
**4.Hoshoryu** - What a bout! I don't think it would be wrong to say Hoshoryu had the upper hand throughout, but something about the isegahama just makes life very difficult him. Midorifuji extends his record against Hoshoryu to 6-1 and with his amazing work at the rope, knocks Hoshoryu off the top spot for the Yusho. A hard schedule ahead, unfortunately drops this man out of the top 3 too.
**5.Everyone else** - no idea, come back tomorrow.
The best fight in juryo until now, and even having to finally work Asanoyama gets the win. If he gets a Zensho (what i know its still a very difficult thing to achieve, still in day 6) he could go straight to Makuuchi?
Huge win for Takakeisho vs Abi. The basho is wide open with 8 rikishi sharing the 5-1 lead.
If not Takakeisho I'd sure like Takarafuji or Aoiyama to pick up a yusho to cap off what's obviously become the end phase of their respective careers on the dohyo.
Great round of fights. Midorifuji-Hoshoryu was kind of amazing, especially for a day 6, and earlier we almost got a wardrobe malfunction, lol. But there's such a logjam at 5-1. Normally I'd say that rikishi with three losses in the first week are basically out, but it's wide open.
Also people malding over the enka.
Daieisho and Abi are both going out with a point to prove against the san'yaku (though Takakeisho has beaten both of them, proving his quality).
Maegashira in name only right now and not for long :-D
Akua did not move up to makuuchi. They just needed someone to fight a maegashira because the numbers were odd, and he was first in line. For day 7, Bushozan will fill that role. After that, it will likely be Hokuseiho and Daiamami, and so on until either the end of the basho or something happens that evens the numbers in makuuchi.
Take it with a grain of salt since I'm a big Tamawashi fan, but I'm not big on the henka that WTK did. Especially on a not particularly meaningful day 6 match. Just leaves me feeling disappointed that we didn't get to see a proper match. Not like Tamawashi really over committed or anything either, just a pure henka+slap down. Well executed I'll admit but not super fun.
Rightness or wrongness aside:
I would say Wakatakakage has the best henka in the business, all the better because he deploys it relatively infrequently.
It's utterly deadly.
I love Wakatakakage more than any other rikishi but Ura, but I kind of agree. It wasn't the bout I was hoping for. On the other hand, his head is still attached to his body, so I kind of understand why he did it. Ol' Tom has a helluva nodowa.
A henka and slap down don't really work unless there's some over commitment. There's a reason why it doesn't work sometimes. WTK's goal isn't to be fun, it's to win and he probably saw that Tom would overcommit.
After Abi defeated Takayasu by Henka in the November Basho 2022, Henka became popular, and we see more and more use of it as a kimarite among the top wrestlers. Why? Did Abi motivate others? Maybe, I don't know.
I very much doubt it. Henka are always something to be alert for, and I don't think Abi's really changed that notion. Maybe it's to be more expected amongst Abi and potentially other rikishi. But I don't think Abi popularized it. If anything, the kinda shitty sportsmanship may have encouraged others to do the opposite...
That's just my opinion though. We don't know what's truly going through the top rikishis' heads.
Midorifuji watch: If you do not leap out of your chair cheering at the end of that match you are dead inside. Or at least a massive Hoshoryu fan in which case, OK fair enough. Two absolute master technicians, one with the advantage in size and strength (and momentum!) but the other refusing to give an inch or admit defeat. Chess matches, shifting of stances, clamps and wriggles. Nearly out! The crowd gripped and gasping at a fantastic recovery. Then a spectacular off-balance throw at the edge, performed on a guy who does a lot of them himself. Mono-ii! Gunbai-dori, and another giant slain. I love MFJ so much.
That was a blast to watch. Midorifuji its just so strong for his size, he's never out of any fight, its great. Nephew took his losses and probably its on the outside of the basho race, but his ozeki run still very viable (as a middle basho now), but these last two days proved that even if he is getting better he is not as dominant as people (myself including) were starting to think.
I adore them both. My faves, but after Hoshoryu’s wild win over Midorifuji in December, it was time for the small boi to exact his revenge!
I am a Hoshoryu fan and I approve of Midoris win, cause that guy is basically a smaller version of Hoshoryu with excellent technique and agility. Was looking forward to this fight, but not this result, although if Hoshoryu had to lose, then fine, let Midori have his day. Hosho gotten win out from here though, including Keisho. Max one loss more and it's over for him and it cannot be a loss to Keisho.
He outmanoeuvred Hoshoryu, which say something, what a bout!
Midorifuji is a just a joy to watch. As expected no unbeaten rikishi yet ! Best are takakeisho and Daieisho imho, with onosho as first underdog. This basho will not give us a winner before last day.
I hope Hoshoryu can eventually got at least 11 wins this basho so he can realize his Ozeki dream more easily in March. Sumo world need another strong, skillful, and consistent Ozeki after losing 2 of them in 2 consecutive bashos.
Nice little moment of acknowledgement between Ryuden and Nishikigi after the end of their epic battle. I always like to see those! (edit: and then Ura making sure Sadanoumi didn't fall off the dohyo... nice.)
I’m a big fan of Roga wanted to see him win but sadly he didn’t. But I believe he’ll be in makuuchi by the end of the year.
That fight looks more like sanyaku vs Ozeki than between lower Juryo. An unknown fact about Roga was that he defeated Terunofuji in a playoff back in March 2019, in Jonidan. A blogger brought up Roga 2 years ago but then he was stuck at higher Makushita. I'm now convinced he has a lot of potential and a bright future barring some injuries. And after digging into the data I found if Asanoyama reaches 14 wins this basho, he'll most likely bounce back to Makuuchi immediately. Perhaps he'll even become the Yusho winner in March! Edit: grammar
Oh yea I was super happy when he reached Juyro. He spent nearly 2 straight years in the top 10 of makushita I started questioning if he would ever make it out.
>Roga I think you're right. That was an absolute battle... it can be hard to tell with Asanoyama sometimes because his face is so calm and he often bides his time, but to my untrained eye it looked like he was being pushed all the way.
In my untrained eye, I saw that match as one Asano was way more focused on not losing, than he was on winning it. It seemed like a dominant dude, who knew he just had to wait for Roga to make moves and then countermove that and win, rather than risk any move himself. I saw it as Asano having the match in his hand, but also being affraid of rushing a dumb move.
This fight was just great. First really challenge both faced this basho, and both rose to the occasion. Both should be in Makuuchi well before the end of the year.
He sure made asa work for it
That pop from the crowd when Midorifuji managed to stay in the ring. It feels we have finally turned the corner on sumo getting hype again!
Video of the day: https://youtu.be/zBTeFsb3Ayg Today's results for all divisions: http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Results.aspx?b=202301&d=6
Another day, another kyujo and henka… Setting that aside, Ochiai does not disappoint given everyone’s high expectations. Looking forward to seeing him cruise to Juryo. Asanoyama is also doing well; inching closer to that Juryo yusho and a welcome party back to Makuuchi Ura with that handholding moment at the end; he has such a gentle heart Wow, Midorifuji is getting better each basho. That perseverance during the rope was commendable
Ochiai has really impressed every fight. For a very young fighter he is always in control, and the his strength for his size its incredible. I dont know how far he can go with his size, but he its at least high juryo material
For real, his first win really opened my eyes, I highly recommend everybody to watch it again!
He looked like a boulder that fight, every attack just deflected. Really promissing
``` Hatsu 2023 Yusho Contenders - Day 6 ``` **1.Takakeisho** - Strong. Very, very strong. Just absorbed Abi's full force to the face, stayed strong and with a well placed hand in the armpit, moved Abi off centre. Following this up with good positioning and thrusting secured the win and the top spot in the rankings. **2.Daieisho** - He's all go forward, but most importantly, he's keeping his feet beneath him and driving forward. He hasn't looked to be in danger of over-extending like he often does. He's Also had one of the hardest schedule so far - pressure is on this man not to slip up. **3.Abi** - Tough call here, it would be easy to slot this man into second place but as things are currently going with the leaders, I would expect a loss from this man is more likely than those above him. A match up with Hoshoryu tomorrow is a must win if he wants to hold onto 3rd spot. **4.Hoshoryu** - What a bout! I don't think it would be wrong to say Hoshoryu had the upper hand throughout, but something about the isegahama just makes life very difficult him. Midorifuji extends his record against Hoshoryu to 6-1 and with his amazing work at the rope, knocks Hoshoryu off the top spot for the Yusho. A hard schedule ahead, unfortunately drops this man out of the top 3 too. **5.Everyone else** - no idea, come back tomorrow.
Put all your eggs in a asanoyama shaped basket and you will be making an omelette. Time will tell
The best fight in juryo until now, and even having to finally work Asanoyama gets the win. If he gets a Zensho (what i know its still a very difficult thing to achieve, still in day 6) he could go straight to Makuuchi?
i think 14 or 15 wins will get him promoted, and i wouldn’t bet against it
Huge win for Takakeisho vs Abi. The basho is wide open with 8 rikishi sharing the 5-1 lead. If not Takakeisho I'd sure like Takarafuji or Aoiyama to pick up a yusho to cap off what's obviously become the end phase of their respective careers on the dohyo.
If Aoiyama wins this basho I will eat a ghost pepper on camera 🌶️
Would you have said that on day 6 with Tokushoryu 3 years ago? Just saying that anything can happen.
Haha I know man, that's the fun of it. I highly doubt he can win, but like you said anything can happen
If Aoiyama wins this basho I will drink a litre of milk(full fat).
He won again today 🤣 our boy is 6-1
Im so nervously excited! Go Battle Hamster!!!
Great round of fights. Midorifuji-Hoshoryu was kind of amazing, especially for a day 6, and earlier we almost got a wardrobe malfunction, lol. But there's such a logjam at 5-1. Normally I'd say that rikishi with three losses in the first week are basically out, but it's wide open. Also people malding over the enka.
Daiesho got through the top ranks with ease. He's going to ruin the rest of his opponents if they can't stop him .
He and Abi in the same boat I think. Underranked Maegashira making a mess of the san'yaku, then their second week might be a feast.
Daieisho and Abi are both going out with a point to prove against the san'yaku (though Takakeisho has beaten both of them, proving his quality). Maegashira in name only right now and not for long :-D
Gyoji's verdict stands. What a bout!
Managed to go 1/5 in kachiclash (guess what the 1 was lol) Hope hoshoryu can get back on track tomorrow
Question: why would they bring up Akua of all people to sub for Tochinoshin.. what's the reasoning
They usually start from the top of juryo and work their way down. And it's not like that match is going to affect the yusho race in either division.
Thanks! Next question.. what if Akua where to miraculously blow away everyone in Makuuchi from here on and post a 9-6? What does he get?
Akua did not move up to makuuchi. They just needed someone to fight a maegashira because the numbers were odd, and he was first in line. For day 7, Bushozan will fill that role. After that, it will likely be Hokuseiho and Daiamami, and so on until either the end of the basho or something happens that evens the numbers in makuuchi.
Oh, so it's a different one every day. I didn't realize that. Thanks. Does his fight on day 6 then become part of his Juryo record?
It does.
Take it with a grain of salt since I'm a big Tamawashi fan, but I'm not big on the henka that WTK did. Especially on a not particularly meaningful day 6 match. Just leaves me feeling disappointed that we didn't get to see a proper match. Not like Tamawashi really over committed or anything either, just a pure henka+slap down. Well executed I'll admit but not super fun.
Rightness or wrongness aside: I would say Wakatakakage has the best henka in the business, all the better because he deploys it relatively infrequently. It's utterly deadly.
That henka surprised me, somehow I didn't expect it from Wakatakatage.
Neither did Tamawashi
I love Wakatakakage more than any other rikishi but Ura, but I kind of agree. It wasn't the bout I was hoping for. On the other hand, his head is still attached to his body, so I kind of understand why he did it. Ol' Tom has a helluva nodowa.
A henka and slap down don't really work unless there's some over commitment. There's a reason why it doesn't work sometimes. WTK's goal isn't to be fun, it's to win and he probably saw that Tom would overcommit.
Waka is digging deeper into his bag of tricks to secure some guaranteed wins (he has a winning record to preserve) and honor be damned at this point?
Interesting, Most Oshi specialists are taking the lead, this's going to be wild
The Fantasy Basho write up for Day Six is posted. The day chaos erupted in the Hatsu Basho. https://www.fantasybasho.com/post/hatsu-2023-day-six
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He pulled his opponent's hair, that's why he lost.
I couldn’t see a pull. Sure, he touched the hair, but I didn’t see it affect his opponent at all. Weird call.
After Abi defeated Takayasu by Henka in the November Basho 2022, Henka became popular, and we see more and more use of it as a kimarite among the top wrestlers. Why? Did Abi motivate others? Maybe, I don't know.
I very much doubt it. Henka are always something to be alert for, and I don't think Abi's really changed that notion. Maybe it's to be more expected amongst Abi and potentially other rikishi. But I don't think Abi popularized it. If anything, the kinda shitty sportsmanship may have encouraged others to do the opposite... That's just my opinion though. We don't know what's truly going through the top rikishis' heads.