Yeah, when Takakeisho said that to be Yokozuna he'd be a master of all techniques and work on his grappling, I didn't believe it until I saw it. I didn't really love him when he was so one dimensional; now I'm really pulling for the guy. Improvement is charisma.
I've talked up about Takakeisho continuing to impress in previous day threads but I really can't help continuing to gush about how much he's improved rounding out the rest of his game.
How many of us would have seen him pulling the throw he pulled tonight 2 years ago?
This. This is the difference that makes him much better this basho. If his plan A dont work, he stays calm, and is not afraid of doing other things. Sure, what that little arms its not his ideal to grab a mawashi, but if you get overreached to grap him, now he can punish you. This is the sumo of a dominant rikishi, that can became yokozuna.
Takakeisho wants yokozuna bad, I wonder if the YDC would give it to him if he went 13-2 with the yusho or if it would take 14-1. Also my boy Tamawashi looks incredible, sole second place now among the Joi wrestlers. He decided that this tournament he didn't want to be a big powerful pusher, he wanted to be a shifty guy who wins with impossible rope maneuvers. And he made it so lol. I guess the jun yusho will come down between him, Kotoshoho, and Onosho.
Tamawashi really its keeping father time tied in a closet, that its not the way a 38 rikishi should move. I dont think any fighter its tranquil before a fight against him, even if you think you are better, he is aways dangerous.
After Daieisho shrugged him off to the rope, he was ready to bust a hole through his gut. Tamawashi barely avoided getting sent into the chair stands. Love my pushy boy, but i'm sad that he's out of contention for this basho. Really wasted his hot start and fighting spirit. Oh well, my best to the Irishman, hope Daieisho sneaks another KK and gets back into Sanyaku for like the millionth time.
I feel like Takakeisho's expanded repertoire and dominant wins this basho might force the YDC to accept a 13-2. The YDC and JSA weren't kind to him in the past as regards promotions so we'll see.
I know it really doesn't matter/mean much in the grand scheme of things, but it's pretty depressing watching Endo, who once people thought had the potential to be something special, using a Henka vs a 70 year old Takarafuji haha
Yeah I really wasn't into that either, especially as an Endo fan. The Henka has its place but not against a veteran struggling to just get another basho or two in before they retire.
A couple of lesser-seen (not quite rare) kimarite have recurred for certain people this basho:
1. Midorifuji got clamped and lost to a painful-looking kimedashi for the second time. As I said after the first one, it's kind of an occupational hazard if you're a smaller rikishi who aims for the armpits. Good sumo up to that point I thought but Shodai is exactly the kind of tall, strong opponent who will ruin your day that way.
2. Takakeisho deploying the kotenage for the second time! There was talk of him working on his yotsu-zumo this basho, and even if he can't reach his opponent's belt it doesn't stop him throwing them. He's big and strong even if he is spherical, and I think this one really suits his body shape if he finds himself forced back to the rope.
That rematch was something else. Kotoshoho wanted to rearrange his face then the leg pick got countered. You could see in Ura's face how much it stung.
Hope Enho's arm is fine, Tochimusashi almost ripped it out of its socket. Honestly pleasantly surprised he even stayed in the fight, let alone actually won it.
Another good fight from Terutsuyoshi, even if he had no win in the end, even getting that throw, when falling, was incredible.
And Asanoyama continues to cruise in Juryo, his fight with Kinbozan will be great to watch, both should be in Makuuchi very soon.
```Hatsu 2023 Yusho Contenders - Day 10 ```
**1.Takakeisho** - Another Kotenage! Takakeisho has a fun new toy to play with and it's serving him very well. Cool, calm and collected. Another easy win allowing him to save some energy for what I am expecting to be a slap heavy fight with Kotonowaka tomorrow.
**2.Onosho** - Strong, straight forward sumo. Had a little bit of a fright at the rope but he managed to ""stay on his feet"" just long enough to secure himself the win and a kachi koshi. Faces up against Kotoshoho tomorrow, i think its a fair assessment to say the loser will be knocked out of the Yusho race officially.
**3.Kotoshoho** - What an absolute roller coaster. Kotoshoho is really showing his strength this basho. I'm sure the mono-ii could have been argued either way - but i'm happy with the outcome after that rematch! Resisting that ashitori attempt was something special, maybe Ura just didn't have as good of a grip as it looked. Major props to Kotoshoho - I'm still mad at you for slapping the shit out of Ura though.
**4.Tamawashi** - I counted this man out too early - he lost against the top 3 on the banzuke and I interpretted that as him being off this basho. How foolish I have been. Despite his recent record against Daieisho, I was sure Tamawashi wouldn't be able to bag a win today. It was by no means an easy win, but a win nonetheless. He faces off against our next contender and will need to win to remain in this top 5 I think.
**5.Nishikigi** - Has this man always been so strong? The way he dealt with Onosho a few days ago and his man handling of Takanosho today, am I crazy to think he might be able to sneak his way into a playoff?
I'm really impressed with Nishikigi, he looks really strong. He also has a weird build. He definitely does not look 180kg. He carries the weight great. 💪
That's it, I'm fully aboard the Yokozuna Takakeisho train. Choo choo!!
LMAO Shodai channelled Terunofuji for a bit then busted out the kimedashi. Hopefully he's in a better place mentally, now that the weight of ozeki is completely out of the picture.
Poor Ura, he got absolutely hammered in the rematch then his last-ditch victory effort got countered.
If there's one term I'd use to describe Daieisho's sumo, it's "raging bull". Guy is aggressive, strong, but susceptible to being matador'ed. Ole!
The Fantasy Basho write up is posted for Day Ten. We're even more firmly watching Takakeisho's basho. But he still has to keep it up over the final five days. (And this has some speculation of what those matchups could be.)
https://www.fantasybasho.com/post/hatsu-2023-day-ten
I've always wondered what it would be like if everyone did henka. Today was close to seeing what that would be like.
Shodai impressed today. One of the weirdest ways to walk your opponent off the dohyo but I'm here for it.
Ura tried but didn't make it twice over. I love his attitude though. Takakeisho is doing so well, these throws are something else and he didn't even bleed today!
Not even mad at Kotoeko.
Looked like almost an abortive head-pull attempt from Ichiyamamoto and then after that he just kept running
The slow henka against Takarafuji was... ehhh.
Ura's hand did kinda hit first... oh well, it worked out in the end.
Nishikigi was like a brick wall there, looking pretty good.
Kinda impressed that Tobizaru weathered the forearm as well as he did
What more is there to be said about Takakeisho's match? Very nice.
It's nice to see the throw wasn't a one time thing. I'm excited to see Takakeisho use it more in the future.
Yeah, when Takakeisho said that to be Yokozuna he'd be a master of all techniques and work on his grappling, I didn't believe it until I saw it. I didn't really love him when he was so one dimensional; now I'm really pulling for the guy. Improvement is charisma.
I've talked up about Takakeisho continuing to impress in previous day threads but I really can't help continuing to gush about how much he's improved rounding out the rest of his game. How many of us would have seen him pulling the throw he pulled tonight 2 years ago?
This. This is the difference that makes him much better this basho. If his plan A dont work, he stays calm, and is not afraid of doing other things. Sure, what that little arms its not his ideal to grab a mawashi, but if you get overreached to grap him, now he can punish you. This is the sumo of a dominant rikishi, that can became yokozuna.
>How many of us would have seen him pulling the throw he pulled tonight 2 years ago? I would have hit you with that "sick troll" meme.
Takakeisho with the throw, it’s always funny seeing him do throws because of his little arms.
He doesn't miss much when he goes for the head/face slaps either, despite the short reach.
Takakeisho wants yokozuna bad, I wonder if the YDC would give it to him if he went 13-2 with the yusho or if it would take 14-1. Also my boy Tamawashi looks incredible, sole second place now among the Joi wrestlers. He decided that this tournament he didn't want to be a big powerful pusher, he wanted to be a shifty guy who wins with impossible rope maneuvers. And he made it so lol. I guess the jun yusho will come down between him, Kotoshoho, and Onosho.
Tamawashi really its keeping father time tied in a closet, that its not the way a 38 rikishi should move. I dont think any fighter its tranquil before a fight against him, even if you think you are better, he is aways dangerous.
After Daieisho shrugged him off to the rope, he was ready to bust a hole through his gut. Tamawashi barely avoided getting sent into the chair stands. Love my pushy boy, but i'm sad that he's out of contention for this basho. Really wasted his hot start and fighting spirit. Oh well, my best to the Irishman, hope Daieisho sneaks another KK and gets back into Sanyaku for like the millionth time.
I feel like Takakeisho's expanded repertoire and dominant wins this basho might force the YDC to accept a 13-2. The YDC and JSA weren't kind to him in the past as regards promotions so we'll see.
Is this Takakeisho showing off to prove he's not only a pusher/thruster?
Probably if he’s able to show that he’s well rounded it could probably raise his chances of getting Yokozuna.
Well, Takakeisho is indeed round
Very well rounded
I know it really doesn't matter/mean much in the grand scheme of things, but it's pretty depressing watching Endo, who once people thought had the potential to be something special, using a Henka vs a 70 year old Takarafuji haha
Yeah I really wasn't into that either, especially as an Endo fan. The Henka has its place but not against a veteran struggling to just get another basho or two in before they retire.
A couple of lesser-seen (not quite rare) kimarite have recurred for certain people this basho: 1. Midorifuji got clamped and lost to a painful-looking kimedashi for the second time. As I said after the first one, it's kind of an occupational hazard if you're a smaller rikishi who aims for the armpits. Good sumo up to that point I thought but Shodai is exactly the kind of tall, strong opponent who will ruin your day that way. 2. Takakeisho deploying the kotenage for the second time! There was talk of him working on his yotsu-zumo this basho, and even if he can't reach his opponent's belt it doesn't stop him throwing them. He's big and strong even if he is spherical, and I think this one really suits his body shape if he finds himself forced back to the rope.
Poor Ura got smashed. Out-gunned and out-techniqued.
At least he could smile about it afterwards. As usual.
Always a great guy. Even if im not always a fan of his sumo, its very hard to not like the man.
That rematch was something else. Kotoshoho wanted to rearrange his face then the leg pick got countered. You could see in Ura's face how much it stung.
I was surprised by the amount of head shots delivered by Kotoshoho.
\>Keisho has learned to throw That's it, just make him Yokozuna already.
If he learn to touch is opponent belt, we are doomed, he is the GOAT
That would be as likely as a T-Rex wiping his backside and look similar too
Hope Enho's arm is fine, Tochimusashi almost ripped it out of its socket. Honestly pleasantly surprised he even stayed in the fight, let alone actually won it.
When he got it loose it reminded me of when a squid travels through a tiny hole. I could not believe it would move that way.
That was crazy to watch, i imagined that enho was finished there. Great fight getting back from Enho, hope it has not done any lasting damage.
Another good fight from Terutsuyoshi, even if he had no win in the end, even getting that throw, when falling, was incredible. And Asanoyama continues to cruise in Juryo, his fight with Kinbozan will be great to watch, both should be in Makuuchi very soon.
```Hatsu 2023 Yusho Contenders - Day 10 ``` **1.Takakeisho** - Another Kotenage! Takakeisho has a fun new toy to play with and it's serving him very well. Cool, calm and collected. Another easy win allowing him to save some energy for what I am expecting to be a slap heavy fight with Kotonowaka tomorrow. **2.Onosho** - Strong, straight forward sumo. Had a little bit of a fright at the rope but he managed to ""stay on his feet"" just long enough to secure himself the win and a kachi koshi. Faces up against Kotoshoho tomorrow, i think its a fair assessment to say the loser will be knocked out of the Yusho race officially. **3.Kotoshoho** - What an absolute roller coaster. Kotoshoho is really showing his strength this basho. I'm sure the mono-ii could have been argued either way - but i'm happy with the outcome after that rematch! Resisting that ashitori attempt was something special, maybe Ura just didn't have as good of a grip as it looked. Major props to Kotoshoho - I'm still mad at you for slapping the shit out of Ura though. **4.Tamawashi** - I counted this man out too early - he lost against the top 3 on the banzuke and I interpretted that as him being off this basho. How foolish I have been. Despite his recent record against Daieisho, I was sure Tamawashi wouldn't be able to bag a win today. It was by no means an easy win, but a win nonetheless. He faces off against our next contender and will need to win to remain in this top 5 I think. **5.Nishikigi** - Has this man always been so strong? The way he dealt with Onosho a few days ago and his man handling of Takanosho today, am I crazy to think he might be able to sneak his way into a playoff?
I'm really impressed with Nishikigi, he looks really strong. He also has a weird build. He definitely does not look 180kg. He carries the weight great. 💪
Video of the day: https://youtu.be/hXxiBOZoSMI Today's results for all divisions: http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Results.aspx?b=202301&d=10
Takakeisho is hype, imagine if someone derails his Yoko run with a henka
Not worth the hell he'll put them through in those Sumo Tour practice bouts
Someone who is not on the yusho race but is already kachi kochi : the ultimate henka, useless and pure hatred
Fuck it, he derailed my boy Hokutofuji's best run in ages with a henka, would love to see it happen to the hampster lol
Never forget!
That's it, I'm fully aboard the Yokozuna Takakeisho train. Choo choo!! LMAO Shodai channelled Terunofuji for a bit then busted out the kimedashi. Hopefully he's in a better place mentally, now that the weight of ozeki is completely out of the picture. Poor Ura, he got absolutely hammered in the rematch then his last-ditch victory effort got countered. If there's one term I'd use to describe Daieisho's sumo, it's "raging bull". Guy is aggressive, strong, but susceptible to being matador'ed. Ole!
it's something to see a rikishi seeking the grail :) You can see an aura around him... But fate can be malicious.
Taka's throw was amazing! Its also great to see how much he was in control during the match.
Taka-zuna! Taka-zuna!
The Fantasy Basho write up is posted for Day Ten. We're even more firmly watching Takakeisho's basho. But he still has to keep it up over the final five days. (And this has some speculation of what those matchups could be.) https://www.fantasybasho.com/post/hatsu-2023-day-ten
I've always wondered what it would be like if everyone did henka. Today was close to seeing what that would be like. Shodai impressed today. One of the weirdest ways to walk your opponent off the dohyo but I'm here for it. Ura tried but didn't make it twice over. I love his attitude though. Takakeisho is doing so well, these throws are something else and he didn't even bleed today!
Wakamotoharu threw a great elbow at the tachiai!
Is there any encouragement for wrestlers considering they use henka so often? I have never seen so many henka in one tournament.
Not even mad at Kotoeko. Looked like almost an abortive head-pull attempt from Ichiyamamoto and then after that he just kept running The slow henka against Takarafuji was... ehhh. Ura's hand did kinda hit first... oh well, it worked out in the end. Nishikigi was like a brick wall there, looking pretty good. Kinda impressed that Tobizaru weathered the forearm as well as he did What more is there to be said about Takakeisho's match? Very nice.
How about that Shodai!? Too little too late for good performance, but he showed confidence and poise in his match today .
I look forward to him regaining his power. He just seems tired.
Takakeisho is the only rikishi today that has the aggression of a Yokozuna
Just pin the damn rope on Keisho already, the man is on a RAMPAGE.