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Grand Sumo Hatsu (January) basho discussion [Spoilers through day 15]
I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts who watched through the basho.
I don't have all my thoughts together yet but wanted to post this after watching the last day of the basho to get the ball rolling on any discussion.
My man Hōshōryū hōshō-ing how it's done! ...and no I will not apologize for doing that...
An exciting basho even if two of the three top contenders going into the tournament (the three ozeki) disappointed with their performances. Lots of pressure, so I get it. I had made a personal prediction that this would be Terunofuji's last tournament even if he won it, looks like that came true just minus the winning part. Lots of miles on that frame.
Not to say that Kinbozan didn't put up one hell of a fight, but it's become pretty commonplace these last few years without a single dominant rikishi (Hakuho) for a low maegashira wrestler to put up big numbers and be in yusho contention, but when you look at who he faced to get the numbers and who he lost to, you see the differences between the "level" of wins.
Of Kinbozan's 12 wins, 9 were low maegashira (17-10). All but two of Oho's wins were sanyaku or high maegashira, same for Hoshoryu.
Don't know what's going on with Kotozakura, obviously isn't in the game mentally as he even changed his signature miwashi color mid-basho.
Tamashoho was fun to watch, too bad he'll be back in Juryo next tournament. Sucks for Roga too, but does look like Nabatame will be getting some heavy promotion up juryo and may be able to be in Makuuchi by May/July if he keeps it up.
And this just in: Hōshōryū recommended by YDC to the top rank! He's gonna look great in a rope. Question is, what will be his Dohyo-Iri, Shiranui or Unryu? My bet is on Shiranui.
Chinese New Year kept me busy so I haven't been able to respond sooner.
I think Hoshoryu's title and promotion are going to get the lion's share of discussion, with good reason! I'm excited to see how his career as a yokozuna progresses. I think we may be returning to a time when the yokozuna is the best currently fighting, but not the clear favorite to win every basho they enter. I've been cheering for him for years now, but even with his clear improvements I don't see him currently being head and shoulders above everyone else in terms of his skill.
Regarding his dohyo iri, I haven't watched his first one yet and I'm looking forward to it. I did hear on Grand Sumo Breakdown that there are preferred styles for the different ichimons which can influence the choice a yokozuna makes when they decide.
I agree with you on the other performances overall. I think Oho really turned a performance corner this basho and put things together. Kotosakura may have an injury impacting him and I'm surprised he didn't pull out to get extra recovery time. Kinbozan I had a hard time considering a favorite to win even as we entered the final stretch.
The Waka brothers also disappointed this time. It felt like they both lacked power and weren't able to give their 100%.
Ura continues to be entertaining in his bouts. He always seems like he's having the most fun out of anyone in the top division when he is in the ring. He always goes for the fun/interesting kimarite.
I watched NHKs official English broadcast this time around as Natto Sumo's has been relegated to an alternative source and I didn't like the camera work as much. It was okay, but I wish they'd just hire Natto to do their graphics and release the videos he makes for a subscription fee. I feel like I'm missing so much information when I watch their highlight videos.
cc: @AugustusFerdinand, since he is our resident Sumo expert. :P
/offtopic /noise
I am replying from my inbox. Specifically not looking at the thread so as to not get spoilers. I also have been avoiding my usual sumo haunts. I haven't watched since day 12. Be back later.
Also thank you @pekt, for not putting spoilers in the title. I am still pissed that news of Terunofuji's retirement hit before I could even watch the first day he went kyujo