[OT - Sumo] Haru Basho 2003

[Black Omega]

And here we are again, for another two weeks of sumo.

Musashimaru is still out with that injury to his wrist, and Tochiazuma is still injured, so two of the top wrestlers are still out and Kaio is not in the best shape either.

First time Yokozuma Asashoryu is not off to a great start, 2-1 and he's looked a little nervous, understandably. His main rival of the moment, Chiyotaikai, is off to a 3-0 start, along with Jumonji and Kotoryu, neither of whom is much of a threat to win the title.

Musoyama is off to another poor start, 0-3 and looks to finally be shedding the tag of 'perpetual Ozeki'. At this rate he won't even be able to remain an Ozeki.

Asasekiryu was just promoted to the Makuuchi league and as a fellow countryman of Asashoryu alot was expected of him this basho, but so far he's been having a rough time.

Sorry I don't have more news for you fans of the Moose, but Musashimaru's wrist injury has not healed well. Hopefully he'll be back next basho.

 

[Ranger REG]

What type of wrist injury does he have and how soon is he expected to recover and get back in shape?

 

[Black Omega]

What type of wrist injury does he have and how soon is he expected to recover and get back in shape?

It's pretty bad, torn ligaments in his wrist. It's an injury he's had for quite some time and aggrevated last year when he had to drop out. He's had surgery but they aren't rushing his return. He'll likely be back for the next basho,

 

[Teflon Billy]

I attended the Sumo Basho here in Vancouver a couple of years ago, where Yokozuna Akebono was competing (the thing was won by Takanohana I beleive)

It really wore on me. At first it was pretty interesting, but I just did not have a single clue what was going on most of the time.

that whole "throwing salt" thing was semi-interesting the first half dozen times I saw it, but after awhile I realized that yes; they were just tossing some salt around.

the audience would inexplicably go nuts when one guy looked at another. They'd walk in and out of the circle, toss mroe salt etc....it looked like "stalling for time" for the most part.

And that got to me. There was about an average of ten minutes of tossing salt, staring and walking in and out of the ring for every 10 seconds of action.

the high point of the thing for me wa at the end when Takanohana was presented with his prizes, one of which was a year's supply of salmon.

My date leaned over and wondered to me if the Salmon providers knew what a "year's supply" likely was to this wreslter

anyway, not my thing.

 

[Ranger REG]

that whole "throwing salt" thing was semi-interesting the first half dozen times I saw it, but after awhile I realized that yes; they were just tossing some salt around.

No need to tell what that ritual is for.

the audience would inexplicably go nuts when one guy looked at another. They'd walk in and out of the circle, toss mroe salt etc....it looked like "stalling for time" for the most part.

Basically they're sizing up one another. When they stare, it almost like they are ready to throw blows.

Besides, once they started, it usually ends quickly.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Yeesh. I just left Japan last July, and between then and now they've promoted Asashouryu to Yokozuna?! If I remember correctly, you have to win back-to-back tournaments as an Ozeki to even be considered. Clearly, a lot as happened since I got to watch the bashous regularly.

It seems that Asashouryu's been promoted too early, though. I wonder if the Sumo Association was simply looking for another Wakanohana. They seem to like the little guys. Then again, Wakanohana was forced to retire after an injury led to poor performance. Let's hope that Asashouryu does better.

Btw, does anyone know how Kotomitsuki's doing? He was one of my favs last year, and an up-and-comer. Is he still looking good?

 

[Black Omega]

Yeesh. I just left Japan last July, and between then and now they've promoted Asashouryu to Yokozuna?! If I remember correctly, you have to win back-to-back tournaments as an Ozeki to even be considered. Clearly, a lot as happened since I got to watch the bashous regularly.

Takanohana has retired. Asashoryu won the last two bashos rather easily. A big part of the reason why it was so easy was that Musashimaru, Chiyotakai, Kaio, and Tochiazuma were all to one degree or another injured during this period and didn't particupate in those bashos, or at least had to withdraw fairly early. That left only the very disappointing Musoyama and Asashoryu as competing Ozeki and Asashoryu made the most of the opportunity. It might very well be too early but he had done all that was asked of him to be promoted.

Btw, does anyone know how Kotomitsuki's doing? He was one of my favs last year, and an up-and-comer. Is he still looking good?

9-6 at the Hatsu Basho. 2-2 so far this basho and still a Sekiwake. He did have my favorite bout of the year back in Jan against Takanowaka. Kotomitsuki opened with a powerful harite to Takanowaka's left cheek and practically knocked him out. Takanowaka stumbled forward and went down on his side and lay there for almost a minute before he was finally able to stagger to his feet and be helped off the platform.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Takanohana has retired. Asashoryu won the last two bashos rather easily. A big part of the reason why it was so easy was that Musashimaru, Chiyotakai, Kaio, and Tochiazuma were all to one degree or another injured during this period and didn't particupate in those bashos, or at least had to withdraw fairly early. That left only the very disappointing Musoyama and Asashoryu as competing Ozeki and Asashoryu made the most of the opportunity. It might very well be too early but he had done all that was asked of him to be promoted.

Takanohana retiring doesn't surprise me. I had a feeling he would after his injury last year. Though I have to say that his bout with Musashimaru for the Tournament last year, with the second-bout victory, was the most amazing moment I've ever seen in sports. I'm surprised that they promoted Asashouryu in spite of the quality of the tournaments he won. Especially with how long they kept Kaio waiting to be Ozeki. Then again, maybe they were over-eager to have another Yokozuna. I hope this doesn't end Asashouryu's career early....

9-6 at the Hatsu Basho. 2-2 so far this basho and still a Sekiwake. He did have my favorite bout of the year back in Jan against Takanowaka. Kotomitsuki opened with a powerful harite to Takanowaka's left cheek and practically knocked him out. Takanowaka stumbled forward and went down on his side and lay there for almost a minute before he was finally able to stagger to his feet and be helped off the platform.

Thanks for the heads-up. He's not rising as fast as I might hope, but then again he may be the better for it when he does arrive. I was just starting to watch when Musoyama and Miyabiyama were promoted from Musashigawa, then spent a couple years watching them teeter up and down and not look like ozeki at all.

 

[Black Omega]

Random notes almost halfway through the basho.

1st Place: Chiyotaikai 7-0
2nd Place: Hokutoriki 6-1??

And nine rikishi at 5-2??

I'm told a first time Yokozuna has never won the March Basho and so far Asashoryu doesn't look ready to change this after losing to Dejima this last round. I doubt Hokutoriki can keep up this pace, so Chiyotaikai is left in the driver's seat. Kotomitsuki is also in trouble, only 2-5 after losing to Kyokutenho.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Kotomitsuki is also in trouble, only 2-5 after losing to Kyokutenho

Sigh. Thanks for the update, though the news is depressing.

Question: has Dejima shaped up since last summer? Last I saw he was in a downward spiral of suck. With only one really effective technique, he's almost custom-made for someone like Asashouryu to take down.