Re: Some thoughts

[Mikko T Mattila <Mikko.T.Mattila@uta.fi>]

> > 2.) On Kyokutenho: have you noticed that since
> > Asashoryu is competing in the makuuchi league, that
> > Kyokutenho is doing much better as well? Even though
> > they are not in the same heya, you think that maybe
> > they meet every now and then and that Asashoryu is
> > giving tips and tricks to Kyokutenho, talking about
> > his weaknesses, etc.?

Kyokutenho has shown improved strength in last 2 years or so. He is a
formidable opponent to anyone nowadays. He has become much tougher foe to
Kaio, Wakanosato and Takanonami for example. All aforementioned were
rather impossible obstacles for Tenho before but now he has fought well
against Kaio although losing, has beaten Wakanosato finally and given him
equal opposition and has started to beat Nami more often than losing to
him. Tenho is very good occasionally and his strength is indeed a level or
two above compared to Tenho in 2001. I am rather sure he will beat
Asashoryu soon too as they have also had quite good bouts lately.
Asashoryu and Kyokutenho have done some keiko together yes. Last summer
they did some outdoor keiko and sweat was secreted.

> > 3.) Ozeki changes:
> > I wonder who is going to be the first to lose his
> > ozeki rank. Tochiazuma?

Tochiazuma could lose his whole sumo career with such scarred shoulders.
He has dislocated both shoulders and has had numerous rotator cuff tears
and also avulsion fracture. Hard to say how loose is his shoulder(s) is
but definitely shoulders are dooming, looming over and hindering his sumo.
Otherwise he is very good arm fencing man with smart sumo and should be
good ozeki without any demotion scares. Musoyama is another loose shoulder
man.

> > Additionally, who do you think will be the next one
> > to get promoted to Ozeki? Kotomitsuki? Dejima?
> > Wakanosato? I have the feeling that with 3 rikishi
> > being kadoban, and probably 3 sekiwakes, it may get
> > quite messy soon. Any thoughts?

IMO Dejima's chances are very low. While he is now relatively healthy, he
also has too tough competition especially since many of the current
ozeki/yokozuna/sanyaku regulars have such powerful tachi-ai impact
tolerance and Dejima is helpless without constant deashi against them.

Wakanosato seems to be perennial "I can beat anyone any day" rikishi whose
strength is enough to intimidate anyone but something is missing for that
last step to ozekihood.

> even next tournament.  Now that he's not worried about
> his injured jaw at the tachiai anymore, his sumou
> seems very aggressive and he's very good at what he
> does.  The only thing holding him back might be that
> slap to Takanowaka.  While it's good to show some
> guts, it's still a bit frowned upon to injure people
> like crazy.  Not that it's really his fault--you could
> be knocked unconscious by the strangest things.

Kotomitsuki is clearly my favourite to next ozeki but it depends on his
elbow situation. He was pretty good at Hatsu even with very painful elbow
which was then operated (cartilage chip removed) after basho. He has
everything to become an ozeki but needs that left elbow too for his yotsu.

That harite at the tachi-ai didn't look extra vicious or malicious and if
rikishi would have to hold back some harite or throws so as not to hurt
his foes, that would be quite absurd. Since harite is fully allowed, there
is no frowning upon that even if it injures the foe.

> As I
> said earlier, all that he would have to do is slap his
> ear just right and force the air to blow it out.  It
> takes surprisingly little force sometimes.

And it is also illegal move in sumo to hit both ears simultaneously.
I wonder if double handed harite to cheek is forbidden btw??? Never seen
such act and foolish it would be but in principle...

> Poor Takanowaka might be in the running, too, but it
> doesn't look like he'll be returning in March.

It doesn't? Has there been news on his condition being worse than thought?
At least after doctor's examination the report was a mild knee sprain
(whatever it means) and some stiches to corner of eye. 10 days to
recovery.

> I wonder if Kaiou or Chiyotaikai will return next
> tournament.  It would be nice to see how the new
> yokozuna holds up to Mr. Nodowa this time.

Chiyotaikai was "almost" genki already before Hatsu as he even considered
a little while to participate so he should definitely be in shape for
Haru. Kaio has done training bouts already and is evidently recovering
too.

I wish Taikai won't miss his target again when facing Shoryu. That has
happened twice lately. Shoryu has shifted just a little bit and Taikai's
dynamite tachi-ai has gone to outer space and Shoryu has gotten an easy
win. Especially in Aki basho Taikai's tachi-ai was so tremendous that he
was probably determined to dispatch Shoryu to 8th row but unfortunately
his arms missed the target by lets say 8.65cm and rest and Chiyotaikai was
history in that bout.

Kaio-Shoryu will be great.

Soo desu!

Mikko