Kyushu Basho: Shonichi

[riley@hachi.hi-tech.ac.jp (Totoro)]

Winner:            Kimarite:          Loser:

Aogiyama        oshidashi    Oginohana
Daishoho        uwatenage    Kirishima
Kiraiho         oshitaoshi   Oginishiki
Kasugafuji      oshidashi    Asanosho
Hamanoshima     uwatenage    Tomonohana
Konishiki       oshidashi    Kitakachidoki
Kotobeppu       tsukiotoshi  Asanowaka
Higonoumi       oshidashi    Asahiyutaka
Akinoshima      oshidashi    Kyokudozan
Misugisato      hatakikomi   Mainoumi
Minatofuji      yoritaoshi   Naminohana       
Wakashoyo       yorikiri     Daishi
Kotonishiki     hatakikomi   Terao
Kotonowaka      shitatenage  Musoyama
Kaio            kotenage     Takatoriki
Mitoizumi       hatakikomi   Takanonami
Wakanohana      oshidashi    Tochinowaka
Musashimaru     yoritaoshi   Tosanoumi
Akebono         tsukidashi   Kenko
Kotoinazuma     uwatenage    Takanohana 

Kirishima's age is getting too much for him.  He never
had much last basho and starts off losing weakly today.
I give him all the credit for his determination, but I'd
also like to see him retire before embarrassing himself.
Konishiki is up to 284 kg. now.  Kitakachidoki couldn't
shake loose after trying to go straight at Big K (he
doesn't read the scouting reports, I guess).  Moose
was pretty lame and lost fairly easily to the big Koto
who got his mawashi early.  Kaio got off-balance at the
tachiai, but Takatoriki isn't a yorikiri-type, allowing
Kaio to exercise his improved balance (maybe due to the
big weight loss recently) to hang on and finally force
down Takatoriki.  I thought it was impressive for Kaio,
who would've laid down on that one not long ago.  Maybe
he's for real now.  Takanonami was pure trash.  He was
out at tachiai against someone who should get his butt
kicked, basically.  Tosanoumi hung in there gamely, but
was not really prepared for the strength of Musashimaru,
even though M's thrusting was off.  Akebono is down a
little to 222 kg.  Awesome against Kenko today, showing
great balance and control.  Kotoinazuma, using a henka
move at tachiai, got to Takanohana's side and locked up
one hand on the mawashi.  He turned Taka around and then
wasted him with a fine uwatenage flip.  Zabutons went
a-flying today!  The 33.5 year old shin-komusubi starts
off hot.

Hakke yoi!

Totoro

[David Riley]
[Hachinohe Institute of Technology]
[88-1, Myo, Ohbiraki]
[Hachinohe-shi  031]