Natsu Basho, Day 1 comments & observations

[Roxanne Pierce <r2sys@r2systems.com>]

The basho (for us) began with the "slimmed down" Akebono's dohyo-iri; apparently he has dropped 8 kilos, about 17-18 pounds.  That puts him under 500 pounds for the first time in a long time, and at least it's going in the right direction.

Before each bout, each pair of rikishi were shown offering New Year's greetings and wishes for this "Year of the Mouse".  Predictably, most of the comments centered on "wishing to do my very best" and "hoping to keep from being demoted".  

I've never tried to do this kind of commenting before, so I hope you will all bear with me.

Ogonishiki v. Asanowaka:  Ogonishiki won handily, within the first few seconds, by pushing Asanowaka down.

Kasugafuji v. Hamanoshima: Hamanoshima disposed of Kasugafuji, also within a few seconds, by oshidashi -- pushing him promptly out of the ring.

Naminohana v. Daishoho:  Although Naminohana did NOT draw Daishoho into an early start, he surprised Daishoho with a "twist-down"; a hard tachi-ai followed by a quick side step, and Daishoho hit the dirt.

Konishiki v. Asanosho:  Asanosho did just what one shouldn't do against Konishiki - he came in straight and hard, and bounced.  Konishiki caught him, and walked him straight out.  The announcers noted that Konishiki's weight is unchanged from the last basho.

Terao v. Kitakachidoki:  Kita dropped 10 kilos (22 pounds) since last basho, unknown reasons.  After a hard tachi-ai and lots of slapping, Terao managed to turn a full 360 degrees in the middle of the fight.  He recovered (rather miraculously) from that little dance move, but eventually slipped, and was slapped down by Kita for the loss.

Tochinowaka v. Kotobeppu:  Kotobeppu injured his left knee during jungyo, had a knee operation, in which his miniscus was removed.  Probably will be a tough basho for him.  Tochinowaka sidestepped on the tachi-ai, pushed Koto to the edge of the ring, then spun him down.  Another short match.

Kenko v. Asahiyutaka: After meeting hard in the middle, Kenko nearly immediately beat Asa using beltless armthrow.

Akinoshima v. Minatofuji:  Even though Minatofuji's last basho seems to indicate he is reaching a higher level of sumo, after locking with Akinoshima and moving around the ring a few times, Akinoshima broke Minatofuji's grip and threw him out of the ring.  This was Akino's first win against four losses to Minatofuji.

Misugisato v. Kotonishiki:  Koto suffered his usual collapse the second week of the last basho, closing out that tournament with five losses. This trend continued when, after a quick tachi-ai, Koto fell down in the process of pushing Misugisato out.  Unfortunately for Koto, he hit the ground before Misugisato stepped out.

Kaio v. Kotoinazuma:  Although Koto was unable to defend his first-time komosube rank last basho, he only dropped to M2.   Still, he is 33 years old, and this showed as Kaio, trying to work towards Ozeki promotion, handily pushed him out.

Takanonami v. Kotonowaka:  The not-quite-kodoban Ozeki moved Koto to the edge once, but Koto managed to push back to the middle.  The second time, though, Taka managed to push Koto out for his first, and undoubtedly needed, win of the basho.

Tosanoumi v. Musashimaru:  In Tosanoumi's first outing in a sanyaku rank, the komosube met a very tough Musashimaru.  It took Musashimaru a handful of seconds to irresistably thrust Tosanoumi out of the ring.

Wakanohana v. Mitoizumi:  Waka, last basho's yusho winner with a 12-3 record, met the much larger Mitoizumi straight on, rather surprisingly, I thought.  Mitoizumi immediately had Waka going backwards, with one of Waka's arms locked, and tripped him against the edge of the ring.  Although both rikishi fell, Waka definitely hit first, disappointing the Yokozuna Selection Committee in attendance.  

Akabono v. Takatoriki:  Takatoriki has always given Akebono problems, beating him two out of the last three times they met.  Akebono came out with his tremendous thrusting techniques, but Takatoriki kept sidestepping over, and over, and over.  Akebono finally, at the edge,