So how did I do with my sumo predictions? I'm going to do this like golf, trying to get as low a result as possible. 1 point for each win/loss variance, and 5 points for KK/MK loss.
Y1E-Asashoryu Prediction: 14-1 Reality: 14-1 Points: 0
O1e-Kotooshu Prediction- 9-6 Reality:9-6 Points: 0
O1w-Tochiazuma Prediction- 0-15 Reality:5-10 Points: 5
O2e - Kaio Prediction- 10-5 Reality: 8-7 Points: 2
O2w - Chiyotaikai Prediction- 8-7 Reality: 10-5 Points: 2
O2w - Hakuho Prediction - 13-2 Reality: 10-5 Points: 3
Se - Kotomitsuki Prediction- 9-6 Reality: 8-7 Points: 1
Sw - Miyabiyama Prediction- 8-7 Reality: 5-10 Points: 8
Ke - Kisenosato Prediction- 10-5 Reality: 7-8 Points: 8
Kw - Roho Prediction- 6-9 Reality: 3-12 Points 3
M1e - Kotoshogiku Prediction- 7-8 Reality: 9-6 Points: 7
M1w - Dejima Prediction- 6-9 Reality: 4-11 Points: 2
M2e - Tokitenku Prediction- 6-9 Reality: 8-7 Points: 7
M2w - Aminishiki Prediction- 8-7 Reality: 4-11 Points: 9
M3e - Kyokutenho Prediction- 5-10 Reality: 8-7 Points: 8
M3w - Baruto Prediction- 8-7 Reality: 2-13 Points: 11
M4e - Ama Prediction- 8-7 Reality: 10-5 Points: 2
M4w - Homasho Prediction- 5-10 Reality: 7-8 Points: 2
M5e- Takamisakari Prediction- 6-9 Reality: 7-8 Points: 1
M5w - Kokkai Prediction- 10-5 Reality: 7-8 Points: 8
M6e - Asasekiryu Prediction- 8-7 Reality: 10-5 Points: 2
M6w - Tochinonada Prediction- 7-8 Reality:6-9 Points: 1
M7e - Kasugao Prediction- 7-8 Reality: 8-7 Points: 6
M7w - Futeno Prediction- 9-6 Reality: 8-7 Points: 1
M8e- Kakuryu Prediction- 8-7 Reality: 6-9 Points: 7
M8w - Takekaze Prediction- 10-5 Reality: 8-7 Points: 2
M9e - Kakizoe Prediction7-8 Reality: 8-7 Points: 6
M9w - Toyonoshima Prediction- 8-7 Reality: 12-3 Points: 4
M10e - Iwakiyama Prediction- 9-6 Reality: 7-8 Points: 7
M10w - Jumonji Prediction- 8-7 Reality: 4-11 Points: 9
M11e - Tamakasuga Prediction- 6-9 Reality: 9-6 Points: 8
M11w - Tochinohana Prediction- 7-8 Reality: 5-10 Points: 2
M12E - Toyozakura Prediction- 9-6 Reality: 3-12 Points: 11
M12w - Tokitsuumi Prediction- 8-7 Reality: 8-7 Points: 0
M13e - Kasuganishiki Prediction- 6-9 Reality: 9-6 Points: 8
M13w - Yoshikaze Prediction- 8-7 Reality: 8-7 Points: 0
M14e - Tamanoshima Prediction- 7-8 Reality:10-5 Points: 7
M14w - Hakurozan Prediction- 9-6 Reality: 8-7 Points: 1
M15e - Asofuji Prediction8-7 Reality: 4-11 Points: 9
M15w - Ushiomaru Prediction- 6-9 Reality: 9-6 Points: 8
M16e - Tosanoumi Prediction- 8-7 Reality: 8-7 Points: 0
M16w - Otsukasa Prediction- 7-8 Reality: 7-8 Points: 0
So I got the top 2 right, and the bottom 2 right. Worst were Baruto and Toyozakura at 11 each. Total points: 188, yipes, but that averages to 4.47 points/rikishi. Lets hope I do better next time.
Friday, February 9, 2007
Hatsu 2007 Predictions
I'm not sure how many people are reading this thing, though I suspect it may be an imaginary number, like the square root of -1. And of those people, I'm not sure how many people would find the following interesting, probably less, but if blogs are not for the incessant mouth-spewing ramblings of millions of rambling idiots, what are they for? And in any case, its got to be better than Myspace.
So, here's my post, my predictions for the Ozumo basho(tournament) for Hatsu 2007. I'm going to make this entirely subjective, with no basis in fact. Here we go, I'm going to include pictures for those new to sumo, to get a face to the name, in case any crazed sumo fan comes up to you and starts yelling about Kisenosato, you'll know what he looks like!
So, here's my post, my predictions for the Ozumo basho(tournament) for Hatsu 2007. I'm going to make this entirely subjective, with no basis in fact. Here we go, I'm going to include pictures for those new to sumo, to get a face to the name, in case any crazed sumo fan comes up to you and starts yelling about Kisenosato, you'll know what he looks like!
Y1E-Asashoryu 
Last Basho- 15-0, Yusho
Last Basho- 15-0, Yusho
This Basho: 14-1
What can I say about Asashoryu that hasn't been said by so many for so long? He's simply great. He's won 19 yusho, which puts him 7th all time,(5th in the modern era) and he is still only 26 years old. He was 15-0 last basho, his 6th zensho yusho(perfect record), which is topped by only Taiho, Chiyonofuji, and Kitanoumi, 3 giants in the sumo world. I think he's going to lose one this basho, to one of the Ozeki, possibly Chiyotaikai, but thats a shot in the dark. He'll still bag yusho #20, and in the process, beat the bag out of Kisenosato. Asa got flak last basho for pulling a ketaguri/henka on the great nihongan hope, and I think that he'll be pissed off enough this basho to throw Kise into the 5th row. I like Kisenosato, but I think he's in for a rude awakening this basho, after getting some respect from the mighty yokozuna last basho.
O1e-Kotooshu
Last Basho - 10-5
This Basho - 9-6
Its amazing to me that so little is being said in the sumo world about Kotooshu since he's become an Ozeki. He's put up decent numbers I suppose, though he's only been in double digits twice. I think that he'll hang around in Ozekiland for quite some time, as he's big, and tall, and talented enough to squeeze at least a KK every 2 basho, even when he's not on top form. The only way he'd drop is if he got injured and then couldn't bounce back very well, a distinct possibility. He just seems to lack the fire that the other Ozeki have, even the old timers. This basho, the competition looks a litte tougher than it did last basho, if the other Ozeki stay healthy, that is.(With the exception of Tochiazuma, of course, who's injured) I see him losing to the Yokozuna, and beating 1 of the other Ozeki, but losing to the other 2, and toss in 3 random "what happened there" losses that Kotooshu is so good at giving us every basho. Oh, and if you're wondering what is on his kesho-mawashi? Its an ad for Bulgarian Yogurt, or Yoghurt, if you're of the European mind. Osh is from Bulgaria, and thus the sponsorship. Good old yoghurt pants.
O1w-Tochiazuma
Last Basho - 10-5
This Basho - 0-15
Poor Tochiazuma, hurt again. The guy's got more knee problems than Bobby Orr and Nacny Kerrigan put together. Its caused his drop from Ozeki status twice, and threatens to do it again. You've got to give this guy the guts prize, though, for coming back twice after demotion to reclaim his Ozeki status, and for gutting it out last basho after sustaining the injury about halfway through the basho. He had his 8 wins, and could have bowed out, but didn't. He waited until after the basho to get surgery on his bad knee, and will miss the January tournament. Bravo Tochiazuma, I hope you come back quickly next basho.
O2e - Kaio
Last Basho - 10-5
This Basho - 10-5
Can Kaio put together 2 basho without an injury messing him up? This cheerful old bastard is over 34, and yet is still throwing around guys 10 years his junior with aplomb. If it wasn't for a bad shoulder, back, elbow, and knee, he'd be a great Yokozuna, I think. But thats like saying if it wasn't for a complete lack of hockey talent, I could be in the NHL. Kaio's been a wonderful Ozeki, and a genuinely nice guy for quite some time now(well, I'm guessing he's been a nice guy for a lot longer than he's been an Ozeki) and I'm hoping that he'll keep it up this basho, and get a very respectable 10-5, like he usually does when healthy. He's on the decline, and he may not win any more yusho, but I think he'll give the top guys some troubles, and of course slaughter most of the joi-jin that come in his path.
O2w - Chiyotaikai
Last Basho - 9-6
This Basho - 8-7
I've never been a big fan of Chiyotaikai, admittedly. I think his sumo is on the boring side, and that he's a blah Ozeki. It is impressive that he's been around as long as he has, nearly 8 years as an Ozeki, but at the same time, its disappointing that he's never been strong enough to make it to Yokozuna, especially when Takanohana and Musashimaru were on their way down, and Asashoryu was not fully dominant yet. Yeah, he's been hurt off and on, and when he's hot, he's nearly unstoppable, but when he's hurt, or his pull-pull-yank technique is not working, he's nearly innefectual, and has gone out on more than one tournament with a mystery injury. All that said, he's still a threat, and can beat anybody on any given day. Except Kaio, who seems to have his number. I think that there are enough good performances this basho to render Chiyo fairly useless, and he folds quickly after earning his kachi-koshi on day 9 or 10.
O2w - Hakuho
Last basho - 0-15
This basho - 13-2
Many people are saying that Hakuho isn't 100% after breaking his toe before last basho, but even at 90%, he's the best of the Ozeki lot, if you ask me. He's quick, strong, big, and has great balance. The only thing that he lacks is an explosive tachiai, and he's working on that. He's still very young, only 21, and is getting better basho by basho. Last year he became an Ozeki, and won a tournament, with 2 jun-yushos to add to that. Many think that Hakuho is going to be the next Yokozuna, and I agree. He's just too good to sit as an Ozeki for too long, and I think he'll become Y1w sometime this year. This basho, he'll lose to the Yokozuna and one, possibly two other rikishi, but still get the jun-yusho again, and rekindle his Yokozuna aspirations.
Se - Kotomitsuki
Last Basho - 9-6
This Basho - 9-6
Kotomitsuki is steadily becoming very predictable, with a stretch of 6 8-7 records bookended by 2 9-6 records. He's beating just about everyone he should, but losing to everyone that's better than him, too. He's not Ozeki caliber, in my mind, not yet. Now, I say not yet like he's a young guy, but at 30 years old, he's only got so many years left on the clock. He's got a Makuuchi yusho and 5 jun-yusho to his name, and he's been in sanyaku for the last 2+ years, but so Wakanosato was a sanyaku mainstay for 4 years, and he's wallowing in Juryo after a few bad injuries. I don't think that Koto has the proper mental skills to make it to Ozekihood, but if he gets lucky, and gets on a streak like Kotooshu did, he could make it there, especially if Kaio, Tochiazuma, and Chiyotaikai break down in the next year or so. But tick tock tick tock, harp boy, better get a move on!
Sw - Miyabiyama
Last Basho - 8-7
This Basho - 8-7
Miyabiyama's a riddle to me at times. Always funny, and always with a smile on his face, he doesn't seem like the kind that would let the pressures of a crucial bout get to him, but he seems to fold when the pressure's on, and just has serious issues with staying focused or something. He put together a nice Ozeki run last year, only to crumple when Asashoryu came back and got strong again. He's got great yotsu-sumo, but is near useless when things come to a standstill. So I predict another mediocre KK for Miyabyiyama, and I hope he finds a nice girl to share his chicken and cake with by next Christmas.
Ke - Kisenosato
Last Basho - 8-7
This Basho - 10-5
I admit I have a soft spot for Kisenosato, also known as the GNH, Great Nihongoan Hope. He just keeps getting better, and he keeps getting stronger, and he's got one of the better minds in Makuuchi. Two bashos ago, he beat the Yokozuna with pure sumo, and while this basho I think he's gonna get a beat-down, last basho Asashoryu was scared into running away and performing a henka on the kid. In football terms, Kisenosato has lots of upside, and I think he'll be an Ozeki by the end of the year. He's staggered a couple of times on his way up the banzuke, but overall, he's steadily moved forward, and there are no gaping holes in his sumo, as far as I'm concerned, unlike other "up and comers" like Roho, Kokkai, and even Baruto.
Kw - Roho
Last Basho - 8-7
This Basho - 6-9
What a second half of 2006 Roho had. In July, he went berzerk and punched a photographer, in September he was inspired and fought his way to a great record in low Makuuchi, bringing him the praise of the Sumo Forum fans, and then in November, he stayed at Komosubi with dreadful sumo, henka-ing his way to a KK, bringing him the ire of the same Sumo Forum people. I've never liked this brute very much, and can't say that I'm going to root for him this basho or any other basho. I can only hope that he'll provide us with better sumo, even if it means a losing record, and it will help me gain some respect for this street fightin man. He'll get trounced this basho by those that were burned last basho, and he'll fall to mid-joi-jin for it.
M1e - Kotoshogiku
Last Basho - 10-5
This Basho - 7-8
Does Shoggy get a break, and therefore have it easier than others because he doesn't have to fight Kotooshu and Kotomitsuki? Maybe, but there are others that have similar breaks, so it all evens out in my mind. I like Kotoshogiku, and I was quite surprised that he got a 10-5 at M2 last basho, and I think he made a good case for being a third Komosubi, but I think he'll make it there eventually. Shoggy was at M1e back in July, and got slaughtered there, dropping a nasty 3-12 record. I think he's still not quite ready for sanyaku, and will get a 7-8, but will look good doing it. He's only 22, and I think he's still getting better. He's often overlooked when people mention young talent, but thats most likely because he's only had 2 10 win bashos, and thats including last basho, in Makuuchi. Don't worry Shoggy, there's more in the future for you!
M1w - Dejima
Last Basho - 10-5
This Basho - 6-9
Ah, good old Dejima, former Ozeki, current dopey bastard. I kid, I actually like Dejima. His main problem is that he's so one dimensional, he only knows forward, and if someone actually absorbs his impact, he's screwed. That said, he HAS been moving forward the last few basho, and has been able to run some people over, much to his delight. Like Miyabiyama, another former Ozeki, Dejima's running out of time, at almost 33 years old. There's only so long that he's got before he starts slowing down just enough to become irrelevant, and I think that's going to happen very quickly.
And no, I don't know why he has a polar bear in leiderhosen on his kesho mawashi.
M2e - Tokitenku
Last Basho - 9-6
This Basho - 6-9
This guy's got a full bag of tricks, and he's never afraid to use them. His main problem is that he's not all that quick, or strong, or wily, but he's just strong enough, quick enough, and wily enough that his technical skills have earned him a place in mid to upper Makuuchi for the last year or two. Again, no one seems to take Tokitenku seriously, and no, I don't think he'll ever be an Ozeki, or even a sanyaku mainstay, but he's got the talent to beat just about anyone, and I think he'll pull of a ginboshi or two this basho, but still have a losing record at the end of the basho. 6-9 may be generous, too.
M2w - Aminishiki
Last Basho - 6-9
This Basho - 8-7
I seriously can not figure this guy out. He's up, he's down. He's great, he's bad. He's broken, he's fine. Overall, Aminishiki has performed reasonably well the last year, but has been very uneven, bouncing between m3 and m7 before a nice result in Aki brought him up to sanyaku for November, where he got punted back down the ranks. I think he'll manage a winning record this time, though why, I don't know. He could pull off a 3-12 or a 11-4 and I wouldn't be surprised, to tell you the truth. Obviously I never pick him anymore in my sumo games, he's just too erratic.
M3e - Kyokutenho
Last Basho - 10-5
This Basho - 5-10
The elevator rikishi bounces back again last basho, sporting a 10-5 from M6, where, he outclassed the opponents around him, and did what he often does, bring himself back up to the top of the maegashira ranks, ready to strike at sanyaku. Will he get there? Who knows. But I have a feeling that his elevator isn't getting to the same floors that it used to, and that he's on the slow decline down to Juryo and retirement. He's 32, so he has some years yet, potentially, and he's never been hurt, so there's no reason he can't continue on for some time. But don't expect to see him win a yusho or be a mainstay in sanyaku anytime soon. He's a sumo salaryman, plain and simple, and I don't think he'll ever push himself to get to the next level.
M3w - Baruto
Last Basho - 10-5
This Basho - 8-7
Last Basho, Baruto got a very impressive 10-5 after recovering from a nasty spill that he took in September. There was and is much speculation as to how much damage that fall did, many think that there was ligament damage, and that the knee is still not healed. But, they thought that last basho, and look what happened. Baruto is huge, at 197 cm and 175 km(6'5 and 420 lbs) and has tons of muscle to boot. He's got loads of raw power, and uses it wisely, but is still a little raw when it comes to pure sumo skills, which will hurt him, along with his gimpy knee, this basho. He'll continue to get better, and is one of the future stars, if he isn't already, and if his knee holds up.
M4e - Ama
Last Basho - 6-9
This Basho - 8-7
Completely outclassed last basho, this little guy's size may be his downfall, or rather the reason why he never becomes a sanyaku mainstay. He's got tons of talent, and is quick as a whip, and loads of technical skills, but he just doesn't have the size to back it up. If he had all of the above, and was the size of Baruto, he'd be Yokozuna. But if fish had lips, they'd use em too. Ama's the underdog usually, and performs well when he's at this level, so I think he'll move up for next basho. I look forward to his Baruto match, twice he's been unceremoniously picked up by the mawashi and plunked outside the ring by the behemoth viking boy. Ama's only 185 cm and 115 kg(6'1", 253 lbs), but there have been success stories his size before, so there's still hope, he's young.
M4w - Homasho
Last Basho - 12-3
This Basho - 5-10
Don't get me wrong, I like Homer, I just think he's above his level right now. He's floundered around in low Makuuchi for the last year or so, and he did wonderfully last basho, but I think that was a one-off. He's got talent, and intelligence, but I don't see him being a stand out, upper Makuuchi kind of wrestler. A lot of people are listing him as one of the "up and comers", and yeah, he's grown in talent, but do I think he'll be as good as Baruto, Kisenosato, Kotoshogiku, or even Ama in 2 years? Not a chance. He gets punted back to M10 for next basho.
M5e- Takamisakari
Last Basho - 10-5
This Basho - 6-9
How the heck did this guy get up to M5? With a 10-5 of course, against the likes of Kasugao, Otsukasa, Asofuji, and Hokutoriki, who don't deserve to ever see the north side of M8.(with the possible exception of Kasugao) He'll manage some wins this basho against similar foes, but lose to the higher ranked rikishi, and I fear in an ugly fashion. He's just not quick enough, of feet or brain, to battle at high levels, and he'll be back in his comfortable M9-M11 next basho. Hes got as much spirit as a pyramid of cheerleaders, but not a heck of a lot more.
M5w - Kokkai
Last Basho - 3-12
This Basho - 10-5
Ah, Brew Cow, there IS someone you like in upper-mid maegashira! Uhm, no. I don't like Kokkai, and I've said that he's had problems with his sumo since I saw the first videos of him back in Juryo and Makushita. He's WAY too topheavy, and relies on pushes and lots of upper body strength, which is a leftover from his freestyle wrestling days gone by. He's horribly open to the leg trips, throwing, and grappling that is used by so many of the Mongolians. He has a losing record to Tokitenku, Asaskeiryu, and of course Hakuho and Asashoryu. All that said, he'll do well at this level, beating up on the Takamisakaris and the like, and pop back up to near sanyaku.
M6e - Asasekiryu
Last Basho - 10-5
This Basho - 8-7
Asasekiryu is another one of those horribly unpredictable elevator rikishi to me. He's got some talent, and he's shown that he's not afraid of anyone, but on the whole, he's just missing somethihng. He's not small, or old, or weak, or dumb, he's just got a hole in his sumo, I guess. He'll scrape out a winning record this time, though.
M6w - Tochinonada
Last Basho - 7-8
This Basho - 7-8
Tochinonada got a Jun-Yusho back in 2004, which is great for him, especially since he got it at M3, but then an injury smacked him down to Juryo in 2005, and he's been slow to come back. I fully expected him to come rushing back to the M2-4 range, but sometimes some bodies just don't rebound like they used to. He's 32, and could conceivably stay in mid-Makuuchi for another 3 years or so, but I'm thinking that he won't make it back to sanyaku, or even have extended stays in joi-jin, M1-4, again. Its a shame, because whenever he was up in striking distance, the chinless wonder always seemed to nab a win against an Ozeki or Yokozuna. Looking at the stats, I see I'm right, he's got 11 ginboshi in his career, nothing to sneeze at at all.
M7e - Kasugao
Last Basho - 8-7
This Basho - 7-8
I always want to think that Kasugao has more talent than he does, but he's really just a low to lower-middle Makuuchi grinder. He got up to M7w last basho from M15 the previous basho because there was a giant gaping hole in the middle of the banzuke, and he got some incredible banzuke luck. I thought for sure that he was going to have a crappy basho last time, but it turned out that he did alright, but he did so against other guys that I really didn't think should be in that area either. But with the lack of talent in lower Makuuchi recently, someone's gotta get promoted, right? This time, Kasugao won't be so lucky, and though he's surrounded by some serious mediocrity, he'll still manage to lose 8, and drop down a few more slots. That 7-8 could easily be a 4-11, though.
M7w - Futeno
Last Basho - 5-10
This Basho - 9-6
For a little while in 2005, Futeno was really hitting his stride, and was picking up nice scores from high in Makuuchi, including a Kanto-Sho and a Gino-Sho. He chunked it when he hit sanyaku for the first time, like so many do, but I, and many others, expected him to rebound and come back fighting. Unfortunately, he got hit with an injury, I think it was his knee, and was out in November 2005. Since then, he's gone 9-6 or 6-9 5 times, bouncing back and forth between M3-4 and M7-8. So I guess he's not an elevator rikishi, but rather a pogo rikishi. This time, I think he'll put in a solid effort, and pick up the standard 9-6 for his typical efforts at this rank. I kind of root for Foot In Oh, but he's seemed kind of whiny on his blog lately. His kesho-mawashi looks like a potential Yes album cover, which is a plus.
M8e- Kakuryu
Last Basho - 8-7
This Basho - 8-7
Kakuryu is another youngster on the banzuke, and has been seen with Asashoryu on more than one occasion, and has been heard to be lauded by the current Yokozuna as quite the talent. He has indeed been marching up the banzuke in the last year, slowly and steadily, but upwards, ever upwards. He's taken quite the jump, but the talent around him is mediocre, so I think he'll survive at M8, and continue to move up. This is a 21 year old to look out for, especially now that he's finding his strength, and finding his groove with the help of the big man.
M8w - Takekaze
Last Basho - 6-9
This Basho - 10-5
The Human Snowman is going to enjoy the snowy(or not so snowy) winter basho, and launch himself upwards towards sanyaku, where he'll melt in the blazing heat of the upper ranks like Frosty at South Beach. He generally does pretty well around this range, and he's looked pretty genki of late to me, so I'm giving him the nod to move up. He's an extremely one-dimensional rikishi, with not many options after "go forward". He's kind of like those cheap-ass remote control cars that only go forward or turn in reverse.
M9e - Kakizoe
Last Basho - 6-9
This Basho 7-8
Look out, its The Flash! No, not really. Another great kesho-mawashi, though, with the lightning bolt up top, and the 1980's retro Asteroids/Space Invaders font down below. I'm not sure what that logo is for, Tomoya, Tamaya, Tomoyo? Not sure. Maybe its a power company. I'm surprised to see Kakizoe down this far, when I hear his name, I say to myself, M2-5 range. What is more surprising is I'm predicting a losing record this basho. Don't know why, it just felt good at the time. Kakizoe is another straight forward rikishi, but I think he tends to have a little more talent and flexibility than the likes of Takekaze.
M9w - Toyonoshima
Last Basho - 8-7
This Basho - 8-7
Toyono...Toyono...Toyo...no, I don't know much about him. I'll make it a point to watch him this basho, and see what's going on with his sumo, and if I like him or not. He's only 23, so he's pretty young, but I honestly haven't heard much buzz about him, so he's not all THAT great. I say 8-7 for the strapping young lad.
M10e - Iwakiyama
Last Basho - 2-13
This Basho - 9-6
Wow. 2-13, and uninjured. Wacky Mountain used to be able to hold his own at M1, with marginal losing records, but man, he got his flat face pushed in even more last basho. I would take a look to see who he lost to, but the answer is "Just about everyone". The only two he beat were the hapless Zakura brothers, Toyo and Kita, who were both utter failures at M8 and 11.(They are brothers, but those aren't their real names, just their rikishi names) He'll clean up down here, at least he should. I'd give him a 10-5 or even an 11-4, but boy, that 2-13 is a real stinker, and hey may have been fighting a flu or something, or masking an injury, so I'll keep it at 9-6. If you get to see this guy, watch his tachi-ai. Its brutal, and usually good for a good solid thumping.
M10w - Jumonji
Last Basho - 13-2
This Basho - 8-7
Jumonji has always looked like he's from an anime of some sort, I can just see him in Samurai Champloo, beating up some poor bastard before getting his own from the trusted heroes. Don't ask me why. Jumonji cleaned up in Juryo, winning the basho, and vaulting himself back up into Makuuchi. He's back around his level now, and will ride his momentum from last basho to a marginally winning record this time. Nothing earth-shattering, but good enough. Quick Japanese lesson. Jumonji and Juryo, in English, start with the same sound, Ju. Both words have the same first character, which you can see as a "+" looking character in Jumonji's picture. This character recognition has helped with my learning what various characters look like, and kind of deciphering rikishi names on Japanese web pages. Yes, I realize there are better, easier ways of learning, but I'm not one for repetition.
M11e - Tamakasuga
Last Basho - 9-6
This Basho - 6-9
We're getting to the "I really don't care about this guy" stage in this post. Its not that I don't want to continue writing, its more that I don't really know much about this rikishi, other than he's been around forever, seemingly. Checking Hakke-Yoi, he's been in Juryo or higher since 95, so 12 years as a sekitori is nothing to sneeze at. You've got to respect and admire someone that can hang around that long in a sport like this. That said, I've never seemed to hear anyone saying he's outstanding, but maybe they did 10 years ago, when he got a few sansho. He's still too good for Juryo, but I think his talent may be fading with his age. Another rikishi I will watch for this basho.
M11w - Tochinohana
Last Basho - 8-7
This Basho - 7-8
Constantly around M11-15, Tochinohana is another jobber, ham and egger, plugger, gibroni, whatever you will. I do like his sumo though, and I love the fact that he fought his way back to Makuuchi after being out of it for a couple of years, down as low as makushita. He'll probably never make it back to sanyaku after being injured so many times, but he's a plugger hero, and he's a very hard worker. This basho, he'll do okay, but will end up on the losing side of the ledger more times than the winning side.
M12E - Toyozakura
Last Basho - 5-10
This Basho - 9-6
Toyozakura is another borderline guy who hovers in lower Makuuchi/upper Juryo, and who I just can't say much about. He's better than M12 right now, though. 9-6, and a move up to M8 next basho.
M12w - Tokitsuumi
Last Basho - 10-5
This Basho - 8-7
At one point, I thought that Tokitsuumi was going to be a solid sanyaku member for some time, but he seems brittle, and has had many injuries, and some lagging problems have put him in Juryo for a few bashos now, and he's just coming back to form, if you ask me. I may be imagining things, but he seems to be getting some lost confidence or something. I think he'll stick around in Makuuchi for a little bit, at least. He's 33, and not getting younger, so he's past his peak, but I don't think he's done yet.
M13e - Kasuganishiki
Last Basho - 9-6
This Basho - 6-9
There's no reason this guy should be in Makuuchi any more. In my mind, he's a placeholder until someone with more talent comes along. Back to Juryo for Kasuganishiki in March.
M13w - Yoshikaze
Last Basho - 8-7
This Basho - 8-7
Yoshi's record for this basho could be much better or much worse, depending on his confidence. When Yoshikaze was storming up the ranks as Onishi, he was a force, always going forward, never pulling any crap, and generally performing good sumo. The problems started a few basho ago, when he tanked at M9. His confidence started to wane, and he started to question his sumo, I think, because he stopped going forward so forcibly. The answer to henka is not to henka yourself, but to prepare yourself for such an occurrence and adjust your sumo to fit. And by "adjust your sumo", I don't mean go forward half speed so you don't get tricked. I have hopes for Yoshikaze, but only if he starts working smarter.
M14e - Tamanoshima
Last Basho - 2-9-4
This Basho - 7-8
Tamanoshima was kyujo last basho for the first time in his career. He's got skills, and a ton of grit, thats for sure, and he's often seen in upper Makuuchi, and has been for several years, but he's also a very streaky rikishi. He'll win 7 in a row, but he'll also lose 7 in a row. I think many of the times he's lost 7 in a row, he's been hurt, but won't admit it, or is to tough to pull out of a basho. I'm hoping he's over his injury, but I'm not sure he is, so I'll give him a 7-8 this time around.
M14w - Hakurozan
Last Basho - 7-8
This Basho - 9-6
Last basho, Hakurozan, who is Roho's brother by the way, started out with 8 losses, and a very quick MK. He then pulled out 7 wins in a row to stay in Makuuchi, which was rather impressive, when you look at the numbers. But if you look at the sumo, it was a ton of pulling and henkaing, and generally bad form, if you ask me. I think a lot of it has to do with a lingering knee problem from earlier last year, but still, its weak sauce to be pulling as much as this guy has been lately.
M15e - Asofuji
Last Basho - 6-9
This Basho 8-7
I'm very surprised that Asofuji(who's Aminishiki's brother) stayed in Makuuchi after a 6-9 at M13. He got lucky, but maybe that luck will turn into strength, and he'll fight to stay in Makuuchi even longer. I always root for Asofuji and Aminishiki, they just seem like really nice guys.
M15w - Ushiomaru
Last Basho - 5-10
This Basho - 6-9
That 6-9 may be wishful thinking, because Ushiomaru is one of my least favorite rikishi. No outstanding skills, techniques, or personality. A very generic fighter, if you ask me. Always gives the standard "I will gambarize", "I am dissapointed in my loss", "I am glad I am winning, and I hope to continue" quotes to the press. Blech.
M16e - Tosanoumi
Last Basho - 5-10
This Basho - 8-7
Its hard seeing Tosanoumi down this low with the likes of Ushiomaru and Otsukasa. Age will do that to you, I suppose. He's got 11 kinboshi, 5 fighting spirit prizes, and a whopping 7 outstanding performance prizes. In his heyday, he could take out anyone, including all of today's Ozeki, Asashoryu, and even the mighty Takanohana 5 times. I think his body is just starting to break down, and he's not as fast as he once was, and more people are knocking off his belt grips, etc. So, I'm hoping for a big comeback this basho, but I'll settle for a small kachi-koshi.
Last Basho - 10-5
This Basho - 9-6Its amazing to me that so little is being said in the sumo world about Kotooshu since he's become an Ozeki. He's put up decent numbers I suppose, though he's only been in double digits twice. I think that he'll hang around in Ozekiland for quite some time, as he's big, and tall, and talented enough to squeeze at least a KK every 2 basho, even when he's not on top form. The only way he'd drop is if he got injured and then couldn't bounce back very well, a distinct possibility. He just seems to lack the fire that the other Ozeki have, even the old timers. This basho, the competition looks a litte tougher than it did last basho, if the other Ozeki stay healthy, that is.(With the exception of Tochiazuma, of course, who's injured) I see him losing to the Yokozuna, and beating 1 of the other Ozeki, but losing to the other 2, and toss in 3 random "what happened there" losses that Kotooshu is so good at giving us every basho. Oh, and if you're wondering what is on his kesho-mawashi? Its an ad for Bulgarian Yogurt, or Yoghurt, if you're of the European mind. Osh is from Bulgaria, and thus the sponsorship. Good old yoghurt pants.
O1w-Tochiazuma
Last Basho - 10-5
This Basho - 0-15
Poor Tochiazuma, hurt again. The guy's got more knee problems than Bobby Orr and Nacny Kerrigan put together. Its caused his drop from Ozeki status twice, and threatens to do it again. You've got to give this guy the guts prize, though, for coming back twice after demotion to reclaim his Ozeki status, and for gutting it out last basho after sustaining the injury about halfway through the basho. He had his 8 wins, and could have bowed out, but didn't. He waited until after the basho to get surgery on his bad knee, and will miss the January tournament. Bravo Tochiazuma, I hope you come back quickly next basho.
O2e - Kaio
Last Basho - 10-5
This Basho - 10-5
Can Kaio put together 2 basho without an injury messing him up? This cheerful old bastard is over 34, and yet is still throwing around guys 10 years his junior with aplomb. If it wasn't for a bad shoulder, back, elbow, and knee, he'd be a great Yokozuna, I think. But thats like saying if it wasn't for a complete lack of hockey talent, I could be in the NHL. Kaio's been a wonderful Ozeki, and a genuinely nice guy for quite some time now(well, I'm guessing he's been a nice guy for a lot longer than he's been an Ozeki) and I'm hoping that he'll keep it up this basho, and get a very respectable 10-5, like he usually does when healthy. He's on the decline, and he may not win any more yusho, but I think he'll give the top guys some troubles, and of course slaughter most of the joi-jin that come in his path.
O2w - Chiyotaikai
Last Basho - 9-6
This Basho - 8-7
I've never been a big fan of Chiyotaikai, admittedly. I think his sumo is on the boring side, and that he's a blah Ozeki. It is impressive that he's been around as long as he has, nearly 8 years as an Ozeki, but at the same time, its disappointing that he's never been strong enough to make it to Yokozuna, especially when Takanohana and Musashimaru were on their way down, and Asashoryu was not fully dominant yet. Yeah, he's been hurt off and on, and when he's hot, he's nearly unstoppable, but when he's hurt, or his pull-pull-yank technique is not working, he's nearly innefectual, and has gone out on more than one tournament with a mystery injury. All that said, he's still a threat, and can beat anybody on any given day. Except Kaio, who seems to have his number. I think that there are enough good performances this basho to render Chiyo fairly useless, and he folds quickly after earning his kachi-koshi on day 9 or 10.
O2w - Hakuho
Last basho - 0-15
This basho - 13-2
Many people are saying that Hakuho isn't 100% after breaking his toe before last basho, but even at 90%, he's the best of the Ozeki lot, if you ask me. He's quick, strong, big, and has great balance. The only thing that he lacks is an explosive tachiai, and he's working on that. He's still very young, only 21, and is getting better basho by basho. Last year he became an Ozeki, and won a tournament, with 2 jun-yushos to add to that. Many think that Hakuho is going to be the next Yokozuna, and I agree. He's just too good to sit as an Ozeki for too long, and I think he'll become Y1w sometime this year. This basho, he'll lose to the Yokozuna and one, possibly two other rikishi, but still get the jun-yusho again, and rekindle his Yokozuna aspirations.
Se - Kotomitsuki
Last Basho - 9-6
This Basho - 9-6
Kotomitsuki is steadily becoming very predictable, with a stretch of 6 8-7 records bookended by 2 9-6 records. He's beating just about everyone he should, but losing to everyone that's better than him, too. He's not Ozeki caliber, in my mind, not yet. Now, I say not yet like he's a young guy, but at 30 years old, he's only got so many years left on the clock. He's got a Makuuchi yusho and 5 jun-yusho to his name, and he's been in sanyaku for the last 2+ years, but so Wakanosato was a sanyaku mainstay for 4 years, and he's wallowing in Juryo after a few bad injuries. I don't think that Koto has the proper mental skills to make it to Ozekihood, but if he gets lucky, and gets on a streak like Kotooshu did, he could make it there, especially if Kaio, Tochiazuma, and Chiyotaikai break down in the next year or so. But tick tock tick tock, harp boy, better get a move on!
Sw - Miyabiyama
Last Basho - 8-7
This Basho - 8-7
Miyabiyama's a riddle to me at times. Always funny, and always with a smile on his face, he doesn't seem like the kind that would let the pressures of a crucial bout get to him, but he seems to fold when the pressure's on, and just has serious issues with staying focused or something. He put together a nice Ozeki run last year, only to crumple when Asashoryu came back and got strong again. He's got great yotsu-sumo, but is near useless when things come to a standstill. So I predict another mediocre KK for Miyabyiyama, and I hope he finds a nice girl to share his chicken and cake with by next Christmas.
Ke - Kisenosato
Last Basho - 8-7
This Basho - 10-5
I admit I have a soft spot for Kisenosato, also known as the GNH, Great Nihongoan Hope. He just keeps getting better, and he keeps getting stronger, and he's got one of the better minds in Makuuchi. Two bashos ago, he beat the Yokozuna with pure sumo, and while this basho I think he's gonna get a beat-down, last basho Asashoryu was scared into running away and performing a henka on the kid. In football terms, Kisenosato has lots of upside, and I think he'll be an Ozeki by the end of the year. He's staggered a couple of times on his way up the banzuke, but overall, he's steadily moved forward, and there are no gaping holes in his sumo, as far as I'm concerned, unlike other "up and comers" like Roho, Kokkai, and even Baruto.
Kw - Roho
Last Basho - 8-7
This Basho - 6-9
What a second half of 2006 Roho had. In July, he went berzerk and punched a photographer, in September he was inspired and fought his way to a great record in low Makuuchi, bringing him the praise of the Sumo Forum fans, and then in November, he stayed at Komosubi with dreadful sumo, henka-ing his way to a KK, bringing him the ire of the same Sumo Forum people. I've never liked this brute very much, and can't say that I'm going to root for him this basho or any other basho. I can only hope that he'll provide us with better sumo, even if it means a losing record, and it will help me gain some respect for this street fightin man. He'll get trounced this basho by those that were burned last basho, and he'll fall to mid-joi-jin for it.
M1e - Kotoshogiku
Last Basho - 10-5
This Basho - 7-8
Does Shoggy get a break, and therefore have it easier than others because he doesn't have to fight Kotooshu and Kotomitsuki? Maybe, but there are others that have similar breaks, so it all evens out in my mind. I like Kotoshogiku, and I was quite surprised that he got a 10-5 at M2 last basho, and I think he made a good case for being a third Komosubi, but I think he'll make it there eventually. Shoggy was at M1e back in July, and got slaughtered there, dropping a nasty 3-12 record. I think he's still not quite ready for sanyaku, and will get a 7-8, but will look good doing it. He's only 22, and I think he's still getting better. He's often overlooked when people mention young talent, but thats most likely because he's only had 2 10 win bashos, and thats including last basho, in Makuuchi. Don't worry Shoggy, there's more in the future for you!
M1w - Dejima
Last Basho - 10-5
This Basho - 6-9
Ah, good old Dejima, former Ozeki, current dopey bastard. I kid, I actually like Dejima. His main problem is that he's so one dimensional, he only knows forward, and if someone actually absorbs his impact, he's screwed. That said, he HAS been moving forward the last few basho, and has been able to run some people over, much to his delight. Like Miyabiyama, another former Ozeki, Dejima's running out of time, at almost 33 years old. There's only so long that he's got before he starts slowing down just enough to become irrelevant, and I think that's going to happen very quickly.
And no, I don't know why he has a polar bear in leiderhosen on his kesho mawashi.
M2e - Tokitenku
Last Basho - 9-6
This Basho - 6-9
This guy's got a full bag of tricks, and he's never afraid to use them. His main problem is that he's not all that quick, or strong, or wily, but he's just strong enough, quick enough, and wily enough that his technical skills have earned him a place in mid to upper Makuuchi for the last year or two. Again, no one seems to take Tokitenku seriously, and no, I don't think he'll ever be an Ozeki, or even a sanyaku mainstay, but he's got the talent to beat just about anyone, and I think he'll pull of a ginboshi or two this basho, but still have a losing record at the end of the basho. 6-9 may be generous, too.
M2w - Aminishiki
Last Basho - 6-9
This Basho - 8-7
I seriously can not figure this guy out. He's up, he's down. He's great, he's bad. He's broken, he's fine. Overall, Aminishiki has performed reasonably well the last year, but has been very uneven, bouncing between m3 and m7 before a nice result in Aki brought him up to sanyaku for November, where he got punted back down the ranks. I think he'll manage a winning record this time, though why, I don't know. He could pull off a 3-12 or a 11-4 and I wouldn't be surprised, to tell you the truth. Obviously I never pick him anymore in my sumo games, he's just too erratic.
M3e - Kyokutenho
Last Basho - 10-5
This Basho - 5-10
The elevator rikishi bounces back again last basho, sporting a 10-5 from M6, where, he outclassed the opponents around him, and did what he often does, bring himself back up to the top of the maegashira ranks, ready to strike at sanyaku. Will he get there? Who knows. But I have a feeling that his elevator isn't getting to the same floors that it used to, and that he's on the slow decline down to Juryo and retirement. He's 32, so he has some years yet, potentially, and he's never been hurt, so there's no reason he can't continue on for some time. But don't expect to see him win a yusho or be a mainstay in sanyaku anytime soon. He's a sumo salaryman, plain and simple, and I don't think he'll ever push himself to get to the next level.
M3w - Baruto
Last Basho - 10-5
This Basho - 8-7
Last Basho, Baruto got a very impressive 10-5 after recovering from a nasty spill that he took in September. There was and is much speculation as to how much damage that fall did, many think that there was ligament damage, and that the knee is still not healed. But, they thought that last basho, and look what happened. Baruto is huge, at 197 cm and 175 km(6'5 and 420 lbs) and has tons of muscle to boot. He's got loads of raw power, and uses it wisely, but is still a little raw when it comes to pure sumo skills, which will hurt him, along with his gimpy knee, this basho. He'll continue to get better, and is one of the future stars, if he isn't already, and if his knee holds up.
M4e - Ama
Last Basho - 6-9
This Basho - 8-7
Completely outclassed last basho, this little guy's size may be his downfall, or rather the reason why he never becomes a sanyaku mainstay. He's got tons of talent, and is quick as a whip, and loads of technical skills, but he just doesn't have the size to back it up. If he had all of the above, and was the size of Baruto, he'd be Yokozuna. But if fish had lips, they'd use em too. Ama's the underdog usually, and performs well when he's at this level, so I think he'll move up for next basho. I look forward to his Baruto match, twice he's been unceremoniously picked up by the mawashi and plunked outside the ring by the behemoth viking boy. Ama's only 185 cm and 115 kg(6'1", 253 lbs), but there have been success stories his size before, so there's still hope, he's young.
M4w - Homasho
Last Basho - 12-3
This Basho - 5-10
Don't get me wrong, I like Homer, I just think he's above his level right now. He's floundered around in low Makuuchi for the last year or so, and he did wonderfully last basho, but I think that was a one-off. He's got talent, and intelligence, but I don't see him being a stand out, upper Makuuchi kind of wrestler. A lot of people are listing him as one of the "up and comers", and yeah, he's grown in talent, but do I think he'll be as good as Baruto, Kisenosato, Kotoshogiku, or even Ama in 2 years? Not a chance. He gets punted back to M10 for next basho.
M5e- Takamisakari
Last Basho - 10-5
This Basho - 6-9
How the heck did this guy get up to M5? With a 10-5 of course, against the likes of Kasugao, Otsukasa, Asofuji, and Hokutoriki, who don't deserve to ever see the north side of M8.(with the possible exception of Kasugao) He'll manage some wins this basho against similar foes, but lose to the higher ranked rikishi, and I fear in an ugly fashion. He's just not quick enough, of feet or brain, to battle at high levels, and he'll be back in his comfortable M9-M11 next basho. Hes got as much spirit as a pyramid of cheerleaders, but not a heck of a lot more.
M5w - Kokkai
Last Basho - 3-12
This Basho - 10-5
Ah, Brew Cow, there IS someone you like in upper-mid maegashira! Uhm, no. I don't like Kokkai, and I've said that he's had problems with his sumo since I saw the first videos of him back in Juryo and Makushita. He's WAY too topheavy, and relies on pushes and lots of upper body strength, which is a leftover from his freestyle wrestling days gone by. He's horribly open to the leg trips, throwing, and grappling that is used by so many of the Mongolians. He has a losing record to Tokitenku, Asaskeiryu, and of course Hakuho and Asashoryu. All that said, he'll do well at this level, beating up on the Takamisakaris and the like, and pop back up to near sanyaku.
M6e - Asasekiryu
Last Basho - 10-5
This Basho - 8-7
Asasekiryu is another one of those horribly unpredictable elevator rikishi to me. He's got some talent, and he's shown that he's not afraid of anyone, but on the whole, he's just missing somethihng. He's not small, or old, or weak, or dumb, he's just got a hole in his sumo, I guess. He'll scrape out a winning record this time, though.
M6w - Tochinonada
Last Basho - 7-8
This Basho - 7-8
Tochinonada got a Jun-Yusho back in 2004, which is great for him, especially since he got it at M3, but then an injury smacked him down to Juryo in 2005, and he's been slow to come back. I fully expected him to come rushing back to the M2-4 range, but sometimes some bodies just don't rebound like they used to. He's 32, and could conceivably stay in mid-Makuuchi for another 3 years or so, but I'm thinking that he won't make it back to sanyaku, or even have extended stays in joi-jin, M1-4, again. Its a shame, because whenever he was up in striking distance, the chinless wonder always seemed to nab a win against an Ozeki or Yokozuna. Looking at the stats, I see I'm right, he's got 11 ginboshi in his career, nothing to sneeze at at all.
M7e - Kasugao
Last Basho - 8-7
This Basho - 7-8
I always want to think that Kasugao has more talent than he does, but he's really just a low to lower-middle Makuuchi grinder. He got up to M7w last basho from M15 the previous basho because there was a giant gaping hole in the middle of the banzuke, and he got some incredible banzuke luck. I thought for sure that he was going to have a crappy basho last time, but it turned out that he did alright, but he did so against other guys that I really didn't think should be in that area either. But with the lack of talent in lower Makuuchi recently, someone's gotta get promoted, right? This time, Kasugao won't be so lucky, and though he's surrounded by some serious mediocrity, he'll still manage to lose 8, and drop down a few more slots. That 7-8 could easily be a 4-11, though.
M7w - Futeno
Last Basho - 5-10
This Basho - 9-6
For a little while in 2005, Futeno was really hitting his stride, and was picking up nice scores from high in Makuuchi, including a Kanto-Sho and a Gino-Sho. He chunked it when he hit sanyaku for the first time, like so many do, but I, and many others, expected him to rebound and come back fighting. Unfortunately, he got hit with an injury, I think it was his knee, and was out in November 2005. Since then, he's gone 9-6 or 6-9 5 times, bouncing back and forth between M3-4 and M7-8. So I guess he's not an elevator rikishi, but rather a pogo rikishi. This time, I think he'll put in a solid effort, and pick up the standard 9-6 for his typical efforts at this rank. I kind of root for Foot In Oh, but he's seemed kind of whiny on his blog lately. His kesho-mawashi looks like a potential Yes album cover, which is a plus.
M8e- Kakuryu
Last Basho - 8-7
This Basho - 8-7
Kakuryu is another youngster on the banzuke, and has been seen with Asashoryu on more than one occasion, and has been heard to be lauded by the current Yokozuna as quite the talent. He has indeed been marching up the banzuke in the last year, slowly and steadily, but upwards, ever upwards. He's taken quite the jump, but the talent around him is mediocre, so I think he'll survive at M8, and continue to move up. This is a 21 year old to look out for, especially now that he's finding his strength, and finding his groove with the help of the big man.
M8w - Takekaze
Last Basho - 6-9
This Basho - 10-5
The Human Snowman is going to enjoy the snowy(or not so snowy) winter basho, and launch himself upwards towards sanyaku, where he'll melt in the blazing heat of the upper ranks like Frosty at South Beach. He generally does pretty well around this range, and he's looked pretty genki of late to me, so I'm giving him the nod to move up. He's an extremely one-dimensional rikishi, with not many options after "go forward". He's kind of like those cheap-ass remote control cars that only go forward or turn in reverse.
M9e - Kakizoe
Last Basho - 6-9
This Basho 7-8
Look out, its The Flash! No, not really. Another great kesho-mawashi, though, with the lightning bolt up top, and the 1980's retro Asteroids/Space Invaders font down below. I'm not sure what that logo is for, Tomoya, Tamaya, Tomoyo? Not sure. Maybe its a power company. I'm surprised to see Kakizoe down this far, when I hear his name, I say to myself, M2-5 range. What is more surprising is I'm predicting a losing record this basho. Don't know why, it just felt good at the time. Kakizoe is another straight forward rikishi, but I think he tends to have a little more talent and flexibility than the likes of Takekaze.
M9w - Toyonoshima
Last Basho - 8-7
This Basho - 8-7
Toyono...Toyono...Toyo...no, I don't know much about him. I'll make it a point to watch him this basho, and see what's going on with his sumo, and if I like him or not. He's only 23, so he's pretty young, but I honestly haven't heard much buzz about him, so he's not all THAT great. I say 8-7 for the strapping young lad.
M10e - Iwakiyama
Last Basho - 2-13
This Basho - 9-6
Wow. 2-13, and uninjured. Wacky Mountain used to be able to hold his own at M1, with marginal losing records, but man, he got his flat face pushed in even more last basho. I would take a look to see who he lost to, but the answer is "Just about everyone". The only two he beat were the hapless Zakura brothers, Toyo and Kita, who were both utter failures at M8 and 11.(They are brothers, but those aren't their real names, just their rikishi names) He'll clean up down here, at least he should. I'd give him a 10-5 or even an 11-4, but boy, that 2-13 is a real stinker, and hey may have been fighting a flu or something, or masking an injury, so I'll keep it at 9-6. If you get to see this guy, watch his tachi-ai. Its brutal, and usually good for a good solid thumping.
M10w - Jumonji
Last Basho - 13-2
This Basho - 8-7
Jumonji has always looked like he's from an anime of some sort, I can just see him in Samurai Champloo, beating up some poor bastard before getting his own from the trusted heroes. Don't ask me why. Jumonji cleaned up in Juryo, winning the basho, and vaulting himself back up into Makuuchi. He's back around his level now, and will ride his momentum from last basho to a marginally winning record this time. Nothing earth-shattering, but good enough. Quick Japanese lesson. Jumonji and Juryo, in English, start with the same sound, Ju. Both words have the same first character, which you can see as a "+" looking character in Jumonji's picture. This character recognition has helped with my learning what various characters look like, and kind of deciphering rikishi names on Japanese web pages. Yes, I realize there are better, easier ways of learning, but I'm not one for repetition.
M11e - Tamakasuga
Last Basho - 9-6
This Basho - 6-9
We're getting to the "I really don't care about this guy" stage in this post. Its not that I don't want to continue writing, its more that I don't really know much about this rikishi, other than he's been around forever, seemingly. Checking Hakke-Yoi, he's been in Juryo or higher since 95, so 12 years as a sekitori is nothing to sneeze at. You've got to respect and admire someone that can hang around that long in a sport like this. That said, I've never seemed to hear anyone saying he's outstanding, but maybe they did 10 years ago, when he got a few sansho. He's still too good for Juryo, but I think his talent may be fading with his age. Another rikishi I will watch for this basho.
M11w - Tochinohana
Last Basho - 8-7
This Basho - 7-8
Constantly around M11-15, Tochinohana is another jobber, ham and egger, plugger, gibroni, whatever you will. I do like his sumo though, and I love the fact that he fought his way back to Makuuchi after being out of it for a couple of years, down as low as makushita. He'll probably never make it back to sanyaku after being injured so many times, but he's a plugger hero, and he's a very hard worker. This basho, he'll do okay, but will end up on the losing side of the ledger more times than the winning side.
M12E - Toyozakura
Last Basho - 5-10
This Basho - 9-6
Toyozakura is another borderline guy who hovers in lower Makuuchi/upper Juryo, and who I just can't say much about. He's better than M12 right now, though. 9-6, and a move up to M8 next basho.
M12w - Tokitsuumi
Last Basho - 10-5
This Basho - 8-7
At one point, I thought that Tokitsuumi was going to be a solid sanyaku member for some time, but he seems brittle, and has had many injuries, and some lagging problems have put him in Juryo for a few bashos now, and he's just coming back to form, if you ask me. I may be imagining things, but he seems to be getting some lost confidence or something. I think he'll stick around in Makuuchi for a little bit, at least. He's 33, and not getting younger, so he's past his peak, but I don't think he's done yet.
M13e - Kasuganishiki
Last Basho - 9-6
This Basho - 6-9
There's no reason this guy should be in Makuuchi any more. In my mind, he's a placeholder until someone with more talent comes along. Back to Juryo for Kasuganishiki in March.
M13w - Yoshikaze
Last Basho - 8-7
This Basho - 8-7
Yoshi's record for this basho could be much better or much worse, depending on his confidence. When Yoshikaze was storming up the ranks as Onishi, he was a force, always going forward, never pulling any crap, and generally performing good sumo. The problems started a few basho ago, when he tanked at M9. His confidence started to wane, and he started to question his sumo, I think, because he stopped going forward so forcibly. The answer to henka is not to henka yourself, but to prepare yourself for such an occurrence and adjust your sumo to fit. And by "adjust your sumo", I don't mean go forward half speed so you don't get tricked. I have hopes for Yoshikaze, but only if he starts working smarter.
M14e - Tamanoshima
Last Basho - 2-9-4
This Basho - 7-8
Tamanoshima was kyujo last basho for the first time in his career. He's got skills, and a ton of grit, thats for sure, and he's often seen in upper Makuuchi, and has been for several years, but he's also a very streaky rikishi. He'll win 7 in a row, but he'll also lose 7 in a row. I think many of the times he's lost 7 in a row, he's been hurt, but won't admit it, or is to tough to pull out of a basho. I'm hoping he's over his injury, but I'm not sure he is, so I'll give him a 7-8 this time around.
M14w - Hakurozan
Last Basho - 7-8
This Basho - 9-6
Last basho, Hakurozan, who is Roho's brother by the way, started out with 8 losses, and a very quick MK. He then pulled out 7 wins in a row to stay in Makuuchi, which was rather impressive, when you look at the numbers. But if you look at the sumo, it was a ton of pulling and henkaing, and generally bad form, if you ask me. I think a lot of it has to do with a lingering knee problem from earlier last year, but still, its weak sauce to be pulling as much as this guy has been lately.
M15e - Asofuji
Last Basho - 6-9
This Basho 8-7
I'm very surprised that Asofuji(who's Aminishiki's brother) stayed in Makuuchi after a 6-9 at M13. He got lucky, but maybe that luck will turn into strength, and he'll fight to stay in Makuuchi even longer. I always root for Asofuji and Aminishiki, they just seem like really nice guys.
M15w - Ushiomaru
Last Basho - 5-10
This Basho - 6-9
That 6-9 may be wishful thinking, because Ushiomaru is one of my least favorite rikishi. No outstanding skills, techniques, or personality. A very generic fighter, if you ask me. Always gives the standard "I will gambarize", "I am dissapointed in my loss", "I am glad I am winning, and I hope to continue" quotes to the press. Blech.
M16e - Tosanoumi
Last Basho - 5-10
This Basho - 8-7
Its hard seeing Tosanoumi down this low with the likes of Ushiomaru and Otsukasa. Age will do that to you, I suppose. He's got 11 kinboshi, 5 fighting spirit prizes, and a whopping 7 outstanding performance prizes. In his heyday, he could take out anyone, including all of today's Ozeki, Asashoryu, and even the mighty Takanohana 5 times. I think his body is just starting to break down, and he's not as fast as he once was, and more people are knocking off his belt grips, etc. So, I'm hoping for a big comeback this basho, but I'll settle for a small kachi-koshi.
M16w - Otsukasa
Last Basho - 7-8
This Basho - 7-8
Old. Boring. Useless. Another placeholder for someone with Makuuchi level talent.
So thats all 42. Lets see how I do in 15 days.
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