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Sumo update part 1:
POTUS in Nippon….still unsure whether he will present the Emperor's Cup to the basho winner on Sunday. In any event, here is an update on the basho.
After 13 fights (2 remaining), the leader board shows Asanoyama in the lead at 11-2. He is fighting from the M8 position, and should not win the basho.
Pertinent digression–the M stands for Makuuchi, which is the top sumo division. In descending order, the divisions are:
Makuuchi
Juryo
Makushita
Sandanme
Jonidan
Jonokuchi
Usually the banzuke (rankings ladder) will show 32 sumo in Makuuchi, spread in 16 ranking spots, with and East and West for each spot. Ergo, 32 rikishi.
Above Makuuchi are the very top, named ranks. In ascending order, these ranks are Komusubi (2), Sekiwake (2), Ozeki (currently 3 but sometimes 2 or 4), Yokozuna (rope belt, grand champion). Currently 2 (both Mongols), but no set number.
The Sumo Association sets the banzuke based on the results from last basho, up to and including Sekiwake rank. For Ozeki, the fighter must win 8 of 15 bouts to keep his rank unblemished. If he fails due to losses or injury withdrawal, he keeps his Ozeki rank for the next basho, but is also "kadoban." This means if he fails for a 2nd consecutive basho to win 8, he loses his rank and drops to Sekiwake. An Ozeki who loses rank can continue his career as a sumo if he wishes, though most don't. Kotoshogiku is a former Ozeki, now fighting at M1.
The 3 Ozeki are all Japanese. Goeido, Takayasu & Takakeisho. Takakeisho is one of the Japanese hopes, rocketing up to Ozeki at age 22. He is a bulldozer, very impressive, with great de ashi, or leg drive. Only he injured his knee (minor) and had to withdraw for a couple of matches. His oyakata (trainer, head of the stable) brought him back to face Aoiyama (Bulgarian, real name Daniel Ivanov)……continued below.
Sumo is war by another name. These guys live it day by day, a way of life—a difficult life. When they step into the ring (dohyo) in front of a serious crowd and television cameras, they mean it (unless told to tank it). The way to win is to cause your opponent to touch down inside the dohyo with any body part but the foot, or to touch any body part including the foot down outside the dohyo. Or you get the rare DQ for something like grabbing the top knot. This is a call by the gyoji (referee) or the ringside judges after replay.
Each match begins with the fighters squatting behind the 2 tape lines, facing each other. They go when each has both hands touching the ground. You often see false starts with a guy trying to get the jump, called back by the gyoji, amid apologetic head bows. But then they go at it with a rush called the tachiai. This could be translated as "big energy" or "big hit." You had better bring it at the tachiai or you will get blasted back, giving your opponent a space & momentum advantage.
>>6579060 Sumo update part 2:
But sometimes a guy pulls a henka, which is sidestepping the onrushing opponent and watching him fall flat on his face. They still allow it, though fans dislike it–after all they paid to see a fight. Or a half henka, which allows a grip and move advantage. Well, to my amazement, Aoiyama pulled a flat out henka on the Japanese fair haired boy, Takakeisho, when he tried a comeback from the hurt knee. For a gaijin to pull that on the Japanese favorite, and in a totally chickenshit manner, is stunning. But Aoiyama is going for it at Komusubi, and doesn't want to go down. Fighting hard, needs to win both his last 2 to hold rank. Takakeisho then withdrew and will be kadoban in July.
Each rikishi fights under a shikona, or fighting name. Some Japanese use their own name, but all rikishi fight under a Japanese name.
Yokozuna Hakuho withdrew before the tourney, so the only Yokozuna fighting is Kakuryu. If a Yokozuna fades in prowess, he is forced into retirement by the Sumo Association after a couple of warnings. Or if he does "anything" to sully the Yokozuna rank. Like Mongol Asashoryu, who pimp slapped a guy in a car down at the red light district about 3:00 AM, heh. Kakuryu has been slipping lately IMO. Still very strong through the first 9 or 10 bouts, but fades in the last 5 after being weakened in the daily grind. Kakuryu is 10-3 and still very much in it, but looks very human.
Takayasu and Goeido have won their 8 and so are under no rank pressure. But you have Sekiwake Tochinoshin (Georgian) at 9-4, who is an enigma. He was Ozeki and lost it last basho. But he gets a chance to regain rank if he wins 10 this basho. He was 9-1 and looked like a lock, but has been whooped 3 days running. Now faces Kakuryu tonight (US time) with both guys needing it. Should be a vicious fight. Tochinoshin is very popular for a gaijin. If he wins, expect to see a rain of cushions into the ring, thrown by the crowd.
Once in awhile you see a guy from the lower ranks steal a basho, which is what Asanoyama is trying to pull. Yeah, he is fighting very well (out of his mind actually) but has had a much easier schedule than Kakuryu or Tochinoshin. He could win, but I personally would rather see Tochinoshin win out 2 fights, with Asanoyama losing tonight to Goeido (9-4 and fighting well)and then being forced into a playoff fight on final day after the 15th fight for everyone. Likelier though is Kakuryu wins tonight and wins over Asanoyama if there is a playoff.
Anyhow, the cup will go to Kakuryu, Asanoyama, Tochinoshin, or Asanoyama.
Couple of end notes: Tochinoshin is as strong as anyone, a freaking animal. Not big on technique, but if he gets the inside belt grip with both hands, it's over. He will carry/push anyone out of the ring.
Endo is the Japanese favorite, another young rikishi. Fighting at M2. He is the heartthrob for the Japanese ladies. Have watched him get stronger and stronger, better and better. Lost his 8 this basho so might be at M4 in May. Still, he is an up and comer.
You see some smaller guys fighting very, very well now. By "small" I mean 225-250. Do not underestimate their speed & skill. No fat on the smaller ones, just raw muscle. As opposed to say Aoiyama at 425 or Ichinojo at 500, with an Ozeki like Takayasu fightin at 392 this basho.
>>6579394 Anyone who read my sumo posts knows that I have said "some" fights are rigged. A person can usually tell, and it does not detract from the enjoyment of the entire scenario.
DJT understands the meaning of the thing or he would not be presenting the cup.
As to you personally, pull that corncob out of your ass and try to enjoy life some.