After Day 11 : September Basho

Although there is much disappointment amongst the Ozeki, the Maegashira ranks offer some much needed excitement in the sumo ring. Maegashira #11 Gagamaru is sitting in position to seriously challenge Yokozuna Hakuho. After a day one loss to Aminishiki he has gone on a 10 bout winning streak beating anyone who stepped in the ring. With a vital day 11 win against Baruto he is poised to do something really great. The last time a Maegashira won a tournament was in 2001 when Maegashira #2 Kotomitsuki won the September Basho. I am hoping that Gagamaru will win the tournament.

Through day 4 :September Basho

Horrible. This is the worst Ozeki performance I have ever seen. Harumafuji has disapointed. Baruto is tied with him at 2-2 and Kotoshoo is 1-3. I cannot believe what I'm seeing.

Hakuho is rolling as usual. Kotoshogiku is at 4-0 and is looking for the Ozeki promotion. I have to say I am very excited about this fourth Ozeki prospect. It will really shake things up and make it more interesting for future Tournaments.

In the Maegashira ranks Kyokutenho is 4-0 with several rikishi at 3-1 including Gagamuru and Tochinoshin.

Kotoshogiku: Ozeki Promotion?

This tournament is so important for several wrestlers. One of these is Sekiwake Kotoshogiku. His impressive basho in July, where he beat Yokozuna Hakuho and Ozeki Baruto put him in position for promotion. But, he failed to win 12 bouts and therefore was kept waiting.
In this tournament he will have to stand up to the higher ranked wrestlers and stay dominant of the rank in filers.
His last three tournaments have been very impressive with a record of 32 wins and 13 losses.

Will he gain promotion? We will see here in a few weeks. I do hope he makes it. It would be very good for sumo and create more competition for the the Ozeki.

September Banzuke

The Septemeber Banzuke has been announced. I am very very excited for this basho. Until the tournament begins I will be writing about a few wrestlers I will be watching closely in this tournament.

The first wrestler I would like to highlight is newcomer "Takanoyama". This 98kg (215lbs) rishiki from Czechoslovakia is the smallest wrestler in the top division.

In the July juryo basho he went 10-5 beating Myogiryu who out weighed him by almost 100 pounds.



With an over all record of 225 wins and 177 losses I think he will do just fine in the top division. My personal prediction for this light weight rikishi is 9-6. I think he could go as high as Komusubi in his career.