A New Challenger

Chiyotairyu is making his top division debut tomorrow at the rank of Meagashira #10. I just recently watched all his bouts from his 2 Juryo tournaments and I must say I am REALLY impressed. He's not the most graceful but he gets the job done. And the interesting this is he has had only one losing basho since making his debut back in 2011. Here is how his record stands. 

Makushita 2011 May: 0-3-4  

Makushita 2011  July: 6-1-0

Makushita 2011 September: 6-1-0

Makushita 2011 November: 4-3-0

Juryo #13 2012 January: 13-2 Yusho

Juryo #1 2012 March: 11-4-0

Career record: 40 wins, 14 losses and 4 absent

Pretty impressive for this young newcomer. I am really excited to see what he can do tomorrow and the rest of the tournament. 

 

Sumo at 17 Months

So I couldn't be more excited. My daughter Emmelynn, 17 months, is starting to Sumo. Not because I am really pushing her. But being around me and my little hobby of sumo she has started taking as much of an interest as a 17th month old can. It started when I was in my sumo stance. I looked at her and said "Get in your stance". She imitated me, crouching down in a low squat.

Then we wrestled. At this point she doesn't understand the concept of pushing, but she hangs on.

Emmelynn has a pretty good stance. Nice and low. What will she do next?

She takes dad down! Good job Emmelynn!

Now we see her hard at her studies. She has become really fascinated at thumbing through my new Sumo book.

I really hope that she grows to love sumo as I do and that she has fun learning it.

Sumo Archive 1: Ozeki Toyokuni

Toyokuni was born August 26th, 1893. He made his Sumo debut in 1915. After going 4-1 in his first tournament competing he quickly rose with a Yusho win in 1917. In 1926 he made it to the rank of Komusubi with an 8-3 record. As a Komusubi he went 9-2 and rose to Sekiwake. As a Sekiwake he shined, finishing 2nd in two out of the three as Sekiwake, and defeating Yokozuna Tsunenohana. After sitting out his first tournament as Ozeki he went on to have 9 consecutive winning tournaments and won 2 Championships. A great wrestler who was just shy of being a Yokozuna.

CAREER STATS
40 Basho
Makuuchi Record: 162-87-30
Career Record: 208-101-36
Yusho 2

6 Ozeki for May Basho

For the first time in the history of Sumo there will be 6 Ozeki on the Banzuke. Kakuryu is the newest Ozeki after his brilliant March Tournament where he and Hakuho took it to the wire and finished in a dramatic playoff. Kakuryu seems at ease with the promotion stating "My first goal is to secure a winning record, but I'll make sure I put my best effort in each bout and try to pump up sumo fans." Sumo fans could use some pumping up. It has felt like forever since some one challenged Hakuho on a serious level. This year has seen Baruto win a Basho and Kakuryu give Hakuho a run for his money. This has been a thrill to experience. Hakuho is shooting for his 23rd Yusho of his career that would send him into sole possession of 5th place on the all-time list passing Takanohana. This will be a GREAT tournament! Look for the Ozeki to shine.

Kakuryu Shines in March Basho

In a great display of technique and ability, Sekiwake Kakuryu seriously challenged Hakuho for the Emperors Cup. It was great to watch. The Yokozuna has been so dominant the last several years. We may now see the challengers we have been longing to see. With Baruto winning in January, and Harumafuji's recent tournament win, the Yokozuna no longer seems as invincible as he once was thought to be.

This was a great tournament. I don't know yet, but we may see Kakuryu as an Ozeki next tournament.

November Basho

It's sumo time again. The November Tournament will start very soon and it's looking like it will be an exciting one.

Kotoshigiku has secured his spot at the second highest rank, while Ozeki Harumafuji barely stayed above a winning record.

Hakuho looks to dominate the tournament but will run into some tough competition with the new Ozeki.

Here are my predictions for the the Yokozuna and the 4 Ozeki.

Y Hakuho 14-1

O Baruto 11-4

O Harumafuji 10-5

O Kotooshu 9-6

O Kotoshogiku 13-2

I think it will be close race between Hakuho and Kotoshogiku. Let the wrestling begin!

September Basho Recap

Hakuho won. Harumafuji flopped. Ozeki? What Ozeki? The only real positive thing that this Basho offered was a Ozeki promotion for Kotoshogiki.

Here are my "Top 5 Rikishi" this tournament starting with #5.

5. Maegashira #1 Homasho had to fight all the top guys right off the bat. By day 8 he was 5 and 3 beating all three Ozeki and both Komusubi's. He will be promoted to Komosubi or possibly Sekiwake next basho. He ended the tournament with a 10-5 record.

4. Meagashira #11 Gagamaru came out swinging and by day 11 had a record of 10-1 and a win against Ozeki Baruto. He then went on to lose 3 in a row but ended the tournament with an impressive 11-4 record.

3. Sekiwake Kisenosato ended the tournament with a 12-3 record and a win against the Yokozuna but couldn't get the best of the Ozeki or fellow Sekiwake Kotoshogiku. Still a impressive tournament.

2. Yokozuna Hakuho had another great tournament proving that he is the best in the ring. He did however lose to both Sekiwake this basho. Ending with a 13-2 record he improves to a 533-106 record in the Makuuchi division. Very impressive!

1. Sekiwake Kotoshogiku proved that he belongs amongst the Ozeki. Although falling short of a playoff match against Hakuho he had a great tournament posting a 12-3 record and beating the Yokozuna in a thrilling bout. I look for him to really shake up the competition in the November basho. Congratulations to Kotoshogiku on his promotion to Ozeki

Well, this rounds out my top five for the Basho. I wish I could have been writing about my favorite wrestler, Harumafuji but he failed to do much in this tournament going 8-7 and blowing a chance for Yokozuna promotion.

Looking forward to November!