Shishi only finds an awkward overhand grip off the tachiai but uses his strength to push forward and keep chasing as Daieizan dances along the straw until he's forced out.
Kinbozan whiffs the impact of his left hand to meet Nishikifuji's shoulder off the line who ends up deep inside and keeps driving until he wins.
Abi goes for the henka against Takerufuji but Take keeps his balance and chases Abi in a circle who ends up on falling over.
Mitaekumi and Chiyoshoma both come high off the line and Chiyo finds double unders he uses to maneuver Mita back and out.
Strong fight between Fujiryoga and Asanoyama. Asa comes hard off the tachiai but Fuji answers with a heavy slapdown. They fight for belt control and Fuji ends up in the better position by standing Asa up with hand position under an armpit. Asa goes for a throw as he's backed to the ropes but they both reset in the middle and Asa has his own drive but Fuji gains position off a foot on the bales and Asa finally loses balance and falls sideways trying to follow.
Roga defends against Tobizaru off the start, keeping Tobi's right arm trapped but the Monkey also prevents Roga's belt grip and they eventually end up with a single hand grip with Roga outside. Tobi tries a trip that goes nowhere and Roga finally takes him back and out.
Kotoeiho finds double unders initially and Wakamotoharu gets taken back, with his big leg trip attempt (with an odd position looking for the outside leg from his leg starting between Koto's legs) missing entirely and he's walked out.
Fujiseiun and Takayasu shove at each other in the center until Fuji comes in a little to hard and gets slapped down. Monoii is called to check for a hair pull but Papa got it clean.
Shodai takes Ura to the bales off the line but Ura shows his flexible back bend, although not to as an extreme degree as his shown in the past, but enough to snap him back into the ring. Ura doesn't have much offense going so he gets taken to the edge again but shows just enough balance to teeter and make Shodai's win a close call as they both fall out.
Ichiyamamoto's drive is relentless as he takes Oshoma from one side to the other and looks a bit surprised as Osho steps off the ring.
Wild thrusting from Hiradoumi and Daieisho and as Daiei gets backed to the straw he shucks Hira past, who tumbles off the ring.
Kotoshoho's multiple big double handed shoves back Yoshinofuji up, and Koto parries one of Yoshi's thrusts to get a side position and work him around the edge and out.
Clash between some big boys as Atamifuji (197 kg) and Oho (185 kg) have a slow yet powerful initial clash. Oho gets worked back by shoving but fights for double unders and makes a drive of his own before Atami has a throw attempt that takes Oho off balance and he's slapped down just after.
Hakunofuji tries a kind of stutter step tachiai against Aonishiki who immediately gets the belt and blocks one drive from Haku before steadily driving him back and out. Aoni just outmuscled Haku with this one.
Kotozakura angles to his right after the initial tachiai impact and Churanoumi uses an arm drag to get the ozeki falling forward off balance. He keeps hold of Koto's right arm and pulls again to get position behind to get the rear push out.
Bit of a scramble between Kirishima and Gonoyama but Kiri's takes control with thrusts and puts Gono over the rope and off the dohyo.
Takanosho goes for a big neck grip against Onosato but the yokozuna shrugs it off and makes quick work thrusting him over the edge. First win after Ono's return.
Hoshoryu puts a massive forearm in Fujinokawa's face off the lines and he's taken immediately to the straw, but as the yokozuna comes in thrusting high for the kill Fuji bends back to parry and create barely enough space to take Hosho's momentum just past him and down at his feet as he dances on one leg before falling with a thigh on the back of Hosho's head. The cushions go flying, amazing sumo here. Hoshoryu comes up looking like he doesn't know what hit him. I think he's undefeated against yokozuna! Racking up those gold stars.
I always root for Shishi. I can't help it. He just stands out to me for being so pale compared to everyone else. 😄
I usually expect him to lose (he must be good if he's in the top tier, but from just having seen him in March and May I think he's lost more than he won) so I'm always pleasantly surprised when he pulls one off. He's also the first person I saw pull off the henka, and I think possibly in 2 matches in a row in the May basho, so I do find him legitimately fun in an underdog way. Seeing him undefeated so far is a blast!
Watching him do so well is keeping my positive while Ura is in a bit of a slump so far, but I've only watched up to Day 3 so far, I keep being too sleepy after work due to all this heat.
I think it was this day's tournament where it looked like everyone was being extra careful and courteous not to let anyone fall out of the ring. It was so endearing, like they were giving each other hugs at the end of the match! I feel I notice a lot of odd stuff watching these matches, but it amuses me.
I usually expect him to lose (he must be good if he’s in the top tier, but from just having seen him in March and May I think he’s lost more than he won)
Rule of thumb: if his opponents is very high rank, Shishi will lose. Otherwise he'll often win. He's currently ranked at the very bottom of the top Makuuchi tier, so he's been fighting people he could win against. Previously he was mid-tier so he was fighting people he lost against. At some point now the tournament planners are going to have him start fighting the very top wrestlers, and then we'll see how he does...
Ura is in a bit of a slump so far
Yeah Ura goes into slumps all the time. If you look at his record, earlier this year he went 4-11 and 5-10. He's not "best of the best" but he's solid, seems like a genuinely good guy, and occasionally comes up with some astonishing moves.
So, my hypothesis is that Shishi’s big and strong and that’s what he bases his style on. He’s like the opposite of Ura. (ofc Ura is strong, but you know what I mean…) I think that’s what’s why Shishi was in so much trouble when he hurt his leg: he has no plan B. His only plan is to go there and be big and strong, and of course he’s practiced all his techniques diligently. And that’s got him to the top league which is pretty impressive, but the best wrestlers in Makuuchi have a little “something else” (imaginativeness, agility, ability to think two steps ahead?) which is why Shishi plateaus mid-maegashira. Or maybe it was just the leg injury. Maybe he’s learning what he needs to. Maybe I’m wrong about this. idk, we’ll find out.
I think you're pretty on point with your analysis.
A couple weeks ago I was asking on places to watch more than the top fight highlights and someone asked why I'd want to watch some of the juryo fights. I was watching a "what I wish I knew before starting to watch sump" video, and they put into words what I like about it. As a new fan, it gives me a better idea of the level the top guys are really at and what peak sump looks like. Just watching the best guys, they make it look so fast, smooth, and easy in a way, and they're just good athletes. Taking a look at the juryo matches, it shows me that "something else" the top guys have. Shishi looks better than the juryos, and it makes it understandable why he can still be competing at the top level despite not winning much. Someone is always going to stuck being at the back of the pack, but that doesn't mean they're a bad athlete. He's still in the top handful of rikishi in the whole world at the end of the day!
Ura is still a blast for me to watch, even if he loses. I watched a short video on him and it talked about his untraditional style and how that makes some people not like the way he wrestles. I imagine those people are the same people that complain about henkas. I like that his matches always stand out, that his mawashi is bright, and he always looks so happy and positive. Those moments I see him suddenly flip around behind his opponent and push them out are just so exciting! And of course when he goes full rubber mode, just taking all those shoves and slaps, but not budging, well, at least his lower half! The guy is just plain entertaining no matter the outcome.
Oh yeah for a couple months I worked out with a local bunch of guys who were doing amateur sumo. (they were all into judo or BJJ or the like.) The exercises were hella fun, but the bouts were just amazing - everything is so hard when the other person is resisting. It made me realize how talented even the very lowest ranks are, and how superherolike the upper ranks are.
I'm a pretty good sized guy, and I know I can't move anything like them! 😆
Just thinking of someone with the same mass as me with quads that big giving me a tachi-ai headbutt into my skull makes me wince. And that guy who had that huge vertical leap on Day 4, holy heck that was impressive! Even watching some of the shiko amazes me.
When he and Yoshinofuji came on the scene at the same time I thought he was interesting but Yoshi would really be the one to watch. Turns out they're both out there killing it.
12 replies
Shishi only finds an awkward overhand grip off the tachiai but uses his strength to push forward and keep chasing as Daieizan dances along the straw until he's forced out.
Kinbozan whiffs the impact of his left hand to meet Nishikifuji's shoulder off the line who ends up deep inside and keeps driving until he wins.
Abi goes for the henka against Takerufuji but Take keeps his balance and chases Abi in a circle who ends up on falling over.
Mitaekumi and Chiyoshoma both come high off the line and Chiyo finds double unders he uses to maneuver Mita back and out.
Strong fight between Fujiryoga and Asanoyama. Asa comes hard off the tachiai but Fuji answers with a heavy slapdown. They fight for belt control and Fuji ends up in the better position by standing Asa up with hand position under an armpit. Asa goes for a throw as he's backed to the ropes but they both reset in the middle and Asa has his own drive but Fuji gains position off a foot on the bales and Asa finally loses balance and falls sideways trying to follow.
Roga defends against Tobizaru off the start, keeping Tobi's right arm trapped but the Monkey also prevents Roga's belt grip and they eventually end up with a single hand grip with Roga outside. Tobi tries a trip that goes nowhere and Roga finally takes him back and out.
Kotoeiho finds double unders initially and Wakamotoharu gets taken back, with his big leg trip attempt (with an odd position looking for the outside leg from his leg starting between Koto's legs) missing entirely and he's walked out.
Fujiseiun and Takayasu shove at each other in the center until Fuji comes in a little to hard and gets slapped down. Monoii is called to check for a hair pull but Papa got it clean.
Shodai takes Ura to the bales off the line but Ura shows his flexible back bend, although not to as an extreme degree as his shown in the past, but enough to snap him back into the ring. Ura doesn't have much offense going so he gets taken to the edge again but shows just enough balance to teeter and make Shodai's win a close call as they both fall out.
Ichiyamamoto's drive is relentless as he takes Oshoma from one side to the other and looks a bit surprised as Osho steps off the ring.
Wild thrusting from Hiradoumi and Daieisho and as Daiei gets backed to the straw he shucks Hira past, who tumbles off the ring.
Kotoshoho's multiple big double handed shoves back Yoshinofuji up, and Koto parries one of Yoshi's thrusts to get a side position and work him around the edge and out.
Clash between some big boys as Atamifuji (197 kg) and Oho (185 kg) have a slow yet powerful initial clash. Oho gets worked back by shoving but fights for double unders and makes a drive of his own before Atami has a throw attempt that takes Oho off balance and he's slapped down just after.
Hakunofuji tries a kind of stutter step tachiai against Aonishiki who immediately gets the belt and blocks one drive from Haku before steadily driving him back and out. Aoni just outmuscled Haku with this one.
Kotozakura angles to his right after the initial tachiai impact and Churanoumi uses an arm drag to get the ozeki falling forward off balance. He keeps hold of Koto's right arm and pulls again to get position behind to get the rear push out.
Bit of a scramble between Kirishima and Gonoyama but Kiri's takes control with thrusts and puts Gono over the rope and off the dohyo.
Takanosho goes for a big neck grip against Onosato but the yokozuna shrugs it off and makes quick work thrusting him over the edge. First win after Ono's return.
Hoshoryu puts a massive forearm in Fujinokawa's face off the lines and he's taken immediately to the straw, but as the yokozuna comes in thrusting high for the kill Fuji bends back to parry and create barely enough space to take Hosho's momentum just past him and down at his feet as he dances on one leg before falling with a thigh on the back of Hosho's head. The cushions go flying, amazing sumo here. Hoshoryu comes up looking like he doesn't know what hit him. I think he's undefeated against yokozuna! Racking up those gold stars.
Yeah! Shishi's in first place! (tied with 6 other rikishi, most of whom he has no chance of defeating...)
Yet another great post-bout expression by Kirishima.
That bout was crazy... it's like:
I always root for Shishi. I can't help it. He just stands out to me for being so pale compared to everyone else. 😄
I usually expect him to lose (he must be good if he's in the top tier, but from just having seen him in March and May I think he's lost more than he won) so I'm always pleasantly surprised when he pulls one off. He's also the first person I saw pull off the henka, and I think possibly in 2 matches in a row in the May basho, so I do find him legitimately fun in an underdog way. Seeing him undefeated so far is a blast!
Watching him do so well is keeping my positive while Ura is in a bit of a slump so far, but I've only watched up to Day 3 so far, I keep being too sleepy after work due to all this heat.
I think it was this day's tournament where it looked like everyone was being extra careful and courteous not to let anyone fall out of the ring. It was so endearing, like they were giving each other hugs at the end of the match! I feel I notice a lot of odd stuff watching these matches, but it amuses me.
Yeah! I cheer for Shishi, for reasons I laid out in a previous post: https://lemmy.world/post/41999933
Rule of thumb: if his opponents is very high rank, Shishi will lose. Otherwise he'll often win. He's currently ranked at the very bottom of the top Makuuchi tier, so he's been fighting people he could win against. Previously he was mid-tier so he was fighting people he lost against. At some point now the tournament planners are going to have him start fighting the very top wrestlers, and then we'll see how he does...
Yeah Ura goes into slumps all the time. If you look at his record, earlier this year he went 4-11 and 5-10. He's not "best of the best" but he's solid, seems like a genuinely good guy, and occasionally comes up with some astonishing moves.
I think you're pretty on point with your analysis.
A couple weeks ago I was asking on places to watch more than the top fight highlights and someone asked why I'd want to watch some of the juryo fights. I was watching a "what I wish I knew before starting to watch sump" video, and they put into words what I like about it. As a new fan, it gives me a better idea of the level the top guys are really at and what peak sump looks like. Just watching the best guys, they make it look so fast, smooth, and easy in a way, and they're just good athletes. Taking a look at the juryo matches, it shows me that "something else" the top guys have. Shishi looks better than the juryos, and it makes it understandable why he can still be competing at the top level despite not winning much. Someone is always going to stuck being at the back of the pack, but that doesn't mean they're a bad athlete. He's still in the top handful of rikishi in the whole world at the end of the day!
Ura is still a blast for me to watch, even if he loses. I watched a short video on him and it talked about his untraditional style and how that makes some people not like the way he wrestles. I imagine those people are the same people that complain about henkas. I like that his matches always stand out, that his mawashi is bright, and he always looks so happy and positive. Those moments I see him suddenly flip around behind his opponent and push them out are just so exciting! And of course when he goes full rubber mode, just taking all those shoves and slaps, but not budging, well, at least his lower half! The guy is just plain entertaining no matter the outcome.
Oh yeah for a couple months I worked out with a local bunch of guys who were doing amateur sumo. (they were all into judo or BJJ or the like.) The exercises were hella fun, but the bouts were just amazing - everything is so hard when the other person is resisting. It made me realize how talented even the very lowest ranks are, and how superherolike the upper ranks are.
I'm a pretty good sized guy, and I know I can't move anything like them! 😆
Just thinking of someone with the same mass as me with quads that big giving me a tachi-ai headbutt into my skull makes me wince. And that guy who had that huge vertical leap on Day 4, holy heck that was impressive! Even watching some of the shiko amazes me.
Textbook Aonishiki from Aonishiki. Head under chin, grab belt, go forwards.
Once Aonishiki gets that left hand grip, it's over. Yesterday Churanoumi lasted a while bc he defended against Aonishiki's left hand grip effectively.
Fujinokawa is so fun to watch. Bro just pulls magic outta nowhere.
Fujinokawa is a freakin dragonslayer. After the bout, Hoshoryu was like: wtf just happened.
When he and Yoshinofuji came on the scene at the same time I thought he was interesting but Yoshi would really be the one to watch. Turns out they're both out there killing it.