Breaking September Sumo Preview!

[dsbigred1]

Welcome to the September basho tPBers! My inbox has exploded with requests for updates, and while that seems hard to believe, that's because it isn't true. Sumo is an acquired taste, so I will continue to put on my mowashi and provide some insight.
First, the bad news... Covid has hit legendary Hakuho's stable, and he, along with stablemate Ishiura will not be competing although they have not tested positive. So the likely favorite to take the basho is OUT.
However, New Yokozuna Terunofuji will be the favorite in his absence, and has been dominant in the past year while Hakuho has spent most tournaments recovering from various injuries.
The next rung down has two familiar faces at Ozeki, although neither have consistently lived up to their rank. Shodai will look to move past some poor recent performances where he was barely able to get a winning record. Takakeisho is coming off a neck injury from early in the July basho, and will need a strong performance to maintain his rank.
At Sekiwake, Mitakeumi continues to struggle against top rikishi, but has been steady, yet unspectacular. Meisei has moved up and into the other Sekiwake slot, and after a slow start in July, finished strong to gain that promotion.
At Komosubi are Takayasu, coming down from Sekiwake, and the enormous Ichinojo gaining a promotion back to Komosubi after 2 years of back issues had caused him to drop down.
At Maegashira 1 we have the nephew of former Yokozuna Asashoryu, Hoshoryu. His strong belt work has helped him make strides and gain victories over many of the larger rikishi. If he continues to gain size and strength, his future is promising. The other spot is taken by Takanosho after a bounce back in July following a couple tough tournaments.
No need to go through the other 15 levels of Maegashira unless someone surprises and gets into contention.
The breakdown- this is likely Terunofuji's basho to lose. He has been in top form, and were it not for a resurgent Hakuho in July, he would have waltzed through for the win. Takakeisho's neck remains a concern, or he would be a likely candidate as well. If he is good to go, he and Takayasu will likely be the biggest threats to the title.
Lots of intrigue this month... Will Teru live up to his new rank of Yokozuna and the added pressure and scrutiny? Will Shodai lay another egg on the dohyo? How is Takakeisho's neck? Is this where Hoshoryu makes a big jump? Can Ichinojo finally break through? I don't know about you guys, but I'm getting excited about watching 400lb men in thongs slam into one another! Action begins Sunday!

 

[LoudHogRider]

and while that seems hard to believe, that's because it isn't true.

🤣

 

[dsbigred1]

Also, I should have done this last tournament, but here is some Sumo vernacular;
Yokozuna- highest rank
Ozeki - 2nd
Sekiwake - 3rd
Komosubi - 4th
Maegashira - lowest rank of top division

Basho - Tournament
Yusho- tournament championship
Zensho Yusho - undefeated tournament championship
Dohyo - the ring where the wrestlers battle
Rikishi - general name for wrestlers
Kachikoshi - posting a winning record
Makekoshi - posting a losing record
Mowashi- wrestler’s belt
I won’t get into the myriad names for moves wrestlers use to win bouts
I am sure this will add to all of your enjoyment this tournament

 

[God is a Husker]

I’d kill for 3 of these guys on the interior OL

 

[HuskerGarrett]

 

[dsbigred1]

Gotta keep you all primed! Here is a quick list of some of the more important early matchups



Here are my thoughts:
Hard to imagine Teru losing to Ichinojo after 2 dominating wins recently. Ichinojo essentially has conceded quickly in both.
ozeki Shodai typically starts slow, and Hoshoryu has kicked his ass recently. They seem to be on opposing trajectories.
Takakeisho vs Hokutofuji could be entertaining or over in a second. Both are thrusters, so if one gets too much lean, expect a quick pull down.
Mitakeumi vs Takanosho is a coin flip. Both get inconsistent lately. I am going Takanosho as he just has more tools and options for victory.
Meisei vs Kiribayama is a likely Meisei win. He keeps getting better, and added some size.
takayasu vs Wakatakakage should be fun, and potentially a long bout. Waka's movement and creativity give several guys fits, and after a poor July showing, he should be fired up for this one.
Those are the more notable bouts, but plenty of action even beyond those!

 

[22*43*51]

Don't know why, but I dig this thread.

 

[That SOB Van Owen]

@dsbigred1

I have no idea how sumo works, and I’m sure there are others like me. Could you give a quick primer on the rules, competitions, rankings, etc.?

 

[dsbigred1]

@dsbigred1

I have no idea how sumo works, and I’m sure there are others like me. Could you give a quick primer on the rules, competitions, rankings, etc.?

so the basic goal is to either force your opponent out of the ring, or force any part of their body other than their feet to touch the dohyo. You can see elements of Judo, wrestling, sheer strength and general agility within many bouts. The rules outside of tradition are few.
Both fists are to be placed on the dohyo by both combatants to start the bout. Once they both touch, the wrestlers will fire into one another- this is the tachiai. This is often where matches are won and lost, especially for belt fighters. Getting their preferred grip has a lot to do with their tachiai. But after that,
No hair-pulling, closed fist stuff, etc. but after that point rules are pretty open and ambiguous.
There are dozens of things wrestlers do that are frowned upon by the strictly traditional Japanese, or even some things they view as “unbecoming” of a specific rank. What is acceptable at Maegashira may not be at Ozeki or Yokozuna.