Sumo

[Bluebozzy]

Does anybody watch sumo? There's no thread for it and because the a new honbasho/tournament started last weekend I wanted to open one

For those interested, Japanese broadcaster @NHKWORLDJAPAN uploads all Makuuchi (top division) bouts each day to Youtube with English commentary. Each bout typically lasts less than 1 minute and it's very fast paced.

 

[Bluebozzy]

Yeah been watching it for a couple of years now, tend to try to call my dad so we can watch it together, he used to watch it when it was on C4 and I got him back into it when realising he could watch it online via NHK etc.
He went to the RAH when they came over in 91, and then we both went when they came over last year in October

I was very much priced out of going to the RAH, but we are loosely planning a trip to Japan and hopefully will get to watch some live there.

I'm not going to pretend I know loads about it, I just like watching combat sport that is somehow non-violent and isn't about injuring your opponent

 

[Bluebozzy]

Wanted to give time to avoid spoilers but what did people think of the basho?

Haven't checked sumodb or similar but if Aonishki wins March we'd have quite the meteoric rise to Yokozuna. Definitely feel he's got elements of people like Ura, Midorifuji, even Enho, where there's a difference in style causing issues which will slowly improve as other rikishi figure him out, but unlike those others he also has far more raw strength and ability, so even once they do he won't be dropping down the banzuke very far (or at all if he does become Yokozuna) in my opinion.

Was happy to see Asanoyama back in the top division even though was disappointed to see him finish 9-6, Kirishima starting to look really good again, and poor Takanosho, always liked him, had a bit of a smile compared to most rikishi when first watching and getting to know them but this basho was not a good one for him ((

Not exactly one for the ages but some very solid sumo. Aonishiki is incredible and I always look forward to his bouts as he's so distinctive, but I disagree with the air of intangibility he's been given. I don't think we'll see him at Yokozuna under the same circumstances Hoshoryu was promoted, and he'll definitely need to outright win 2 back-to-back which may be a tough ask when Ono recovers.

Looks like we're seeing the back of Ryuden again, they'll have to drop him down to Juryo given both East and West Juyro #1 had winning records. I couldn't be happier about that given his personal life and his, frankly, awful sumo. Tough time for Hatsuyama too on his first showing in Makuuchi. While 2-13 is a terrible record, he had some very strong bouts that he just couldn't secure. Some valuable experience and maybe we'll see him again soon.