It all came down to the last match between Hakuho and Asashoryu and the fans got a good one:
With that win, Hakuho nailed down the championship, the 11th of his career. That puts him in a tie for 9th all-time with Akebono (but still more than 10 titles behind Asashoryu, who's in 4th). Hakuho finished 14-1 with only a day 11 loss to Kotomitsuki. It's his 2nd tournament win this year and ran his record for the year to an amazing 57-3 (with a very real chance of breaking Asashoryu's record of 84 wins in a year.)
Tournament Winners:
Koto'oshu - 13-2 -- An impressive tournament for Koto'oshu just missed a playoff by 1 win. He beat everyone he had to (including Asashoryu on day 14 and Harumafuji, very easily, on day 15) except he couldn't beat Hakuho. Still, it's nice to see he can compete every so often.
Kotomitsuki - 12-3 -- Kotomitsuki beat all the other Ozekis (he doesn't face Koto'oshu because they're on the same team) and he was the only one to beat Hakuho, but he lost to Asashoryu and he lost one he should have won to Aminishiki, which took him out of contention. Hopefully, he can keep up the momentum, though. 3 competitive Ozekis would be great.
Kisenosato - 9-6 -- He faded at the end, losing 4 of his last 6, but he beat 3 Ozekis and he beat Asashoryu and finished with a good 9-6 record at the highest rank below Ozeki. He won't be pushing for Ozeki promotion in September, but maybe by early next year.
Baruto - 11-4 -- Baruto had been getting stronger and stronger and hanging in at Sekiwake up until last tournament, when he got hurt and stumbled to a 4-11 record, dropping him to Maegashira #3 for this tournament. All he did was take advantage of the weaker competition and march to an 11-4 record (though he did lose to all three Ozekis he faced). He should move back up to the top ranks, probably Komusubi, though possibly even back to his old rank in September.
Aminishiki - 11-4 -- Aminishiki had a great tournament in the middle of the Maegashira ranks, going 11-4 and winning the Technique Prize (for the 4th time). He'll move up to the top of the Maegashira in September and have to face all the Ozekis and Yokozunas.
Shotenro - 11-4 -- Shotenro is a young Mongolian wrestler who was fighting in the 3rd division a year ago, but quickly moved his way up and through the minors. This was his 3rd tournament in the bigs, and he got his form back, winning 11 and earning the Fighting Spirit Prize. He's got good skill and good size (339 pounds) and should be able to hang with the tougher competition as he moves up next tournament.
Tosayutaka - 8-7 -- Tosayutaka was the only rookie who got a winning record. Mokonami went 6-9, but he was way up the rankings, so he should stay in the majors, but Wakakoyu will drop back to the minors.
Homasho - 10-5 -- Once again, Homasho drops to the bottom of the rankings and comes up big to move back up (where he will probably fail again and head back down).
Wakanosato - 14-1 -- Wakanosato dropped down to the minors after last tournament, but not for very long, going 14-1 and winning the Juryo division championship. He'll be back to the majors in September.
Kunitachi - 9-6 -- I just missed my 10th win today, losing 8-to-7. I had a pretty mediocre tournament, only averaging 6.4 right each day in an easy tournament, but still got 9 wins and should move up decently in September. My goal of reaching Juryo by next March may be in danger, though.
Tournament Losers
Asashoryu - 10-5 -- Five losses is not very good for Asashoryu (especially after starting 7-0) and losing to both Kaio and Chiyotaikai is inexcusable. He put up a good fight against Hakuho on the last day, but it doesn't look like he'll be competing with him for tournaments very often in the future. Still, he only needs 1 more to tie for 3rd most all time, and he should be able to get one in the next 4 or 5 tournaments.
Kaio and Chiyotaikai - 8-7 -- Sigh. Another mediocre tournament for both of them again, but just enough to get a winning record and keep their Ozeki ranks for a while longer.
Kakuryu - 5-10 -- Kakuryu was promoted to his highest rank yet, Sekiwake, and couldn't quite stand up to the competition there. He'll drop way down next tournament, and, if he's healthy, should do fine and make his way back.
Aran - 4-11 -- Not a good tournament for the young Russian, still in his first year in the majors. He was way up at Maegashira #1 and failed miserably against the top wrestlers. Chalk it up to a learning experience. He'll be back in a few tournaments.
Takamisakari - 6-9 -- Everyone's favorite looked like he had a chance to creep up to the higher ranks and the big competition, but instead he dropped 5 out of 6 to end the tournament and will go back down to the middle of the Maegashira, where he belongs.
Yamamotoyama - 4-7-4 -- The man-mountain was in the middle of a poor tournament when he had to drop out due to a knee injury. (Not surprising, considering he weighs 560 pounds and has to constantly squat.) He may hang on to the bottom of the majors, but if he isn't healthy in September, he'll be dropped to the minors.
Futeno - 6-9 -- My personal favorite won his first 3, then lost it completely. He was near the bottom of the rankings, so there's a good chance he'll be back in the minors in September (the good news being, maybe he'll win it all down there and I'll get to hear another interview).
That's all for now. The next tournament starts September 13 in Tokyo.
It's been another exciting sumo tournament, coming down to the very last match of the last day for the championship.
Today's important matches went like this:
Aminishiki beat youngster Tochinoshin, to go to 11-3 and keep hope alive for a chance at a playoff.
Kotomitsuki beat Kakuryu to also go to 11-3 and stay alive. Kakuryu dropped to 5-9 at Sekiwake, so he'll be dropping all the way out of the top ranks in September.
The 2nd-to-last match of the day was Hakuho vs. Harumafuji. Harumafuji got a good push on the faceoff but Hakuho fought it off and shoved him out pretty easily. That took Hakuho to 13-1, and it officially ended the chances for Aminishiki and Kotomitsuki, and Asashoryu before he even wrestled.
In the last match of the day, Koto'oshu put his tournament life on the line vs. Asashoryu. A loss meant a championship for Hakuho. Instead, Koto'oshu got a good grip on Asa's belt at the faceoff, tried a throw that didn't take Asashoryu down but off balance enough for Koto'oshu to push him out for the win. Koto'oshu went to 12-2. Asashoryu dropped down to 10-4.
So it all comes down to the last two matches tomorrow. First, Koto'oshu will face Harumafuji (9-5). If he wins, the pressure will be on Hakuho. Hakuho faces Asashoryu in the last match (unless Koto'oshu wins and he loses, then there would be a playoff). Hakuho is 9-12 lifetime vs. Asashoryu, but he's beaten him on the last day of the last 3 tournaments. (Harumafuji and Koto'oshu are dead even 10-10 career, but Harumafuji's won 5 of their last 6 matchups.)
And in the biggest match of them all today, Kunitachi defeated the previously unbeaten Canapayama in the sumo pool, ending his hopes of the first ever 15-0 championship in the sumo pool. I only picked 6 out of 10 right, but it was good enough to beat him and raise my record to 9-5, just one win away from my 10-win goal. Tomorrow's match vs. 7-7 Ishinostuyoihito (who beat me in the last tournament) will decide it.
While Hakuho continued his domination, getting one step away from the championship with a win over Koto'oshu, Asashoryu reminded me why I loved him and why he's possibly the best I've ever seen...
With Asashoryu, especially in his prime, you never knew what he might pull out of his hat. That move there (a "yagura-nage", using both his arms plus 1 leg to hurl his opponent Harumafuji) hadn't been seen in a sumo match since 1975. Incredible strength, skill, and timing. Later, he joked that that move is totally normal in Mongolian sumo. That win put Asashoryu at 9-3, two wins behind Hakuho but hanging onto a slim chance at a comeback playoff win.
To win it all, he'll need Hakuho to lose tomorrow (and against him on Sunday), because Hakuho beat Koto'oshu in the battle of leaders, to go to 11-1. Hakuho could win it all tomorrow with a win over Harumafuji and a Koto'oshu loss to Kaio. (If Harumafuji beats Hakuho, and Asashoryu wins out, those two (and maybe more) will finish in a tie.)
Koto'oshu dropped to 10-2. He's definitely still alive, because all he needs is Hakuho to lose one (and win both of his matches) to force a tiebreaker.
Also still alive: Aminishiki, who sidestepped Kotomitsuki at the faceoff and got an easy win to go to 9-3. Kotomitsuki is also 9-3. Both of them could also win out and, in the same scenario as Asashoryu's, make a playoff. (Five-man playoff? That would be amazing.)
In another exciting match today, Baruto pulled out one of his favorite moves, but this time in maybe his most spectacular style yet (Note: his opponent weighs 319 pounds):
Results so far:
12-1: Hakuho
11-2: Koto'oshu
10-3: Asashoryu, Kotomitsuki, Aminishiki
9-4: Harumafuji, Baruto, Shotenro
8-5: Kisenosato (will stay at Sekiwake in September), Tochinoshin
7-6: Kunitachi (lost 3 in a row, no 10-win tourney this time, just hoping for 8 wins and promotion in Sep. UPDATE: Just looked, and I actually won yesterday, 5-4, and got to 8-5. Got my promotion for next tournament, plus still have a chance at 10 wins!), Kaio, Chiyotaikai
6-7: Takamisakari
0-13: Tochiozan
Matches of the day tomorrow: Hakuho vs. Harumafuji; Asashoryu vs. Koto'oshu; Kunitachi vs. Canapayama (I go up against the guy who already won the tournament in my division. He's 13-0 and no one's ever gone 15-0 in the sumo pool. Huge challenge to keep 10-win hope alive.)
The NERD-DAR I developed over 4 years at MIT is telling me... this girl was paid to put on this costume. Not a real nerd. Gotta love the outfit, though.
On day 12, Hakuho had a bigger fight than expected but beat Kaio, Koto'oshu didn't have too much trouble with Miyabiyama, and Asashoryu sent a message by beating the other contender Kotomitsuki.
11-1: Hakuho, Koto'oshu
10-2: Kotomitsuki
9-3: Aminishiki (lost one he should have won to drop out of contention)
So it comes down to tomorrow's match between Hakuho and Koto'oshu to see who goes to 12-1. (Actually, it doesn't totally, because then each of them has to face Asashoryu before the tournament ends, so neither can easily win out. Kotomitsuki could even get himself back into a tiebreaker by winning his last three -- 3-man playoff, anyone?)
I have another terrific video to share. This appears to be a representation of the inside of my brain. But what it actually is, is a video showing some artist's influences from childhood through today. This guy is clearly the same age as I, and influenced by all of the same shows, movies, books, &c. (save the comic books, which I never really got into). I especially liked the comments, where someone asks why Ed Emberley is missing and the artist points out exactly where a quick shot of some Ed Emberley martians appears in the video (I had recognized them when they went by, but couldn't place them.)
Wow -- I love the inclusion of: The Stupids, Captain Caveman, Clash of The Titans (I think), Dragon's Lair, and those stupid rubber balls that squirted water (I still have one in my closet), among a bunch of others that flew by...
Crazy day of upsets in Nagoya today.
The biggest of them all was this EPIC BATTLE between Hakuho (in brown) and Kotomitsuki (in blue):
That dropped Hakuho to 10-1 for the tournament.
That would have been a great opportunity for Koto'oshu, except he had already lost to Chiyotaikai.
The combination of those two would have been a great opportunity for Asashoryu, just as I had described in yesterday's post. If only he had beaten Kaio. But he didn't.
Put it all together and there's now a 3-way tie for the lead.
10-1: Hakuho, Kotomitsuki, Koto'oshu
9-2: Aminishiki (low-ranked wrestler who, believe it or not, actually has a chance of squeezing into a victory with the top 3 all fighting each other in the last 4 days)
8-3 (and basically out of it): Asashoryu, Harumafuji, Tochinoshin, Shotenro
Match of the day tomorrow: Kotomitsuki vs. Asashoryu (Hakuho and Koto'oshu get relatively easy matches vs. Kaio and Miyabiyam, respectively.)
It's getting hot in Nagoya, as witnessed by the multitude of fans being waved by the audience at the Sumo tournament. But Hakuho has kept his cool...
10-0:
Amazing stat of the day: Hakuho has won 95 of his last 100 matches! Unbelievable. He hasn't looked in danger this whole tournament. He still has to face Koto'oshu, Harumafuji and Asashoryu, but a 15-0 tournament looks likely. He faces another contender, Kotomitsuki, tomorrow in the big match of the day.
Koto'oshu hasn't looked as dominant, but he hasn't made a single mistake. In his first real test today, he beat Kisenosato to stay undefeated and pretty much knock Kisenosato out of the chase. He ought to beat Chiyotaikai tomorrow, but he still has to face Kotomitsuki, Harumafuji, and both Yokozunas.
9-1:
Kotomitsuki beat Harumafuji and Baruto in his last 2 matches, so he's shown he's for real this tournament. His only loss was to Kisenosato on Day 6. If he can pull off the upset of Hakuho tomorrow, he'll have a strong chance of reaching a playoff for the championship.
8-2:
Asashoryu went 7-0, then lost on consecutive days to Kisenosato (understandable) and Chiyotaikai (really pathetic). He is pretty much out of the race for the championship, but he could play spoiler with upcoming matches against Koto'oshu, Kotomitsuki, and Hakuho. (Actually, if Kotomitsuki beats Hakuho tomorrow, then Asashoryu would make a playoff at worst by winning out, but that's a stretch.)
Aminishiki is at Maegashira #5 and having a great tournament. He beat Baruto early, but hasn't faced any real competition.
Shotenro had big expectations when he reached the majors in March after winning 2 straight tournaments in the minors. He didn't do too much in his first 2 tournaments in the majors, but he's looking good this time and should move up nicely in September.
7-3:
I've won 5 straight matches in the Sumo pool and Kunitachi is now up to 7-3 (and 3 wins away from my 3rd straight double-digit win tournament).
Harumafuji lost to Kotomitsuki yesterday to drop to 3 losses, so he won't be making Yokozuna any time soon, but he could still figure in the championship race, with a big upset or two.
Kisenosato also dropped out of the race with his loss today to Koto'oshu, but he did beat 3 Ozekis and one Yokozuna in the tournament and should finish strong and place himself well for future Ozeki promtion consideration.
Baruto has proved that last tournament's poor record was due to an injury or just a fluke. Having dropped down to Maegashira #3, he's gotten right back to his usual strong tournament (though, definitely, poor competition has supported his record this time.) 2 of his 3 losses are the two matches against Ozekis he's had. He has another chance to prove his mettle with a match against Harumafuji tomorrow.
A strong tournament for the Georgian Tochinoshin, who, at 21, still has time to live up to great expectations.
5-5:
The two old, lame Ozekis, Kaio and Chiyotaikai, are struggling along with 5-5 records. Unfortunately, the closer they get to the end of the tournament and near 8 wins, the more likely they are to make deals with other wrestlers to throw matches so they can keep their Ozeki rankings. Yes, it's true -- Freakonomics was right.
Takamisakari started terribly, but has won 4 of 5 to even his record at 5-5. I'm sure everyone would love to see him with a winning record and a promotion that would mean matches against Yokozunas and Ozekis in September (even though he'd probably end up 5-10 or worse against that level of competition).
Tosayutaka is putting up the best tournament among the rookies, though at 5-5, that doesn't say much.
4-6:
The 550-pound man-mountain Yamamotoyama's looking about as weak as a 550-pound man-mountain can look.
My man Futeno won his first 3, but he's 1-6 since then. Sigh -- no interviews for him this tournament.
3-7:
Not a good tournament for Kakuryu in his highest ranking ever of Sekiwake. He'll lose 8 or more and drop out of the top ranks (to be replaced by Baruto, probably).
2-8:
Dejima is a 35-year old, one-time Ozeki who just doesn't have it anymore. This is looking like his last tournament, as he's already announced he'll retire, rather than accept a demotion to the minors. At Maegashira #13 (5 from the bottom of the majors), with 8 losses already, this looks pretty likely. Must admit, I will not miss Dejima. I wish some other aging Ozekis would follow his lead.
1-9:
Ouch. The young Russian Aran clearly wasn't ready to be so high in the rankings (Maegashira #1) and to face all the top wrestlers. He'll drop way down in September, but probably start working his way back and hopefully do better when he makes it back up here.
Finally, in the Juryo minor division, the leaders are Hokutoriki and Wakanosato at 9-1. They're both ex-major leaguers who've done badly and been dropped to the minors. In other words, boring...
Coldplay just released a video for one of my favorite songs from the last album, Strawberry Swing.
It appears to have been created with just a giant blackboard, colored chalk, and Chris Martin lying on the blackboard in various positions. Must have taken forever to do, but so worth it...
I just read some exciting news on the music front about a couple bands I love.
First, the new Kings of Convenience record is finally coming, set for release at the end of September. They also plan to tour, and if you're in the mood for a classic folk music concert, where the artists make clever chit-chat between songs and answer to called-out song requests from the enraptured audience, I encourage your attendance. (They also make good music live.) For those who don't know, Kings of Convenience are a mellow mostly-acoustic duo from Norway who specialize in delicate harmonies and warm love songs (but not in a boring way, really).
Here's a taste of new music:
The 2nd piece of news I got today was word that Field Music are back together (who even knew they'd broken up?) and planning a new album. Seems a little further from existence than KoC, but hopefully will arrive before too long. I really loved their last album, Tones of Town, which featured this song:
