13 Comments

Hosho, as everyone’s saying, is a man on fire. He looks the fittest, mentally, physically, technically, of his fellow rikishi, and I do believe he can keep this up. Of course anything can happen—this basho is showing us just that—but I will put my stake on him for the yusho. He’s performing like a Yokozuna, last tournament and this. We shall see!!!

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I sure hope he can keep it up. He oozes yokozuna confidence and, in the best way, arrogance. I'd love to see him get that rope this year. I'd love to see anyone get that, though, so we're not so reliant on Terunofuji.

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Agreed. He looks unstoppable, and he's no one-trick pony either. He's grappled and pusher-thrusted as necessary. I don't think we've even seen one of his trademark judo throws yet.

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His varied assault, both moving forwards and backwards, makes him so dangerous.

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Wow, you could see Ura building towards that move long in advance, as soon as he got his head under Taka's armpit. I think Papa Bear knew it was coming, too, but couldn't get out of it the way Wakamotoharu did the last time.

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Yeah, you must know what's coming when Ura gets you like that. The move itself seems to come on pretty slow. That speaks to how strong Ura is at holding guys in that position. I remember the JSA put out some videos with guys squeezing a device that measured grip strength and Ura had one of the highest scores.

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Holy crap that was a fun day. Lot's of exciting wins. I'm always happy to see a good Tamawashi win. Team old guy till I die.

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Tamawashi really is killing it, isn’t he? He is a true iron man!

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Love seeing the only top division Rikishi older than me get wins. It's inspiring lol

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After such a strong day one, something absolutely isn't right with Kotozakura. He looks far more tentative than he has in recent basho's and this is a continuation of his showing at the YDC earlier this month. Wonder if he has a few more losses whether he drops out.

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Yeah, the eventual Kotozakura vs. Terunofuji matchup does not promise fireworks.

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Just seems like he doesn't have a lot of power in his legs. The knee is the obvious culprit, but he also seems to have a little extra strapping around his ankles, too.

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Wow, what a basho! Somehow I missed the hazing background to the Terunofuji/Tobizaru match (shouldn't read Sumo Stomp while working), and when my husband clued me in, I was rooting for Tobizaru all the way. What a match! Ura's tsutaezori will stay on my highlight reel, as will Oho's straw-surfing. I can't wait to watch Ura vs. Tobizaru tonight.

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