💾 Archived View for sdf.org › stug › phlog › 20230114.txt captured on 2023-01-29 at 04:31:52.
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14th January 2023 - Day 7, Hatsu 2023 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Once again we are in the midst of the first osumo tournament of the year, Hatsu. Well if the last basho felt a touch phoned in, you can't say that about this one. The rikishi seem to have been adding wasabi to their chanko with how much pep they seem to have. Each day has had magnificent bouts with few seeming to be phoned in. A great example is the match between Midorifuji and Takakeisho. Matches with Takakeisho tend to be quick and mostly involving pushing/thrusting. Well, this match was explosive! The pair try lots of pulls and grabs while being brutal with their slaps, punches and thrusts. It is one of those which I just can't describe. It lasted far longer than usual for Takakeisho and he didn't seem to be hanging out of his arse afterwards. The big storylines are really focused on the possibility of new Ozeki. They are sorely needed with just Takakeisho being an Ozeki. Wakatakakage and Hoshoryu are the possible candidates. However, Wakatakakage seems to have blown his chances. Hoshoryu remains in the yusho chasing group. He started well and then suffered 2 losses in a row. A true test of someone being ready for becoming ozeki is being able to take those losses on the chin and producing more wins. Well today's bout against Abi showed he can produce wins. Abi did his usual pushing/thrusting with his strangely long arms. Hoshoryu ended up at the edge of the ring but managed to twist, causing Abi to carry on forwards. As Abi realises and spins around, Hoshoryu is ready to rugby tackle Abi into the crowd. A great bout showing some great sumo sense. The standings today are 5 rikishi with 6-1 records and 4 with 5-2 records. The yusho race is any ones at this rate! At the lower end, we have a fair number of rikishi who are going to get make koshis. Okinoumi, Terunofuji, Ichinojo, Takayasu and Tochinoshin are all kyujo. Oho and Chiyomaru have 1-6 records and then there are 7 with 2-5 records. We have some great sumo coming up and an exciting race to the yusho! I certainly will be having a great time watching this one.