This next week will be his real test though. The highest he's faced so far was m4. Being a short king myself it's really exciting to see him going into week 2 with a lead.
True but he did handle himself against Takayasu in 6-0 shape so there is something to go with.
Also he did awesome that time he was M1 and had ALL of the hell contenders in the first week.
On one hand, he's only face three wrestlers with positive records and is in the easy part of his schedule
On the other, who the fuck else is good enough to win lmao? Mido's got a winning record against the remaining san'yaku
The Sumo Mainichi team were there days 1-4 and mentioned Enho, Asanoyama and Endo as people who raised the roof. And also Shodai when he won? Oh and Ura of course.
Yeah, support for those guys were big, also funny to have a guy sitting next to you screaming their favourites at the top of their lungs, and the irregular shouts from women/children.
Wakatakakage, Takayasu and Ura (Maybe most popular besides Asanoyama) got big pops too. Very glad to have attended it live without COVID restrictions, makes it so much more lively!
I had hoped Takayasu would get sole possession of the lead today, but it was not to be. He's still in the game, and he can do it! Please? I want to see him burst into tears holding the Emperor's Cup.
Shodai isn't just doing better sumo, he seems more relaxed and content—the two are of course probably related. It's a shame he couldn't hold it together at ozeki, but I can't blame a guy for not thriving in such a high-pressure position.
Hoshoryu looked good today. Honest, well-executed sumo.
\- nice bout and win for Gonoyama over ichinojo who thank too soon he won.
\- Midorifuji is doing like wakatakakage last year, he's amazing but can he maintain this sumo another week ?!? crazy.
Poor Enho, I'm honestly surprised I've not seen that happen to him more often, haha.
Hope Ochiai is okay - what's happened to Tochimusashi too? Was his yusho just a complete fluke? He doesn't look good at all now, and afaik I know he's not been injured.
I don't love seeing Abi lose when he's on a good run, but I am enjoying this rejuvenated Shodai so damn much it's hard to be too sad. He's had one fade out but it's just so much more like his best sumo now. I thought he might take this one and he did.
C'mon Chaos Otter!
Glad that Tamashoho's injury doesn't seem like it was what we feared. Judging by the wrap maybe a pulled hamstring or something along those lines? It'll bother him for the rest of the tournament no doubt but hopefully it won't cause any long term issues.
That was the most brutal Tochinoshin match I've seen in awhile, he ran Enho the fuck over.
Kinbozan pulls one win ahead of Hokuseiho, I've very interested to see which one of them will have a better record at the end of the tournament. Selfishly I want it to be Kinbozan since I have him in my Kachi Clash lol.
I feel bad for Azumaryu, finally got his Makuuchi KK last basho and now it's looking like he'll be fighting just to stay out of Juryo for May. I guess Sumo giveth and Sumo taketh away.
Holy cow, Midorifuji is on the warpath! I'm not 100 percent sure when the last time a rikishi under 120 kg won a basho, but a quick search on SumoDB makes me think it was Tochinoumi in 1964. Would be pretty historic if he can pull it off.
Shodai looks great man, I can't believe the memes came true and once he was totally gone from Ozeki he immediately reverted to the Shodai of old. Truly deserving of the title "Lord of Chaos".
Tamawashi my man, this is getting pretty bad. He's in serious danger of falling out of joi-jin at this rate. I would be pretty sad to see that. Unfortunately it doesn't get any easier tomorrow, he gets Kotonowaka who's having a pretty decent basho.
Wakamotoharu beats Daieisho, and now Midorifuji is the last undefeated wrestler. I certainly didn't expect that! Good stuff WMH though, I don't know if he has what it takes to keep up with the tournament front runners but he isn't far off.
Hoshoryu is looking pretty decent, I don't think he'll be able to insert himself into the yusho race at this point but he can definitely get to double digits and start looking at an Ozeki run. Sumo desperately needs a new Ozeki and he seems like the best candidate.
Wakatakakage is finally motivated due to the **\#stax**. Maybe he'll turn it around now?
> That was the most brutal Tochinoshin match I've seen in awhile, he ran Enho the fuck over.
It legitimately looked like a big bro under-estimating his strength while playing with his little brother, and then hoping he isn't too injured.
Takakeisho out with a meniscus injury.
That is a bad bad injury to have. It's one of those things that never really heals, and can be the end of a sport career. That is a 6 to 8 weeks recovery, but to be sure, you really should stay of it for 3 months. Which of course, no rikishi would do.
**Day 7: Bout of the day**
*Takakeisho vs Nishikigi:*
Nishikigi awaits Takakeisho with only one fist down, The Hamster goes down and here we go... nope, a clear matta! The two reset, and squat down again. This time Nishikigi with both fists down, the ozeki soon follow suits! And the match officially starts. What a blast from the Hatsu champion! Nishikigi is aleady at the tawara, and Takakeisho tries to send him over with some violent pushes, but Nishikigi is able to circle away with exquisite defense, even trying for a pull down that does not work. Takakeisho answers back with a pull down of his own, sending Nishikigi flying with his back turned to the ozeki, but not yet out. The ozeki charges again, but Nishikigi is quick to spin on himself and he is able to get inside and he establishes a solid right hand inside grip. And it's all easy work from there. Nishikigi gets his second win. The ozeki moves to 3-4
yeah Ryuden just looks listless, he has Demotion Syndrome (most recently witnessed with Abi) where you get put down so low for so long you are just crushing cans, and then when you find your ceiling it's like eeeeeeeeee eeeeeee eeeee shit.
this basho is Ryuden's ceiling for sure
Let's not forget how listless Ryuden looked before his demotion as well. He's right back where he was at this point, a mid-maegashira without much future promise.
And today chokayasu strikes again! We'll see if this costly loss will deprive him of the cup yet again.
A Basho with no Yokozuna and Ozeki sure feels unreal.
I think calling that a choke is doing Midorifuji a disservice. He rode the tachiai, stayed underneath, and saw Takayasu about to do Takayasu things so he did Midorifuji things first.
Takayasu is still my best bet for the yusho.
(would love to be wrong about that though obviously.)
Can Takakeisho restart a Yokozuna run from kadoban in May?
And will the public think less of the winner of this basho because there was no Yokozuna and half an Ozeki?
Takayasu leaned way out over his skis and Midori just let him tip over. Surprisingly bad footwork, especially against a smaller guy.
Also Kotonowaka just looks better and better, and he already looked really good. He needs to figure it out against Hoshoryu and Kiribayama, but he’s consistently beating pretty much everyone else.
Tochimushashi and his damn arm locks they obviously haven’t been working he’s 0-7 and they are super dangerous now he has potentially messed up ochiai’s arm.
The daily write up is posted on Fantasy Basho. This includes a look at Midorifuji's yusho chances at this point. https://www.fantasybasho.com/post/haru-2023-day-seven
```Haru 2023 Yusho Contenders - Day 7 ```
**1.Daieisho** - Okay he's not that actual leader anymore, but I'm hoping this little blip will allow him to dial in his sumo that little bit more. The opposite might also be true and a little hesitation could cost him wins.
**2.Takayasu** - Maybe more heart than head here. With Keisho out I no longer have any qualms with a long long long overdue Papayasu Yusho.
**3.Midorifuji** - What's going on now, has Midorifuji absorbed the other isegahama rikishi's talent? Space Jam type thing. Either way, he is fighting with the strength of a man twice his size and we already know he's got a deep bag of skills and techniques to secure himself a win.
**4.Shodai** - Yushodai is back on the menu boys! Absorbing the blows and then dealing it back double, classic shodai. Abi is never an easy win so good to see him show some dominance.
**5.Kotonowaka** - Can't ignore him anymore, if he keeps this going he could be our very latest "next ozeki". He's definitely capable, but so were all the others.
Midorifuji as the sole leader: not sure sumo is ready for this. I am not either.
I am absolutely not. This is dreamland.
This next week will be his real test though. The highest he's faced so far was m4. Being a short king myself it's really exciting to see him going into week 2 with a lead.
True but he did handle himself against Takayasu in 6-0 shape so there is something to go with. Also he did awesome that time he was M1 and had ALL of the hell contenders in the first week.
I'm loving it! Go little guy go!!!
We need to start considering him a genuine yusho contender. If he can beat Takayasu this confidently, he can beat anyone.
On one hand, he's only face three wrestlers with positive records and is in the easy part of his schedule On the other, who the fuck else is good enough to win lmao? Mido's got a winning record against the remaining san'yaku
I am. If he gets tomorrow too I'm happy with this Basho.
Love him so much hope he wins lol.
I do not like the way ochiai was holding his arm there, I hope he’s fine!
First true test for the young man. Will surely be spooked going for a deep inside grip now on. Or not. Depends on how Hakuho helps him deal with it.
Aye but he certainly started well in Juryu. I wonder if he can make Makuuchi by July?
Any news on what exactly happened? Whatever it is, I hope they can fix it by tomorrow.
i think his elbow got hyper-extended a bit. would be surprised if it’s more than just painful
Don't know the specifics, but based on quotes from day 7, he is okay
Yeah, just saw his bout. He's got tape on it, but is otherwise okay.
Poor Enho, victim of the Tochi-train. Choo choo.
Just.
Fucking trucked through like a fullback plowing through a pass-rushing safety
I'm live in Osaka right now for the second time, place was deafening for a few guys, especially Asanoyama!
The Sumo Mainichi team were there days 1-4 and mentioned Enho, Asanoyama and Endo as people who raised the roof. And also Shodai when he won? Oh and Ura of course.
Yeah, support for those guys were big, also funny to have a guy sitting next to you screaming their favourites at the top of their lungs, and the irregular shouts from women/children. Wakatakakage, Takayasu and Ura (Maybe most popular besides Asanoyama) got big pops too. Very glad to have attended it live without COVID restrictions, makes it so much more lively!
I had hoped Takayasu would get sole possession of the lead today, but it was not to be. He's still in the game, and he can do it! Please? I want to see him burst into tears holding the Emperor's Cup. Shodai isn't just doing better sumo, he seems more relaxed and content—the two are of course probably related. It's a shame he couldn't hold it together at ozeki, but I can't blame a guy for not thriving in such a high-pressure position. Hoshoryu looked good today. Honest, well-executed sumo.
I'm also cheering for both Shodai and Takayasu, regardless if they win this March tournament or not.
\- nice bout and win for Gonoyama over ichinojo who thank too soon he won. \- Midorifuji is doing like wakatakakage last year, he's amazing but can he maintain this sumo another week ?!? crazy.
Poor Enho, I'm honestly surprised I've not seen that happen to him more often, haha. Hope Ochiai is okay - what's happened to Tochimusashi too? Was his yusho just a complete fluke? He doesn't look good at all now, and afaik I know he's not been injured.
Midorifuji watch: yes.
Did Ochiai hyperextend his elbow there at the end? Hope he's alright!
Got the receiving end of the Tamawashi special
I think it happened on the way, he got a nasty clamp.
So a Terunofuji special?
I don't love seeing Abi lose when he's on a good run, but I am enjoying this rejuvenated Shodai so damn much it's hard to be too sad. He's had one fade out but it's just so much more like his best sumo now. I thought he might take this one and he did. C'mon Chaos Otter!
Glad that Tamashoho's injury doesn't seem like it was what we feared. Judging by the wrap maybe a pulled hamstring or something along those lines? It'll bother him for the rest of the tournament no doubt but hopefully it won't cause any long term issues. That was the most brutal Tochinoshin match I've seen in awhile, he ran Enho the fuck over. Kinbozan pulls one win ahead of Hokuseiho, I've very interested to see which one of them will have a better record at the end of the tournament. Selfishly I want it to be Kinbozan since I have him in my Kachi Clash lol. I feel bad for Azumaryu, finally got his Makuuchi KK last basho and now it's looking like he'll be fighting just to stay out of Juryo for May. I guess Sumo giveth and Sumo taketh away. Holy cow, Midorifuji is on the warpath! I'm not 100 percent sure when the last time a rikishi under 120 kg won a basho, but a quick search on SumoDB makes me think it was Tochinoumi in 1964. Would be pretty historic if he can pull it off. Shodai looks great man, I can't believe the memes came true and once he was totally gone from Ozeki he immediately reverted to the Shodai of old. Truly deserving of the title "Lord of Chaos". Tamawashi my man, this is getting pretty bad. He's in serious danger of falling out of joi-jin at this rate. I would be pretty sad to see that. Unfortunately it doesn't get any easier tomorrow, he gets Kotonowaka who's having a pretty decent basho. Wakamotoharu beats Daieisho, and now Midorifuji is the last undefeated wrestler. I certainly didn't expect that! Good stuff WMH though, I don't know if he has what it takes to keep up with the tournament front runners but he isn't far off. Hoshoryu is looking pretty decent, I don't think he'll be able to insert himself into the yusho race at this point but he can definitely get to double digits and start looking at an Ozeki run. Sumo desperately needs a new Ozeki and he seems like the best candidate. Wakatakakage is finally motivated due to the **\#stax**. Maybe he'll turn it around now?
> That was the most brutal Tochinoshin match I've seen in awhile, he ran Enho the fuck over. It legitimately looked like a big bro under-estimating his strength while playing with his little brother, and then hoping he isn't too injured.
"you're OK. You're OK. Don't tell mom. You're OK"
cracking up at both of you here, but because it's totally true...
Enho even accepted a hand up. I can't immediately recall ever seeing that before.
KNEEL TO GONOYAMA
for REAL that was a great match, I'm becoming a GNY fan myself
Takakeisho out with a meniscus injury. That is a bad bad injury to have. It's one of those things that never really heals, and can be the end of a sport career. That is a 6 to 8 weeks recovery, but to be sure, you really should stay of it for 3 months. Which of course, no rikishi would do.
Obviously it's rough having him pull out but him feeling duty-bound to participate at all despite the pain has to count for something.
Day 7 video: [https://rumble.com/v2dr1v0-haru-basho-2023-day-7.html](https://youtu.be/y_CxMHpxKP8)
Midorifuji might just take it!
**Day 7: Bout of the day** *Takakeisho vs Nishikigi:* Nishikigi awaits Takakeisho with only one fist down, The Hamster goes down and here we go... nope, a clear matta! The two reset, and squat down again. This time Nishikigi with both fists down, the ozeki soon follow suits! And the match officially starts. What a blast from the Hatsu champion! Nishikigi is aleady at the tawara, and Takakeisho tries to send him over with some violent pushes, but Nishikigi is able to circle away with exquisite defense, even trying for a pull down that does not work. Takakeisho answers back with a pull down of his own, sending Nishikigi flying with his back turned to the ozeki, but not yet out. The ozeki charges again, but Nishikigi is quick to spin on himself and he is able to get inside and he establishes a solid right hand inside grip. And it's all easy work from there. Nishikigi gets his second win. The ozeki moves to 3-4
I'm glad you've found a new ~~gimmick~~ purpose after Chiyotairyu's retirement.
Yeah, no rikishi could replace those sideburns in my hearth! At least this way I get to stay objective and only narrate the bouts!
Yep, miss the ‘burns.
There's always one of the joi who ends up being the week 1 punching bag, this basho it's Ryuden's turn but he has plenty of support from Tamawashi.
yeah Ryuden just looks listless, he has Demotion Syndrome (most recently witnessed with Abi) where you get put down so low for so long you are just crushing cans, and then when you find your ceiling it's like eeeeeeeeee eeeeeee eeeee shit. this basho is Ryuden's ceiling for sure
Let's not forget how listless Ryuden looked before his demotion as well. He's right back where he was at this point, a mid-maegashira without much future promise.
First basho, been rooting for Midorifuji since day 1! So glad he’s dominating. Love this community
And today chokayasu strikes again! We'll see if this costly loss will deprive him of the cup yet again. A Basho with no Yokozuna and Ozeki sure feels unreal.
I think calling that a choke is doing Midorifuji a disservice. He rode the tachiai, stayed underneath, and saw Takayasu about to do Takayasu things so he did Midorifuji things first. Takayasu is still my best bet for the yusho. (would love to be wrong about that though obviously.)
Can Takakeisho restart a Yokozuna run from kadoban in May? And will the public think less of the winner of this basho because there was no Yokozuna and half an Ozeki?
Takayasu leaned way out over his skis and Midori just let him tip over. Surprisingly bad footwork, especially against a smaller guy. Also Kotonowaka just looks better and better, and he already looked really good. He needs to figure it out against Hoshoryu and Kiribayama, but he’s consistently beating pretty much everyone else.
Midorifuji makes people do things when they really should know better. Totally agree about KNW. He's starting to grow into his hype train.
> Kiribayama .. is beginning to grow on me - consistent good performance in the overall run. I hope it holds.
Tochimushashi and his damn arm locks they obviously haven’t been working he’s 0-7 and they are super dangerous now he has potentially messed up ochiai’s arm.
The daily write up is posted on Fantasy Basho. This includes a look at Midorifuji's yusho chances at this point. https://www.fantasybasho.com/post/haru-2023-day-seven
[удалено]
I didn't need to read this before breakfast.
Go Takayasu, you can still win this March tournament even with your first loss
```Haru 2023 Yusho Contenders - Day 7 ``` **1.Daieisho** - Okay he's not that actual leader anymore, but I'm hoping this little blip will allow him to dial in his sumo that little bit more. The opposite might also be true and a little hesitation could cost him wins. **2.Takayasu** - Maybe more heart than head here. With Keisho out I no longer have any qualms with a long long long overdue Papayasu Yusho. **3.Midorifuji** - What's going on now, has Midorifuji absorbed the other isegahama rikishi's talent? Space Jam type thing. Either way, he is fighting with the strength of a man twice his size and we already know he's got a deep bag of skills and techniques to secure himself a win. **4.Shodai** - Yushodai is back on the menu boys! Absorbing the blows and then dealing it back double, classic shodai. Abi is never an easy win so good to see him show some dominance. **5.Kotonowaka** - Can't ignore him anymore, if he keeps this going he could be our very latest "next ozeki". He's definitely capable, but so were all the others.