The January Basho in Sumo!

STANDINGS

The January basho has been entertaining, but not without its disappointments. At the present, the leaderboard shows a tie between the Yokozuna, Terunofuji, and Sekiwake Mitakeumi at 10-1. Right behind them is rikishi Abi at 9-2. 

In every basho at this highest level, there are fifteen bouts, one each day, and the winner at the end will have the best record. In the event of a tie, they will have a wrestle-off for the championship. 

On paper, the favorite to win has to be the Yokozuna. Terunofuji was just elevated to this highest of ranks a couple of bashos ago, and all he has done has been to win both tournaments since. The last one was in dominant fashion, a zenshō basho, where he went undefeated at 15-0. 

However, it is very likely that he will meet both Mitakeumi and Abi in the remaining bouts. Additionally, Mitakeumi and Abi will likely face each other. 

That is the drama that remains. 

DISAPPOINTMENT

Along with the drama has come tragedy.

One of my favorite sumo is Ozeki Takakeishō. He had to default out of the tournament because of injury. The Japanese have given him the nickname "Giant Hamster" because he looks like a giant hamster. 

However, don't be fooled! He is the human equivalent of a snow plow, and not a puny Alabama snow plow on the front of a Ford F150, but a big Minnesota highway snow plow. 

Perhaps even a train snow plow. 

MY FAVORITE SUMO

I personally like Terunofuji the best. He dropped to the very lowest of ranks because of injury but has fought his way up to Yokozuna. Moreover, it has been a well deserved promotion. He is a mountain, who can wrestle in many styles. 

Another favorite is Hoshoryu, the sumo with the bloodline of champions. He's still very young and has much to figure out, but he has great style and skill. It is fun to watch his progress; cheer his triumphs and suffer his disappointments. 

Finally, there is Chiyomaru. 

He is a favorite because he looks like a big fat ugly baby. Or, if I had been fed only pizza bagels and milkshakes from the age of one to the age of two. The picture below doesn't show how much his double chin has recently grown:

His ring name, Chiyomaru, means "eternally round" in Japanese. Sometimes that Japanese sense of humor sneaks up on you. Beware, though! His baby face might fool you, but he trained in Judo as a lad and has deceptive speed and skill. 

VIDEO OF YESTERDAY'S ACTION

When there is an ongoing basho, I always watch Nattosumo's video early in the morning. It's in Japanese, but it cuts through all the ceremony and gets right into the bouts. This was yesterday's action:

Pictured above are Terunofuji the Yokozuna on the left, and on the right is Takakeisho, who had to drop out of the tournament. Abi goes at 14:13 in the video; Mitakeumi wrestles at about 21:47; and right after that, Terunofuji wrestles (23:59). 

戦いの用意をしよう！

Tatakai no yōi o shiyou!