Sumo Game: News

Makuuchi Yusho:	K Mariohana (12-3; 106 points)
Juryo Yusho:	J6 Banjakubouken (10-5; 109 points)
Makushita Yusho:	m59 Yoskme (14-1; 103 points)
Gino-sho:	M1 Zenjimoto (8-7; 111 points)
Kanto-sho:	M9 Andoreasu (11-4; 107 points)
Shukun-sho:	not awarded

by Takanotaki, 2006/9/26

Aki Basho 2006 - Day 15

Well, the Aki Basho for 2006 is over and the winners have been determined. In Makunouchi, Komusubi Mariohana picks up his second yusho, with a 12-3 record, after defeating Komusubi Tosahayate on senshuraku while WM1 Terosan lost to EM1 Yumezukuri to drop to 11-4.

In Juryo, we have a bit of a surprise winner in EJ6 Banjakubouken. The head to head on the final day between himself and EJ4 Osutoriajin was very dramatic. Osutoriajin had four point lead going into the final day but lost to Banjakubouken 8-4 in the final days head to head match-up. This gave Banjakubouken enough wins and total points to tie him in the standings and since the third tie break rule deals with head to head match-ups in the tournament, Banjakubouken was declared the winner.

In Makushita, Em59 Yoskme put together a very impressive 14-1 record to win the yusho. Yoskme was the sole leader for most of the tournament and was flirting with a zensho yusho until day 12, so it was only fitting that he becomes the walk off winner on senshuraku.

Scoring for the tournament was an overall 6.39 which makes almost dead on for average.

Thanks for joining us for the Aki Basho 2006 and we hope to see you all in November!

by Nushuzan, 2006/9/26

Aki Basho 2006 - Day 14

Although Asashoryu has clinched title number 18 in his young career on the 14th day of the Aki Basho, here at Sumo Game we have no clear cut scenerio in any of the divisions for the yusho.

In Makunouchi, we have five possible yusho contenders depending on senshuraku results. First off, we have Komusubi Mariohana and WM1 Terosan in the best position for the top division crown. Both have an 11-3 record at this point. If one should win and the other should lose then the one that wins will pick up the yusho outright. If they both win, then it will come down to playoff with Terosan having a slight edge in points, 100 to Mariohana's 99. If they should both lose on the final day, then the winner of the Gaijingai-Sashimaru match (both at 10-4) will automatically join the playoff. EM9 Andoreasu could join the fray if he defeats EM11 Charliki on the final day.

In Juryo, we also have either simple scenerio or a really complicated one depending on the match between the leader EJ4 Osutoriajin (10-4) and EJ6 Banjakubouken (9-5). If Osutoriajin wins, then he wins the yusho, however, if he loses, then he will be forced into a four-way playoff with Banjakubouken, the winner of the match between EJ9 Tenkuukaikatsu (9-5) and WJ5 Randomitsuki (9-5) and the winner of the match between EJ10 Asafan (9-5) and WJ11 Kotononami (9-5). Osutoriajin will still be in the best postion if it comes down to a tie break situation due to his comanding lead in the points total, 105 to the next nearest contenders total of 101.

In Makushita, long time sole leader Em59 Yoskme (13-1) could wrap up the yusho with a win over new-comer Wm75 Fatakiyama (12-2). However, if he should lose then the two of them will be forced into a playoff. Em16 Pandaazuma could make it a three way battle if he is victorious over his opponent on senshuraku. Fatakiyama has a slight edge in total points, 97 to 96 by both Yoskme and Pandaazuma.

Good Luck to all on the senshuraku!

by Nushuzan, 2006/9/24

Aki Basho 2006 - Day 13

Coming into the final weekend of the Aki Basho 2006 there were few changes in the leaderboard. In Makunouchi, the four way race has been trimmed to three as Rannohana fell to 9-4 on day 13. The remaining co-leaders are now Komusubi Mariohana, WM1 Terosan and EM4 Gaijingai all picking up a win to go 10-3.

In Juryo, EJ4 Osutoriajin is now leading the pack at 10-3 with EJ10 Asafan, who lost on day 13, one win off the pace at 9-4. In Makushita, Em59 Yoskme remains the sole leader at 12-1 with Em16 Pandaazuma, Wm64 Wakanoki and Wm75 Fatakiyama at 11-2.

by Nushuzan, 2006/9/23

Aki Basho 2006 - Day 12

On day 12 of the Aki Basho, the number of yusho contenders dwindled, in the Makunouchi division, from seven down to four. Komusubi Mariohana, WM1 Terosan, EM4 Gaijingai and WM10 Rannohana are all notched at 9-3. Although none of them will meet head to head matches on day 13, they all face tough opponents which could play the part of the spoiler. Of course, everyone with 8 or even 7 wins are still in the title chase if there is a complete meltdown in the leaderboard in the coming days.

In Juryo, WJ4 Osutoriajin and EJ10 Asafan are co-leaders at 9-3. WJ11 Kotononami was up-ended on day 12 to fall to 8-4 and is one match off the pace as is EJ6 Banjakubouken.

In Makushita, Em59 Yoskme was defeated today to end his bid for a zensho, however, he still has a one win lead over Em16 Pandaazuma, Wm64 Wakanoki and Wm75 Fatakiyama who all have a 10-2 record.

by Nushuzan, 2006/9/22

Aki Basho 2006 - Day 11

After 11 days of the Aki Basho 2006 the yusho hunt has just gotten clearer in one of the divisions and more muddled in the other two.

First off, in the Makunouchi we now have seven wrestlers tied for the lead at 8-3. This is due mainly to the losses by co-leaders EM4 Gaijingai and WM10 Rannohana. As it stands now, Gaijingai and Rannohana are in an intense battle that also includes Komusubi Mariohana, WM1 Terosan, WM4 Sashimaru, EM5 Golynohana and EM8 Hermanosho. On day 12, Mariohana and Golynohana will face each other that will most likely be a yusho elimination bout. In terms of total points for the tournament, should it come down to a tie break situation on the final day, Golynohana leads the group of 7 with 82 points while Sashimaru has 81 points and Marionohana is two off from that at 79. Hermanosho has the most ground to make up at 73.

One other point that has not been mentioned thus far in the reports is that Ozeki Ekigozan has been kadoban this tournament. With his record after 11 days of 4-7 he now must win his remaining matches if he is to hold his rank for the Kyushu tournament.

In Juryo, leader EJ10 Asafan was defeated today to fall to 8-3. This has now created a three race for the yusho as EJ4 Osutoriajin and WJ11 Kotononami were both winners on day 11 to pull even at 8-3. In Makushita, Em59 Yoskme remains perfect at 11-0 and with four days remaining in the tournament could become our first zensho yusho. He now has a two match lead over his nearest rival.

by Nushuzan, 2006/9/21

Aki Basho 2006 - Day 10

It's coming down to the last third of the Aki Basho 2006 and the picks are becoming more difficult to figure out. So far this tournament has been a bit on the high side with an overall average of 6.51 with day 10 a respectable 6.85.

In Makunouchi, leader WM10 Rannohana was defeated by EM3 Heruwejima to fall to an 8-2 record while EM4 Gaijingai is riding a three match winning streak to pull to the same mark. In Juryo, EJ10 Asafan continues to dominate with at 8-2 and is followed by EJ4 Osutoriajin and WJ11 Kotononami at 7-3. There was no change in the leaderboard of Makushita as Em59 Yoskme remains perfect at 10-0. Wm64 Wakanoki is still one loss off the pace at 9-1.

by Nushuzan, 2006/9/20

Aki Basho 2006 - Days 8 and 9

We are now in the final week of the Aki Basho 2006 and for today, the magic number seems to be two, at least for the top two divisions. The leader of the Makunouchi division after the first week WM16 Kaiowaka lost two in a row to slip to 7-2 while WM10 Rannohana has now climbed into the top spot with an 8-1 record. Kaiowaka is joined with Komusubi Tosahayate, WM1 Terosan and EM4 Gaijingai at 7-2 and one loss off the pace.

In Juryo, WJ8 Tsuyoikaze off and on leader of the first week has also dropped two in a row over the long weekend to fall into the runner up group while EJ10 Asafan, who started the tournament with two straight losses before pulling off a seven match winning streak, now finds himself the sole leader on day nine. Tsuyoikaze and five others are 6-3 and within striking distance of the Juryo title.

In Makushita, Em59 Yoskme is the remaining undefeated wrestler of the Aki Basho at 9-0 and surprisingly only Wm64 Wakanoki is one loss off the pace at 8-1.

Scoring for the tournament has cooled in the last few days with a 6.11 average on Nakabi and 6.22 on day nine. As a result, the overall average for the tournament has been lowered to 6.47.

by Nushuzan, 2006/9/19

Aki Basho 2006 - Day 7

After one full week of action, the Aki Basho been fairly dramatic. Hakuho's day seven loss has most likely ended his bid for Yokozuna promotion this time around. However, he is determined and it will only be a matter of time before he is in this position again. With Kaio pulling out of the Aki basho, one has to wonder if he is merely hanging on long enough to finish his career in Kyushu in front of his hometown fans in November. Miyabiyama won today to keep his slim chances for Ozeki promotion alive.

In Makunouchi after 7 days of the Aki basho shin-makunouchi WM16 Kaiowaka emerges the sole leader of the division after scoring a perfect 10 to up his record to 7-0. Komusubi Tosahayate stumbled today after losing to WM9 Zenjimoto in a tie-break. He is now 6-1 as is WM10 Rannohana.

In Juryo, WJ8 Tsuyoikaze reassumed sole leadership with a 6-1 mark. He is followed by a pack of five at 5-2. In Makushita, Em59 Yoskme continues to set the pace and remains undefeated at 7-0. He is followed by an ever dwindling group wrestlers that are one win off the pace.

by Nushuzan, 2006/9/17

Aki Basho 2006 - Day 6

Day 6 of the Aki basho was an exciting day for sumo. Kisenosato upset the Yokozuna Asashoryu proving the 20 year old is the best hope for a strong, young Japanese rikishi. Aminisiki continues his hot streak defeating his third Ozeki in as many days. And the leader of the tournament thus far: Ama. Not only is he the lightest of all the top rankers, but his personal undefeated streak to start a tournament is two and now he is all alone at the top at 6-0.

In Sumo Game, Komusubi Tosahayate and WM16 Kaiowaka lead the charge at 6-0 with WM1 Terosan, EM4 Gaijingai and WM10 Rannohana at 5-1. In Juryo, WJ8 Tsuyoikaze and WJ11 Kotononami are co-leaders with a 5-1 mark with a small pack of five at 4-2. Em59 Yoskme is still the sole leader of Makushita and still perfect at 6-0.

by Nushuzan, 2006/9/16

Aki Basho 2006 - Day 5

On the fifth day of the Aki Basho scoring was high once again at 7.48. Komusubi Mariohana scored a perfect 10 on the day giving a big boost to the sanyaku average of 8.50. The overall average for the tournament is now at a very devilish 6.66.

In Makunouchi division after day 5 action, Komusubi Tosahayte, WM10 Rannohana and WM16 Kaiowaka are setting the pace with a 5-0 record. They are followed by three others at 4-1 incuding EM4 Gaijingai who will face Rannohana on day 6.

A day five loss by sole leader WJ8 Tsuyoikaze dropped him into a three-way tie with WJ6 Metzinowaka and WJ11 Kotononami. In Makushita, the dust has finally settled as seven of the eight unbeaten wrestlers lost day 5 giving Em59 Yoskme the top spot at 5-0. Should Yoskme stumble on day 6, there is a sizeable group (27) with a 4-1 mark ready to put themselves back in contention.

by Nushuzan, 2006/9/15

Aki Basho 2006 - Day 4

With losses by heavily favored Kotooshu and Futeno scoring for day 4 of the Aki Basho fell to an average of 5.66 with an overall average thus far at 6.46.

The leaderboard has finally started to take shape in all divisions after today's action. In Makunouchi, Komusubi Tosahayate, EM8 Hermanosho, EM10 Rannohana and WM16 Kaiowaka remain perfect at 4-0. In Juryo, WJ8 Tsuyoikaze is all alone at the top spot and is followed by EJ4 Osutoriajin, WJ6 Metzinowaka and WJ11 Kotononami at 3-1. While the Makushita division is still a day or two away from highlighting individual effort, day 4 saw the number of undefeated wrestlers reduced from 19 down to 8.

by Nushuzan, 2006/9/13

Aki Basho 2006 - Days 2 and 3

After a rather slow start at shonichi scoring has picked up considerably with day 2 having a 7.57 average and day 3 just a shade off at 7.55. Overall average for the tournament now sits at 6.73.

Although it is still too early in the tournament to have a clear idea how the leaderboard will shape up we should have a better idea by day 4. At this point, we have six wrestlers at 3-0 in the Makunouchi division including Komusubi Tosahayate and shin-Makunouchi WM16 Kaiowaka. In Juryo, WJ8 Tsuyoikaze, winner of the Makushita title in July is off to a good start at 3-0 as is WJ11 Kotononami. Both are Shin-Juryo for the Aki Basho. In Makushita, no less than 19 members are at 3-0 but this should thin out quickly as the torikumi for day 4 has several direct bouts among co-leaders.

by Nushuzan, 2006/9/13

Aki Basho 2006 - Day 1

Welcome to the Aki Basho 2006. We hope that everyone is well rested after the summer holidays and ready for some sumo action. This tournament promises to be a challenging one as several of top wrestlers are in less than 100 percent and many of the young rising stars in sumo have found themselves placed high enough in the banzuke to make for some interesting matches. With the Aki Basho 2006, we should see a real changing of the guard begin to unfold in the top division.

As for Sumo Game, a total of 180 participants are doing battle in the Aki Basho with 7 newcomers to the virtual dohyo. On shonichi, with 5 of the top 10 most selected wrestlers losing, scoring was a very low 5.06, just barely above random. It was a particularly rough day for the Sanyaku wrestlers with a mere 4.83 scoring average and only Komusubi Tosahayate picking up a victory.

Good luck to all and enjoy the tournament!

by Nushuzan, 2006/9/10