Sumo Game: News

Makuuchi Yusho:	S Norizo (11-4; 100 points)
Juryo Yusho:	J9 Meyeryu (12-3; 99 points)
Makushita Yusho:	m4 Sokkenaiyama (12-3; 98 points)
Gino-sho:	K Konosato (8-7; 101 points)
Kanto-sho:	M17 Asashimaru (10-5; 100 points)
Shukun-sho:	M4 Yumezukuri (9-6; 92 points)

by Takanotaki, 2007/11/27

Kyushu Basho 2007 - Day 15

Sumo Game action for 2007 is now over and it looks as if we are finally going to have an Ozeki on the banzuke. In Makunouchi division Sekiwake Norizo came on strong in the second week to not only successfully defend his Kyusho Basho title (having won in 2006) but manages to pick up his second trophy in three tournaments adding a fourth Makunouchi title to his career. Good job Norizo!

WM17 Asashimaru picked up the Kantosho while Komusubi Konosato picked up the Ginosho.

In Juryo, EJ9 Meyeryu with a 12-3 mark wins the yusho without a playoff. Meyeryu managed to put together a five match winning streak together at the end to hold of WJ3 Misisko and WJ7 Katchitakai. In Makushita, WM4 Sokkennaiyama who won on senshuraku eliminated the need for a playoff and picked up the yusho outright. Sokkenyama who will most likely get a boost into Juryo finished with an outstanding 12-3 tournament record.

Congratulations to all the winners! Have a good holiday and we hope to see everyone back in 2008!

by Nushuzan, 2007/11/27

Kyushu Basho 2007 - Days 13 and 14

On day 13 of the Kyushu Basho 2007 Sekiwake Norizo picked up his 9th win of the tournament and 31 wins in three tournaments which pretty much guarantees him a promotion to Ozeki for the Hatsu Basho. It has been seven tournaments now since we have had someone strong enough to fill the rank of Ozeki so congratulations Norizo!

As for the yusho chase for the final basho of 2007 all three divisions are wide open going into senshuraku. In Makunouchi, a late fade by EM7 Charliki has all but made him a dark horse for the tournament title. On the other hand, WM17 Asashimaru who struggled a bit as well down the stretch still remains at the top of the leaderboard with a 10-4 mark. Asahimaru will have some competition for the yusho, however, in Norizo who is also 10-4 and will ride a five match winning streak into the final day. If one of the co-leaders should win while the other one loses, then they will win the yusho outright without a playoff. If both should win, then the yusho will be decided by a tie break with Asashimaru holding a slight lead in points 95-94. However, if both should lose their final match of the tournament, then those with nine wins and a decent point total will also be in contention should they notch a tenth victory.

In Juryo, there are only three players with a mathematical chance for the yusho. First off, we have WJ3 Misisko and EJ9 Meyeryu who are in the best postition with an 11-3 tournament record. A win by one player and a loss by the other will give the victor the yusho. If they both should win then Meyeryu will be in the best shape based on a commanding lead in total points 94-87. If both Misisko and Meyeryu should lose, and WJ7 Kachitakai should win then Kachitakai with his 93 points could sneak in and take the yusho.

In Makushita, the scenario could be easy or really complicated. Basically, if Wm4 Sokkennaiyama who is 11-3 wins on day 15 the title is his. If he should lose Wm70 Hakubayama who is one match down at 10-4 then Hakubayama with force a play off with himself, Sokkenaiyama, the winner of the Em4 Yokotanoharry- Em71 Hakuryuken bout, the winner of the Em57 Gwynho- Wm26 Basashihime bout and anyone else who manages to pick up an 11th win. Hakubayama has a slight points edge in case of a tie break with 96 points.

Good luck to all!

by Nushuzan, 2007/11/24

Kyushu Basho 2007 - Day 12

Three days to go in the Kyushu Basho 2007 and all three divisions are wide open. In Makunouchi EM7 Charliki relinquished his sole leadership position today as he was defeated by last tournament's yusho winner Komusubi Susanoo in a close match. With a day 12 win WM17 Asashimaru pulls even with Charliki yet again this tournament. Both contenders are now 9-3. Sekiwake Norizo pulls within one win for an Ozeki promotion and is one match off the yusho pace at 8-4 as is WM10 Fujisan.

In Juryo, EJ3 Misisko and EJ9 Meyeryu are co-leaders at 9-3 with a group of four others one loss down at 8-4. In Makushita, long time leader Wm4 Sokkenaiyama had a nine match winning streak snapped to fall to 10-2 allowing Em26 Basashihime to equal his tournament record and is also 10-2. A group of six others are one match away at 9-3.

by Nushuzan, 2007/11/23

Kyushu Basho 2007 - Day 11

After 11 days of the Kyushu basho 2007 we have yet another shift in the leader board of the Makunouchi divison. EM7 Charliki who got off to a fast start on week one before hitting a rough patch mid-basho has gotten back into a winning grove to retake sole leadership at 9-2. WM8 Asashimaru slipped to the runner-up position with a day 11 loss to Sekiwake Ekigozan. Sekiwake Norizo won again today to pull within two wins of an Ozeki promotion.

In Juryo, both leaders fell to a third defeat today to create chaos in that division with four days remaining in the tournament. With loss by WJ3 Misisko and WJ5 Kitahayate there is now a five way tie for lead including WJ7 Kachitaka, EJ9 Meyeryu and EJ13 Zichi.In Makushita, Wm4 Sokkenaiyama continues to set the pace with a 10-1 record and is followed by Em4 Yokotanoharry, Em12 Yoskme and Wm26 Basashishime at 9-2.

by Nushuzan, 2007/11/22

Kyushu Basho 2007 - Day 10

At the two thirds mark of the Kyushu basho leader of the Makunouhi divison WM17 Asashimaru fell into a two tie for the title as he was defeated by WM6 Zenjimoto (7-3) in a close bout that had to come down to tie-break. EM7 Charliki got back to his winning ways to pick up his kachikoshi and pull even with Asashimaru at 8-2. Ozeki candidate Norizo picked up another win today to pull within 3 wins for promotion.

In Juryo, both WJ3 Misisko and WJ5 Kitahayate won today to remain co-leaders at 8-2. A pack of four others, including EJ9 Meyeryu are one match down at 7-3. In Makushita, Wm4 Sokkenaiyama emerged the sole leader at 9-1 as all others rivals were handed their second loss of the tournament.

by Nushuzan, 2007/11/21

Kyushu Basho 2007 - Days 8 and 9

Nine days into the Kyushu Basho 2007 a shift has occurred in the leader board in two of the three divisions. In Makunouchi, WM17 Asashimaru has taken over sole leadership with an 8-1 record as EM7 Charliki, who has lost in two of the past three days has fallen to 7-2. EM17 Tsurugame who has put together a nice four match winning streak has improved to 7-2 to find himself in the yusho hunt as well. Of the two Ozeki candidates, only Norizo still has a reasonable shot at promotion with a 5-4 record while Nushuzan who continues to struggle can no longer put together enough wins to reach the goal of 31 wins in three tournaments

In Juryo, WJ3 Misisko, who was fighting in Makunouchi divison for the day, lost against Tsurugame for his second black mark of the tournament. Since falling to 7-2 Misisko has allowed both WJ5 Kitahayate and EJ9 Meyeryu to catch him with the same win-loss record. In Makushita the number of one loss wrestlers has been trimmed significantly to four. Em4 Yokotanoharry, Wm4 Sokkenaiyama, Em12 Yoskme and newcomer Em71 Hakuryuken are fighting it out for the yusho with 6 days remaining in the tournament.

by Nushuzan, 2007/11/20

Kyushu Basho 2007 - Day 7

Finishing the first week of action for the Kyushu Basho 2007 and the yusho hunt is starting to take shape. Chiotaikai has gotten off to a great start remains the only undefeated rikishi. After losing on shonichi, Hakuho has put together a six match winning streak to remain in the chase. After that, we have two real surprises for the tournament title: Kotomitsuki who admitted earlier in the week that he had 'more heart than punch' due to injury has won with his technique and not so much with his strength and Goeido who has proven to be a real fighter despite this being only his second tournament in the top division.

In Sumo Game, the Makunouchi division had a bit of a shake up in the leader board as WM17 Asashimaru defeated the only wrestler with a perfect record, EM7 Charliki. As a result of this head to head confrontation, both Charliki and Asashimaru are now 6-1 and co-leaders of the tournament. One match off the pace are a group of six others at 5-2 including Sekiwake Norizo who now only needs 4 wins for an Ozeki promotion. In juryo, WJ3 Misiko, who is still undefeated, remains the person to beat for the yusho with WJ1 Shiyonofuji and EJ9 Meyeryu one loss down at 6-1. In Makushita, both coleader Em71 Hakuryuken and Wm74 Sukiaki were upended on day 7 and now find themselves in a pack with six others at 6-1.

by Nushuzan, 2007/11/18

Kyushu Basho 2007 - Day 6

After six days of the Kyushu basho 2007, EM7 Charliki took over sole leadership of the Makunouchi division at 6-0 as his nearest rival WM17 Asashimaru was defeated by EM13 Kaiowaka in a close bout. Asashimaru slipped to 5-1 and is joined with WM10 Fujisan who is also one match off the pace. WJ3 Misisko remained atop the leaderboard of the juryo division and has one win advantage over WJ1 Shiyonofuji and WJ5 Kitahayate who are both 5-1. In Makushita, Em71 Hakuryuken and Wm74 Sukiaki continue to impress in their debut tournament and are still perfect at 6-0 with a total of 10 wrestlers at 5-1.

by Nushuzan, 2007/11/17

Kyushu Basho 2007 - Days 4 and 5

Five days into the Kyushu Basho and overall scoring for the tournament has been somewhat on the low side at 6.33. Choosing ten solid picks a day continues to be a challenge and, as a result, scoring on any given day could range anywhere from 3 to 10 points making for some very close matches or some ugly blow-outs between competitors.

In Makunouchi division after 5 days, EM7 Charliki and WM17 Asashimaru are co-leaders at 5-0 with WM3 Andoreasu and WM10 Fujisan one match off the pace at 4-1. Sekiwake Norizo picked up his third win of the tournament keeping his Ozeki promotion hopes alive while Sekiwake Nushuzan tries desperately salvage a bad start to put enough wins together for his 10 wins.

In Juryo, WJ3 Misisko is still perfect at 5-0 and is the early leader of that division. One match down are WJ1 Shiyonofuji, WJ5 Kitahayate and EJ9 Meyeryu. In Makushita Em71 Hakuryuken and Wm74 Sukiaki, both newcomers to the sport, have survived the first five days action unscathed to sit on top the leaderboard while a plethora of one loss wrestlers wait patiently for any mistake by the leaders.

by Nushuzan, 2007/11/16

Kyushu Basho 2007 - Days 2 and 3

After three days of the Kyushu Basho scoring has been up after a dreadful shonichi. With three of the four Ozeki's banged up picks have been risky and, thus far, one has to look deep into the torikumi to find reasonable match-ups. The first days average of 5.32 was followed by a 6.85 on day 2 and 6.64 on day 3. On day 2 EM6 Tsuyoikaze become the first member notch a perfect score for the tournament as well as picking up a kinboshi over the Yokozuna Doitsuyama.

In Makunouchi division the early leaders are WM3 Andoreasu, EM7 Charliki, WM10 Fujisan and WM17 Asashimaru. In the quest for Ozeki promotion Sekiwake Norizo remains on track to pick up the nine wins he needs for the magic number of 31 while Sekiwake Nushuzan is struggling badly and has yet to see a white dot next to his name.

In Juryo, WJ3 Misiko, WJ5 Kitahayate and EJ8 Metzinowaka are still undefeated at 3-0 and are sitting atop the leader board. In Makushita, 19 wrestlers are still perfect. A thinning out process will most likely start on day 4 as several bouts will pit two undefeated participants in head-to-head match-ups.

by Nushuzan, 2007/11/14

Kyushu Basho 2007 - Day 1

Welcome to the Kyushu Basho 2007!

In case you haven't noticed yet, the official sumo kyokai banzuke has a glaring hole at the west Maegashira 11 spot this tournament. In the off season the sumo association found itself mired in yet another controversy. Actually, this one started in the summer when a young rikishi named Tokitaizan from the Tokitsukaze beya died in a hazing incident. With the sumo association unable to continue to 'wag the dog' with the Asashoryu story, who is still on probation, they were finally forced to take action. The oyakata of the Tokitsukaze beya was permanently ousted out of sumo and the most senior wrestler Tokitsumi became the stable master. As a result of traditional rules on naming privileges Tokitsumi who would have been in the west Maegashira 11 slot was deleted from the banzuke. This is the first time in 134 years that blank appears in the banzuke.

In Sumo Game for the Kyushu Basho 2007, we have a total of 16 new comers to the game. Welcome! Also congratulations are in order to whoever did the hardcore recruitment campaign in the past month to bring the number back up to 176 participating players for the tournament. The banzuke is missing an Ozeki once again, however, we have two sekiwake's with a good chance of being promoted to the game's second highest rank. Sekiwake Norizo who just missed out on a promotion last tournament by one win put up enough numbers to make this basho a bit easier. Norizo only needs a 9-6 mark this time around and with his first win on shonichi, he in excellent shape. The other sekiwake is Nushuzan who needs to pick up 10 wins to meet the required 31 wins in three tournaments for promotion.

Good luck to everyone and enjoy the Kyushu Basho!

by Nushuzan, 2007/11/12