Sumo Game: News

Makuuchi Yusho:	M15 Gaijingai (11-4; 112 points)
Juryo Yusho:	J7 Bill (11-4; 111 points)
Makushita Yusho:	m51 Fujiyama (12-3; 109 points)
Gino-sho:	S Huumi (9-6; 115 points)
Kanto-sho:	M11 Chocshoporyu (11-4; 108 points) M13 Misisko (11-4; 108 points) M15 Gaijingai (11-4; 112 points)
Shukun-sho:	not awarded

by Takanotaki, 2009/5/30

Natsu Basho 2009 - Day 15

Another tournament has been entered into the sumo history books with Harumafuji winning the first yusho of his career adding his name to list of foreign born rikishi that have also picked up the Emperor's Cup. Sadly, however, the first wrestler who accomplished the task, Takamiyama way back in 1972 and start a trend that will forever be a part of sumo, has retired from the Sumo Association after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65.

In Sumo Game, EM15 Gaijingai received his fourth Makunouchi yusho after winning a play-off with WM11 Chocshoporyu and WM13 Misisko. All three participants were also awarded the Kantosho for their efforts, while Sekiwake Huumi was handed the Ginosho with his 115 points for the tournament. In Juryo, EJ7 Bill picked up the yusho over WJ6 Rupatengu after tying in total points with 111. The day 13 match up between the two, which was won by Bill, however, was the deciding factor for the title. In Makushita, Wm51 Fujiyama was awarded the yusho after surviving a play-off with Em21 Getayukata and Em60 Toodemizu. In the end, the total number of days with eight or more points was the deciding factor between Fujiyama and Getayutaka.

Good luck to all the winners and we hope to see everyone back for the July tournament!

by Nushuzan, 2009/5/30

Natsu Basho 2009 - Day 14

Going into the final day of the Natsu Basho 2009 the yusho for all of the divisions are up for grabs and will most likely be settled with a play-off. In Makunouchi, Ozeki Sumio, WM11 Chocshoporyu, WM13 Misisko and EM15 Gaijingai are all tied with a 10-4 record with none of them meeting each other in a face to face match. Therefore, whoever manages to pick up a senshuraku victory will automatically be in the contenders list. Naturally, if one should be victorious of the four then no play-off will be necessary, however, if all should lose their last match, then any of the Komusubi Golynohana, WM2 Heikotoriki, EM8 Kotononami and WM14 Mariohana will remain statistically alive should they improve to 10-5. Odds are that one or more of 10-4 wrestlers will pick up one final win to avoid a real messy play-off, but crazy things have happened in the past. In terms of total points, Sumio has the advantage with 108, followed by Gaijingai with 104, Chocshoporyu at 102 and Misisko at 101.

In Juryo, only three wrestlers hold their own destiny for the yusho and they are: EJ5 Kibooyama, WJ6 Rupatengu and EJ7 Bill. Should one win and the others lose then the winner would take the title outright. A victory by two or more or a loss by all three and a playoff would take place. Bill has a slight lead over Rupatengu in total points, 104-103, while Kibooyama has the most points to make up at 99.

In Makushita, Em21 Getayutaka, Wm50 Saruyama, Wm51 Fujiyama, Em60 Toodemizu and Em68 Irinohana are all in the yusho hunt with 11-3 records, however, the head to head match between Saruyama and Fujiyama will set up the yusho battle with the victor either winning the title or advancing to a play-off and the loser being eliminated. If any of the other three contenders pick up a twelfth win on the final day they would join the playoff. Getayukata and Fujiyama are in the best shape with points at 103 while Irinohana has the most to make up at 97.

Good luck!

by Nushuzan, 2009/5/24

Natsu Basho 2009 - Day 13

On day 13 of the Natsu Basho 2009 both WM11 Chocshoporyu and EM15 Gaijingai were handed there third loss of the tournament to fall to 10-3 reducing the two match lead over all comers to one as both Ozeki Sumio and WM13 Misisko were able to extend winning streaks to stay in the yusho hunt. Going into the final weekend of action it's anybodies guess how the title chase will pan out. In other news, Sekiwake Susanoo was victorious on the day and now only needs a pair of victories to get a nice bump up the Banzuke in July.

In Juryo, EJ7 Bill won a key match over leader WJ6 Rupatengu to grab a share the lead along with EJ5 Kibooyama who was a winner over his opponent. All three wrestlers are now 9-4 with two days remaining in the tournament. In Makushita, both Wm50 Saruyama and Wm51 Fujiyama were able to improve to 11-1 to stay co-leaders.

by Nushuzan, 2009/5/23

Natsu Basho 2009 - Day 12

After twelve days of the Natsu Basho 2009, both co-leaders of the Makunouchi division were victorious to improve to 10-2 and opened a two match lead over the rest of the field. In Juryo, WJ6 Rupatengu at 9-3 remains the sole leader even after being defeated for the second day in a row. One loss down is EJ5 Kibooyama and EJ7 Bill. On day 13 Rupatengu and Bill will face each other in a head to head match with yusho implications. In Makushita, leader Wm51 Fujiyama saw a five match winning streak come to an end while falling to 10-2. As a result, Fujiyama joins Em18 Krokonowaka and Wm50 Saruyama who are also at 10-2, for a heated yusho chase in the remaining days.

by Nushuzan, 2009/5/22

Natsu Basho 2009 - Day 11

On day 11 of the Natsu Basho, scoring for the day fell a shade below the seven point mark to register at 6.86 keeping overall scoring high at 7.15. Going into the home stretch of the tournament, WM11 Chocshoporyu and EM15 Gaijingai remain co-leaders at 9-2 with EM2 Tsuyoikaze holding firm at 8-3 to stay in the yusho hunt. Ozeki candidate Susanoo, after having picked up a fifth loss on the tournament now has no room for error and must win the remaining matches if we are to see three Ozeki's on the banzuku come July.

In Juryo, WJ6 Rupatengu continues to lead the division but having lost on day 11 now only has a one match lead over his nearest rival EJ7 Bill. In Makushita, of the four members tied for the lead going into the day, only Wm51 Fujiyama was able to pick up a 10th win on the day leaving him sole leader at 10-1.

by Nushuzan, 2009/5/21

Natsu Basho 2009 - Day 10

On day 10 of the Natsu Basho, scoring was above the 7 point mark for the fourth straight day at 7.51 improving the overall scoring for the tournament to 7.18. At this pace, the Natsu Basho could go down on record as not only being the highest scoring tournament, but could be the first time to finish above 7 points in Sumo Game's nine year history.

In Makunouchi division, a day 10 loss by EM2 Tsuyoikaze to EM5 Ekigozan reduces the number of co-leaders to two with both WM11 Chochoporyu and EM15 Gaijingai improving to 8-2 and picking up a kachikoshi. In Juryo, EJ6 Rupatengu continues to dominate at 9-1 with only EJ7 Bill two matches down at 7-3. In Makushita, long time sole leader Em60 had his first slip to fall to 9-1 and fall into a four a way tie with Em10 Jakusotu, Wm50 Saruyama and Wm51 Fujiyama.

by Nushuzan, 2009/5/20

Natsu Basho 2009 - Day 9

Day nine of the Natsu Basho 2009 saw very little change in all three Sumo Game divisons. In Makunouchi, EM2 Tsuyoikaze upended WM13 Misiko in a match among co-leaders. As a result Tsuyoikaze improves to 7-2 and joins WM11 Chocshoporyu and EM15 Gaijingai at the top of the leader board. In Juryo, WJ6 Rupatengu has put together a seven match winning streak to improve to 8-1 and now has two match lead over his nearest comptetitors EJ7 Bill and WJ8 Otokomae. In Makushita, Em60 Toodemizu has upped his record to 9-0 to remain perfect on the tournament.

by Nushuzan, 2009/5/19

Natsu Basho 2009 - Days 7 and 8

At nakabi of the Natsu Basho 2009 scoring was high yet again as the top eight most selected wrestlers were victorious. Although the average score just missed the top 25, it did help boost the tournament average up to 7.15. In Makunouchi division, EM8 Kotononami was briefly the sole leader on day seven but defeated at the midway point by Ozeki candidate Susanoo to fell back to a five way tie going into the second week. On day nine, EM2 Tsuoikaze and WM13 Misisko, two of the co-leaders, will face each other in a head to head match up in a highlight bout of the day. Susanoo who got off to a slow start has now put together a three match winning streak to improve to 5-3 to remain in the promotion hunt. In Juryo, WJ6 Rupatengu continues to set the pace at 7-1 but is followed closely by EJ7 Bill and WJ8 Otokomae at 6-2. In Makushita, Em60 Toodemizu remains the sole leader and is still undefeated at 8-0.

by Nushuzan, 2009/5/18

Natsu Basho 2009 - Day 6

On day 6 of the Natsu basho, scoring for the day cooled somewhat to finish at 6.55, however, overall for the tournament remains high at 7.05. In Makunouchi division, EM2 Tsuyoikaze, EM8 Kotononami, WM11 Chocshoporyu and EM17 Mysko all improved to 5-1 to retain a share of the lead. In Juryo, WJ6 Rupatengu became the sole leader at 5-1 after WJ8 Otokomae lost his second match in as many days to fall to 4-2. In Makushita, Em60 Toodemizu improved to 6-0 to lead the division and remain the only undefeated wrestler in the tournament.

by Nushuzan, 2009/5/16

Natsu Basho 2009 - Day 5

With nine of the top ten most selected wrestlers winning on day 5, scoring was high yet again at 7.97 and good enough to land on the highest scoring days list at number 18. Another eight participants managed to pull in a perfect score on the day with several members avenging a loss with 10 points from the previous day. As it stands now, the overall average for the tournament at the first trimester is very high at 7.15.

In Makunouchi division action after five days, both co-leaders EM2 Tsuyoikaze and WM3 Norizo were handed their first loss of the tournament to jam up the top of the leader board. EM8 Kotononami, WM11 Chocshoporyu, Wm12 Yuko and Em17 Mysko join the pair with an identical 4-1 mark. In Juryo, WJ8 Otokomae who dropped his first match is now in a tie with EJ6 Rupatengu at 4-1. In Makushita, Wm47 Kamakiri, Wm51 Fujiyama and Em60 Toodemizu share the lead in that division and are the only three members to survive the first five days with perfect records.

by Nushuzan, 2009/5/15

Natsu Basho 2009 - Days 3 and 4

Day four of the Natsu basho was one for the record books as nearly one third of all Sumo Game participants notched a perfect 10 for the day. The overall average for the day was a whopping 8.84, good enough to enter at number two on the list for 'highest scoring days'. Sadly, however, there were 12 matches ending in a 10-10 tie, meaning several players had to face the sting of having a perfect day and still picking up a loss.

After four days in the Makunouchi division, EM2 Tsuyoikaze and WM3 Norizo have gotten off to a fast start at 4-0 and are co-leaders at this point. In Juryo, WJ8 Otokomae, also at 4-0, finds himself the sole leader with a group of five one loss down at 3-1. In Makushita, seven members are vying for the top spot and are still perfect at 4-0.

by Nushuzan, 2009/5/14

Natsu Basho 2009 - Days 1 and 2

Welcome to the Natsu Basho 2009! Although it seems strange have a 'summer' tournament in May, the weather here in Japan these few days have been hot enough and sticky enough for it to be a fitting title this time around. The good news is that there was no major controversy in the off season. In other words, no rikishi were scrubbed from the official banzuke due to drug charges or forced to retire due to a hazing incidents. Perhaps the most news worthy event was the disappointment of thousands of eligible ladies across the country on news that Kotooshu was getting hitched next year and was no longer in the hunt for a life partner.

Oh, well...

In Sumo Game, this tournament, we have a total of 160 participating players with all divisions being bit by the kyujo bug. However, we would like to welcome Em65 Screechingowl, Wm67 Kotosho and Wm68 Irinohana to sport and wish them good luck in the basho. In Makunouchi division, Ozeki Tosahayate, who was just one victory away from promotion last tournament, will once again make a run for Sumo Game's most coveted rank and needs an 11-4 record to do so. In addition, Sekiwake Susanoo is attempting an Ozeki promotion and needs double digits or better in wins to get a bump up the ranks in July.

Good luck to all and have a great tournament!

by Nushuzan, 2009/5/12