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  Lower divisions report

Natsu Basho 2008

 

 

   Makushita Yusho - Tamaasuka

   Sandanme Yusho - Ogata

   Jonidan Yusho - Homarefuji

   Jonokuchi Yusho - Yashiki

 

Makushita

Tamaasuka was a bit lucky with his opponents at Natsu Basho. With little Sugita, a don't convincing Sensho, Dairaido, Kotokuni and Towanoyama the difficulties weren't so big. But he could beat Minami and Russian Aran, who will be with him in Juryo next basho. But Tamaasuka was so unspectacular for me, that I even didn't take a pic of him L , so I had to take one of my sumo-cards. 

As mentioned Aran will be with him at Nagoya Basho in the Juryo division. Aran made his run through the divisions quickly. I can't say I like his sumo much and when he doesn't start to concentrate on his bouts instead watching the public, I don't think he will be too successful in the end. 

Shiratsuka (Kise) and Minami (Onoe) looked good at Natsu Basho and could both finish with a 5-2. Both will be in the juryo promotion zone and could make it to Juryo at Aki Basho. 

Yusho was a close thing for Yamamotoyama, but he missed it. He showed some good bouts and more dynamic and mobility that I could imagine, but he only got a 4-3 and was a bit disappointed by his result. 

Mongolian Kyokushuho had some difficulties this basho but he saved his Kachikoshi with a powerful last bout on the last day.

  

  

  

 

Sandanme

Ogata from Kise Beya could win the Sandanme Yusho in a ketteisen bout with Hakiai from Kitanoumi Beya. It was Ogata's second yusho after the jonokuchi Yusho at Hatsu basho. A convincing performance from him. 

I was glad, that Mongolian Arawashi could show another good basho with a final result of 6-1, his 3rd in a row. His shoulder is still heavily bandaged and now in makushita the real challenges will start for him. 

Also a 6-1 for Aoba from Isegahama Beya who is also always struggling with injuries. It was his 6th kachikoshi in a row. He slid down to Jonokuchi after injuries and is now climbing up the banzuke again. 

My Sadogatake hope Kotowatanabe, who lost in the ketteisen for the jonidan yusho at Haru basho had a lot of problems in the Sandanme division. He didn't look good at Asageiko either and had to repeat his lessons all the time until the Oyakata was satisfied. But Kotowatanabe is an ambitious boy and he could secure his kachikoshi in the end.

  

  

 

Jonidan

The jonidan yusho was decided between Fukao from Kise beya and Homarefuji from Isegahama beya. Homarefuji won and is certainly much more promising than Fukao in my opinion.  

There are some good new guys in the jonidan division and I specially liked to see the bouts of Onomatsu Beya's Kei. He is only 107 kg (well he was at Hatsu, he may have some more kilo in the meantime). He is a good technican and I think we will hear more about him in the future. 

Also a light but a good one is Kyokutaisei from Oshima Beya. If he can gain enough weight it wouldn't surprise me if he played in the same league as his heyamate Kyukushuho. Kyokutaisei finished with a 5-2.

  

  

 

Jonokuchi

The jonokuchi yusho was won by Yashiki of Kasugano Beya. He already did sumo in high school, is already 18 years old and has a big advantage because of his height and weight. 

Some promising guys to watch in the next basho are also Inoue, Kamei and Suzuki. Inoue and Kamei both belong to Kise Beya and they both are college rikishi and 23 years old.  

And last but not least: A promising 16 years old boy is Shikoroyama's Suzuki. He finished 6-1 in Natsu basho, looked quite good in all his bouts and hopefully will show a nice performance at Nagoya basho too.