Three days into Nastsu Basho and the dearth of up-and-coming talent is really noticeable. Kakuryuu, Hakuho, Tochinoshin and Ichinojo (I guess he's still young) are all 3-0. Goeido fell to Endo yesterday so he is 2-1 (and that was a good match). Abi is certainly game but he is getting chewed up by the San'yaku. He has a tremendous reach (and so fights like a bit like a really short Akebono) but still lacks both girth and subtlety. Some people think Hakuho is a bit off this tournament but holy shit he took Shohozan out in less than two seconds yesterday it was completely terrifying.
But, more importantly...I attended my first match yesterday! What a spectacle! The Kokugikan is actually quite a wonderful auditorium, not a bad seat in the house, at least if you don't mind sitting on a cushioned floor for a few hours (an experience which goes from excellent to extremely painful quite quickly.) There are way more middle-aged women at sumo matches than I'd imagined. Also, the souvenirs are hilariously tacky (apart from the sumo cards, which are fantastic, I got my daughter a few and she is over the moon). It can be a bit slow, however. While watching on TV Monday, daughter finally realized how much putzing around there is between bouts (she;s only ever really watched highlights before, which cuts the time by 90%). Her reaction: "I guess i should bring my kindle". Good choice.
More sumo Thursday and Friday but we may not go quite as early.
But, more importantly...I attended my first match yesterday! What a spectacle! The Kokugikan is actually quite a wonderful auditorium, not a bad seat in the house, at least if you don't mind sitting on a cushioned floor for a few hours (an experience which goes from excellent to extremely painful quite quickly.) There are way more middle-aged women at sumo matches than I'd imagined. Also, the souvenirs are hilariously tacky (apart from the sumo cards, which are fantastic, I got my daughter a few and she is over the moon). It can be a bit slow, however. While watching on TV Monday, daughter finally realized how much putzing around there is between bouts (she;s only ever really watched highlights before, which cuts the time by 90%). Her reaction: "I guess i should bring my kindle". Good choice.
More sumo Thursday and Friday but we may not go quite as early.
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