Angela's right. TOBI has such an upbeat personality. No stoic stone face for him. And NO STOCK INTERVIEW ANSWERS. TOBIZARU is a very refreshing addition to the cast of characters in Sumo. And when URA finally climbs back up to where he belongs, matches with TOBI will be so very entertaining. Those two are SPECIAL!!
I believe he will. I have enjoyed his presence in the ring for a long time. I am enjoying his new confidence and wins. A big thanks to you Chris for all the coverage and the great sumo knowledge and insight.
Your background on Shodai gives me a great understanding now of why Shodai has acted the way he does. It seems he has felt that success was for others, not so much for him. I'm always happy to see when that type of humility wins. I'm also interested to know what that judge near Showdai's side was thinking after the win over Tobizaru. Not sure I can read that face, whether its a 'you got away with that one' or 'good job pulling that one out'. :-)
He always had what it takes, I guess being an introverted got in the way until now. I wonder if the absence of big crowds helped him to focus, as is common with his kind of personality. The future is difficoult to predict, as many factors will likely change. The amount of audience, the amount of Jungyo, the rise of younger guns like Kiribayama, Hoshoryu, Takanosho and Kotoshoho,...
Totally agree, after hearing about his personality and that he actually is rather shy or even anxious, I do think the fewer people and noise might have contributed for him being able to steadily show his very good sumo skills. I think he'll do fine as an ozeki
The story about the anxiety makes me realize he never *really learned how to deal with his feelings I hope he relaxes and has a good time and enjoys his sumo more, now that he's no longer an ozeki
Watching that Shodai vs Takakeisho match again it shows how Shodai’s style perfectly counters Takakeisho’s. He deflects every attack upwards making it impossible for Taka to score the multiple strikes to chest and throat that other rikishi can’t deal with. Taka then has to either continue with this shots that don’t work or go lower which would make him vulnerable to the slap down. Very good sumo by Shodai. He’ll be a very successful Ozeki I think
Good show!! AGAIN. Thank you Chris very much. All of your background stories keep us from being depressed between bashos. Don't know why, but I really enjoy watching SHODAI beating TAKAKEISHO over and over and over again. Not a fan of the little toad.
Thank you for the videos you've released today, they were a wonderful insight that into information about sumo that I just can't find too often. Here's to many more videos, though not at your expense, of course.
I definitely agree with Shodai in terms of the desire not to be a teacher. I was going to grad school in mathematics and you basically have to end up teaching at some point, but I couldn't make it through a single semester once I was in the classroom. My mentality is not very well suited to try to control a classroom.
Got a soft spot for him - he always looks a bit like he's just stumbled into the dohyo and wasn't aware he was going to fight, but he can pull out the goods when he needs to. "Baby Shodai" sounds like a great manga / cuddly toy, though
Amazing Chris. Thank you. One day when Shodai retires and he is asked how it all happened, he will say "It just sort of happened." Will be a Yokozuna soon.
He and Taka have been the only two consistent rikishi the last number of basho's..He is most deserving of an Ozeki promotion and I believe he will continue to be successful and eventually make Yokozuna.
I believe in him. Though I wonder if he can hopefully maintain the composure once the corona issue has subsided and crowd come rushing back in 😅 He's incredibly strong.
He's undergone a transformation over the past two basho. Self-assured, unhurried sumo--when I saw him this past basho, I knew he would get promoted if he [a] got at least 13 wins and [b] got the yusho. If he can maintain his composure, he'll be a welcome and successful ozeki, and, with the two current yokozuna headed for retirement by next summer, a top candidate for yokozuna. We'll see...
He will be just fine, specially if Asanoyama takes the main burden of getting the white rope to please the nation, witch for sure is the worst job in the business.
Thanks Chris for this video. It was interesting to find out that Shodai nearly was not to be, but glad to see it he stuck at it. I do feel he will be a great addition to the top ranks, well deserved and I hope he can stay there. But it will be very hard. Mitakeumi and Terunofuji will also be hungery for the chance to get promotion too and are equally as capable. Makes for great sumo when things are hard to call.
I haven't been following for the last two basho while I study and work full time. Glad to see Shodai is doing so well. He's actually my tip out of he, Takakeisho and Asanoyama yo make Yokozuna first but we will see. He seems to have enough brute strength to beat Asanoyama and enough guile to outfox Takakeisho.
He doesnt seem to be carrying too many injuries so that bodes well for a good ozeki run. From the past 2 years or so injuries have made the ranks of ozeki fluctuate so much, not experience or fighting ability. I have hopes for a good run alongside Azanoyama.
I think hes got a very good skillset to be a successful Ozeki and possible Yokozuna. It really goes to show how dominant Hakuho has been that there are several Sumo who have gotten to Ozeki level in the last 10 years, but so few can win Yusho to advance because Hakuho has taken lions share. I really need to see the current Ozeki win some Yusho when both Yokozuna are present because that is the true test of Ozeki is to win regardless, and not just against a weakened field. Hopefully the Yokozuna will compete the rest of the year and we can see which Ozeki come out as winners and runner ups against them so we will have no doubt who is the next in line.
The two disciplines require very different skill sets. Shodai would be like "ah... um... ok... if you would... no please, that's not ok... if you would please, no wait... umm... no really, please". Tamawashi, on the other hand, I would trust to handle a class of teenage delinqunts any day of the week. "So, you're a tough guy right..." Slap! "Come on, you can slap me right back... you can bring your gangster daddy to class and I'll slap him too. You want that? No? So sit back down and pay attention".
Agreed he has the technique he just seems to lack the confidence in the past i some how feel that he's biggest opponent is himself but i have seen a new confidence after the rise of Asanoyama
He will in numbers but he certainly lacks the special fire in the belly that the truly great ones have. You can see that in his Pachinko entry and rise through Sumo. It is easier than teaching.
@@deadzerox7972 Mitakeumi is practically in the same situation Shodai was in for this basho: if he wins the Yusho in a strong showing, he'll probably be promoted, but almost certainly not anything less.
@@deadzerox7972 He can try as long as he stays healthy and has good records. Usually one needs 33 wins over a period of three tournaments ranked as a Sanyaku wrestler (Komusubi or Sekiwake) to be considered an Ozeki promotions. That would mean 11 wins per each 3 tournaments. However even with less wins but with something else great (like winning a tournament) it is possible. Mitakeumi has now 11-4 and 8-7 records behind him. So he would need 14 wins next basho to gain the promotion. 13 wins and a tournament victory would be probably enough. Or if he gets 12 victories, wins the tournament and beats all the Yokozunas and Ozekis along the way. So it doesn't look very likely that Mitakeumi would do well enough to becone an Ozeki this year. I do think he has it in him to become an Ozeki. Maybe during the spring next year. He has been a regular Sanyaku ranker since November 2016 and he has two tournament victories. The man has talent and still like 7 or 8 years left in his career. Mitakeumi can go high!
I think Shodai has for sure got a better chance then the other two at the moment. Asanoyama needs to build some strength, and Takakeishō just needs to get a little older although he looked really good in September.
I absolutely love quotes, and it appears that you do, too. I would like to suggest a book. It's called The Little Zen Companion. I have read it several times. It's wonderful.
I believe that Shoudai will be an excellent Ozeki. As long he won't get injured. He can take a good beating and still perform some good moves, unlike Tochinoshin for example...
I feel that not only will he stay at Ozeki for some time, but that he may beat both Take and Asa to the Y. Asa still seems to lose too many bouts he should win whilst I seriously doubt Take's body can stand up to the rigours of the rank. Conversely Shodai's style seems to be well suited to not being injured all that often as I think (off the top of my head) has already been shown.
Congratulations to get promoted But dunno why when see tobizaru fight with with many high rank that was so crazy achievement With out with wit higher rank I think he become champions
Baby Shoudai sounds like my middle sister: big baby, voracious appetite, hit physical milestones very early. (And I'm TOTALLY not thinking of doing the rice cake thing with my friends' babies... 😳)
Definitely will be more successful than Asanoyama and Takakoesho will ever be. 2 years ago, I felt that Shodai should be doing better. The stars are aligned
He was the "can beat anyone" kind of wrestler for the last couple of years. Always close to the top ranks but never quite making it. Unlike the similarly talented and big man Mitakeumi he was able to go further. I think within a caouple of months both current yokozunas will retire so he has a good shot for the white rope. So does of course The other ozekis but they also have to tackle their mental burdens, especially Asanoyama.
I'm very happy for Shodai, but honestly I don't see him being a "successful" Ozeki in terms of winning. This basho was really the only time I've seen him strong, confident, and consistent overall. Personally, I was a little surprised he was made Ozeki so quickly, but I can understand the Sumo Associations reasons for doing so. I wish him the best but I'd be surprised if he's an Ozeki for long.
@@js3217 That is impossible mathematically. Because if he goes 0-15 in November and 0-15 in January, losing 30 bouts in a row, he will be Sekiwake in March. So already your prediction is WRONG. He cannot be Maegashira after two tournaments. Obviously you don't even know the ranking rules or are just trolling.
A welcome addition to the ozeki rank. May his sumo future be bright!
I'm so happy! Shodai has been my favorite since I began to watch Sumo 2 years ago. May his future be bright, full of victories and titles!
You are maliciouss
Glad to see him win. Tobizaru stole the show in my opinion. Definitely gained a new fan.
Tobizaru energized my fandom for sumo in an incredible way.
@@Angela-jc8bk lol
Angela's right. TOBI has such an upbeat personality. No stoic stone face for him. And NO STOCK INTERVIEW ANSWERS.
TOBIZARU is a very refreshing
addition to the cast of characters in Sumo.
And when URA finally climbs back up to where he belongs, matches with TOBI will be
so very entertaining. Those two are SPECIAL!!
He's certainly got all the attributes to make a good ozeki, time will tell if he can not only keep the rank but advance further.
Always so interesting! M.Chris you're the best! Thanks!
I believe he will. I have enjoyed his presence in the ring for a long time. I am enjoying his new confidence and wins. A big thanks to you Chris for all the coverage and the great sumo knowledge and insight.
Your background on Shodai gives me a great understanding now of why Shodai has acted the way he does. It seems he has felt that success was for others, not so much for him. I'm always happy to see when that type of humility wins. I'm also interested to know what that judge near Showdai's side was thinking after the win over Tobizaru. Not sure I can read that face, whether its a 'you got away with that one' or 'good job pulling that one out'. :-)
That final bout of the basho was thrilling
He always had what it takes, I guess being an introverted got in the way until now. I wonder if the absence of big crowds helped him to focus, as is common with his kind of personality.
The future is difficoult to predict, as many factors will likely change. The amount of audience, the amount of Jungyo, the rise of younger guns like Kiribayama, Hoshoryu, Takanosho and Kotoshoho,...
Totally agree, after hearing about his personality and that he actually is rather shy or even anxious, I do think the fewer people and noise might have contributed for him being able to steadily show his very good sumo skills. I think he'll do fine as an ozeki
He's a tank. Definitely gonna be a great Ozeki.
The story about the anxiety makes me realize he never *really learned how to deal with his feelings
I hope he relaxes and has a good time and enjoys his sumo more, now that he's no longer an ozeki
Watching that Shodai vs Takakeisho match again it shows how Shodai’s style perfectly counters Takakeisho’s. He deflects every attack upwards making it impossible for Taka to score the multiple strikes to chest and throat that other rikishi can’t deal with. Taka then has to either continue with this shots that don’t work or go lower which would make him vulnerable to the slap down. Very good sumo by Shodai. He’ll be a very successful Ozeki I think
Chris, I’d love it if you could explain to me the whole Ozeki ceremony in a future video. What’s with the fish and what is said?
Glad to see a top form Shodai here, he’s a beast when he’s on top of his game but I’ll be shocked if he’s still Ozeki by Autumn…
Luv Shodai! He could go all the way b3cause he is humble.
Great coverage as usual Chris! I'm a new Shodai watcher now for sure.
He was awesome! Powerful and confident, gonna be one of the best.
Issho-mochi ???? What the hell wont you teach us next Chris??? Love this information typically not known by "outsiders". Thanks!!!
A 4-lb rice cake on your back at age 1? An odd tradition indeed...
Thanks for the Japanese titles, really a great help with language studies while catching up with the latest sumo news.
Good show!! AGAIN. Thank you Chris very much. All of your background stories keep us from being depressed between bashos.
Don't know why, but I really enjoy watching SHODAI beating TAKAKEISHO over and over and over again. Not a fan of the little toad.
Thank you for the videos you've released today, they were a wonderful insight that into information about sumo that I just can't find too often. Here's to many more videos, though not at your expense, of course.
I definitely agree with Shodai in terms of the desire not to be a teacher. I was going to grad school in mathematics and you basically have to end up teaching at some point, but I couldn't make it through a single semester once I was in the classroom. My mentality is not very well suited to try to control a classroom.
I think good teachers have to have an almost military mind-set or be masochistic. 😄😊🤔
Got a soft spot for him - he always looks a bit like he's just stumbled into the dohyo and wasn't aware he was going to fight, but he can pull out the goods when he needs to.
"Baby Shodai" sounds like a great manga / cuddly toy, though
I'd been looking around to find out the motto he'd chosen; thank you Chris for providing.
I feel he's been pretty consistent in his performance, he'll make a good Ozeki.
A very interesting video.
Thank you for the video. I hope he will be a great Ozeki and eventually a YOKOZUNA
If he keeps his fighting spirit high and doesn’t lose his swagger no one is stopping him
Amazing Chris. Thank you. One day when Shodai retires and he is asked how it all happened, he will say "It just sort of happened." Will be a Yokozuna soon.
He and Taka have been the only two consistent rikishi the last number of basho's..He is most deserving of an Ozeki promotion and I believe he will continue to be successful and eventually make Yokozuna.
I think of the current Ozeki, he has the highest potential to be the next Yokozuna.
I'd say if asanoyama can be more consistent he has a better technique and a bigger build they could be the next two yokozuna!
I believe in him. Though I wonder if he can hopefully maintain the composure once the corona issue has subsided and crowd come rushing back in 😅
He's incredibly strong.
Thank you Chris G
He's undergone a transformation over the past two basho. Self-assured, unhurried sumo--when I saw him this past basho, I knew he would get promoted if he [a] got at least 13 wins and [b] got the yusho. If he can maintain his composure, he'll be a welcome and successful ozeki, and, with the two current yokozuna headed for retirement by next summer, a top candidate for yokozuna.
We'll see...
He will be just fine, specially if Asanoyama takes the main burden of getting the white rope to please the nation, witch for sure is the worst job in the business.
His combination of big body and skills make him presumably safe from unjuries, so, Yes.
Great work Chris
Thanks Chris for this video. It was interesting to find out that Shodai nearly was not to be, but glad to see it he stuck at it. I do feel he will be a great addition to the top ranks, well deserved and I hope he can stay there. But it will be very hard. Mitakeumi and Terunofuji will also be hungery for the chance to get promotion too and are equally as capable. Makes for great sumo when things are hard to call.
I think he will be a great Ozeki, and Japan’s next Yokosuka!!
I was impressed by his sumo especially the first 3 days. He is looking yokozuna powerful, hopefully he keeps up his strength training.
I haven't been following for the last two basho while I study and work full time. Glad to see Shodai is doing so well. He's actually my tip out of he, Takakeisho and Asanoyama yo make Yokozuna first but we will see. He seems to have enough brute strength to beat Asanoyama and enough guile to outfox Takakeisho.
He has a clear passion for sumo
He dominated this tournament.
Appreciate this.
Ozeki Shodai! Yokozuna next!!!
He doesnt seem to be carrying too many injuries so that bodes well for a good ozeki run. From the past 2 years or so injuries have made the ranks of ozeki fluctuate so much, not experience or fighting ability. I have hopes for a good run alongside Azanoyama.
9th fact Shodai watches Jujutsu Kaisen 10th fact He is more of a negative person than a positive one
Shodai, in the past, has been intimidated often, especially with Hakuho. He'll have to overcome that weakness.
I truly hope that he does so!
I knew all those 8 things! Bad presumption about your fans, Chris!
well, time told us he can't handle being ozeki. he also seems like he doesn't really like doing sumo
I think hes got a very good skillset to be a successful Ozeki and possible Yokozuna. It really goes to show how dominant Hakuho has been that there are several Sumo who have gotten to Ozeki level in the last 10 years, but so few can win Yusho to advance because Hakuho has taken lions share. I really need to see the current Ozeki win some Yusho when both Yokozuna are present because that is the true test of Ozeki is to win regardless, and not just against a weakened field.
Hopefully the Yokozuna will compete the rest of the year and we can see which Ozeki come out as winners and runner ups against them so we will have no doubt who is the next in line.
sumo, the easier path when schoolteaching proves too rough
heh heh
@@Angela-jc8bk
heh heh
smart move, shodai!
@@Angela-jc8bk
he still has to hold babies to bless them sometimes
that must be the hard part
friend agni I can just see him nervously holding crying babies while the parents take pictures. Haha.
The two disciplines require very different skill sets. Shodai would be like "ah... um... ok... if you would... no please, that's not ok... if you would please, no wait... umm... no really, please". Tamawashi, on the other hand, I would trust to handle a class of teenage delinqunts any day of the week. "So, you're a tough guy right..." Slap! "Come on, you can slap me right back... you can bring your gangster daddy to class and I'll slap him too. You want that? No? So sit back down and pay attention".
I've done both [though no where this level for sumo] - you can have a longer career as a teacher than a rikishi.
Do the rikishi choose a motto only when they become ozeki? Thanks!
I always though he had ozeki material, He will be a GREAT rival to Asanoyama, i hope to see them both make it all the way to yokozuna.
Thank you
Agreed he has the technique he just seems to lack the confidence in the past i some how feel that he's biggest opponent is himself but i have seen a new confidence after the rise of Asanoyama
Future Yokozuna - next in line after Asanoyama and possibly Takakeisho
he's a natural
he will!
He will in numbers but he certainly lacks the special fire in the belly that the truly great ones have. You can see that in his Pachinko entry and rise through Sumo. It is easier than teaching.
He is much 'sharper' and intelligent than he was a year ago...better coaching ? I know many Rikshi need better coaches.
any ideas or links that shows the rankings for the November basho?
The rankings will be released on 26.10.
@@repeahlfors9951 sigh i really hope mita will have another chance at ozeki. what does he need to be one in the next basho or next year anyways?
@@deadzerox7972 Mitakeumi is practically in the same situation Shodai was in for this basho: if he wins the Yusho in a strong showing, he'll probably be promoted, but almost certainly not anything less.
@@stevenglowacki8576 cam he try again next basho?
@@deadzerox7972 He can try as long as he stays healthy and has good records. Usually one needs 33 wins over a period of three tournaments ranked as a Sanyaku wrestler (Komusubi or Sekiwake) to be considered an Ozeki promotions. That would mean 11 wins per each 3 tournaments. However even with less wins but with something else great (like winning a tournament) it is possible.
Mitakeumi has now 11-4 and 8-7 records behind him. So he would need 14 wins next basho to gain the promotion. 13 wins and a tournament victory would be probably enough. Or if he gets 12 victories, wins the tournament and beats all the Yokozunas and Ozekis along the way.
So it doesn't look very likely that Mitakeumi would do well enough to becone an Ozeki this year. I do think he has it in him to become an Ozeki. Maybe during the spring next year. He has been a regular Sanyaku ranker since November 2016 and he has two tournament victories. The man has talent and still like 7 or 8 years left in his career. Mitakeumi can go high!
I think Shodai has for sure got a better chance then the other two at the moment. Asanoyama needs to build some strength, and Takakeishō just needs to get a little older although he looked really good in September.
至誠一貫 - How cool is Sumo? Drawing upon a Chinese Confucian scholar from the 4th Century BC cool.
I absolutely love quotes, and it appears that you do, too. I would like to suggest a book. It's called The Little Zen Companion. I have read it several times. It's wonderful.
I believe that Shoudai will be an excellent Ozeki. As long he won't get injured.
He can take a good beating and still perform some good moves, unlike Tochinoshin for example...
hope he's going for Yokozuna, and one Day i hope Enho too #sumorocks
congrats
I feel that not only will he stay at Ozeki for some time, but that he may beat both Take and Asa to the Y. Asa still seems to lose too many bouts he should win whilst I seriously doubt Take's body can stand up to the rigours of the rank. Conversely Shodai's style seems to be well suited to not being injured all that often as I think (off the top of my head) has already been shown.
Congratulations to get promoted
But dunno why when see tobizaru fight with with many high rank that was so crazy achievement
With out with wit higher rank I think he become champions
What are the rules/traditions about naming in sumo? Why was Shodai allowed to keep his name or is that a choice everyone has?
I feel he will be the first to repeat as champion before Takakeisho and Asanoyama
Shodai Yokozuna, this year, next year before Olimpics tops
Baby Shoudai sounds like my middle sister: big baby, voracious appetite, hit physical milestones very early. (And I'm TOTALLY not thinking of doing the rice cake thing with my friends' babies... 😳)
Hi looks solid. I would rank him higher than Asanoyama right now.
It seems only injury will stop him
In theory, if Shodai won again in November at Ozeki, would he be promoted to Yokozuna?
i wonder that too. but according to the rules, you need to win 2 consecutive bashos as an Ozeki to become a Yokozuna.
Kinda sad to see him reach Ozeki rank at age 28, the window for a Yokozuna run is short !
I'm predicting Shodai will become a Yokozuna
Definitely will be more successful than Asanoyama and Takakoesho will ever be. 2 years ago, I felt that Shodai should be doing better. The stars are aligned
@Poojan 122 Agree. I don't think Shodai's in their league.
@Poojan 122 Very true. Feels so strange lately.........
@Poojan 122 No kidding! I long for the old days.....nostalgia I guess.
YODAI will reign long and hard.....just like his sumo feels to opponents....:-)
Mental strength will be his main opponent
He was the "can beat anyone" kind of wrestler for the last couple of years. Always close to the top ranks but never quite making it. Unlike the similarly talented and big man Mitakeumi he was able to go further. I think within a caouple of months both current yokozunas will retire so he has a good shot for the white rope. So does of course The other ozekis but they also have to tackle their mental burdens, especially Asanoyama.
I think Shodai would be Yokozuna!!!
If he decided to retire today as an Ōzeki, would he get a lifetime pension?
why do some wrestlers like to shove beaten wrestlers of the dojo, he is a great wrestler but I dont like that side of him, but he's not the only one
My bday is Nov 4th and my mother's is Nov 6th... wow
The promotion was rushed and he has only had a year of semi-consistent winning scores. I’m certain he will not stay long
I'm very happy for Shodai, but honestly I don't see him being a "successful" Ozeki in terms of winning. This basho was really the only time I've seen him strong, confident, and consistent overall. Personally, I was a little surprised he was made Ozeki so quickly, but I can understand the Sumo Associations reasons for doing so. I wish him the best but I'd be surprised if he's an Ozeki for long.
Hear me know, believe me later- Shodai will not be an Ozeki for long.
Hey, Hans! Or, Franz.
Because of losing the title, or going up to Yokozuna? You didn't say which one!
@@potzysk2 I think Shodai is a flash in the pan. He'll be back down to Mageshira ranks within two tournaments.
@@js3217 That is impossible mathematically. Because if he goes 0-15 in November and 0-15 in January, losing 30 bouts in a row, he will be Sekiwake in March. So already your prediction is WRONG. He cannot be Maegashira after two tournaments. Obviously you don't even know the ranking rules or are just trolling.
I wouldn't call that 8 facts, more like 8 biographical stories, gave up at nr. 3...