Jwags, wow! Thanks for the lengthy answer to my question! I think you summed it up perfectly. When I started watching sumo, you could almost EXPECT that someone in the sanyaku was going to win the yusho, and frankly I feel that this elevated the game for ALL the rikishi because they knew they had to try harder to win. Nowadays it seems like the rikishi are only interested in maintaining salaried level rank rather than forging ahead to reach their peak. Cheers!
I've seen a few whole basho from past decades and never seen a whole day of makuuchi that was epic top to bottom. Not even any that were consistently edge-of-seat viewing during the yokozuna matches. I agree that we remember the narratives and the highlights and forget all the rest. That doesn't make present sumo less exciting, though. When Ura is pulling off unusual moves, I am hyped. When some rookie throws bitter boy Hoshoryu out of the ring and Hoshoryu doesn't even bow, I am hyped to imagine that rookie's future (despite consistent disappointment in miracle rookies). When Terunofuji lifts a 350 pound man up and carries him five steps across the rope, I am jubilant. The inverse of nostalgic thinking is to look at highlights happening right now and use that experience from the past to put together the idea that amazing stuff is happening now that will continue to be amazing. We loved XYZ Yokozuna but Teru has won more than lots of cool Yokozuna, Teru is doing great despite his joints falling apart.
Deweeeeeeey! I should've known 😂 I too sympathize with Salieri.. and Misato 😭 Shes a real person in a sci fi anime 😂 Thanks always for sharing ❤ Hakkeyoooooooi!🎉
My guy & I started watching sumo in July 2021 on NHK grand sumo highlights. We love your sumo videos. My guy yells "Kotozakura next Yokozuna" with Scottish accent :D Thanks for this video & other sumo videos ... very informative & helps us to learn a little bit more about sumo, rikishi & the culture
Gotta hand it to you JWags, your ability to articulate the minutia of the Sumo world is staggering. You should seek out a partnership with NHK. They’d be lucky to have you!
すばらしい内容だ 確かに今は大関が弱いね 外国人の統計は私も興味があります。 That's great content It is true that ozeki are weak now. I'm interested in hearing about sumo statistics told from a foreigner's perspective.
Once again you impress me with your sumo knowledge and in an entertaining fashion! I was pretty much anti-sports BS (Before Sumo) and never thought I'd be interested in stats but I look forward to your observations. Thanks again and always
Juryo fave: Shishi. Makushita faves: Aonishiki (also Ukrainian, meteoric rise, will be at Ms4 at Aki), Kototebakari (Ms5, Kotoshoho's little bro, best shiko in sumo!)
My take on the question of whether matches from the past were more intensive than today is that we have 4K screens now. Videos from back then look more intense because they have less frames per second. Granted, I have no research to back this up.
really interesting video mate :) I am Following Otsuji since his debuts too ! only 20yo but already 4 years in sumo, i hope he will pass makushita before end 2025. Ans yes, sumo now is weaker than debut 2000 to 2015. But we have a new gen and more suspens.
Thanks a heap for answering a few of my personal questions. Glad you have a good woman in your life to perhaps balance your hyper enthusiasm😊. Love you just the way you are though❤. Still am curious if you are a Taurus and your age when you started singing/acting. 🤔 p.s. I think your "Life Partner" is a lucky lady 😄.
Better or "worse", the current level of sumo is exciting as hell. Having those lower tier guys grab a yusho makes it a lot of fun for me anyway. There is quite a bit t of parity now, but I'm not sure if there is more or less than in the "good old days." Most of these guys have dreams of winning the big one, and they are trying very hard to do that. The sumo is what it is. And that is good enough for the girls I go with...
thanks for your good attitude, and fun presentation we need it, especially given the decay of sumoworld over the last eightish years sumo leadership's need to heavily script bashos (in the attempt to convey parity between japanese and foreign rikishi) is the cause after ten years without a native-born japanese basho winner, then suddenly magic! kotoshogiku basho, followed by goeido, kisenosato, even tokoshoryu! turned sumo wrestling into a joke on itself evidently, japanese public (who pay the expenses of the charade) are satisfied enough, or just don't care, because the seats are being sold for sumolovers, it is a nightmare, as any given day during a basho one is lucky to find more than two or three bouts worth watching we can't expect another hakuho to come along still, i hope to live long enough to see the handcuffs come off the foreigners, and a few more legitimate bouts
@@TheDohyo those wrestlers are so outstanding, a wonder that hakuho did as well as he did against them and the states has a legitimate two-party system of good-hearted politicians doing their best to serve those who like television are content with whatever storylines are provided, so tasty is the kool-aid meanwhile, a minority hone their discernment, with interests beyond what they are being told
Dang... we have a lot on common. Same fav rikishi. Amadeus is one of my favorite movies for the same reason. I do his speech every time I hear Mozart's serenade no. 10 for the winds.
I wonder if the skill levels are evening in todays sumo. Was the top dog was able to be on top as there was a bigger skill gap previously between for example top guys vs. mid guys vs. Bottom guys? This can be seen in other sport when we look the athletes of previous decades. The level of professionalism was totally different then today.
I'm going to throw my 2 theories for the lower intensity of Sumo : first, a "big tree blocks the sun" - Sumo is just getting out of the shade of Hakuho , who dominated the sports. It was hard for others to rise while he was on top. And when the Yokozuna can compete once every 3 tournaments, it gives him a sort of advantage over others who have to compete injured. second - less young men are willing to subject to the rigid, health-destroying Sumo lifestyle. I think I saw last trials had the lowest number of applicants ever? On the other hand, this has been probably going on for decades, so what changed? My interest watching now is seeing all the potentials fighting it out to see who will be the one to rise above the rest.
I like seeing a variety of body types & the "brand" of sumo each wrestler chooses. I LOVE Takakeisho, who was exactly what most Americans picture when they think of Sumo. Of course, there's also great talent among rikishi who have really muscular upper bodies & not much belly fat. Takakeisho proved that a huge belly is a dangerous weapon. He used his bulk effectively. Wakatakakage is agile & has lots of tricks up his sleeves (or wherever Sumo wrestlers hide their tricks). Also, he's got the GOAT ring name, and I never miss an opportunity to say "WAKATAKAKAGE!!!"
I'm not sure if it's fair to equate what feels like a higher degree of parity amongst the maegashira ranks to the notion that the sumo is worse now than previously. Not saying that sumo now is better or worse but not sure if an increase in parity is an indicator of poor sumo at the top.
Not 100% clear on your point. Greater maegashira parity wouldn't (necessarily) lead to more Meg Yusho if the top ranks were fighting at closer to their normal level. If these maegashira were, in fact, consistently excellent performers, they would not stay maegashira very long. Most of our Meg Yusho winners haven't shown the ability to stay at the top, post-yusho. (Abi would probably be the best of our non-joi meg winners since the 4 Yokozuna days.) Are you saying that the talent gap from maegashira to yokozuna has rapidly closed since the retirement of Hakuho?
Jwags, wow! Thanks for the lengthy answer to my question! I think you summed it up perfectly. When I started watching sumo, you could almost EXPECT that someone in the sanyaku was going to win the yusho, and frankly I feel that this elevated the game for ALL the rikishi because they knew they had to try harder to win. Nowadays it seems like the rikishi are only interested in maintaining salaried level rank rather than forging ahead to reach their peak. Cheers!
I've seen a few whole basho from past decades and never seen a whole day of makuuchi that was epic top to bottom. Not even any that were consistently edge-of-seat viewing during the yokozuna matches. I agree that we remember the narratives and the highlights and forget all the rest. That doesn't make present sumo less exciting, though. When Ura is pulling off unusual moves, I am hyped. When some rookie throws bitter boy Hoshoryu out of the ring and Hoshoryu doesn't even bow, I am hyped to imagine that rookie's future (despite consistent disappointment in miracle rookies). When Terunofuji lifts a 350 pound man up and carries him five steps across the rope, I am jubilant.
The inverse of nostalgic thinking is to look at highlights happening right now and use that experience from the past to put together the idea that amazing stuff is happening now that will continue to be amazing. We loved XYZ Yokozuna but Teru has won more than lots of cool Yokozuna, Teru is doing great despite his joints falling apart.
Deweeeeeeey! I should've known 😂 I too sympathize with Salieri.. and Misato 😭 Shes a real person in a sci fi anime 😂 Thanks always for sharing ❤ Hakkeyoooooooi!🎉
My guy & I started watching sumo in July 2021 on NHK grand sumo highlights. We love your sumo videos. My guy yells "Kotozakura next Yokozuna" with Scottish accent :D Thanks for this video & other sumo videos ... very informative & helps us to learn a little bit more about sumo, rikishi & the culture
Thanks for the kind words!
Gotta hand it to you JWags, your ability to articulate the minutia of the Sumo world is staggering. You should seek out a partnership with NHK. They’d be lucky to have you!
That would be awesome!
すばらしい内容だ
確かに今は大関が弱いね
外国人の統計は私も興味があります。
That's great content
It is true that ozeki are weak now.
I'm interested in hearing about sumo statistics told from a foreigner's perspective.
Once again you impress me with your sumo knowledge and in an entertaining fashion! I was pretty much anti-sports BS (Before Sumo) and never thought I'd be interested in stats but I look forward to your observations. Thanks again and always
one of my favorite discoveries about sport is that the stats ARE the stories.
Juryo fave: Shishi. Makushita faves: Aonishiki (also Ukrainian, meteoric rise, will be at Ms4 at Aki), Kototebakari (Ms5, Kotoshoho's little bro, best shiko in sumo!)
You are my favourite character, Dohyo-san! may all you favourites win a yusho, and may you get to appreciate the bestest of arts!
Excellent video! Thanks J.W.
My take on the question of whether matches from the past were more intensive than today is that we have 4K screens now. Videos from back then look more intense because they have less frames per second. Granted, I have no research to back this up.
Thanks JWags
A wrestlers initial charge is what draws me in... and power
Otsuji! He is a must-watch for me in Ms. He looks like a Japanese Marlon Brando. ❤
Excellent point! Face of young Brando, circumference of older Brando...
really interesting video mate :)
I am Following Otsuji since his debuts too ! only 20yo but already 4 years in sumo, i hope he will pass makushita before end 2025.
Ans yes, sumo now is weaker than debut 2000 to 2015. But we have a new gen and more suspens.
Thanks a heap for answering a few of my personal questions.
Glad you have a good woman in your life to perhaps balance your hyper enthusiasm😊.
Love you just the way you are though❤.
Still am curious if you are a Taurus and your age when you started singing/acting. 🤔
p.s. I think your
"Life Partner" is a lucky lady 😄.
I am not a Taurus.
I started performing when I was 6-7. School plays and talents shows.
@@TheDohyo
Thank you. I appreciate all you do. Such talent fascinates me ❤.
Takakeisho’s Shiko during practice is great. Before his bouts, not so great
Better or "worse", the current level of sumo is exciting as hell. Having those lower tier guys grab a yusho makes it a lot of fun for me anyway. There is quite a bit t of parity now, but I'm not sure if there is more or less than in the "good old days." Most of these guys have dreams of winning the big one, and they are trying very hard to do that. The sumo is what it is. And that is good enough for the girls I go with...
Not having a Hakuho-type alpha DEFINITELY makes things more exciting.
thanks for your good attitude, and fun presentation
we need it, especially given the decay of sumoworld over the last eightish years
sumo leadership's need to heavily script bashos (in the attempt to convey parity between japanese and foreign rikishi) is the cause
after ten years without a native-born japanese basho winner, then suddenly magic! kotoshogiku basho, followed by goeido, kisenosato, even tokoshoryu! turned sumo wrestling into a joke on itself
evidently, japanese public (who pay the expenses of the charade) are satisfied enough, or just don't care, because the seats are being sold
for sumolovers, it is a nightmare, as any given day during a basho one is lucky to find more than two or three bouts worth watching
we can't expect another hakuho to come along
still, i hope to live long enough to see the handcuffs come off the foreigners, and a few more legitimate bouts
I believe that if the JSA was trying to throw matches/yusho to Japanese wrestlers, they'd be MUCH better at it...
@@TheDohyo
those wrestlers are so outstanding, a wonder that hakuho did as well as he did against them
and the states has a legitimate two-party system of good-hearted politicians doing their best to serve
those who like television are content with whatever storylines are provided, so tasty is the kool-aid
meanwhile, a minority hone their discernment, with interests beyond what they are being told
Dang... we have a lot on common. Same fav rikishi. Amadeus is one of my favorite movies for the same reason. I do his speech every time I hear Mozart's serenade no. 10 for the winds.
Check THIS out...
th-cam.com/video/dJ0AkP_BFhs/w-d-xo.html
I wonder if the skill levels are evening in todays sumo. Was the top dog was able to be on top as there was a bigger skill gap previously between for example top guys vs. mid guys vs. Bottom guys? This can be seen in other sport when we look the athletes of previous decades. The level of professionalism was totally different then today.
I'm going to throw my 2 theories for the lower intensity of Sumo :
first, a "big tree blocks the sun" - Sumo is just getting out of the shade of Hakuho , who dominated the sports. It was hard for others to rise while he was on top. And when the Yokozuna can compete once every 3 tournaments, it gives him a sort of advantage over others who have to compete injured.
second - less young men are willing to subject to the rigid, health-destroying Sumo lifestyle. I think I saw last trials had the lowest number of applicants ever? On the other hand, this has been probably going on for decades, so what changed?
My interest watching now is seeing all the potentials fighting it out to see who will be the one to rise above the rest.
Too many pusher thrusters? Any opinion on Wakatakakage?
Too many pusher thrusters... for what?
I like seeing a variety of body types & the "brand" of sumo each wrestler chooses. I LOVE Takakeisho, who was exactly what most Americans picture when they think of Sumo. Of course, there's also great talent among rikishi who have really muscular upper bodies & not much belly fat. Takakeisho proved that a huge belly is a dangerous weapon. He used his bulk effectively. Wakatakakage is agile & has lots of tricks up his sleeves (or wherever Sumo wrestlers hide their tricks). Also, he's got the GOAT ring name, and I never miss an opportunity to say "WAKATAKAKAGE!!!"
Mr. Jwaggs what's your favorite meal of the day? Breakfast, second breakfast, elevensies, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, supper?
The mid-supper, beef interval.
@@TheDohyo Huh that's the name of my prog rock project
@@TheDohyo are you sure you're not a hobbit?
@@SamWiseGamgee1 Let's see... Hairy feet, 24-inch inseam... Pretty close!
I'm not sure if it's fair to equate what feels like a higher degree of parity amongst the maegashira ranks to the notion that the sumo is worse now than previously. Not saying that sumo now is better or worse but not sure if an increase in parity is an indicator of poor sumo at the top.
Not 100% clear on your point.
Greater maegashira parity wouldn't (necessarily) lead to more Meg Yusho if the top ranks were fighting at closer to their normal level.
If these maegashira were, in fact, consistently excellent performers, they would not stay maegashira very long. Most of our Meg Yusho winners haven't shown the ability to stay at the top, post-yusho. (Abi would probably be the best of our non-joi meg winners since the 4 Yokozuna days.)
Are you saying that the talent gap from maegashira to yokozuna has rapidly closed since the retirement of Hakuho?