The Natsu Basho 2019 is now up in the air! After Hakuho announced that he would be sitting this one out, it is anyone's game to get the yusho. It seems that the favorites are the other yokozuna, Kakuryu, as well as the current ozeki, Goeido, Takayasu, and Takakeisho; however, it seems that a lot... Continue Reading →
This week, I decided to create more gifs of Wakaichirō's prior matches. I find it interesting to review his early performances, but I also find it oddly relaxing to make these gifs. There is a little bit of zen to be found in going back through these old basho. In this post, I provide gifs... Continue Reading →
Wakaichirō Ken finished the second basho of 2019, the Haru Basho, and he did alright. I predicted that he would obtain a 4-3 record, and he instead finished with a 3-4 record. After finishing with a 5-2 record in the Hatsu Basho, Wakaichirō moved up several spots to sandanme 99 west. While I thought he... Continue Reading →
Phew! It seems like almost no time has passed since the last basho! This is partially because of the US Sumo Nationals occurring in the past month as well as the interviews that we have hosted with Justin Kizzart, Ed Suczewski, and Helen Delpopolo. I also have to give a shout-out to Tachiai.org for producing... Continue Reading →
Wakaichirō Ken finished his Hatsu Basho 2019 performance on Day 13, and my prediction was correct! Before the basho, I predicted that Wakaichirō would finish with a 5-2 record, and he did! This was a wonderful bounce-back showing by Wakaichirō. Wakaichirō had slipped in the past two basho with back-to-back 2-5 performances, falling to the... Continue Reading →
Well, the primary story-line of the basho has concluded - Kisenosato has retired. Everyone seemed to have very strong opinions about his situation. Should he have retired sooner? Should he have not retired altogether? Did he deserve yokozuna status? Did he not? Is he overrated? Is he underrated? Personally, I was one of the few... Continue Reading →
A new year, a new basho! I hope that everyone had a good holiday, and I know that everyone is ready for sumo action in 2019. So far, the talk of the upcoming Hatsu Basho is the health of the yokozuna and ōzeki. The biggest question mark is the health of Kisenosato. Is he recovered... Continue Reading →
NorthAmericanSumo.com has a page dedicated to Wakaichirō Ken's match history with video links. I think it is a good idea to periodically backup these videos in gif form, in case they are ever removed from YouTube. Creating these gifs and providing YouTube links (hopefully) draws traffic to the original video, too, which benefits those that... Continue Reading →
Wakaichirō Ken wrapped up his Kyushu Basho 2018 performance on Day 14. Unfortunately, it was his second 2-5 performance in a row. I'm sure that the young rikishi (sumo wrestler) is disappointed in this result. I predicted that he would finish with a 5-2 record, so maybe I jinxed it! So why did Wakaichirō have... Continue Reading →
Almost halfway done with the Kyushu Basho 2018! Of course, the biggest story has been Kisenosato. After starting 0-4, the yokozuna pulled out of the basho. Will he return in 2019? Most signs seem to point towards yes, but only time will tell. I think the more interesting story, however, is that seven days have... Continue Reading →
North American Sumo 