Ozeki watch (July 2021, Takakeisho & Shodai)

Except for Terunofuji, our ozeki hardly distinguished themselves in July. What are they getting so wrong and is there any hope at all for Takakeisho and Shodai in September?

[alanweiman]

Takakeisho really does need to care for his health. But as long as he is healthy I see him keeping Ozeki no problem. But Shodai is probably going to continue to struggle if he doesn't fix his mental game.

[thatsthamove]

Papayasu not making ozeki actually really bummed me out

[ZoDDto]

I feel sorry for the rikishi who will have to face Asanoyama in the 4th division ... they were punished ...

[ilisan]

On day 14 Shodai took some satisfying face slaps that felt like they were delivered to him on behalf of his fans. I hope those shook him a bit and he starts to work on his weaknesses.

[freethepeople]

I hope Takakeisho comes back fully healed and healthy. I hope he can reach Yokozuna one day.

[AznIslandBoy]

Finally 2 Yokozunas, can't wait! I hope the Ozeki core will be good as well. Thanks for the coverage! 🤙🏽

[titanwilkins]

Im brand new to sumo but these daily videos are great content !!

[johnmolinari]

Shodai is Ozeki, yesterday today and tomorrow, put that in your pipe and smoke it Chris.

[AbuKhamrAlMaseeHee]

I snickered upon hearing, circa. the 3:57 mark, “inevitable leg trip defeat to Hoshoryu”.

[CSLFiero]

Winning the tournament should be the expectation of every ozeki and our expectation of them. Shodai enters expecting KK only, and it's all he seems prepared to deliver.

[DanielGonzalez-mxlq]

Shodai need to work on his mental state, he has the body and tecnic, but lack of confidence.

[johnvannewhouse]

Chris, I love your product. And you are SO RIGHT, when it comes to the "SPORTING INTEGRITY" aspect of sumo. But you have to understand that "SPORTING INTEGRITY" exists in TWO DIFFERENT SPHERES. There is the POLITICAL sphere....and then there is the COMPETITIVE sphere. The political sphere reigns supreme.... and the competitive sphere (which is the TRUE sphere of integrity) is subject to its command and control. I wish it wasn't so....but you MUST realize this.
LOVE YOUR more, yah?

[groezy]

watching the old yokozuna v yokozuna bouts, i dont think ive seen any bouts where the rikishi were that quick, that reactive

[venrerafaltis]

It sucks to say this, but i think Shodai might actually benefit from being kadoban again. I feel this "barely clinging to rank" is to the advantage of noone, and also cant continue forever.

[julieblain]

I don't think the fixture committee is giving Shodai favorable matchups, but, then again, during the basho, I couldn't think of anyone who would have been a favorable matchup for Shodai in July after he was beaten by Tobizaru (except, perhaps, Kotoeko). May he get a better mindset and more practice bouts per day before he becomes the next Goeido.

[chonqmonk]

Ozeki Sleestak, he can do this, dammit, he can...

He looked like the next yokozuna all throughout that basho he won. If he can get back to that form with consistency, all these current woes will fade away.

[gauntlet___]

Chris I’m not sure why, but it’s very noticeable from all your vids of the hate you have for shodai lol

[steveh]

Takakeisho's tiny frame carrying all that mass and weight is really absurd. Honestly I don't know how he manages to even get out of bed. I'd rather see him retire, drop the weight and get on with his life.

[uandubh]

He does not even show the fight against Terunofuji, which was not nearly as clear cut a loss for Shodai as he makes it sound. I'm quite sure that had Shodai not gotten Takayasu on the last day Chris would have critised exactly that instead... Not even making the effort anymore of hiding the disdain for Shodai it seems. And what's the point about Asanoyama? That he should not have been demoted just because he was more in form? Where is the integrity in that?

[tiggerczew]

I've never been impressed with Shodai to be honest or even Asanoyama for the most part. I love Takakeisho, but he is hit or miss. I wish he could get more consistent. They need a new and better Ozeki to bring some life back into the rank. Terunofuji getting Yokozuna will help the sport in general. But they need some new Ozeki blood not just Yokozuna.