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Haru Basho
March 2010

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Welcome to the Sumo Game!

The Sumo Game at japan-guide.com is an online game for sumo fans. Goal of the game is to predict the performance of real sumo wrestlers during tournaments. Our Sumo Game resembles real sumo tournaments quite closely in that players will confront each other in daily bouts and will be promoted or demoted in our banzuke according to their results. Click here for detailed rules. In order to participate in the Sumo Game, sign up here.

Hatsu Basho 2009 - Winners

Makuuchi Yusho:	M5 Nushuzan (12-3; 107 points)
Juryo Yusho:	J3 Zenjimoto (12-3; 102 points)
Makushita Yusho:	m52 Derosa (13-2; 105 points)
Gino-sho:	M5 Nushuzan (12-3; 107 points) M13 Norizo (11-4; 107 points)
Kanto-sho:	not awarded
Shukun-sho:	not awarded

by Takanotaki, 2010/1/26

Hatsu Basho 2010 - Day 15

The first tournament of 2010 had lots of drama during the first week with Kaio going on to break Chiyonofuji's all time Makunouchi win record while at the same time causing Chiyotaikai to final hang it up. Also, we had quite a jam at the top of the leader board early on, something that hadn't happened in over a quarter of a century. However, as the second week kicked in, many of the leaders couldn't keep their winning ways going as the pressure to perform at such a high level finally caught up with their abilities. Hakuho who was perhaps mentally and physically fatigued from going 86-4 in 2009 had just enough lapse in concentration on days 12 and 13 to allow Asashoryu to pull away making the final weekend a ho-hum affair while grabbing his 25th Emperor's Cup on the penultimate day. Other than Asashoryu breaking a deadlock with Kitanoumi for third on the all time yusho win list the only other real story at the end was Baruto who finally looked like he can make a serious run for Ozeki after going 12-3 this time around.

In Sumo Game WM5 Nushuzan who had a lock on the Makunouchi yusho on day 14 went on to claim the Ginosho, with 107 points, along with WM13 Norizo the runner up. Sadly, Ozeki Sumio fell one win shy of Yokozuna promotion and will have to either go 14-1 next tournament or most likely start over from scratch.

In Juryo, EJ12 Zenjimoto pulled away from the field on the final day to improve to 12-3 and win the title. In Makushita, Wm52 Derosa defeated Wm59 Genya in a play-off, after both improved to 13-2, to win the yusho.

Congratulations to all the winners!

by Nushuzan, 2010/1/26

Hatsu Basho 2010 - Day 14

With one day remaining in the Hatsu Basho 2010 the yusho for the Makunouchi division has already been decided as WM5 Nushuzan has kept a two match lead over the field with a win on day fourteen. His nearest competitors Sekiwake Randomitsuki and WM13 Norizo despite improving to double digits in wins will not be able to catch the leader. Nushuzan wins his second career Makunouchi title. The real story for senshuraku however is Yokozuna candidate Sumio who fell to 8-6 and now must pull out one big win for promotion with his opponent on the day being fellow Ozeki Doitsuyama. Good luck!

In Juryo division, it is now down to a two man race for the yusho between EJ3 Zenjimoto and EJ1 Heruwejima. For Zenjimoto the task is simple: a win on the final day will up his record to 12-3 and hand him the title. A loss by Zenjimoto and a win by EJ1 Heruwejima, however, will force a playoff. Heruwejima has a six point advantage over Zenjimoto, 102-96, and would most likely be wide enough for a come from behind yusho win.

In Makushita, the scenario for the yusho could become complicated depending on the senshuraku results. At present Em8 Kodji, Wm52 Derosa and Em59 Genya are in the best position for the title. A win by any one of them and a loss by the other two would give the yusho to victorious participant without a playoff. However, a playoff would be necessary if two or all three members pick up their thirteenth win. In terms of point totals Derosa has a slight advantage with 98 while Kodji with 96 and Genya at 95 having to make up some ground on the final day. Now, if all three should lose, it would give a chance for those now at 11-3 a shot at the title should they pick up one more victory. Em27 Krokonowaka with 101 points and Wm19 Canapayama with 98 have the best chance for a upset win.

Good luck to the yusho contenders!

by Nushuzan, 2010/1/24

Hatsu Basho 2010 - Day 13

Going into the final weekend of the New Year's tournament Yokozuna candidate Sumio moved one step closer to promotion with a victory over Makunouchi leader WM5 Nushuzan. Sumio's magic number is now 1 with two days remaining in the Basho. Nushuzan maintained his two match lead over the field, however, as both Ozeki Doitsuyama and Komusubi Konosato were also defeated by their opponents. Konosato can tighten up the race considerably on day 14 as he will meet the tournament leader in a head to head match. Also still statistically alive for the yusho are Sekiwake Randomitsuki, EM4 Sokkenaiyama and WM13 Norizo.

In Juryo, EJ3 Zenjimoto for the third time this tournament emerged as sole leader as both EJ6 Metzinowaka and WJ11 Gibuten slipped to 9-4. Also at 9-4 are EJ1 Heruwejima and WJ12 Sashimaru. In Makushita, all four co-leaders, Em8 Kodji, Wm19 Canapayama, Wm52 Derosa and Em59 Genya, were victorious to improve to 11-2 and thus keeping the division race for the yusho tight in the remaining days.

by Nushuzan, 2010/1/23

Hatsu Basho 2010 - Day 12

Scoring for day twelve of the Hatsu Basho was fairly consistent throughout the divisions as a few easy picks and a few major upsets had most participants finishing the day within the six to eight point range. Although the biggest upset of the day was to Kotooshu, who has a history of losing to smaller rikishi, the most important for the Emperor's Cup chance was to Hakuho who lost to Harumafuji and is now down a match to Asashoryu.

In Makunouchi action, WM5 Nushuzan has now opened a two match lead over the rest of the field after Ozeki Doitsuyama lost his second match in a row to fall to 9-3. Also at 9-3 is Komusubi Konosato after winning a close match with Yokozuna candidate Sumio. Sumio, who will face the leader on day 13, is still in the running for promotion only need to go 2-1 in the final three days to notch 22 wins in two tournaments. In Juryo, EJ3 Zenjimoto, EJ6 Metzinowaka and WJ11 Gibuten continue to do battle for the yusho while improving to 9-3. In Makushita, leader Em59 Genya fell to 10-2 allowing Em8 Kodji, Wm19 Canapayama and Wm52 Derosa to catch him on the leader board with the identical 10-2 mark.

by Nushuzan, 2010/1/22

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