Kaz Hayashi

For anyone wanting to watch, who haven’t found specific discord chats yet, send me a DM. 
The general issue we currently have is that the NHK hit YouTube uploads with copyright strikes, and pull them in seconds, which is fair enough. However, it means we can’t watch the tournament as it happens each day if you’re based in the West, there isn’t a legitimate means to watch it. Which is a shame. What’s more odd s that they don’t copyright strikes every day, just every other day. Odd.

...

Wow Scotty, that’s mint. But fair enough really. I can see why you made the connection you do. 
 

31 minutes ago, Carbomb said:

I went to Ryogoku when I was living in Tokyo, but only ever as a visitor to the Kokugikan in down-time - sumo tickets, like nearly everything Japanese traditional culture, are ridiculously expensive.

It really is, much cheaper to go to the lover divisions, where they all start, including the likes of John Tenta, who was 7-0 in Jonokuchi division, 7-0 in Jonidan division and 7-0 Sandanme division, unbeaten record. Then was promoted to Makushita division, but quit the sport before competing in his first Basho at that level. Imagine being able to blag a cheap ticket to watch the Jonokuchi and seeing him steamroll everyone.

46 minutes ago, Egg Shen said:

Nice post Kaz. I used to watch Sumo as a kid too, fascinated me. Id still watch bits and pieces if I knew where to look, i'm generally drawn to any kind of one on one combat/strength sport, i gues nostalgia ties into it. Its why I still love watching Strongman.

Same here man, still a big fan of strongman. I’ve only seen it in person twice though, the U.K. qualifiers for World in Leeds a few years back. The likes of Big Z, Thor, Felix, Shahlaei, Hall & Holland’s were spread across both. Great fun, and still obviously mint to watch the world over xmas on tv. But yeah I agree, these, Sumo... it’s the reason why I’m drawn to a good Hoss match in wrestling.

Never noticed it properly discussed on here, so this might end up on its arse, either way, I thought I’d post it.

I’m a pretty big follower of Sumo Wrestling and have been for years. Watched it as a youngster on Eurosport, and got my head in to it a bit more when I was in Japan in 2006.

I became much more of a fan a couple of years ago and now it’s arguably my main sport passion. 

We’re currently at day of this months Tournament (Basho) and the results so far are pretty crazy to say the least. The Ozeki who won November’s tournament with a record of 13-2 has yet to win a match this month and is 0-4. On top of the the 2 Yokozuna’s are not competing again, this is following formal notice warnings from the Yokozuna Deliberation Council telling them they must compete or it may be suggested they retire. It’s expected that one of them will bow out gracefully and a new sumo will be promoted to Yokozuna ranking. Now really is a great time to get in to Sumo, if you have any interest. So much happening and a bit of a changing of the guard is apparent.

I thought I’d post a basic ‘guide to sumo’ in here. I’ve done an audio version here, along with daily results so far here: SUMO DROP but I thought a text version would be useful for those who are interested in Sumo, and are up for some discussion, but don’t really understand the rules, rankings and divisions. For reference, I only really follow the Makuuchi division, which is basically the premier league. I do occasionally catch up with Juryo, mainly to see who’s in contention for promotion to the main stage.

Divisions
There are several divisions in Sumo wrestling, and the focus of our review shows, will be the top division, the Makuuchi.
Sumo wrestlers start out in the bottom division and based on their win/loss record in each tournament, can be gain a promotion up to the next highest division, until they reach the Makuuchi division.

Basho Events
The Sumo tournaments are called Basho’s. Each Makuuchi division Basho lasts for 15 days and takes place every other month. Each Sumo (Rikishi) will compete in 1 match each day, for a total of 15 fights. They will be pitted against other Rikishi in the division who are at a similar ranking.
The aim is to finish a 15 day Basho with as many wins as possible. If a Rikishi is victorious and gains more wins than losses by the end of the 15 day Basho, it is considered an overall win. This means they will enter the next Basho event at a higher ranking. If they win several Basho events in a row, they might have the opportunity to be promoted in rank. With that promotion comes a higher pay and higher prestige.

Rankings
When a Rikishi is promoted up to the Makuuchi division, they start at the rank of a Maegashira. The vast majority, typically around 33 Rikishi, will be ranked as a Maegashira when competing in the Makuuchi division. They can however be promoted in rank to elite levels, based on their performances and win/loss records at Basho events. Their overall aim is to reach the highest rank possible and become a Yokozuna.

Glossary
There are far more comprehensive glossary’s available online, but these terms will give you the basic understanding required when watching Sumo.

Basho – the name for a Sumo tournament, short for Honbasho
Dohyō – the name for the ring in which the Sumo’s wrestle
Gyōji – the name for the referee in a Sumo bout
Hakkeyoi – the crazy phrase the referee constantly shouts during a bout, which means “Put some spirit in to it” in order to encourage the Sumo’s to keep fighting
Kinboshi – If a standard Meagashira Sumo defeats a Yokozuna during a bout, they are awarded a Kinboshi gold star, which results in a permanent pay rise, due to beating the highest ranking Sumo
Kinjite – The forbidden, illegal moves in a Sumo bout. This includes, hair pulling, eye gouging, punching, choking and grabbing an opponent’s crotch
Komusubi – 4th highest Sumo ranking
Maegashira – 5th highest Sumo ranking
Makuuchi – the name for the highest division, in which the top 5 ranking groups of Sumo’s wrestle
Matta – name for a false start to a bout, usually because both fists of each Sumo have not touched the floor, which typically leads to the referee restarting the bout
Ozeki – 2nd highest Sumo ranking
Rikishi – the name for all professional Sumo wrestlers
Sanshō – the name for the 3 different prizes awarded to Sumo wrestlers for exceptional bouts of wrestling
Sekiwake – 3rd highest Sumo ranking
Senshūraku – the name for the final day of a Basho
Shimpan – the ringside judges who give ruling over a disputed decision during a bout
Shishō – the name for the master in charge of a Sumo stable
Shonichi – the name for the first day of a Basho
Yokozuna – highest ranking Sumo

Here’s a calendar of the scheduled 2021 Basho events pencilled in. 

Anyway, yeah, day 4. What a wild ride it has been so far. Only 3 unbeaten by day 4, all from the general pool of fighters, and out of those yet to win a match, one is an Ozeki who was a contender to become a Yokozuna. Not a chance of that now.

Heads up, Jonny Candido (brother of Chris) has just released a Chris Candido biography, full of really fun stories, info and shit loads of great pics throughout his life. 

4 hours ago, tiger_rick said:

Reminded of this beauty from Raw in 1994.

 

All credit to Jannetty there, coming up off his tits, hyping for the hot tag. The crowd were absolutely bang up for it. Really fun match. People love to shit on 94, but are completely unaware of gems like this. Don’t get me wrong, it has its tripe, but 93-95 gets far more ridicule than deserved.

52 minutes ago, Tommy! said:

 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

He must’ve drawn her first as a thank you for the pencils.

31 minutes ago, Onyx2 said:

I was certain he was going to say "I'm going to read the Daily Mail." 

Me: *hangs up phone 

TIL that people stuck in their ways, can still surprise you.

My dad is a good bloke, and comfortable with his life. A big old North Yorkshire man and creature of comfort, who doesn’t wish harm on anyone but is easily influenced by the papers.

Out of the blue on the phone he said: “You’ll be pleased to know, I’ve stopped buying the Sun”

Me: “Really? get in, nice one”

Dad: “Yup, I’m sick of them shiteing on absolutely everything. I’m bloody fed up of being told to be miserable.”

Me: “That’s great. What are you going to read on a morning?”

Dad: “Nowt lad, your mothers got me some pencils, I’ve not drawn owt since school, I’m gonna do some drawings again, birds and stuff”.

Legend.

17 hours ago, wordsfromlee said:

On a positive note about the homeless...

Please can you find out the name and location of the hotel and send me a DM? I want to pass the info on to our CEO.

cheers

Now Chella Toys have started their Hasbro style line, which so far officially includes Nick Aldis, Blue Meanie and Ethan Page, it was a matter of time before someone had a punt at the Hasbro style line to compete.

Cardona & Myers have released proto pics of their new line, which is also on the Hasbro style. Basically styled from Hasbro series 1 Hogan & Warrior molds. More names to be added apparently. Regardless of how the figures turn out, I honestly can’t speak highly enough about the lads designing the figures. Tippy is the lad doing all of the concept art for Chella and TTD does all of the Major Pod art and attire designs. Both really sound lads from over here.

Here’s my Aldis figures and a pic of Cardona & Myers protos.

I’ve just asked my wife what she’d do with 10 egg boxes, my 4 year old piped up with “Dinosaurs at the seaside with their best friends”.

crack on.

9 minutes ago, Bellenda Carlisle said:

What's in it? It looks great.

Also while I'm here who was it that made Huevos Rancheros? Was it @Chest Rockwell? What's ur recipe?

Really simple mate... Red cabbage, carrot, onion, coriander, green chilli, lime juice, garlic, chipotle and Mayo.

3 hours ago, Keith Houchen said:

The night before your paper bin gets collected, you could put them all out for collection, then retrieve them during the night and keep doing it. This way you will convince your neighbours that you eat a lot of eggs. You could even get a custom made “I REALLY LOVE EGGS” T-shirt made and wear it constantly to further embolden the charade. 

Every hour or so, open your window and shout, “Does anybody want an egg? I’ve got some eggs on”.

After eating a stupid amount of cheese, meat, pastry and other stuff over xmas, I though it was time to cook from fresh again. I’m in the middle of cooking a Dal, a sweet & normal potato curry, and knocked up another Mexican style coleslaw. All separate meals to dip in to over the next week. 
The coleslaw is a great additional filler for wraps rather than a standard salad to go with meat, fish, or on its own to be fair. 
All 3 are very easy, full of goodness, can accompany other food or as stand alone. Nice to get past the Christmas fat fest to be honest.
 

1 minute ago, jazzygeofferz said:

Hope you're ok, Kaz. Stay safe. Hopefully if anything does kick off Norman will be over with his old service revolver as quick as he can. As long as the 10 minute freeview isn't on.

I’m fine mate, just a bit confused and wired about it. It’s a case of protective mode for my wife and 4 year old kicking in, but I don’t really understand from what, apart from Norman obviously.

I’m starting to suspect Norman has more to do with it now. 

Barely a couple of days in to 2021 and I’m curtain twitching.

About 1.00am last night, a car pulled up outside of my front wall, I noticed though the blinds as I was on a YouTube worm hole (Tony Hart’s Hartbeat) anyway, a bloke got out and made his way to my door, I just thought he was a takeaway delivery at the wrong address, so I opened the blinds and found him rummaging through a bush in my front yard. I battered on the window and pulled an angry Phil Mitchell face and he absolutely shit a brick. I went to my door but when I got outside he’d done one, but left his car there half blocking my drive the weirdo. I looked down the street but couldn’t see him, but about 60 yards away were 2 police cars pulled up side by side over both lanes, I thought it’s got to be linked, so I waved them over. They pulled up, I tell them the craic and they start searching the bushes with me. I had no idea what I was looking for, why they happened to be on scene, they didn’t say, so I just went along with it. 
At that point 70 year old Maureen and Norman came out from over the road offering out cups of tea. After 10 mins of pointless bush searching, they went to the parked car, and the daft arse had left his drivers door open so they went in. It triggered the alarm but they also found his mobile phone ringing. The female copper said “who is this? I’m from the police... no not Elise, the Police, PO-LICE”. They hung up and it rang several more times. One of the coppers (there were 3) called in the reg and it was linked to a different city, so suspected stolen. Another copper then pointed out how bright the stars were tonight, in depth, for ages (eh?). They called for it to be towed and Norman asked if anybody wanted a cup of tea, “no thanks Norman, it’s 2.00am, get yourself to bed man”.

I’ve gone back out this morning for another pointless bush search, still nowt there, but the whole street is on red alert. I got a text from Susan 2 doors down saying a White Yaris has driven past twice and slowed down outside of my house. Thanks Susan.
Every time I hear a car go past I’m at the window like Michael Paine. Doing my nut in.

Happy New Year.

That has hit really fucking hard. Jesus Christ this is so shit.

13 minutes ago, Hannibal Scorch said:

Disappointed that it’s already gone

I haven’t even opened my popcorn yet.

In a nutshell. He explained a bad transaction between the 2 of them 3 years ago. He send a box of figs and accessories, one of the accessories got a crease during transit, Matt called him all the names under the sun, and it just went downhill from there.

This lad apparently reached out to say... “let’s bury the hatchet, life’s too short, let’s move on and I’ll happily donate a wedge to your Toy Drive charity”. Matt apparently said no.

FF to today, the lad has just found out that Matt has tried to discredit him and sabotage his business deals with Nick Aldis (distribution of his new figure) and his deal with Edge (custom making him a title belt). Matt apparently told people “he’s a scammer” which apparently isn’t true.

The video above last 25 mins, him calling Matt “piece of shit, asshole” and a host of other things, and threatened a law suit for deformation. Matt’s mate suggested he take it down, it’s now down.

Bloke on Insta called JB Toys. Big collector, designs merch for wrestlers, distributes figures for companies etc.

VS.

Matt Cardona 

Long story short, Matt acted like a child during a trade they both had 3 years ago, and since then has apparently tried to sabotage this KB Toys business deals with Nick Aldis and Edge.

KB Toys has now made a video and it’s all levels of cringe, hilarious, eye opening and I’ll be getting some popcorn.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CJV62MVnknB/?igshid=1kh532vpz3hw9

42 minutes ago, Onyx2 said:

Incredible stuff Kaz. 

I appreciate that, cheers man. I’m incredibly lucky to have access to a great workshop.

Me and my workshop partner made these at work as part of a commission for a towns Nativity scene. Joseph is 6ft for reference. They were happy and the money goes back in to our workshop for our homeless activity sessions. Happy all round.

Alongside that, I needed a new craft/work desk for home. I’ve been rocking an awful, cheap 90’s shit coloured chipboard desk for years, so that needed to change. I had loads of scrap off-cuts in the workshop, including an old battered bar top. Needs a final oil but it’s come out canny.

Can’t help but imagine the potential of these two tagging when looking at this. Chris, Owen with Sunny in 95 would’ve been amazing. They defo should’ve dressed like this with their bum bags too.

On 12/12/2020 at 12:40 AM, Merzbow said:

Put some respeck on his name, the two time #341 ranked wrestler in the PWI 500.

The idea of reaching #341 again, but then dropping off completely.

“I’m going to try exactly the same for one more year, then that’s it”

My Chella Toys, signed Nick Aldis figure arrived today. Styled on Hasbro figures as discussed in the past. It’s better than expected. The figure is decent, the packaging and bubble are really good quality, there’s also some pics on the back of a greyed out tag team with rumours of it being Rock n Roll express. 
Nick posted them out directly, opting for a bubble envelope rather than box. I was one of the lucky ones who got it in great condition, others weren’t as lucky, but Nick’s apparently sorting them out, fair play. Wouldn’t be a bother if they were all being opened, but he’s signed them, so they’re all bound to be for display. Anyway, it’s solid. I’ve ordered the Blue Meanie pack from them too.