Shikona

Looking forward to some intensive travel reporting. Especially love the restaurant features and recipes.

I know the fans are always impressed by shiko, but isn't this getting a little too up-close and personal?

It actually looked like the elbow was hurt early on in the match with Atamifuji, another reason I found his yusho amazing.

Yes, but not since 1959. In those earlier years there were more than 42 wrestlers in Makuuchi. Since it is required to have at least six in sanyaku, adhering to the limit of 42 means the lowest rank than can appear is M18w.

Unless you consider that in order to win in regulation with the same record means that that the opposition was not putting up strong competition. And consider some other sports--would it be more impressive to give the NFL championship to the team with the best regular season record without having to go through the playoffs and super bowl?

What I think you are missing is that he could just as easily have lost those fights, but he won, and won impressively. Why would the committee need to pretend those fights never happened? Unless you go zensho, you are always benefitting in some way by someone else's efforts, aren't you?

Chiyonofuji's record probably more impressive even than Hakuho, given the late start. I was thinking Hak, also Asashoryu and Takanohana in making my remark. Didn't want to set the expectation too high.

Keep your friends close and your rivals closer.

I believe he has a good disposition and appreciation of the position. I believe he works hard in practice and has shown the ability to learn and adapt. He is older compared to the fellows who racked up 20 yusho, but I think he should be able to collect more than 10 yusho and be a good example for other wrestlers, so I look forward to his reign.

One more thought on how strong Hoshoryu's performance was despite losing three. Look at everyone who got double digit wins. Hoshoryu was matched with six out of seven and his result was 6 wins. And of course the dominant three bouts on the last day. Yes, it's a 12-3 yusho, but as good a 12-3 yusho as could possibly be.

Or perhaps nearer the records of the latter with the humility of the former.

Yes, if you have to win 14 matches to take a 12-3 yusho, perhaps Kisenosato will feel better about it. The three wins in a row today are certainly a good impression to leave the committee with.

Good point. I didn't look back three basho in my search. Still, the banzuke hasn't been without a Yokozuna in 31 years, and there must have been a reason Terunofuji tried to hang on for so long. Doesn't that give some indication of how the committee might feel about things? Hoshoryu already has a yusho and no disciplinary issues that I'm aware of, so I don't think the ghost of Futahagora should bother anyone.

Hmm, I guess it does build the suspense just a bit more. What I don't understand is why, having made that choice, they didn't also push it behind Takanosho-Kagayagi, since they'd only be upstaging another M1.

Even if Hoshoryu doesn't take the yusho, a win tomorrow does open the possibility of a promotion. Onokuni made it in 1987 with 13+12 both jun yusho. Yes, the promotions may have been easier then, but that's certainly reflected in his having gotten the nod despite two Y already on the banzuke, and Hokutoumi having just been promoted two basho earlier. Now we are empty, and you can imagine they have been hoping for the past year that someone would step up to let the battered Terunofuji retire. Will be interesting to see. Except that having suggested this, I have probably put a massive jinx on his chances for a win.