Katooshu

Goshima has been affably nicknamed 'Snowman' by some amateur sumo fans due to his round and jolly appearance. He is a tank like pusher - preferring to plow like Takerufuji rather than tsuppari like Daieisho. Very strong moving forward, although on the slower side. He had good results throughout college and in his fourth year was arguably the most accomplished competitor of the college season, winning several tournaments and finishing high in most he didn't win. Though he failed to clinch a major title, he performed well in those tournaments, with Ms60TD qualifications at each of them (5th at the Kokutai, 3rd at the Students, and 3rd at the All-Japan). He was also on Japan's gold medal winning men's team at the 2023 World Championships. He injured his knee as a high schooler in Wakayama and wears a large wrapping, though I'm unaware of him having any serious injuries during college and he's been a starter at Takushoku since his first year, so at least it seems under control. In an Instagram post he commented that he has some Filipino heritage. Here he is winning the East Japan Championship earlier in the year vs his main rival, Masaki Hanaoka of Nihon University

Wakaimonogashira Iyozakura?

I am hoping Onosato eventually becomes yokozuna, so we can call him Yoko Ono

Kanazawa's performance in makushita has been a pleasant surprise, and that's now 6 straight KK. He looks more fired up and confident in his matches than last year.

Tanji is impressive for an 18-year-old. Made makushita a month after turning 17 (so he earned the promotion at 16) and to me he looks to have more to his sumo than the likes of Yoshii and Otsuji, who were also quite advanced for youngsters but then stagnated (albeit they're still very young). He is adaptable and can win with a range of techniques, and has a good frame to add size to. Other assorted lower division names to keep an eye on: Wakanosho, Anhibiki, Noda, Ikazuchido (longer term), and of course the tsukedashi crew (Kusano, Matsui, Ishizaki, Mita, Okaryu, etc.). Ochil too if he ever actually goes pro. As far as sekitori... Aonishiki is super sharp up close and capitalizes on mistakes faster than anyone in juryo already. Very good with subtle moves to create openings. Physically stronger than other skilled youngsters like Kotoeiho and Wakaikari. His weakness so far seems to be aggressive pushers who don't let him get inside to grapple, but he's got plenty of time to work on that. Onosato an obvious name for this, given his record breaking rise and immense power. With just a bit more polishing he could be yokozuna material. Due to his fast rise he's also got more time to develop in the elite makuuchi ranks than most college stars. While Takerufuji is no doubt very talented, I'm weary of his longevity given his extensive injury history that dates back well before ozumo - a major injury every other year since middle school. Similar story for Hakuoho, who even with his strong 10-5 in Kyushu was regularly looking pained after wins. I'm sure Atamifuji will be a sanyaku regular eventually, but I do wonder if he's just a bit limited to really soar like an Onosato or the other two ozeki.

Kotozakura uses his right arm to push down on Hoshoryu and Hoshoryu immediately falls to the ground - clearly those are connected. An aggressive Hoshoryu was shuffling his feet following a throw attempt, so he wasn't firmly planted, and Kotozakura is a very powerful 400 pounder, so I don't see what the mystery is. Hoshoryu would already be yokozuna if bonus points were awarded for winning in style, but many of his losses are ho-hum as in the manner above.

I'm excited for my makuuchi debut and will work my hardest to reach yokozuna.

Hoshoryu was more aggressive, but I don't see how he was dominating, Kotozakura always looked stable and in control of himself to me. He's also somewhat of a counterpuncher and will take charges as he looks to find an opening for a move of his own. His father was like that too, although to a greater extent, with a more limited offense than the junior Koto.

Kotozakura doesn't win as spectacularly as Hoshoryu, but he is so solid across different styles and situations. A well-earned and overdue yusho. One doesn't become a yokozuna with a big performance here and there though. Doing it back-to-back will be another challenge, but he's looking ready to at least make the run.

For the record...

Takerufuji may have gotten lucky there. Not even a monoii?

Well he's already won 2 and was in the race on day 15 another time. Even when he's 'off' he KKs in sanyaku comfortably. I know rikishi develop at different rates, but he's been so far ahead of the curve. Kotozakura, for example, was MKing as a mid-low maegashira at the same age. Sticking with those from a college background, Wajima had 5-10 and 6-9 as a maegashira coming up. Asahifuji took 5 years in makuuchi to yusho. With only a year and a half in ozumo I doubt he's reached his best. Many of his losses could've gone his way with just a bit of extra polish, and he's shown steady improvement from his debut. There is so much raw physical talent to work with. Given the current playing field, and assuming no catastrophic injury, I'd expect him to add several yusho to his collection, though there are so many variables at play that I'm always hesitant to pick a huge number. I have gone 7-9.

Heck of a promotion coming there

Onosato kyujo'd from the jungyo with illness, so perhaps he is fatigued. Also some ozeki promotion celebration hangover? But aside from that, I think he's had some missteps that are more a matter of experience. In college no one nodowa'd him like Takanosho did or survived being blasted to the edge of the dohyo like Daieisho somehow managed. In these cases he seemed to freeze up a bit when met with that resistence, whereas the other two ozeki are quite dynamic and can adjust to many different situations. He has steadily improved since turning pro - from 4-3 in makushita to runner-up in juryo to multi cup winner in makuuchi - and I think if he can become just a bit more adaptable he'll make a serious challenge for the top rank. The raw physical strength is already outstanding and even with his flaws he leads the ozeki for yusho.

Tohakuryu with his 5th hair pull loss. He must be aiming for a record....