Gospodin

What I was trying to say with "accounted for" perhaps in an unofficial way. Also nope ?

I have no idea, but perhaps this is accounted for regarding promotion/demotion ?

I wouldn´t compare one of the best technicians of his time to a junkball pitcher. Old finesse pitcher might be more fitting. And to stay with BB references, yes, Hokutofuji really left it all on the field.

If I had some money to waste, I´d put a wager on a 14-1 yusho. Onosato seems to be healthy and his strength is Asashoryu-like (I will remember how he shoved out Daieisho for a long time). He also seems to "have a cool head" (no idea how to properly translate that phrase from my language into English - it´s a mixture of seasoning, resilience and recovery in times of trouble).

Perhaps studying a sample of mugshots to change his niramiai from funny to threatening might also help

Tobizaru - Ura looked more like bokh than sumo.

Takayausu didn´t choke.Choking is a late string of unexpected losses. At the end he lost against a clearly superior opponent. No problem with that.

Puh, Oonosato´s thrusts were really scary. Such a win against a very good oshi wrestler - that sent a message.

Endo is obviously suffering from a serious concussion. His opponents are exploiting it already. Asakoryu hit him squarely in the side of his jaw, the favorite spot to KO somebody, and he is already too slow to avoid it. Endo´s entire behavior is exactly that from somebody being punch-drunk. If this were boxing or the NFL, he would not be allowed to enter the ring/field. He should be in a dark room in the hospital for two weeks, and not on the dohyo. My guess is he goes kyujo immediately after his 8th win.

It hints at superstition . The evidence that cupping has any curative effect on anything is zero.

The "crescent" that could be drawn from Bulgaria to Georgia has a very old and strong wrestling culture, along with weightlifting. It wouldn´t surprise me if we see more rikishi originating from that region, particularly with perhaps some remaining as oyakata.

Kisenosato´s footwork was really something special. Thanks a lot.

After practicing shokkiri for twenty years, it finally pays off for Tamawashi.

Oh no. I genuinely thought he would carry on.

Hoshoryu is showing quite a lot of bad judgement so far, win or lose. I am also concerned about that.

Their next meeting will show Hoshoryu´s hinkaku...either a "clean" win or something like an extra shove. Will be interesting.

I agreeit is completely irrational. However I can tell you in my country it is more prevalent than one might think. Usual culprits are lawyers, college professors, politicians or celebrities.

Just aside from the current incidents, that are not proven: First - I know the entire history of sumo and hazing. That said, from a Gai-Jin perspective, I am nonetheless wondering why this seems to be so hard to at alleviate. My grandfather told me stories about having his then- almost priceless to him - football shoes nailed to the floor, the laces cut to pieces. Before games he was smeared with shoe cream all over the face, with minutes left to remove it. He and the other rookies had to appear hours earlier to prepare the entire pitch, they were denied water in the halftime break, and slapped by the elder for wrong or inaccurate passes, and so forth. But after the first season, at most, it subsided.Today, even in the lowest legues, this is unthinkable. So, my question to the respected forum, what is the cultural difference that makes it so difficult to evolve with time ?

Very interesting. But say, in the next 10 to 15 years, what is your opinion of seeing it happen ?

IMHO there´s a major difference between "world sports" and those that are distictively linked to a certain nation or region, and more deeply ingrained in culture. Correct me if am wrong, but I do not remember a single cricketer, footballer, tennis player, baseballer or track and field athlete who was, personally, frowned upon because of his nationality. Underestimated, perhaps. [edit: reasons out of their control, like politics, not included]

Four Sanyaku scalps out of six wins . If I had to put my money down, I´d say he doesn´t go on a binge the night before matches that are important to him, whereas his "preparation" is less proper on other days...

Kubinage (attempts) become en vogue again ? Goeido must be jumping on his sofa

A question: has Mitakeumi secured a kabu ?

Kisenosato was promoted on 12-3J / 14-1Y and the tiny difference of another 11 jun-yusho. So yes, especially how Hoshoryu was manhandled the last two days, I think is pretty safe to say it´s over for this time.

Well...perhaps next basho, if he can reach 12 wins in this.