Godango

Thinking back to when I first got into sumo, I really enjoyed learning more about individual rikishi—their competitive histories, the ups and downs. I think there’s still a lot of room for that kind of content, especially with the fast risers we’ve seen lately like Onosato, Takerufuji, and Hakuoho. Most of us here already have a pretty solid understanding of who they are and where they’ve come from, but we’re also a group with a serious fixation. For more casual or new international fans, I think that kind of content could be really engaging. On a similar note, it could be cool to cover up-and-comers—those in the amateur ranks or lower divisions who are starting to make waves. It’s a great way to follow their journey from early on and build a connection. Aside from that, I think all the suggestions in this thread have merit.

I hope to be in attendance for one of the early days. If anyone else will be around, let me know :).

I'm pleased that Onosato should now officially be on a tsuna run regardless. That is all I will say for now.

He averaged 10+ wins over 9 ozeki basho, with two kyujos. No MK, but a third of those basho had single-digit wins. Still, 2 JY, 1 Y—both kyujos while leading or in the yusho race. That’s consistency. He’s just not an overwhelming force (yet—he’s 25), and people are overreacting. Onosato looks like he could be that dominant force (despite his own mini-slump). Takerufuji has a ton of potential too, and upper sanyaku seems inevitable for him—but let’s not overrate "consistency" outside the joi. Look, I thought the promotion was as lenient as can be reasonably accepted, but Hoshoryu isn’t the problem. I can forgive him his first MK since 2021 after a heck of a disrupted training schedule with all his new Yokozuna duties and reports of injury.

I refuse to believe it will happen. I'm not getting hurt again.

Believe me, I'm well versed in being disappointed by Takayasu's inability to get the job done. Said with love.

You know what this means.... TAKAYASU YUSHO!!!!!! ... what?

I take the point that young men doing dumb things while drunk is unsurprising. But I take issue with the idea that "this will remain very normal as long as there are young men and alcohol." That’s just another way of saying "boys will be boys"—and, respectfully, to hell with that. The only way this kind of behaviour remains normal is if people excuse it as such instead of calling it out for what it is: at best, ridiculously stupid and inappropriate; at worst, morally bankrupt and outright evil. A young person drinking and being too loud? Sure. Getting a bit emotional? Fine. Even roughhousing a little while mucking about? Maybe. But there’s a line—and I can say without hesitation that the sake bottle crossed it.

Wowwwwwwwww. The handling of this is going to be very interesting.

Methinks you'll be swimming in steak. My mind keeps jumping to "that's the last we've seen of him," but really, what do I know? Looking at the suspensions for Abi, Ryuden, and Asanoyama (which was a very different set of circumstances), plus the Hokuseiho/Miyagino issue, anything less than a three-basho suspension would make it seem like they’re not taking this seriously. That said, I still half-expect an intai announcement. But really, at this point, nothing would surprise me.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but is there actually an accusation made in this case? Or speculative reporting of an accusation?

Speculating as to exactly what the truth in a tabloid report is, and what the scale of punishment should be, is pretty par for the course in a forum such as this.

I originally read this and commented just before bed, so I’d like to update my take. There are (seemingly) no allegations of theft or deliberately burning people, so this differs from the Hokuseiho case. However, the specifics of a kick to the face especially is still quite serious. If true, a suspension seems possible, but a harsher penalty wouldn’t be surprising. We’ll have to wait and see if more details emerge, as others have said.

This is incredibly disappointing. Beyond the the obvious of this kind of thing shouldn't happen, he's a favourite in our household, far and away my wife's favourite. I had just printed her some Tobizaru earrings for our upcoming trip to Nagoya in July. This is not going to go down well. If true, anything short of intai and the stable being temporarily closed will be super hypocritical. Though they could always use the argument that oitekaze is too big to be merged I assume. Not that I'm super familiar with their sizes but it seems big.

So that’s the end of his sumo ambitions, then? Or had he already moved on? Last I recall, he was aiming for both the NFL and Yokozuna.