hwo will be the next youkazuna

[tominishiki 0]

i say that kaio go to be the next youkazona

Edited August 24, 2003 by tominishiki

[Mark Buckton 1]

Iwakiyama for me - and thus I voted 'other' Young and definitely up and coming.

Kaio - no, sorry above - too hot and cold methinks

Tochiazuma - hmmmm - lacking a bit on the height / speed capabilities although I'd like to see him reach the top

Chiyotaikai - hope not

[Jesinofuji 11]

I voted other with the Red Dragon in mind.

It was a hard decision as I do not think Yokozuna

is beyond either Kaio or Chiyotaikai. But the reasons I didn't go with either of them are as follows. Kaio is the best non-yokozuna rikishi today. His skills and strength are on par with a Yokozuna. Age and health though stand against him. Time is not on his side. Its running out fast. He's going to need to string together 2 outstanding bashos in a row. This means not being injured, cause if he's injured, he's not going to be able to do it. These days its rare for him to come to a basho at 100%, and its going to get rarer as he gets older. And then, if by chance has gat string together 2 bashos at 100% whats the chances he won't be beaten more than twice, esp with a number of powerful compeditors. While I would love to see him make it, he deserves it. I just think the odds are against him.

Chiyotaikai is another story. He's not as old as Kaio, and in better health. Eventually he'll be in luck, and he'll go through a basho when some of the other high rankers are injured. Then he'll have his chance and he'll make it. Chiyotaikai really made it hard for me to choose other.

Asasekiryu will continue to surprise and lunge up to Oozeki. He has the skills, and time is more on his side than anyone else's. He also is exempt from facing Asashoryu, a huge advantage. The only way he could face him is in a playoff, and considering the current line of thinking of Rijicho, playoffs are irrelevant for Yokozuna Promotion.

So I choose other. And Miyabiyama doesn't belong on this list. I'm surprised he even has a vote. He'll never even make it back to Oozeki.

JFJ

[Jesinofuji 11]

Iwakiyama. So he had a really good basho. This doesn't put him on track to be a Yokozuna. He isn't exactly young. I think he's destined for Kyokutenhohood.

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

Iwakiyama. So he had a really good basho. This doesn't put him on track to be a Yokozuna. He isn't exactly young. I think he's destined for Kyokutenhohood.

You mean starting off like a Juryo/Makunouchi elevator rikishi only to end up being a serious Ozeki threat? (Whistling...)

[Jesinofuji 11]

When I say Kyokutenhohood I mean, a strong maegashira moving in and out of sanyaku and possibly someday having a shot at Oozeki, picking up upset winds vs. Oozeki and possibly a couple kinboshi. I could see IKY becomming this.

But never a Yokozuna, neither 10ho nor Iwakiyama will ever be a real Yokozuna threat.

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

But never a Yokozuna, neither 10ho nor Iwakiyama will ever be a real Yokozuna threat.

I think you are right in this. I can see both Iwakiyama and Kyokutenho as Ozeki although I rather lean towards them being Sekiwake at most. The same goes for Asasekiryu. Possibly Ozeki although more likely never beyond Sekiwake.

It's generally a big problem to predict something like who will be the next Yokozuna.

I lean towards the next Yokozuna being someone already Ozeki or at least close to Ozeki though. The main reason I say so is that Musashimaru is on his way out, and a one-yokozuna situation seldom lasts long. For someone lower than Sekiwake to become Yokozuna, the time before such a thing happens is so long that it's unlikely no one else has been promoted in the meantime.

I have believed in Kaio for a very long time, when he was Sekiwake to become Ozeki, and when he was Ozeki to become Yokozuna. Still, as far as I'm concerned, his chances have now gone down considerably. It has simply taken too much time, and by now his physical as well as mental condition simply won't suffice.

Chiyotaikai though, would be my best bet for next yokozuna, although there is nothing certain about it. After him, I would put Wakanosato closely followed by Tochiazuma. I think everyone else is simply too low on the banzuke to have time to become Yokozuna before one of those three.

Edited October 14, 2003 by Yubiquitoyama

[Kintamayama 45,119]

I lean towards the next Yokozuna being someone already Ozeki or at least close to Ozeki though. The main reason I say so is that Musashimaru is on his way out, and a one-yokozuna situation seldom lasts long. For someone lower than Sekiwake to become Yokozuna, the time before such a thing happens is so long that it's unlikely no one else has been promoted in the meantime.

Let me remind you all that it took Asashouryuu 7 (!!) bashos to get from Komusubi to Yokozuna. Yet that doesn't seem to impress anyone..Oh yes, everyone else is very weak at the moment, that's right. Then, SURELY it is very possible that someone who is a Sekiwake or even Komusubi right now can do it, since the competition isn't getting any better.. Chiyotaikai? U? How long did it take U to get to Ozeki from Sekiwake?? We don't have enough fingers on all forum members to count that..

Yet, Asa gets no respect here..

PSHAW!!

Edited October 14, 2003 by Kintamayama

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

I lean towards the next Yokozuna being someone already Ozeki or at least close to Ozeki though. The main reason I say so is that Musashimaru is on his way out, and a one-yokozuna situation seldom lasts long. For someone lower than Sekiwake to become Yokozuna, the time before such a thing happens is so long that it's unlikely no one else has been promoted in the meantime.

Let me remind you all that it took Asashouryuu 7 (!!) bashos to get from Komusubi to Yokozuna. Yet that doesn't seem to impress anyone..Oh yes, everyone else is very weak at the moment, that's right. Then, SURELY it is very possible that someone who is a Sekiwake or even Komusubi right now can do it, since the competition isn't getting any better.. Chiyotaikai? U? How long did it take U to get to Ozeki from Sekiwake?? We don't have enough fingers on all forum members to count that..

Yet, Asa gets no respect here..

PSHAW!!

Yes, Asashoryu was very quick on his way up. It could happen again with someone. I just don't think it will before one of the already higher ranks get there.

Still, I fail to really grasp your point, Kinta. You mean I'm terribly off, or not??? (Whistling...)

[tominishiki 0]

I think that Ama or Roho will be the next yokozuna I change my mind about U

[Kashunowaka 300]

I lean towards the next Yokozuna being someone already Ozeki or at least close to Ozeki though. The main reason I say so is that Musashimaru is on his way out, and a one-yokozuna situation seldom lasts long. For someone lower than Sekiwake to become Yokozuna, the time before such a thing happens is so long that it's unlikely no one else has been promoted in the meantime.

Let me remind you all that it took Asashouryuu 7 (!!) bashos to get from Komusubi to Yokozuna. Yet that doesn't seem to impress anyone..Oh yes, everyone else is very weak at the moment, that's right. Then, SURELY it is very possible that someone who is a Sekiwake or even Komusubi right now can do it, since the competition isn't getting any better.. Chiyotaikai? U? How long did it take U to get to Ozeki from Sekiwake?? We don't have enough fingers on all forum members to count that..

Yet, Asa gets no respect here..

PSHAW!!

At any rate, I think it is safe to say that the next rikishi promoted to yokozuna won't be Asashoryu. (Whistling...)

[Exil 301]

I have believed in Kaio for a very long time, when he was Sekiwake to become Ozeki, and when he was Ozeki to become Yokozuna. Still, as far as I'm concerned, his chances have now gone down considerably. It has simply taken too much time, and by now his physical as well as mental condition simply won't suffice.

Chiyotaikai though, would be my best bet for next yokozuna, although there is nothing certain about it. After him, I would put Wakanosato closely followed by Tochiazuma. I think everyone else is simply too low on the banzuke to have time to become Yokozuna before one of those three.

I agree with Yubi-zeki. I would love to see Kaio retire as a yokozuna (no, not yet, but someday B-)). Being bit more realistic, Chiyo does have better chances. I also look forward to seeing how Takamisakari fares in the sanyaku ranks. I have high hopes for him (don't we all?), but time will tell...

As for other yokozuna candidates, it's too early to say. One must first rise up to sanyaku ranks, stay there and then get promoted to ozeki, which isn't actually easy. And it doesn't happen overnight either. It seems we're kinda stuck with the current candidates for the time being.

BTW, cool sig, Yubi. (Whistling...)

At any rate, I think it is safe to say that the next rikishi promoted to yokozuna won't be Asashoryu. (Blinking...)

You sure that's safe enough? ;-)

[Kintamayama 45,119]

Still, I fail to really grasp your point, Kinta. You mean I'm terribly off, or not??? (Whistling...)

No, no.. I mean don't totally discount the POSSIBILITY of someone who is currently around Komusubi to get there before the dinosaurs..

[Fujisan 533]

I think Taikai and have done for a long time but I think sooner or later one or the other of Kaio or Taikai has got to make the step.

[Zentoryu 154]

I don't think Kaio will make it because of age and the injury bug that seems to bite him every time he gets close to promotion. He is clearly of Yokozuna strength though, which must make it doubly frustrating to his fans that he hasn't been able to get there.

Of the others, I have to say Chiyotaikai is the favorite. He's still relatively young and healthy. His tsuki/oshi is almost unstoppable when he's on his game. So if he can stay healthy, he should be able to make it.

After Chiyo, my next pick would probably be Wakanosato, who certainly has all the tools to make it there. The big question in his case will be if he can put it all together.

Tochiazuma has to prove he's fully recovered from his injury problems.

My dark horse: Takanowaka. Why? I don't know, I just have a feeling... (Laughing...)

[Fujisan 533]

I will second Takanowaka-

As I said in the "biggest bust,"I always thought he was going places.

[Asashosakari 19,320]

I lean towards the next Yokozuna being someone already Ozeki or at least close to Ozeki though. The main reason I say so is that Musashimaru is on his way out, and a one-yokozuna situation seldom lasts long.

I agree with the line of reasoning, but I'm not sure about one-yokozuna situations being self-correcting like that (the current one, at least). There may have been two yokozuna on the banzuke at all times in the last several years, but for all intents and purposes sumo's been down to one yokozuna ever since Takanohana took his long leave of absence. Out of over 200 basho days since then, there have been what, 20 days or so with two yokozuna on the dohyo...

That said, I'm also wishing for Kaio to make it before he retires, but my mind says that Chiyo and Wakanosato have better chances of being the next one. At any rate, the difference of skill needed for Ozeki promotion and for Yokozuna promotion probably hasn't been so small in quite a while, so while I favor Wakanosato as a not-yet-Ozeki candidate for the tsuna, it's definitely not out of line to imagine that there's some dark horse lurking even lower than him on the banzuke.

Edit: Looking back over the thread, when exactly did Kotomitsuki cease being a candidate for Ozeki/Yokozuna? Curious that nobody has even mentioned him...

Edited October 15, 2003 by Asashosakari

[Kintamayama 45,119]

Edit: Looking back over the thread, when exactly did Kotomitsuki cease being a candidate for Ozeki/Yokozuna? Curious that nobody has even mentioned him...

He's hiramaku, and no hiramaku rikishi were mentioned here. Let's see him make it back to Sanyaku first...

[Fujisan 533]

Hiramaku?

What does that mean Kinta?

[Jesinofuji 11]

If we have the likes of dejima, tociazuma, takamisakari, and especially miyabiyama in the poll, then Kotomitsuki at least deserves mention. Din't he just go 12-3? Doesn't he have another 12-3 and 2 13-2s and a Yusho? Didn't he already surpass the requirements to become an Oozeki and miss it just by a fluke decision by a bunch of old cronies in a comitee?

I mean come on. Dejima is considered a candidate by some, and not Kotomitsuki, why don't we wait for him to get back to Sanyaku? Oh wait, he's for the second basho in a row going to be fighting to stay in Makuuchi? Miyabiyama? The guy who jumped up to Oozeki using a short lived Super Musashigawa heya advantage, and being nothing but a Sanyaku elevator ever since. His heya advantege is all but gone, and will probably get even worse. He'll be a Yokozuna when graceless hogs on ice start flying. How about Takamisakari? Sure, hes a fun to watch psyche up fighter who everyone loves, even me. But really, how can he be considered a serious yokozuna candidate. He has never successfully defended a Sanyaku rank, doesn't have and big number bashos yet. Then we have Tochihenkazuma? I could see him slip 'n slidin dodgeing his way to another Yusho or two when the rest of the company is injured. I wonder if a string of 2 13-2 bashos littered with the dreaded 'H' word will get him promoted or not. Only time will tell --nahhh, more likely he'll end up like the Musashigawa boys mentioned above.

Mickey has the accomplishments to backup his rightful position as a possible future Yokozuna. He, like Kaio, is the unfortunate victim of a string of injuries, only he has a few more years to get back into top form that Kaio does.

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

Hiramaku?

What does that mean Kinta?

Maegashira basically. Hiramaku is the sanctioned word as far as I understand.

PS. Jesinofuji-zeki, it will be interesting to see your comments when Asaboryu's first real down period comes. Of course it does, as always, but it will be interesting nonetheless.

Edited October 15, 2003 by Yubiquitoyama

[Fujisan 533]

Okay Yubi,I understand what Kinta was getting at now.

[Naifuzan 1]

haha, I like your new signature Jesinofuji (Laughing...)

And fujisan, I hope you haven't missed this forums glossary. It's extremely helpful!

[Chinonofuji 35]

I think the next two basho will be very instructive, regarding who gets to Yokozuna next as well as Asashoryu's potential.

First, I have to think Asashoryu wants Musashimaru to get back and healthy as much as anyone else. He needs to beat or at least really compete with a healthier Musashimaru over a few basho to gain legitimacy, despite Jesinofuji's faith/prophetic powers. And it'd be a good link back to Taka and the others that Musashimaru competed against.

Second, if Kaio is going to make a charge, he's got to go soon. And if the Moose is back and if Asashoryu is really the Yokozuna some say he is, well, that makes it pretty tough. I don't think Kaio will make it unless Musashimaru retires soon and Kaio really turns it on, stops getting injured, and stops choking. That's a lot to ask. Nothing wrong with retiring as an ozeki! (Laughing...)

Third, I think Kotomitsuki is going to come on strong now. He had monster tachi-ai last time. He's still young enough and you know he wants to dump Asa big time.

Last, someone is going to make a charge and establish themselves as more than elevator rikishi. If sumo is "so weak" right now, then someone who really wants it should be able to burn up just like Asashoryu did.

[Kintamayama 45,119]

If we have the likes of dejima, tociazuma, takamisakari, and especially miyabiyama in the poll, then Kotomitsuki at least deserves mention.  Din't he just go 12-3?  Doesn't he have another 12-3 and 2 13-2s and a Yusho?  Didn't he already surpass the requirements to become an Oozeki and miss it just by a fluke decision by a bunch of old cronies in a comitee?

If you would take a minute and look at the date of the poll, you'll see it was made before Aki, when things were a wee bit different. So "didn't he just go 12-3" is irelevant. And the cronies who didn't promote Mitsuki were dead right, since he bombed miserably immediately after. And why doesn't Dejima's fall under your "unfortunate string of injuries" category, together with U and Kotomitsuki?? What is the difference (except the fact that Mitsuki seems to have gotten over them, and you seem to like him more than Dejima)

You make really big assertions and assumptions in one lump paragraph, my friend, as if you have a crystal ball or something.

I hope they don't come back to bite you in the ass..

Together with that "40 yusho for Asashouryuu" prophecy..

We shall see..

Edited October 15, 2003 by Kintamayama