Most impressive performance outside the Yokozunas

[HenryK 38]

There are several candidates, obviously -- Ama, Kisenosato, Asasekiryu, Takekaze -- but my vote goes to Kotoshogiku. 9-6 while missing three days, 3-1 with an injured knee and ankle, clean losses only to the Yokozunas, 4-0 against other sanyaku -- this is damn impressive. If he continues like that and is healthy, he and not Ama may be the next candidate for Ozeki.

[Daigaiguma 0]

I sincerely hope that is so. However, if he rushes back from his injury - as he probably will considering he will be a sekiwake next basho - he will risk long term injury to his knee/ankle. Look at Kotooshu and Baruto, who have both come back from a knee injury though not completely healed. It can be very detrimental for his long term development.

That said, he had a tremendously impressive basho and his grit during his "comeback" matches was amazing. Jia you, Kotoshogiku!

[Zenjimoto 40]

I always thought that cases like THAT (Kotoshogiku, and others who battle on injured, partly kyujo, or not) really would warrant a "fighting spirit" award... what could embody fighting spirit better than some one who fights through a clear injury to still gain his KK (didn't Tamanoshima do something like that a few basho ago?) (Nodding yes...)

[aderechelsea 125]

my vote goes to Takekaze. The guy managed a 12-3 record !!!!! and he's 1.71 m tall !!!!

second in line, not for his record, but for his sumo content is Kisenosato. He did really well.

[ilovesumo 12]

Tochinoshin.

[Bealzbob 0]

Agree with aderechelsea re- Kisenosato for him sumo. I'm enjoying Kyokutenho's resurgence too.

[Washuyama 641]

1) Takekaze

2) Kakuryu

3) Wakanoho

We'll see what your guy is made of at Haru. Looks like he will get a load of banzuke luck and be able to show his stuff against the big boys. Just hope he doesn't get "jumpy."

[Bealzbob 0]

As for the other 2, if their careers up to now are anything to go by then they are in for BIG MK's in Haru. 'kaze has never KK'd above M5 and 'kuryu above M8 !! Of course 'kuryu is still at the beginning of his career so he'll be back, but I think this particular foray into joi-jin territory will be good experience but a painful one nonetheless. Good luck to both though.

[Kaikitsune Makoto 209]

Kisenosato was better than ever and has took another step towards the top.

Kotomitsuki's performance merits attention. He was totally looking like an old Kotomitsuki of oddly off form and lack of confidence even when he lost to Goeido in migiyotsu, was destroyed by Kise, Toyonoshima, Ama and U but then he turned the tables and again emerged the Koto that reached ozekihood. Powerful sumo on last 9 days executing sharp technique. It is a shame he partly messed up his bouts against both yokozuna despite putting both in big trouble. Rushing things and in Shoryu's case there is some invisible barrier he has or Shoryu has some sense that he can never lose to Koto. Regardless of and due to all, Kotomitsuki's performance was most impressive in this sense.

[kaiguma 0]

Is anyone surprised I will say Kisenosato 1st and Kotoshogiku 2nd? ;-)

No, not Ama this time. And if all 3 display the sumo of Hatsu Basho for the next year, Kissy and Geeku have a shot at Ozeki and Ama does not.

Kotoshogiku's strength and resolve speaks for itself, but I have 2 lingering doubts which stopped me from putting him ahead of Kisenosato. First, I believe the injury was avoidable. It shows that in some ways he is a little too big for his own good and thus sometimes clumsy. His knees will not hold up to the constant pressure if he doesn't improve his physique. He could easily end up like Dejima, albeit for completely different reasons and with an opposite Form for his Sumo.

2nd, the henkaful return and his comments about it (Neener, neener...) Paraphrased, he cared more about the number of wins than the quality of the sumo. Even properly set in context, it is a very troubling statement. Sounds like he's thinking more about the patcheck than the honor of holding the sanyaku rank. This kind of thinking is not sustainable for a sekiwake. Unless he hardens his own guts, he will crack, crash, and burn within 3 basho.

Otherwise, he showed amazing true grit Ozumo in 2 of his 4 injured bouts, so he still gets high marks from me!

Edited January 28, 2008 by kaiguma

[philafuji 1]

HenryK

I agree with you all the way.