Yokozuna and Ozeki

[Jejima 1,385]

This is a repeat of last year's poll that can be found here: 2008.

The first two questions are as before. The third one is new. You can say which rikishi you think will be ranked at Ozeki in January 2010 (you can vote for several choices.)

As last year, please write below who you think will be promoted, and who will be demoted/retired from each of the major Ozumo ranks.

Edited November 29, 2008 by Jejima

[Jejima 1,385]

Yokozunas: Asashoryu to retire, Humph (ex-Ama) to get promoted.

Ozekis: No retirements. Humph to become a Yokozuna. No new Ozekis.

[Charlemagne 0]

Hakuho/Asashoryu/Harumafuji for Yokozuna in January 2010.

Baruto/Kotomitsuki/Kotooshu/Chiyotaikai/Kaio for Ozeki.

[Kintamayama 45,126]

Hakuhou/Asashouryuu Yokozuna

Kotooushuu/Kotomitsuki/Harumafuji Ozeki

[Asashosakari 19,329]

Hakuho

Mickey/Taikai/Ama/Baruto

[Asojima 2,874]

Hakuho

The Koto boys and Humpty

[Jonosuke 28]

One yokozuna - Hakuho

Five ozeki - Haruma, Baruto and three Koto boys (Mitsu, Shu and Shogiku)

[Charlemagne 0]

The first two questions are as before. The third one is new. You can say which rikishi you think will be ranked at Ozeki in January 2010 (you can vote for several choices.)

Could somebody please explain what a "Yokozuna-Ozeki" means?

[Asojima 2,874]

Could somebody please explain what a "Yokozuna-Ozeki" means?

There must be at least two ozekis on each banzuke. If the number of "normal" ozekis drops to one, one of the yokozunas will be designated as a Yokozuna-Ozeki for banzuke purposes.

[Oshirokita 188]

I don't normally make long range predictions of this sort since I am not a good prognosticator.

Yokozuna: Hakuho, Asashoryu

Ozeki: all the usual suspects (Harumph, Mickey, Osh, Chiyotaikai, Kai-oh my aching everything) and Kisenosato (Whistling...)

[Yangnomazuma 79]

Y = Hakuho, Asashoryu

O = Kotomitsuki, Kotooshu, Harumafuji, Baruto

[Frinkanohana 13]

I don't see Baruto becoming Ozeki in 2009. He may start a Ozeki run at the end of the year or in the beginning of 2010 but not sooner. Asashoryu won't retire yet and Ama/Harumafuji will only get one yusho, so no promotion for him. Kaio may finally retire in 2009. In January 2010 we will have two yokozuna (Hakuho, Asashoryu) and four ozeki (Harumafuji, Kotomitsuki, Chiyotaikai, Kotooshu).

[Pikenoyama 27]

I

Edited December 2, 2008 by Pikenoyama

[Peeter 15]

I'm really surprised at how many people think Baruto can make ozeki. I didn't see much of this basho. Has he improved THAT much?

As You teach us to believe/use our brains & although how much we all want Barutozeki next year, we must look how it could happen: Asa can't find himself & retires, Kaio wouldn't get so healthy as necessary to ozeki rank. Also we all don't want this - so cross fingers, that all sanyaku will be healthy & 2009 should be a great year!

If Baruto can consistently win Chiyotaikai & Kotooshu, maybe sometimes Harumafuji or Kotomitsuki, all is possible.

Hakuho <-> Asashoryu

Hermafuji <-> Kotomitsuki <-> Kaio

Kotooshu <-> Chiyotaikai

[Gusoyama 103]

I said it in 2007, I'll say it in 2008. No way does Bartman get Ozeki. 2 Y,(same), 4 O(same minus Kaio). I don't see Hairy Fuji winning 2 in a row.

[Sokkenaiyama 81]

Asashoryu Y Hakuho

Kotooshu O Ama

Baruto O Goeido

The 3 old ones will retire (hopefully).

[kaiguma 0]

Not sure why anyone thinks we'd be better off with Mickey retiring, and not Osh....

I went conservative and voted for no changes besides losing Asa and Kaio.

But I see each as being a 50/50 split chance of staying anyway, Kaio against all odds.

[Jejima 1,385]

I will be closing this poll in about a week's time. Still time to vote (Just what doctor ordered...)

[Barang 0]

The Khans will rule the world; Y=Hakuho and Harumafuji

White boys will rule Ozeki rank O= Baruto, Kotooshu and Kotomitsuki (out of mercy for Nipponjin fans) before Yamatoyama (I am not worthy...) will replace him

[kaiguma 0]

The Khans will rule the world; Y=Hakuho and Harumafuji

White boys will rule Ozeki rank O= Baruto, Kotooshu and Kotomitsuki (out of mercy for Nipponjin fans) before Yamatoyama (I am not worthy...) will replace him

YMY has surprised me a few times with regard to his trajectory and from time to time his mobility, yet I seriously doubt he will ever beat Kotomitsuki in a head to head match-up. In fact, I don't believe he will ever have a chance to face him, barring maybe at a 1-day elimination-style tourney.

I wouldn't steak my wife on it, but I feel pretty confident in that prediction... (In jonokuchi...)

[Blue_Wolf 24]

Kisenosato for ozeki. (I am not worthy...)

[Blue_Wolf 24]

Asashoryu Y Hakuho

Harumafuji O1 Kotooshu

Kisenosato O2 Kotoshogiku

Kotomitsuki O3

[Jejima 1,385]

A lot of people think there will be only one Yokozuna on the banzuke next January. Joined with those that think at least one Ozeki can be promoted to Yokozuna, I would guess that around 50% of us think that Asashoryu will be hanging up his tsuna some time this year.

Most of us see there only being 4 Ozeki on the banzuke next January - but who?

Kotomitsuki got everybody's vote, bar one. Chiyotaikai only got around half the votes. Less than a quarter of us think that Kaio will still be hanging around.

Meanwhile, Baruto gets over a quarter of the votes expecting him to be promoted to Ozeki. Other than that, only Kisenosato, Goeido and the Miyabiflobmonster get more than vote each.

[Jejima 1,385]

The Yokozunas will be Asashoryu and Hakuho.

The Ozekis will be Kotooshu, Harumafuji, Kotomitsuji and Kaio.

Reading the posts again to this thread, none of us got this correct - although I think Kintamayama came closest with predicting it all - except Kaio's tenacity.