Perfect record -v- Takanohana

[Yangnomazuma 79]

As near as I can tell, only one person ranked beneath Takanohana on the Banzuke ever defeated him twice or more without a loss. Anyone care to take a stab at it? Am I missing anyone else...? I'll drop by in a couple days with the answer.

[Zentoryu 154]

As near as I can tell, only one person ranked beneath Takanohana on the Banzuke ever defeated him twice or more without a loss. Anyone care to take a stab at it? Am I missing anyone else...? I'll drop by in a couple days with the answer.

As far as I know it was Takanonami. But those two losses were in playoff bouts. Are you counting these?

[Asashosakari 19,661]

Takanofuji, I guess, unless Zentoryu-zeki is correct in his assumption about playoff bouts being included...

Edit: And I'm assuming you meant "ranked beneath Takanohana" in terms of his opponents' highest ranks, not their rank at the time of the bouts specifically.

Edit #2: Upon further checking...Masurao might also be an answer. Same caveat as for Takanofuji though, his rank at the time of the bouts wasn't always lower than Takanohana's.

Edited February 8, 2004 by Asashosakari

[Yangnomazuma 79]

I was alluding to Takanonami. Just found it interesting that with the tourney on the line on both occasions he lost. Obviously, it would take a lot more than two bouts to call it a trend, but it would add credence to the "Taka loses an ounce of greatness because of the strength of his stable" viewpoints so often ballied about.

Takanonami was a VERY good Ozeki who never made Yokozuna despite not having to face the top of the banzuke for much of his time at that rank. Sure his bouts against the "Americans" could be expected, but that still left Waka and Taka and the Giant Killer that he avoided.

As for the other two mentioned, you guys either have very good stockpiles of data or you have too much time on your hands (I am not worthy...) I put the "ranked beneath him on the banzuke" in there cuz I was too lazy to ensure he hadn't lost to a couple older Yokozuna on his way in... Good job folks

[Zuikakuyama 1]

I haven't seen the bouts with Takanonami in questions, but I would draw the (unsubstantiated) opinion that Takanohana made less than 100% effort in the two losses to Takanonami, to spread the yusho glory around a bit.

BTW, He also lost to his brother once in a playoff, in the immediately preceding basho in which he lost to 'nami.

[Asashosakari 19,661]

As for the other two mentioned, you guys either have very good stockpiles of data or you have too much time on your hands (I am not worthy...)

I for one just shamelessly take advantage of data collected by others, in this case Chiyozakura and Nekonishiki's excellent sites. (Sigh...)

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

The available statistics online are impressive, and the diligence exhibited by some members of this forum in seeking answers to questions is even more amazing. Way cool. (I am not worthy...)

[Yangnomazuma 79]

As for the other two mentioned, you guys either have very good stockpiles of data or you have too much time on your hands  (Sigh...)

I for one just shamelessly take advantage of data collected by others, in this case Chiyozakura and Nekonishiki's excellent sites. (Holiday feeling...)

Funny you should list those sites...it was me browsing about on one of them that brought me to post the question in the first place. I, too, am shameless (I am not worthy...)

[Naganoyama 5,948]

As for the other two mentioned, you guys either have very good stockpiles of data or you have too much time on your hands  (Applauding...)

I for one just shamelessly take advantage of data collected by others, in this case Chiyozakura and Nekonishiki's excellent sites. (Sigh...)

Funny you should list those sites...it was me browsing about on one of them that brought me to post the question in the first place. I, too, am shameless ;-)

What would be a _shame_ would be for those excellent guys to provide all that information and for it to go to waste! I note that the good Nekonishiki says on his site:

'I wish to express my thanks to Stefan Gelow and Alexander Nitschke, because without their excellent work this site could not be realized. I am too lazy to do anything from the beginning. :-)'

I am always grateful to members of this forum who are able to answer questions posed on the forum, whether or not they constructed the data with their own bare hands, and whether or not they shed blood, sweat and tears over finding the answer!