Can anyone stop the Hakuho juggernaught?

[Musashoryu 3]

With the current state of Sumo as it is and the Ozeki about as consistent as a raging river who will stop the Hakuho juggernaught? At this point I can only see injury getting in the way of him smashng all records.

Those who know more about Sumo than me ( which is most people on this wonderful forum) might have identified an up and comer who might get him, if so who?

[kedevash 43]

Of course injury can stop him. In July, he fell hard out of the Doyo during two of his bouts ( Tokitenku and Kisenosato ). An injury can happen in these types of bouts, nobody, even Hakuho can make something about this it's just badluck if it's happen.

For me the main rikishi who can beat Hakuho is himself. He has to be very focus to maintain the level of his sumo this high and a lack of concentration can happen sometimes. Like in his bout whith SHotenro last year ( i think ). During his bout with Aran last july we have see that he has made some errors during this bouts. Like lifting Aran. No loss this time but it's the kind of bout he can loss badly.

But there is a little number of a rikishi who can in a very good form try to beat him one on one.

- Baruto : In a Gappuri bout, he can out muscle Hakuho. But his lack of technics comapre to Hakuho is a problem.

- Harumafuji : If he fights like we love to see him fights ( Tsukidashi and speedy sumo ) he can make an upset like he did in the past. But he has to be spot on to do that.

- Kotooshu : He has the tools to fight well against Hakuho. But with his inconsistency we never know in what form he is.

- Kisenosato : In July he fought really well. And with his fighting spirit he can beat virtually anybody. But he has to be mentally strong and focus

But now, Hakuho fights on an another planet. He has reach a level of excellence. And i consider myself very lucky to be able to see him fight "live". Let's go 69 straight, it's not so far now !!!!!!!

[yorikiried by fate 2,028]

When Hakuho will receive his next loss, it will most certainly be spelled F-L-U-K-E. A misplaced shove against an opponent who has an excellent day will be enough. The sufficient condition for Hakuho's superiority at the moment is his superhuman focus. That's why the misplaced shove is rare at best. Therefore, the question is not about Hakuho losing the odd bout. It should be when Hakuho will stop to yusho.

[Musashoryu 3]

Its funny...the Sumo purist in me is enjoying the Yokozuna doing what he should but also I want to see someone rise through the ranks and challenge him while he is on top! I have no doubt he will eventually become one of the greatest Yokozuna of all time!

[Harry 67]

It is less exciting to me as well when we are waiting for him to fall rather than hoping for him to win.

Likely a lack of concentration will lose it for him, as has happened before his recent winning streak began. It seems with the pressure of Asashoryuu off (how much longer could he have hung around?) he has a higher concentration level but at some point the pressure of the winning record will get to him or he may even lose concentration because he has won so many times in a row.

Ama used to be able to beat him at least a few times a year, Kise too but Harumafuji seems worse than he was as Ama against him. The current Hakuho seems to be too good for them now. Baruto has managed to beat him once in his ozeki run but normally he is outclassed. Aminishiki has henka'd him a few times in the past, which is another possibility or some unknown like Shotenro who manages to catch him sleeping.

Injury could happen at any time but his style seems less prone to it. Of course I've just jinxed him so I fully expect him to fall off the dohyo and dislocate both hips and shoulders during keiko at any moment now...

Edited August 23, 2010 by Harry