How far will Terunofuji go?

[Benihana 1,929]

In less than 2 years he dropped plummeted from Ozeki and Yokozuna prospect to Jonidan 48. From there he scored a 7-0 Jonidan yusho, a 6-1 at Sandanme 49 and 6-1 as Makushita 59. He will be ranked ~Ms 28 next basho. Another 6-1 as Ms 28 would mean ~Ms 10, with another 6-1 giving him a shot at Juryo promotion from ~Ms 2. Two consecutive 7-0 or 7-0 + 6-1 from Ms 28 would mean Juryo promotion in just 2 basho.

If he were a newcomer, theses numbers would create some hype. But it's Terunofuji and even hardcore fans have to admit his former glory mainly came from his strength, not technical skills. Will he be able to regain his former strength, or has his body taken too much damage? I'm referring more to issues like diabetis and hepatitis. Will he adapt to the situation and get some lessons from Ajigawa-oyakata?

EDIT: Results updated

Edited January 6, 2020 by Benihana

[ryafuji 815]

I'm going to be pessimistic and say upper makushita. With his long-term health issues, and competition at the top of makushita so strong, he may find promotion to juryo beyond him.

[orandashoho 720]

I woud have considered middle third Makushita if there were such a choice. Because the Makushita joi is as much a meat grinder as the Makuuchi one, with hungrier and younger contestants fighting for those scant places in that tiny elevator. In the onslaught of that cauldron, he'll have to go all-out for the revival of his sekitori status. Back to the top or a career-ending injury.

It has been done before, I know. But Terunofuji isn't going to be miraculously healed of all ills, despite of what Ajigawa can teach him that he hasn't taught him already.

[Asashosakari 19,395]

On 19/07/2019 at 20:59, ryafuji said:

I'm going to be pessimistic and say upper makushita. With his long-term health issues, and competition at the top of makushita so strong, he may find promotion to juryo beyond him.

Same here. His strength isn't what it once was, but the exploitable gaps in his technique are as large as ever. I don't see him as good enough to put together the necessary three or four upper makushita KKs in a row to get to and through the top 5 ranks, and going 7-0 from further down to avoid that grind is always a total crapshoot.

I'll be happy to find myself surprised though if he does make it, because successful comeback stories are always nice to watch.

[Churaumi 743]

Low juryo, and probably not for long. Upper makushita is full of old-timers on their way down and he can exploit that, hopefully. But, juryo is as competitive as ever and he’s starting to age himself. He’s also pretty beat up, and I don’t know if I trust his body to take that punishment again.

[Kintamayama 45,158]

He's not going anywhere except down from the next basho.

[Benihana 1,929]

18 hours ago, Kintamayama said:

He's not going anywhere except down from the next basho.

No spoilers, please!

[Terukuni 105]

OOPS, I accidentally clicked Yokozuna. It is very sad to think that he fell so far in such little time, but man the guy is beat up, very badly. There is practically very little hope, in my opinion, of him getting back to sanyaku. His body has already suffered too much, its been tormented horribly, it just is not going to hold up for much longer. Had he been YOUNGER, maybe things would be different. 

[Churaumi 743]

Time to revise my reasoning. I still say low juryo, but the falling old timers are mostly down the banzuke now. The competition at the top of makushita will take its toll on him. He may make juryo again, but I think the injuries and conditions and wear-and-tear will be a drag on him.

[Terukuni 105]

I think he may make Juryo once again too, but the guy is old and quite hampered, so I don't expect TOO much from him either.

[Asojima 2,874]

6 minutes ago, Terukuni said:

.. the guy is old ....

27???

[Terukuni 105]

I meant to say that he was hampered so badly with injuries, it's as if he's an older wrestler. He probably wouldn't end up going too far.

Edited November 6, 2019 by Terukuni

[Churaumi 743]

But how old is his cardiovascular system? Joking aside, his joints are bad. I think he’s got the drive to make juryo but the body isn’t there anymore.

[Yamanashi 3,854]

Juryo in Haru.

 

'Cause I say so.

 

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

On 08/11/2019 at 02:13, Yamanashi said:

Juryo in Haru.

 

'Cause I say so.

 

Close.

[Kintamayama 45,158]

On 25/07/2019 at 01:55, Kintamayama said:

He's not going anywhere except down from the next basho.

Shame.

[Jakusotsu 5,981]

There's always next basho.

[Gabriel 13]

Medium Juryo, but not first Division.

 

[Swami 245]

Perhaps mid-to-lower maegashira.

 

Swami

[Godango 996]

I see no reason why he couldn't make san'yaku again based on how he's been progressing.

I wouldn't write off anything, really. His head is obviously in the right place, and he seems like he's getting his body better all the time. 

[Churaumi 743]

As disorganized as things have been in makuuchi lately, he might do well there. If, that is, he could skip the grinder that is current juryo.

[Sue 508]

The thing that gets me about TnoF is that he's the same age as Ura. I keep thinking of Ura as an exciting young prospect, and Terunofuji as an over-the-hill old man in decline, but both of those things are wrong.

[Joaoiyama 308]

24 minutes ago, Sue said:

The thing that gets me about TnoF is that he's the same age as Ura. I keep thinking of Ura as an exciting young prospect, and Terunofuji as an over-the-hill old man in decline, but both of those things are wrong.

Just young men reaching their physical and mental prime but at the same time trying to come back from injuries that almost resulted in a premature career death. Resurrection seems inevitable.

[Benihana 1,929]

Hello Mods, please close this poll 1 day before Hatsu 2020 starts, thank you.

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

19 hours ago, Benihana said:

Hello Mods, please close this poll 1 day before Hatsu 2020 starts, thank you.

As the maker of this poll, you are able to do that.