Asashosakari 19,663 Posted March 16, 2020 (edited) Day 8 (results, text-only results) 8-0 Ye Hakuho 7-1 M9e Takanosho, M13w Aoiyama 6-2 Yw Kakuryu, Se Asanoyama, M3w Mitakeumi, M11e Chiyotairyu, M12e Ishiura, M18e Kotonowaka If it wasn't for the unavoidable lack of a crowd and the woeful shortage of ozeki, this basho could almost be mistaken for one of the good old days. Hakuho in the lead, Kakuryu doing decently but unspectacularly, and the rest of the joi a mishmash of good, bad and ugly. Of course, the chasing pair of Takanosho and Aoiyama looks very much like the usual for the last couple of years. In any case, if he can avoid injuring himself during week two, this one certainly is Hakuho's to lose. The shape of Asanoyama's ozeki run depends on what you believe he needs to do to complete it successfully - if it's the by-the-numbers 12-3, then today's loss to Yutakayama was a rather inopportune development, if it's just 11-4 or even 10-5 he still has some room to spare. The non-yokozuna frontrunner was Mitakeumi until two days ago, but back to back decisive losses to the yokozuna duo have already taken the shine off of it. Will he be able to avoid spiralling into a longer losing streak for once? 8-0 Hakuho Y Kakuryu 6-2 5-3 Takakeisho O --- 6-2 Asanoyama S Shodai 4-4 2-6 Hokutofuji K Endo 4-4 5-3 Daieisho M1 Takayasu 0-5-3 (x) 4-4 Okinoumi M2 Tokushoryu 1-7 3-5 Yutakayama M3 Mitakeumi 6-2 3-5 Enho M4 Abi 4-4 4-4 Ryuden M5 Onosho 5-3 M6 Kagayaki 5-3 5-3 Takarafuji M7 M8 Kiribayama 4-4 7-1 Takanosho M9 M10 6-2 Chiyotairyu M11 6-2 Ishiura M12 M13 Aoiyama 7-1 I sure hope that Takayasu is ranked high enough that he won't have to worry about getting demoted to juryo, although that may only be a small consolation with the way his career unfortunately seems to be falling apart on him right now. In actual demotion news we should be able to focus on the very lowest ranks soon; only one rikishi above M14 currently requires more than one additional win to retain his top division slot. The sole exception is winless Tochiozan, having quite a nightmare of a tournament so far and competing far worse than he did two months ago. (Although it has to be said that his performance there was rather surprising given his year-long decline that preceded it.) Tsurugisho started the basho looking much like he used to do for all the years he was mired in mid-juryo, i.e. heavily taped up, and his Day 5 withdrawal has likely all but assured that he's going to be the first demotee. Defending champion Terunofuji is your #1 candidate for promotion from juryo at the moment, although it hasn't escaped notice that he appears to be rather far from top physical condition again. I imagine he'll hold things together enough to clinch the makuuchi return though. Ever streaky Kotoeko is the other main contender for now, riding a 7-day winning run. (1) 1-7 Myogiryu M6 M7 Tamawashi 2-6 (1)(1) 2-6 Shohozan M8 M9 Tochinoshin 3-5 (1)(1) 3-5 Sadanoumi M10 Tochiozan 0-8 (4) M11 Terutsuyoshi 4-4 (1) M12(1) 4-4 Kotoshogiku M13(2) 4-4 Kaisei M14 Nishikigi 1-7 (5)(5) 1-4-3 Tsurugisho M15 Chiyomaru 5-3 (2)(3) 4-4 Azumaryu M16 Shimanoumi 4-4 (3)(4) 3-5 Meisei M17 Daiamami 3-5 (5)(2) 6-2 Kotonowaka M18 --- (5) 3-5 Kotoyuki J1 Hidenoumi 3-5 (5)(6) 3-5 Chiyoshoma J2 Wakatakakage 5-3 (4)(3) 6-2 Terunofuji J3 Daishoho 4-4 (5)(5) 5-3 Tobizaru J4 Daishomaru 2-6 (~)(3) 7-1 Kotoeko J5 Kyokushuho 4-4 (6)(5) 6-2 Kotoshoho J6 J7 Churanoumi 4-4 (7)(7) 5-3 Kyokutaisei J8 Ichinojo 4-4 (~) J9 Hoshoryu 5-3 (7) Sidelined Tomokaze will be the first demotion from juryo, and a pair of rikishi at opposite ends of their career appear likely to be joining him: Another demotion probably won't be a surprise for veteran Akiseyama, while Asagyokusei unfortunately just doesn't quite seem to be juryo worthy in his skills (yet), occasional flashes of brilliance like yesterday's win over Chiyootori notwithstanding. Sekitori debutant Midorifuji started off well with two wins, but a four-day losing streak quickly turned that around. He's in some danger at 3-5, as is Yago who looks a bit better than he did in his recent pair of 4-11 records, but perhaps not enough to avoid a trip to the unpaid ranks. Down in makushita the top 6 active rikishi all stand at 2-2 or better, for what holds the promise of a very suspenseful promotion race. There's been a need for a makushita fill-in for the juryo schedule on all 8 days so far, and somewhat unusually the committee has elected to go rather deep in sourcing the rikishi for that, with everybody between Ms1w and Ms5e getting one bout apiece. The unlikely makushita-joi 4-0 starting record has been produced by Asabenkei this basho. There are no outside contenders for a zensho promotion as the next 4-0 isn't found until Ms17, beyond the top 15 promotion zone. J4 Daishomaru 2-6 (1) J5 J6 Akua 2-6 (2)(2) 2-6 Mitoryu J7 J8 Ichinojo 4-4 (1)(2) 3-5 Kizakiumi J9(3) 3-5 Yago J10 Takagenji 4-4 (2)(2) 4-4 Wakamotoharu J11 Midorifuji 3-5 (3)(2) 5-3 Hakuyozan J12 Asagyokusei 2-6 (5)(2) 5-3 Chiyonoumi J13 Tomokaze kyujo (x)(2) 6-2 Chiyootori J14 Akiseyama 3-5 (5) kyujo Sokokurai Ms1 Sakigake 2-2 2-2 Toyonoshima Ms2 Kotodaigo 2-2 4-0 Asabenkei Ms3 Fujiazuma 3-1 2-2 Chiyonoo Ms4 Daiseido 0-4 (x)(x) 1-4 Kaito Ms5 Gokushindo kyujo Explanation of symbols used: numbers = wins needed until favourable outcome (getting promoted / not getting demoted) o = favourable outcome achieved x = favourable outcome definitely missed ~ = favourable outcome missed "by the numbers", but still achievable through banzuke luck Edited March 16, 2020 by Asashosakari 6 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,663 Posted March 16, 2020 Juryo yusho race through Day 8: 7-1 J5e Kotoeko 6-2 J3e Terunofuji, J6e Kotoshoho, J14e Chiyootori 5-3 J2w Wakatakakage, J4e Tobizaru, J8e Kyokutaisei, J9w Hoshoryu, J12e Hakuyozan, J13e Chiyonoumi How much of a race this is going to be likely depends on Terunofuji's shape for the remaining seven days. If his arms keep troubling him this looks like a wide open contest. I can't really imagine that Kotoeko will be able to keep up the frontrunner act until senshuraku, in any case. Chiyootori is IMHO the longest shot among the top 4, as his current record arguably flatters to deceive based on how he has actually fought so far. Lower division yusho races (Day 7/8 results): 4-0 Ms3e Asabenkei (Takasago) 4-0 Ms17e Ichiki (Tamanoi) 4-0 Ms22w Kyokusoten (Nakagawa) 4-0 Ms31w Kagamio (Kagamiyama) 4-0 Ms35e Hokutokawa (Hakkaku) 4-0 Ms49e Nishikifuji (Isegahama) 4-0 Ms60w Terao (Shikoroyama) 4-0 Sd6e Tochimaru (Kasugano) 4-0 Sd10e Akinoyama (Takadagawa) 4-0 Sd16e Aomihama (Dewanoumi) 4-0 Sd30w Ura (Kise) 4-0 Sd39w Mitozakura (Azumazeki) 4-0 Sd44e Kamito (Tatsunami) 4-0 Sd52e Tosaeizan (Onomatsu) 4-0 Sd64e Nankairiki (Kise) 4-0 Sd67e Kenshin (Sakaigawa) 4-0 Sd77e Araoyama (Onomatsu) 4-0 Sd84w Chiyodaigo (Kokonoe) 4-0 Sd96w Kotosato (Sadogatake) 4-0 Sd100Td Fukai (Takasago) 4-0 Jd7w Etsunohana (Tatsunami) 4-0 Jd15w Nihonyanagi (Onomatsu) 4-0 Jd30e Kaorufuji (Kasugano) 4-0 Jd37e Kotomanabe (Sadogatake) 4-0 Jd45e Kirinoryu (Michinoku) 4-0 Jd49e Dewanoryu (Dewanoumi) 4-0 Jd57e Ryubu (Musashigawa) 4-0 Jd65w Daishohama (Oitekaze) 4-0 Jd72w Fujinotani (Hakkaku) 4-0 Jd86w Sasaki (Hakkaku) 4-0 Jd96e Tatsuki (Otake) 4-0 Jd101e Zendaisho (Takadagawa) 4-0 Jd105w Adachi (Tagonoura) 4-0 Jk6w Yatabe (Shibatayama) 4-0 Jk22w Shinohara (Fujishima) Too early for detailed comments, so I'll just highlight that this is the first time in exactly a year that jonokuchi is already down to only two unbeaten contenders at this stage. As many as 13 in sandanme is rather unusual as well, and was last seen a year and a half ago in Aki 2018. This is the fifth basho with sandanme tsukedashi starters (two of those tournaments had two of them each) - so far they're 2-for-4 in winning the sandanme yusho. Which way will Fukai go? 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,663 Posted March 16, 2020 For the third basho in a row we're down by one former sekitori, now 35 in total. 4 of them have newly come down from juryo, while 4 others returned to the paid ranks and Arawashi decided to retire. Plenty of rikishi were last seen in juryo in a Haru basho some years ago, all of them in different years: Daiseido (1 year ago), Amakaze (2), Fujiazuma (3), Masunoyama (5...wow, time flies), and Sagatsukasa (6). Both February and March feature a trio of birthdates: Last month saw three rikishi in their 30s become a year older with Kagamio (32 on Feb 9th), Asabenkei (31 on the 12th) and possibly intai-bound Gagamaru (33 on the 23rd). The three March birthday boys are all celebrating during the basho - Day 3 (March 10th) had Irodori turn 28 as well as Keitenkai reach 30, while Day 11 (March 18th) will be Takaryu's 28th birthday. Their results through the middle Sunday, with plenty of absences: Record Rank Shikona Heya Age Out kyujo Ms1e Sokokurai Arashio 36 1 2-2 Ms1w Sakigake Shibatayama 33 1 2-2 Ms2e Toyonoshima Tokitsukaze 36 1 4-0 Ms3e Asabenkei Takasago 31 11 3-1 Ms3w Fujiazuma Tamanoi 32 18 2-2 Ms4e Chiyonoo Kokonoe 28 8 0-4 Ms4w Daiseido Kise 27 6 kyujo Ms5w Gokushindo Nishikido 23 8 1-3 Ms6w Toyohibiki Sakaigawa 35 13 0-2-2 Ms7w Irodori Shikoroyama 28 1 3-1 Ms9e Kaisho Asakayama 25 2 3-1 Ms9w Chiyoarashi Kokonoe 28 40 0-4 Ms10e Chiyonokuni Kokonoe 29 5 3-1 Ms11e Jokoryu Kise 31 7 3-1 Ms11w Kizenryu Kise 34 10 2-2 Ms13w Ryuko Onoe 21 4 kyujo Ms16w Seiro Shikoroyama 31 3 3-1 Ms19e Kitaharima Yamahibiki 33 15 2-2 Ms24w Nionoumi Yamahibiki 33 40 0-4 Ms31e Sagatsukasa Irumagawa 38 36 4-0 Ms31w Kagamio Kagamiyama 32 23 3-1 Ms38w Asahisho Tomozuna 30 17 3-1 Ms39w Keitenkai Onomatsu 30 45 1-3 Ms42e Takaryu Kise 27 28 kyujo Ms44w Gagamaru Kise 33 2 2-2 Ms45w Ichiyamamoto Nishonoseki 26 2 3-1 Ms46w Amakaze Oguruma 28 12 1-3 Ms47e Tokushinho Kise 35 26 1-3 Ms48e Higonojo Kise 35 35 4-0 Sd30w Ura Kise 27 13 1-3 Sd33e Kaonishiki Azumazeki 41 51 3-1 Sd45w Masunoyama Chiganoura 29 30 2-2 Sd57w Yoshiazuma Tamanoi 42 33 2-2 Sd96e Dairaido Takadagawa 39 81 kyujo Jd28w Hitenryu Tatsunami 35 51 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,663 Posted March 17, 2020 Day 9 (results, text-only results) 9-0 Ye Hakuho 8-1 M9e Takanosho, M13w Aoiyama 7-2 Yw Kakuryu, Se Asanoyama, M3w Mitakeumi, M12e Ishiura, M18e Kotonowaka Only Chiyotairyu dropped out of the list of contenders, and he did so against KK-clinching Aoiyama, so hardly an upset. Takanosho also stands at 8-1 for his best ever start as a sekitori, today defeating Tamawashi who continues to disappoint at his lowest rank in nearly four years. End of the road as a joi regular for him? Meanwhile, it didn't come as much of a surprise that yokozuna Hakuho remained unbeaten against Ryuden to retain the yusho lead. Asanoyama and Mitakeumi returned to their winning ways against Shodai and Hokutofuji respectively, while Takakeisho was forced to take a loss against Yutakayama. At only 5-4 and with both yokozuna and the two sekiwake still to come there has to be some doubt about his achieving kachikoshi now. Top-ranked maegashira Daieisho extended his impressive winning streak to six days, this time at Okinoumi's expense, and has made himself a prime candidate for an immediate return to sanyaku after last basho's 7-8 near miss. 9-0 Hakuho Y Kakuryu 7-2 5-4 Takakeisho O --- 7-2 Asanoyama S Shodai 4-5 2-7 Hokutofuji K Endo 5-4 6-3 Daieisho M1 4-5 Okinoumi M2 Tokushoryu 2-7 4-5 Yutakayama M3 Mitakeumi 7-2 3-6 Enho M4 Abi 4-5 4-5 Ryuden M5 Onosho 5-4 M6 Kagayaki 6-3 6-3 Takarafuji M7 M8 Kiribayama 4-5 (x) 8-1 Takanosho M9 M10 6-3 Chiyotairyu M11 7-2 Ishiura M12 M13 Aoiyama 8-1 Not a great day for the middle-ranking maegashira in need of just one more win to avoid juryo, as only Myogiryu and Kotoshogiku secured survival records today, leaving five others still in the hunt. The ex-ozeki's win came against fellow veteran Tochiozan who is really in deep trouble here and finds himself one of the co-worst candidates for demotion now, alongside Nishikigi and Daiamami (both victorious today) as well as Meisei, seemingly far from recovered from the arm injury he suffered before the January tournament. Azumaryu is also struggling with four losses in the last five days. Juryo saw a meeting between the leader and one of his pursuers, won by Kotoeko to secure his kachikoshi and a strong position in the promotion race as we approach the end of the basho. Terunofuji was on the losing end of that and it has to be somewhat disconcerting that he wasn't able to put away Kotoeko despite the large physical differences between them. He still only needs to win three out of six matches, of course, so there's still hope for a promotion of his. Wakatakakage, aiming to return to the top division after the unfortunate injury exit in his debut four months ago, also requires just three more shiroboshi after defeating hapless Akua today. Tobizaru and Kotoshoho are lurking further down for possible debuts of their own with a good finish to the basho, while everybody else will already find it difficult to secure promotable records from here. (o) 2-7 Myogiryu M6 M7 Tamawashi 2-7 (1) (1) 2-7 Shohozan M8 M9 Tochinoshin 3-6 (1) (1) 3-6 Sadanoumi M10 Tochiozan 0-9 (4) M11 Terutsuyoshi 4-5 (1) M12 (o) 5-4 Kotoshogiku M13 (1) 5-4 Kaisei M14 Nishikigi 2-7 (4) (5) 1-4-4 Tsurugisho M15 Chiyomaru 5-3-1 (2) (3) 4-5 Azumaryu M16 Shimanoumi 5-4 (2) (4) 3-6 Meisei M17 Daiamami 4-5 (4) (1) 7-2 Kotonowaka M18 --- (5) 3-6 Kotoyuki J1 Hidenoumi 3-6 (5) (6) 3-6 Chiyoshoma J2 Wakatakakage 6-3 (3) (3) 6-3 Terunofuji J3 Daishoho 4-5 (5) (4) 6-3 Tobizaru J4 Daishomaru 2-7 (x) (2) 8-1 Kotoeko J5 Kyokushuho 5-4 (5) (4) 7-2 Kotoshoho J6 J7 Churanoumi 4-5 (~) (~) 5-4 Kyokutaisei J8 Ichinojo 5-4 (~) J9 Hoshoryu 6-3 (6) Our two most endangered low juryo rikishi produced opposite results today, with Akiseyama successful (and making things worse for opponent Yago), while Asagyokusei lost to Hoshoryu in rather one-sided fashion. Yago is officially in trouble here and he will need to win at least half his remaining matches to avoid makushita. The same is true for debutant Midorifuji who gave it all he has today but found big Ichinojo to be out of his league even in the latter's current diminished state. The win in that bout should have secured Ichinojo for the next juryo ranking, the only rikishi to earn a safe record today. Plenty of others also won on Day 9, however, and we could see a lot more departures from the demotion race very soon. Over in makushita the four high-ranking 2-2's were paired up, with the better ends of the torikumi for Sakigake (over Toyonoshima) and Chiyonoo (against Kotodaigo). I can't say I expected Sakigake to challenge for an immediate repromotion to juryo, but here he is, proving that the last couple of basho were no fluke. We won't be seeing a zensho promotion this time around courtesy of Asabenkei's loss against too low-ranked Ichiki. Asabenkei remains a prime candidate for a promotion anyway, of course, although he now has company at 4-1 - former maegashira Fujiazuma clinched his kachikoshi and is in the running to return to juryo after three unpaid years. Exactly a year ago he had a hard-luck miss, when 4 wins at Ms2e proved insufficient to grab a promotion slot. J4 Daishomaru 2-7 (1) J5 J6 Akua 2-7 (2) (1) 3-6 Mitoryu J7 J8 Ichinojo 5-4 (o) (2) 3-6 Kizakiumi J9 (3) 3-6 Yago J10 Takagenji 5-4 (1) (1) 5-4 Wakamotoharu J11 Midorifuji 3-6 (3) (1) 6-3 Hakuyozan J12 Asagyokusei 2-7 (5) (1) 6-3 Chiyonoumi J13 Tomokaze kyujo (x) (2) 6-3 Chiyootori J14 Akiseyama 4-5 (4) Ms1 Sakigake 3-2 2-3 Toyonoshima Ms2 Kotodaigo 2-3 4-1 Asabenkei Ms3 Fujiazuma 4-1 3-2 Chiyonoo Ms4 Ms5 4 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,663 Posted March 17, 2020 The ex-sekitori through Day 10. new KK: Fujiazuma, Jokoryu, Kitaharima new MK: Higonojo Record Rank Shikona Heya Age Out kyujo Ms1e Sokokurai Arashio 36 1 3-2 Ms1w Sakigake Shibatayama 33 1 2-3 Ms2e Toyonoshima Tokitsukaze 36 1 4-1 Ms3e Asabenkei Takasago 31 11 4-1 Ms3w Fujiazuma Tamanoi 32 18 3-2 Ms4e Chiyonoo Kokonoe 28 8 0-5 Ms4w Daiseido Kise 27 6 kyujo Ms5w Gokushindo Nishikido 23 8 2-3 Ms6w Toyohibiki Sakaigawa 35 13 0-2-3 Ms7w Irodori Shikoroyama 28 1 3-2 Ms9e Kaisho Asakayama 25 2 3-2 Ms9w Chiyoarashi Kokonoe 28 40 1-4 Ms10e Chiyonokuni Kokonoe 29 5 4-1 Ms11e Jokoryu Kise 31 7 3-2 Ms11w Kizenryu Kise 34 10 3-2 Ms13w Ryuko Onoe 21 4 kyujo Ms16w Seiro Shikoroyama 31 3 4-1 Ms19e Kitaharima Yamahibiki 33 15 2-3 Ms24w Nionoumi Yamahibiki 33 40 0-5 Ms31e Sagatsukasa Irumagawa 38 36 4-1 Ms31w Kagamio Kagamiyama 32 23 3-2 Ms38w Asahisho Tomozuna 30 17 3-1-1 Ms39w Keitenkai Onomatsu 30 45 2-3 Ms42e Takaryu Kise 27 28 kyujo Ms44w Gagamaru Kise 33 2 3-2 Ms45w Ichiyamamoto Nishonoseki 26 2 3-2 Ms46w Amakaze Oguruma 28 12 2-3 Ms47e Tokushinho Kise 35 26 1-4 Ms48e Higonojo Kise 35 35 5-0 Sd30w Ura Kise 27 13 2-3 Sd33e Kaonishiki Azumazeki 41 51 3-2 Sd45w Masunoyama Chiganoura 29 30 2-3 Sd57w Yoshiazuma Tamanoi 42 33 3-2 Sd96e Dairaido Takadagawa 39 81 kyujo Jd28w Hitenryu Tatsunami 35 51 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ack! 478 Posted March 17, 2020 I never thought I'd see Asabenkei nor Fujiazuma as sekitori again, and now the are both primed for promotion. What does it say that these old guys (to include Akiseyama) can get back into juryo after years in Makushita during this "changing of the guard" that everyone has been talking about? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,663 Posted March 17, 2020 (edited) Juryo yusho race through Day 9: 8-1 J5e Kotoeko 7-2 J6e Kotoshoho 6-3 J2w Wakatakakage, J3e Terunofuji, J4e Tobizaru, J9w Hoshoryu, J12e Hakuyozan, J13e Chiyonoumi, J14e Chiyootori And through Day 10: 9-1 J5e Kotoeko 8-2 J6e Kotoshoho 7-3 J2w Wakatakakage, J3e Terunofuji, J4e Tobizaru, J12e Hakuyozan, J14e Chiyootori Kotoeko has rolled on with victory first over Terunofuji and today against Chiyonoumi, and looks like he just might be back in the form that had made him a steady maegashira presence last year. Stablemate Kotoshoho was the only direct pursuer to survive Day 9 as Chiyootori joined Terunofuji in defeat, and he tacked on another win against Hidenoumi to clinch the early KK today. All in all we continue to see a pretty high quality yusho race, with 7 scores of 7-3 or better being on the high side of the usual numbers; just Kyokutaisei departed from the 3-loss group yesterday, while Day 10 saw only Hoshoryu and Chiyonoumi fall off the pace. One match among the top 7 tomorrow, as Kotoshoho and Wakatakakage square off. The leader will go against J9w Hoshoryu (6-4). Lower division yusho races (Day 9 results with links to video, also as playlist): 4-1 Ms3e Asabenkei (Takasago)5-0 Ms17e Ichiki (Tamanoi)5-0 Ms22w Kyokusoten (Nakagawa) 4-1 Ms31w Kagamio (Kagamiyama) 4-1 Ms35e Hokutokawa (Hakkaku)5-0 Ms49e Nishikifuji (Isegahama)5-0 Ms60w Terao (Shikoroyama) 4-1 Sd6e Tochimaru (Kasugano)5-0 Sd10e Akinoyama (Takadagawa) 4-1 Sd16e Aomihama (Dewanoumi)5-0 Sd30w Ura (Kise) 4-1 Sd39w Mitozakura (Azumazeki)5-0 Sd44e Kamito (Tatsunami) 4-1 Sd52e Tosaeizan (Onomatsu)5-0 Sd64e Nankairiki (Kise) 4-1 Sd67e Kenshin (Sakaigawa) 4-1 Sd77e Araoyama (Onomatsu)5-0 Sd84w Chiyodaigo (Kokonoe)5-0 Sd96w Kotosato (Sadogatake) 4-1 Sd100Td Fukai (Takasago) 4-1 Jd7w Etsunohana (Tatsunami)5-0 Jd15w Nihonyanagi (Onomatsu)5-0 Jd30e Kaorufuji (Kasugano) 4-1 Jd37e Kotomanabe (Sadogatake) 4-1 Jd45e Kirinoryu (Michinoku)5-0 Jd49e Dewanoryu (Dewanoumi)5-0 Jd57e Ryubu (Musashigawa) 4-1 Jd65w Daishohama (Oitekaze)5-0 Jd72w Fujinotani (Hakkaku)5-0 Jd86w Sasaki (Hakkaku) 4-1 Jd96e Tatsuki (Otake) 4-1 Jd101e Zendaisho (Takadagawa) 4-1 Jd105w Adachi (Tagonoura) 5-0 Jk6w Yatabe (Shibatayama)5-0 Jk22w Shinohara (Fujishima) A swift henka disposed of highest-ranking yusho contender Asabenkei in makushita, so that race is arguably wide open now. Veteran Mongolian Kagamio and his younger compatriot Kyokusoten had an enjoyable little back-and-forth bout, with the better end for Kyokusoten. Nishikifuji, an upper makushita regular when on form, easily prevailed over Hokutokawa, and he's probably my yusho pick here. As bottom-ranked Terao disposed of his sandanme opponent Tochimaru we're down to a standard 4-man bracket now. The sandanme yusho hopes of collegiate rookie Fukai were ended rather early, courtesy of 18-year-old Kotosato - surprising for sure, but definitely not fluky. That has served to leave former maegashira Ura far ahead of the rest of the field at least in the reputation stakes, though he surely has to be considered the prime candidate for the championship on skill grounds as well. All contenders bar Kotosato do have makushita experience, but for Kamito and Chiyodaigo there's very little of it, and Nankairiki and Akinoyama are arguably well past their prime. Last basho's jonokuchi winner Nihonyanagi continues to roll and stands at 12 straight wins now. He's far from a shoo-in for the jonidan title, however, as fellow newcomer Dewanoryu is also in the mix. The young Mongolian has only had one loss so far, of course against Nihonyanagi last basho, and he'll surely try to exact revenge this month. Strong win for him over talented 22-year-old Kirinoryu today, a low makushita competitor down here after three missed tournaments. It would be surprising if the yusho didn't go to either Nihonyanagi or Dewanoryu, in any case, as none of the remaining contenders look to be above low-sandanme strength. Lastly we continue with both undefeated rikishi in jonokuchi, after Yatabe easily tossed down big jonidan regular Adachi and Shinohara shoved out his 3-1 opponent Shoryudo in equally dominant fashion. I'd tend to favour Shinohara for the yusho here, but it's much less clear than the jonokuchi decisions often are. 18 unbeaten rikishi remain, so no need to mix in a one-loss rikishi for round 6. We've got two Kise-beya contenders in sandanme and two from Hakkaku in jonidan, so there's some room for things to get more complicated than usual. Edited March 17, 2020 by Asashosakari 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,663 Posted March 18, 2020 (edited) Day 10 (results, text-only results) 9-1 Ye Hakuho, M13w Aoiyama 8-2 Yw Kakuryu, Se Asanoyama, M3w Mitakeumi, M9e Takanosho 7-3 M1e Daieisho, M7e Takarafuji, M11e Chiyotairyu, M12e Ishiura, M18e Kotonowaka Did somebody switch the two yokozunas' bodies today? Not to take anything away from Onosho's excellent sumo that earned him the second kinboshi of his career, but those were some decidedly Kakuryuish pulling attempts by Hakuho today, and they worked about as well. Kakuryu himself, on the other hand, simply manhandled Ryuden in dai-yokozuna fashion. Well, no complaints here about seeing some tension added to the yusho race. Your new co-leader is Aoiyama, who did what he does best by thrusting against Shimanoumi's chin and throat to muscle him out of the dohyo in short order. He has had 9-1 scores twice before and finished those tournaments at 13-2 and 12-3 respectively, so he certainly knows how to keep up the pace. We'll have to wait and see how seriously they take his challenge and if/when they start feeding him upper-ranked opponents. Takanosho failed to join the lead as well, losing a quick one to veteran Takarafuji. With the top line of the yusho arasoi now at one loss, we've got a whole bunch of three-loss rikishi as yusho contenders, at least in nominal terms - unless Hakuho's strange sumo today was an indication of injuries flaring up, I'd still think the yusho score will be at least 13-2, which would rule out the 7-3 crowd. Certainly back in the race properly are the 8-2's though, in particular Kakuryu and Asanoyama who have yet to face Hakuho. Smart sumo by Asanoyama against Enho today, an opponent who really could have hurt his ozeki aspirations. Mitakeumi is also newly kachikoshi, looking good in his victory over Endo. Daieisho keeps rolling on, today with an impressive weathering of Abi's initial thrusting storm, after which he took out his lanky aite without much bother. Things are going much less swimmingly for Takakeisho, who was unable to put away Shodai today and found himself slapped down eventually. I guess we have to have at least one ozeki doing badly in every basho these days, which makes it bad news if you're the only one at the rank to begin with... Also having a rather terrible basho: Komusubi Hokutofuji, who has already punched his ticket back to the maegashira ranks with today's loss to Myogiryu, not exactly one of the more fearsome competitors this basho either. 9-1 Hakuho Y Kakuryu 8-2 5-5 Takakeisho O --- 8-2 Asanoyama S Shodai 5-5(x) 2-8 Hokutofuji K Endo 5-5 7-3 Daieisho M1 5-5 Okinoumi M2 Tokushoryu 2-8 (x) 5-5 Yutakayama M3 Mitakeumi 8-2(x) 3-7 Enho M4 Abi 4-6 4-6 Ryuden M5 Onosho 6-4 M6 Kagayaki 6-4 7-3 Takarafuji M7 M8 8-2 Takanosho M9 M10 7-3 Chiyotairyu M11 7-3 Ishiura M12 M13 Aoiyama 9-1 With just five days to go this is normally the time when the high-ranker matchups really start to heat up, but with the current shortage of sanyaku rikishi and consequently rather few bouts among them so far, we're still very much in the non-meaty part and Day 11 only brings us Hakuho against 2-8 komusubi Hokutofuji and Kakuryu versus 5-5 sekiwake Shodai. The next challenge to Asanoyama's ozeki run will be presented by Ryuden. Tochinoshin and Shohozan faced off on Day 10 with makuuchi survival at stake, and the Georgian former ozeki came through to clinch his top division slot for the next tournament. Kachikoshi is still quite a way off at 4-6, of course, so he might be facing that basho from even lower in the division. Tamawashi and Sadanoumi delivered a real barn burner of a match, and the Mongolian should now be safe as well after prevailing in that. And the same is also true for Terutsuyoshi who delivered an ashitori surprise to newcomer Kotonowaka, and for Kaisei who demonstrated patient sumo en route to disposing of Ishiura. Tsurugisho has failed to return to action in time for Day 11, and he should be our first demotion now. Daiamami and Tochiozan picked up further losses and things are getting quite dire for them, while Meisei and Nishikigi improved their - still fairly dicey - situation. The top 6 juryo rikishi on the East side were all victorious today, so that's where most of the promotion race action continues to be. Kotoeko still leads the way and looks likely to clinch his makuuchi return soon. M7 Tamawashi 3-7 (o)(1) 2-8 Shohozan M8 M9 Tochinoshin 4-6 (o)(1) 3-7 Sadanoumi M10 Tochiozan 0-10 (4) M11 Terutsuyoshi 5-5 (o) M12 M13(o) 6-4 Kaisei M14 Nishikigi 3-7 (3)(x) 1-4-5 Tsurugisho M15 Chiyomaru 5-3-2 (2)(2) 5-5 Azumaryu M16 Shimanoumi 5-5 (2)(3) 4-6 Meisei M17 Daiamami 4-6 (4)(1) 7-3 Kotonowaka M18 --- (4) 4-6 Kotoyuki J1 Hidenoumi 3-7 (5)(5) 4-6 Chiyoshoma J2 Wakatakakage 7-3 (2)(2) 7-3 Terunofuji J3 Daishoho 4-6 (5)(3) 7-3 Tobizaru J4(1) 9-1 Kotoeko J5 Kyokushuho 5-5 (5)(3) 8-2 Kotoshoho J6 J7 Churanoumi 5-5 (~)(~) 6-4 Kyokutaisei J8 Ichinojo 5-5 (x) J9 Hoshoryu 6-4 (~) A pair of 2-7 rikishi faced off in juryo, and Daishomaru became the second division's first makekoshi with his loss against low-ranker Asagyokusei. Struggling Akua dropped to 2-8 later on as well. All in all none of the endangered rikishi ranked J11e and above managed a win between them today, while 5 of the 6 lowest candidates were successful. Akiseyama knocked off his second sluggish heavyweight opponent in a row, after Yago it was Ichinojo on his menu today. Juryo returnee Hakuyozan secured his continued salary status against Takagenji, and is hopefully in a position to pick up where his injury a year ago interrupted things for him. No action in makushita as everybody already fought their fifth bouts on Day 9. J4 Daishomaru 2-8 (1) J5 J6 Akua 2-8 (2)(1) 3-7 Mitoryu J7 J8(2) 3-7 Kizakiumi J9(3) 3-7 Yago J10 Takagenji 5-5 (1)(1) 5-5 Wakamotoharu J11 Midorifuji 4-6 (2)(o) 7-3 Hakuyozan J12 Asagyokusei 3-7 (4)(1) 6-4 Chiyonoumi J13 Tomokaze kyujo (x)(1) 7-3 Chiyootori J14 Akiseyama 5-5 (3) Ms1 Sakigake 3-2 2-3 Toyonoshima Ms2 Kotodaigo 2-3 4-1 Asabenkei Ms3 Fujiazuma 4-1 3-2 Chiyonoo Ms4 Ms5 Edited March 18, 2020 by Asashosakari 2 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ack! 478 Posted March 18, 2020 2 hours ago, Asashosakari said: Your new co-leader is Aoiyama, who did what he does best by thrusting against Shimanoumi's chin and throat to muscle him out of the dohyo in short order. He has had 9-1 scores twice before and finished those tournaments at 13-2 and 12-3 respectively, so he certainly knows how to keep up the pace. We'll have to wait and see how seriously they take his challenge and if/when they start feeding him upper-ranked opponents. Takanosho failed to join the lead as well, losing a quick one to veteran Takarafuji. Who else besides me wants to see Aoiyama vs. Takanosho on day 12? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,663 Posted March 19, 2020 (edited) Day 11 (results, text-only results) 10-1 Ye Hakuho, M13w Aoiyama 9-2 Yw Kakuryu, Se Asanoyama, M3w Mitakeumi, M9e Takanosho 8-3 --- Yesterday's question about the yusho viability of the 3-loss rikishi was conclusively answered by the rikishi themselves today, as all 5 of 'em lost and dropped to 7-4. Two of them did so against rikishi who moved on to 9-2, with Daieisho losing to Mitakeumi in turnaround fashion, while Ishiura was defeated a lot more clearly by Takanosho. A third match between a 7-3 hopeful and a frontrunner took place between Kotonowaka and Aoiyama, won in impressive fashion by the Bulgarian. Not to be outdone, co-leading Hakuho clobbered struggling komusubi Hokutofuji into what would ordinarily be third row. Kakuryu and Asanoyama also won decisively against Shodai and Ryuden, respectively, keeping us with the same six yusho contenders that entered the day. Meanwhile, komusubi Endo took a big step towards kachikoshi with victory over genki Onosho. He will face yokozuna Kakuryu for Day 12 and that's the lot as far as sanyaku matchups are concerned for him. Sekiwake Shodai is facing more of an uphill battle at 5-6 and with Hakuho awaiting him tomorrow. Daieisho and Mitakeumi remain the clear top candidates for a promotion into sanyaku, but we could conceivably need as many as four if Asanoyama earns promotion to ozeki and Endo doesn't get to 8 wins after all. Ozeki Takakeisho is clearly far from his best and dropped another match, this time to Abi, and his MK-trending record of 5-6 is pretty bad news with three well-performing opponents in Hakuho, Kakuryu and Asanoyama still to come. 10-1 Hakuho Y Kakuryu 9-2 5-6 Takakeisho O --- 9-2 Asanoyama S Shodai 5-6(x) 2-9 Hokutofuji K Endo 6-5 7-4 Daieisho M1 6-5 Okinoumi M2 6-5 Yutakayama M3 Mitakeumi 9-2 M4 Abi 5-6(x) 4-7 Ryuden M5 Onosho 6-5 M6 Kagayaki 6-5 7-4 Takarafuji M7 M8 9-2 Takanosho M9 M10(x) 7-4 Chiyotairyu M11(x) 7-4 Ishiura M12 M13 Aoiyama 10-1 The 10 lower maegashira still at risk of demotion posted only 3 wins between them today, and the one by Tochiozan may well be a case of too little, too late. Still good to see him finally get one, of course. Meisei and Shimanoumi were the other successful rikishi down here, both against fellow demotion candidates in Sadanoumi and Shohozan. Daiamami fell to 4-7 and has his back against the wall from the second-last slot in the division now. On the flipside, the juryo rikishi did their very best to open the door for some lucky maegashira stays - of the five best-placed promotion contenders, only Kotoshoho managed to win today. Terunofuji looked pretty bad against Kyokushuho, although perhaps that one's just an unfavourable matchup for him, as he also went 0-4 against him back when he was actually good. It's still only a 2-2 record required for him over the last four days, but his promotion chances certainly appeared a lot bigger just a few days ago. (1) 2-9 Shohozan M8 M9(1) 3-8 Sadanoumi M10 Tochiozan 1-10 (3) ... M14 Nishikigi 3-8 (3)(x) 1-4-6 Tsurugisho M15 Chiyomaru 5-4-2 (2)(2) 5-6 Azumaryu M16 Shimanoumi 6-5 (1)(2) 5-6 Meisei M17 Daiamami 4-7 (4)(1) 7-4 Kotonowaka M18 --- (3) 5-6 Kotoyuki J1 Hidenoumi 4-7 (4)(4) 5-6 Chiyoshoma J2 Wakatakakage 7-4 (2)(2) 7-4 Terunofuji J3 Daishoho 4-7 (~)(3) 7-4 Tobizaru J4(1) 9-2 Kotoeko J5 Kyokushuho 6-5 (4)(2) 9-2 Kotoshoho J6 J7 Churanoumi 5-6 (x)(~) 7-4 Kyokutaisei J8 J9 Hoshoryu 7-4 (~) A trio of juryo matches were contested between candidates for demotion: Wakamotoharu secured his 6th win and should be retaining his salaried rank for the first time in his third go at juryo, while his defeated opponent Asagyokusei cannot afford any further losses now. Kizakiumi prevailed over Daishomaru in a battle of endangered rikishi at single-digit ranks and has moved close to safety, while bottom-ranked Akiseyama was successful for the fourth day in a row, this time against Takagenji. Fellow J14 Chiyootori is even completely safe now, having clinched kachikoshi (after a close run decision with mono-ii) against makushita visitor Toyonoshima, who fell to makekoshi and out of the promotion race with that. The rest of the top makushita were in action as well, with one head-to-head pairing that saw Chiyonoo prevail over Sakigake. Chiyonoo is now KK, but may be ranked too low at Ms4e without a 5th win. It's still a race between five contenders as the other bubble boy, Kotodaigo, avoided makekoshi and sent opponent Toyohibiki to the losing record instead. (Not a great day for fans of ex-makuuchi stalwarts...) The Ms3 duo who entered the day with matching 4-1 scores went opposite ways with Asabenkei beating prospect youngster Naya and Fujiazuma getting manhandled to defeat by ex-komusubi Jokoryu. J4 Daishomaru 2-9 (1) J5 J6 Akua 2-9 (2)(1) 3-8 Mitoryu J7 J8(1) 4-7 Kizakiumi J9(3) 3-8 Yago J10 Takagenji 5-6 (1)(o) 6-5 Wakamotoharu J11 Midorifuji 5-6 (1) J12 Asagyokusei 3-8 (4)(1) 6-5 Chiyonoumi J13 Tomokaze kyujo (x)(o) 8-3 Chiyootori J14 Akiseyama 6-5 (2) Ms1 Sakigake 3-3(x) 2-4 Toyonoshima Ms2 Kotodaigo 3-3 5-1 Asabenkei Ms3 Fujiazuma 4-2 4-2 Chiyonoo Ms4 Ms5 Asabenkei is all but certain to return to juryo after two years now (having dropped as low as Sd25 in the interim) but I'll wait to call it "officially" until we have a second open slot in juryo or top-ranked Sakigake falls out of contention. The second part of that will be resolved soon enough as Sakigake has been tabbed as the Day 12 fill-in against Chiyonoumi up in juryo. Edited March 19, 2020 by Asashosakari 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maguroyama 27 Posted March 19, 2020 Lovely reading as usual, but Hakuho should be green, not red, right? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,663 Posted March 19, 2020 Juryo yusho race through Day 11: 9-2 J5e Kotoeko, J6e Kotoshoho 8-3 J12e Hakuyozan, J14e Chiyootori 7-4 J2w Wakatakakage, J3e Terunofuji, J4e Tobizaru, J8e Kyokutaisei, J9w Hoshoryu Through Day 12: 10-2 J6e Kotoshoho 9-3 J5e Kotoeko, J12e Hakuyozan 8-4 J3e Terunofuji, J4e Tobizaru, J8e Kyokutaisei, J14e Chiyootori Two days on, and we've gone from one sole leader who hails from Sadogatake-beya to a different one. Kotoshoho is clearly the man of the moment, riding a five-day winning streak to his first double-digit record in his third juryo basho, while Kotoeko appears to be fading with two losses in which he looked quite outclassed by low-rankers Hoshoryu and Wakamotoharu. Hakuyozan may thus be the leader's most relevant adversary going forward, with a run of wins that's even longer at 7 matches. Hakuyozan has yet to meet the leader, and in fact rather few of the 20 possible matchups among these seven rikishi have taken place so far, just 7. Two more are on deck for Day 13: J6e Kotoshoho (10-2) - J14e Chiyootori (8-4) J5e Kotoeko (9-3) - J11w Midorifuji (6-6) J4e Tobizaru (8-4) - J9w Hoshoryu (7-5) J3e Terunofuji (8-4) - J12e Hakuyozan (9-3) J1e Kotoyuki (6-6) - J8e Kyokutaisei (8-4) It's juryo, so it would be ill-advised to rule out the yusho line dropping to 11-4, but Kotoshoho and Hakuyozan really have looked a cut above the rest in recent days, and 12-3 for either wouldn't be too surprising. And perhaps Kotoeko will manage to get back on track as well. Lower division yusho races (Day 11 results with links to video, also as playlist): 5-1 Ms17e Ichiki (Tamanoi)6-0 Ms22w Kyokusoten (Nakagawa)6-0 Ms49e Nishikifuji (Isegahama) 5-1 Ms60w Terao (Shikoroyama) 5-1 Sd10e Akinoyama (Takadagawa)6-0 Sd30w Ura (Kise) 5-1 Sd44e Kamito (Tatsunami)6-0 Sd64e Nankairiki (Kise)6-0 Sd84w Chiyodaigo (Kokonoe) 5-1 Sd96w Kotosato (Sadogatake) 6-0 Jd15w Nihonyanagi (Onomatsu) 5-1 Jd30e Kaorufuji (Kasugano)6-0 Jd49e Dewanoryu (Dewanoumi)6-0 Jd57e Ryubu (Musashigawa) 5-1 Jd72w Fujinotani (Hakkaku) 5-1 Jd86w Sasaki (Hakkaku) 5-1 Jk6w Yatabe (Shibatayama)6-0 Jk22w Shinohara (Fujishima) A pair of very good matches in the makushita yusho race, both of which had the eventual winner with his feet back on the tawara already before he rallied to turn things around. 27-year-old Kyokusoten is close to his highest KK rank, so this is already a breakout performance for him, while 23-year-old Nishikifuji has been as high as the top 5 promotion zone before and will need the zensho record to make significant headway. Former maegashira Ura took longer than I thought he would against massive but mobility-challenged Akinoyama, though he was never in any real trouble en route to his 6th win. His veteran stablemate Nankairiki was put under significantly more pressure by his opponent and had to weather a full 20 seconds of Kamito's aggressive tsuki-oshi onslaught before he managed to catch him in a mawashi grip to neutralize that, and then needed another minute to wear him down for the eventual yorikiri victory. Chiyodaigo rounded out the 6-0 field of contenders with a fairly troublefree win over youngster Kotosato. With two of the three sandanme yusho challengers now hailing from Kise-beya some deviations from the standard scheduling are required, although they have kept it to a minimum by not involving any 5-1 rikishi. That's arguably good news for both Kise guys as they're getting opponents ranked much further down than they usually would for a 7th match, with Ura going against Chiyodaigo and Nankairiki facing the highest-ranking contender from jonidan. That one turned out to be still-undefeated high school rookie Nihonyanagi, who had no issues vanquishing 32-year-old Kaorufuji. So, either a playoff in sandanme (possibly of the same-stable variety) or one in jonidan involving Nihonyanagi. The latter's possible opponent - or maybe outright jonidan yusho winner - will be determined between Mongolian newcomer Dewanoryu, who overwhelmed his Day 11 opponent Fujinotani quickly, and Ryubu who swung Sasaki around near the tawara. Ryubu is a 21-year-old with six years of experience who has yet to reach sandanme, so Dewanoryu ought to be a major favourite here. Assuming the win, we'll have to wait and see if he needs to get past Nihonyanagi on senshuraku as well. Jonokuchi is down to its usual one 6-0 record courtesy of banzuke debutant Shinohara who proved too powerful for opponent Yatabe. Nothing out of the ordinary for his final match, in which he's been set against the lowest available 5-1 rikishi from jonidan, Jd107w Ishihara, a 30-year-old mid-jonidan regular who missed Hatsu basho through injury. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,663 Posted March 19, 2020 (edited) 10 hours ago, Maguroyama said: Lovely reading as usual, but Hakuho should be green, not red, right? Indeed, thanks for the heads-up. Corrected. Looks like I had forgotten to change that for the new day altogether, Takanosho was wrong as well. Edited March 19, 2020 by Asashosakari 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,663 Posted March 20, 2020 (edited) Day 12 (results, text-only results) 11-1 M13w Aoiyama 10-2 Ye Hakuho, Yw Kakuryu, Se Asanoyama 9-3 M3w Mitakeumi, M9e Takanosho More weird sumo by Hakuho, this time a harite storm against Shodai. That may have been a good idea six months ago, but the new and improved Shodai appears mostly impervious to that kind of thing. It looked like the yokozuna wanted to try the slapdown route again, too, but he only got through half of an attempt before Shodai took charge and drove him across the bales. Not the greatest timing, however, as neither of Shodai's now two career wins over Hakuho have resulted in a kinboshi, and he's only been in sanyaku three times. In any case, that has left us with Aoiyama as the new sole leader after he powered through upper ranker Mitakeumi in convincing fashion. It's of course still too early to call this thing done and dusted, but I'll take the opportunity to mention that there's only ever been one case (in 1991) of back to back hiramaku yusho in the 111-year history of the individual championship being awarded. Pursuers Asanoyama and Takanosho were matched up with double-digit wins on the line, and it was the ozeki hopeful who came through in that match, looking solid. Kakuryu also improved to 10-2 to stay in the race, after opponent Endo compromised his position too much in driving back the yokozuna. With losses for both Mitakeumi as well as Daieisho, who was defeated by a spirited Onosho, the sanyaku race has tightened up a bit again, though these two remain the clear frontrunners. Shodai's victory today has made it rather less likely that 3+ slots will open up, as he stands only one win away from at least retaining a sanyaku position as komusubi. Ozeki Takakeisho improved to 6-6 with a fairly easy victory over Ryuden, but kachikoshi remains far from assured. 10-2 Hakuho Y Kakuryu 10-2 6-6 Takakeisho O --- 10-2 Asanoyama S Shodai 6-6(x) 3-9 Hokutofuji K Endo 6-6 7-5 Daieisho M1 6-6 Okinoumi M2 7-5 Yutakayama M3 Mitakeumi 9-3 M4 Abi 5-7 (x) M5 Onosho 7-5 M6 Kagayaki 7-5 8-4 Takarafuji M7 M8 9-3 Takanosho M9 ... M13 Aoiyama 11-1 With three days to go it's time for the customary top 4 roundrobin, which extends down to Asanoyama at sekiwake this time, and starts off as usual with #1 Hakuho against #4 Asanoyama and #2 Kakuryu versus #3 Takakeisho. Of course, Aoiyama's presence as the yusho leader may throw a wrench into the proceedings here - I strongly doubt they'll break up the scheduled Day 14 match between Kakuryu and Asanoyama nor the senshuraku yokozuna meeting, but either or both of Takakeisho's remaining matches may be at risk of not happening. Particularly the Day 15 one against Asanoyama looks easy to scrap, with the sekiwake a prime opponent for Aoiyama there. In a strange turn of events, if they decide to go through with the standard schedule, it'll be a major boon to Aoiyama not only in that he'd avoid his three closest pursuers completely, but also because they would be certain to give each other three losses for some automatic eliminations along the way. Of course, the second part will still be true even if they decide to do Aoiyama-Asanoyama for senshuraku... Maybe an indication that Hakuho-Aoiyama is also "necessary" on Day 14? In any case, for Day 13 it's Takanosho who awaits the leader first. Asanoyama's ozeki run efforts have taken the minimum hurdle of 10 wins now, so at the very least he should be assured another opportunity in the next tournament if he falters from here. That being said, IMHO 10-11-10-11 would be a perfectly acceptable promotion run, so it might only take one victory across the final three days. 12 will absolutely do it - being in the midst of the yusho race here will count for enough that a 33-in-3 win total won't be questioned as insufficient. The two worst-placed maegashira demotion candidates were paired up for Day 13, which resulted in an altogether too easy victory for Daiamami over Tochiozan. Both are now in need of winning their remaining three matches. Nishikigi avoided that fate and improved his lot with a win over a slipping Kotoshogiku; gotta take 'em any way you can, I guess. Recently returned Chiyomaru was also successful against a fading Tochinoshin, and Sadanoumi should be safe altogether after defeating Azumaryu. Shohozan dropped to double-digit losses against Kaisei in what's shaping up as potentially his worst basho since the disastrous 1-14 five years ago that spelled his first demotion to juryo. (And led to a miraculous career re-invention in which the erstwhile pure pusher suddenly returned from the second division with significant yotsu chops.) Day 12 proved a better day for the juryo hopefuls than Day 11 did, although we still don't have any properly qualified candidate after Kotoeko lost for the second straight day. Ex-ozeki Terunofuji defeated upstart compatriot Hoshoryu to secure his kachikoshi and thus the minimum necessary to be considered for promotion. (Though the overall situation makes it quite unlikely that 8 wins will be enough.) Kotoshoho, meanwhile, is not only the new yusho leader but also the by-the-numbers frontrunner in the promotion queue. However, after today we have no less than 6 candidates who can move themselves into promotable territory with a 2-1 or better finish, so a lot remains up in the air here. (1) 2-10 Shohozan M8 M9(o) 4-8 Sadanoumi M10 Tochiozan 1-11 (3) ... M14 Nishikigi 4-8 (2)(x) 1-4-7 Tsurugisho M15 Chiyomaru 6-4-2 (1)(2) 5-7 Azumaryu M16 Shimanoumi 6-6 (1)(2) 5-7 Meisei M17 Daiamami 5-7 (3)(1) 7-5 Kotonowaka M18 --- (2) 6-6 Kotoyuki J1 Hidenoumi 5-7 (3)(~) 5-7 Chiyoshoma J2 Wakatakakage 7-5 (2)(1) 8-4 Terunofuji J3 Daishoho 4-8 (x)(2) 8-4 Tobizaru J4(1) 9-3 Kotoeko J5 Kyokushuho 7-5 (3)(1) 10-2 Kotoshoho J6 J7(~) 8-4 Kyokutaisei J8 J9 Hoshoryu 7-5 (x) Even feeding Yago a co-worst performing opponent in Daishomaru didn't help, and the big Oguruma man picked up his 6th straight loss. The willpower is there, but the leg strength just isn't. Yago could still save himself by winning his last three, but who's going to bet on that? Daishomaru should be good to go for the May tournament now, although he could really use a few more wins as well if he doesn't want to be next basho's Yago. Another head-to-head match between demotion candidates was contested between Midorifuji and Akua, which saw victory by the small-sized Isegahama rikishi while Akua lost for the sixth day in a row as well. Day 12 also brought good news for Kizakiumi against upper-ranked Daishoho and for Chiyonoumi who sent visiting Sakigake to a hard luck 3-4 makekoshi. Midorifuji, Kizakiumi and Chiyonoumi ought to be all secure in their ranks now, while Asagyokusei has become our first demotable rikishi among the active ones (joining absent Tomokaze, of course). It's still possible, but it appears rather unlikely that things will turn around sufficiently for him to receive a lucky stay even if he finishes with three wins. No activity among the makushita top rankers outside of Sakigake's juryo appearance. J4 Daishomaru 3-9 (o) J5 J6 Akua 2-10 (2)(1) 3-9 Mitoryu J7 J8(o) 5-7 Kizakiumi J9(3) 3-9 Yago J10 Takagenji 5-7 (1) J11 Midorifuji 6-6 (o) J12 Asagyokusei 3-9 (~)(o) 7-5 Chiyonoumi J13 Tomokaze kyujo (x) J14 Akiseyama 6-6 (2) Ms1 Sakigake 3-4 (x) Ms2 Kotodaigo 3-3(o) 5-1 Asabenkei Ms3 Fujiazuma 4-2 4-2 Chiyonoo Ms4 Ms5 As detailed yesterday it's now time to welcome back Asabenkei to juryo. When he's healthy and on form he's arguably juryo-worthy, but those days haven't been happening too regularly in recent years and I'd be a bit surprised if this turns out to be a more sustained presence in the paid ranks. I'm a fan of his though, so anything is welcome by me. Kotodaigo gets the call up to juryo tomorrow, facing Asagyokusei. This basho is Kotodaigo's fifth appearance in the top 5 makushita ranks, and only the second time he has made it as far as 3-3. At 27 years old, he may not be getting many better opportunities to finally break through to the salaried ranks. (Of course it's Sadogatake, famous late bloomer hub of ozumo...) As far as I can tell it's going to be ex-komusubi Ms11e Jokoryu as Asabenkei's final opponent, with Fujiazuma and Chiyonoo thus tabbed as the Day 14/15 juryo fill-ins. Edited March 20, 2020 by Asashosakari 3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,663 Posted March 20, 2020 The former sekitori through Day 12. new KK: Chiyonoo, Chiyoarashi, Ryuko, Asahisho, Ichiyamamoto, Amakaze, Masunoyama new MK: Sakigake, Toyonoshima, Toyohibiki, Takaryu, Tokushinho, Kaonishiki, Yoshiazuma Record Rank Shikona Heya Age Out kyujo Ms1e Sokokurai Arashio 36 1 3-4 Ms1w Sakigake Shibatayama 33 1 2-4 Ms2e Toyonoshima Tokitsukaze 36 1 5-1 Ms3e Asabenkei Takasago 31 11 4-2 Ms3w Fujiazuma Tamanoi 32 18 4-2 Ms4e Chiyonoo Kokonoe 28 8 0-6 Ms4w Daiseido Kise 27 6 kyujo Ms5w Gokushindo Nishikido 23 8 2-4 Ms6w Toyohibiki Sakaigawa 35 13 0-2-4 Ms7w Irodori Shikoroyama 28 1 3-3 Ms9e Kaisho Asakayama 25 2 4-2 Ms9w Chiyoarashi Kokonoe 28 40 2-4 Ms10e Chiyonokuni Kokonoe 29 5 5-1 Ms11e Jokoryu Kise 31 7 3-3 Ms11w Kizenryu Kise 34 10 4-2 Ms13w Ryuko Onoe 21 4 kyujo Ms16w Seiro Shikoroyama 31 3 5-1 Ms19e Kitaharima Yamahibiki 33 15 3-3 Ms24w Nionoumi Yamahibiki 33 40 1-5 Ms31e Sagatsukasa Irumagawa 38 36 4-2 Ms31w Kagamio Kagamiyama 32 23 4-2 Ms38w Asahisho Tomozuna 30 17 3-1-2 Ms39w Keitenkai Onomatsu 30 45 2-4 Ms42e Takaryu Kise 27 28 kyujo Ms44w Gagamaru Kise 33 2 4-2 Ms45w Ichiyamamoto Nishonoseki 26 2 4-2 Ms46w Amakaze Oguruma 28 12 2-4 Ms47e Tokushinho Kise 35 26 2-4 Ms48e Higonojo Kise 35 35 6-0 Sd30w Ura Kise 27 13 2-4 Sd33e Kaonishiki Azumazeki 41 51 4-2 Sd45w Masunoyama Chiganoura 29 30 2-4 Sd57w Yoshiazuma Tamanoi 42 33 3-3 Sd96e Dairaido Takadagawa 39 81 kyujo Jd28w Hitenryu Tatsunami 35 51 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,663 Posted March 20, 2020 (edited) Day 13 (results, text-only results) 11-2 Ye Hakuho, Yw Kakuryu, M13w Aoiyama 10-3 Se Asanoyama, M3w Mitakeumi, M9e Takanosho 9-4 --- Bad sumo by Aoiyama today, going for a pulldown against Takanosho instead of the forward-moving sumo he'd been successful with so far. The yokozuna duo chasing him down did better, although only Kakuryu looked truly in control of his aite Takakeisho, while Hakuho engaged in more awkward sumo (awkward by his standards, at least) against fellow pursuer Asanoyama. The ozeki promotion challenger thus continues to find himself one win off the pace, alongside Takanosho as well as Mitakeumi, who showed patient sumo in dispatching Takarafuji. Nobody stands at 9-4 now due to complete defeat of the trio of rikishi - Takarafuji, Ishiura, Kaisei - who entered the day at 8-4. It doesn't matter for the yusho race anyway, of course, since a Hakuho-Kakuryu match is still to come which will push the yusho score to a minimum of 12-3. Kakuryu is the only yusho contender who didn't go 1-1 across the last two days, and in fact he's on the longest current winning streak, not having lost in 7 days. No other makuuchi rikishi has more than 3 straight wins. The first lower sanyaku spot has been spoken for now after Shodai secured his 7th win against Abi, surviving another series of head-based offense by his opponent. (Thrusts rather than yesterday's Hakuho slaps, though.) Komusubi Endo also improved his record to 7-6 with victory over fellow Ishikawa native (and same middle school alum) Kagayaki. Mitakeumi's 10th win has made him the current frontrunner for promotion to sanyaku, although heavily dependent on the fact that top-ranked maegashira Daieisho still isn't kachikoshi after his third straight loss, today against Enho. Two other hopefuls were matched up in Okinoumi-Yutakayama, with both now on 7-6 as well after Okinoumi's victory. 11-2 Hakuho Y Kakuryu 11-2 6-7 Takakeisho O --- 10-3 Asanoyama S Shodai 7-6(x) 3-10 Hokutofuji K Endo 7-6 7-6 Daieisho M1 7-6 Okinoumi M2 7-6 Yutakayama M3 Mitakeumi 10-3 M4 M5 Onosho 8-5 M6 Kagayaki 7-6 (x) 8-5 Takarafuji M7 M8 10-3 Takanosho M9 ... M13 Aoiyama 11-2 With this basho's complex yusho race, the schedulers made the unusual decision to delay the creation of the Day 14 schedule, and when it finally came out we were presented with a deviation from the standard approach after all: No Hakuho-Takakeisho meeting this basho, and instead we're getting Hakuho-Aoiyama, the fourth time in the senior yokozuna's career that he's facing a double digit-ranked maegashira opponent. Takakeisho will face Onosho instead in a must-win match to avoid makekoshi. If he does go MK, it's probably safe to say that he will be passed over as Asanoyama's Day 15 opponent in favour of Aoiyama as well. I'm less sure what they will do if he's 7-7. In any case, for Day 14 Asanoyama is of course meeting co-leader Kakuryu, and he'll need to defeat the yokozuna to retain his yusho hopes. A win would likely also make for a strong argument in favour of his ozeki promotion. We'll definitely be down to at most five yusho contenders after Day 14 as 10-3 duo Mitakeumi and Takanosho were also paired up, giving us a complete set of head-to-head matches among the top 6. Shohozan should finally be safe from demotion after a mono-ii decided a close and messy match finish against Tokushoryu in his favour. Two other rikishi also likely clinched their top division spots for the next basho: Shimanoumi continued his dominance over Ishiura (H2H now 4-0), while Chiyomaru prevailed over an astonishingly ineffective Tochiozan. The makuuchi veteran of 13 years is almost certain to be demoted to juryo again, even if he somehow finds two shiroboshi on the weekend. Recently returned Daiamami dropped to makekoshi against Sadanoumi and will probably see his latest top division stint end again after just one basho. Nishikigi defeated upper-ranked Myogiryu in a bit of a surprise, winning his fourth match in five days, and can now save himself with one more successful day. Young Kotonowaka posted his fourth straight loss, however, this time against Ikioi, and continues to seek his KK- and rank-clinching win. (I wonder how Kintamayama felt about that particular matchup?) Over in juryo it's actually getting rather crowded in the promotion field now after leading trio Terunofuji, Kotoeko and Kotoshoho all secured promotable records, and Kotoyuki and Wakatakakage moved to within one win of theirs. With only three open slots in makuuchi so far - still assuming that absent Takayasu isn't at risk - it's thus not yet possible to declare anybody as a certain promotee. (o) 3-10 Shohozan M8 M9 M10 Tochiozan 1-12 (~) ... M14 Nishikigi 5-8 (1)(x) 1-4-8 Tsurugisho M15 Chiyomaru 7-4-2 (o)(2) 5-8 Azumaryu M16 Shimanoumi 7-6 (o)(1) 6-7 Meisei M17 Daiamami 5-8 (~)(1) 7-6 Kotonowaka M18 --- (1) 7-6 Kotoyuki J1 Hidenoumi 5-8 (x)(~) 6-7 Chiyoshoma J2 Wakatakakage 8-5 (1)(0) 9-4 Terunofuji J3(2) 8-5 Tobizaru J4(0) 10-3 Kotoeko J5 Kyokushuho 7-6 (~)(0) 11-2 Kotoshoho J6 J7(x) 8-5 Kyokutaisei J8 If only Akiseyama could be facing 180+ kg opponents every day... A typically lengthy battle with Mitoryu resulted in the bottom-ranker's 7th win, and he just might manage to stay in juryo after all - I sure didn't think he'd be getting that opportunity back at 2-5 a week ago. Both these rikishi will need one more win now. The same is true for Akua after he snapped his 6-day losing streak against Chiyonoumi today. Yago also won again after six disappointing days, his opponent Daishoho proving even less capable of holding his ground. Yago still requires two more wins, though. Takagenji should be safe, on the other hand, having improved his score to 6-7 against Daishomaru. Asagyokusei is now certain to be headed back to makushita - an overeager tachiai by him resulted first in a semi-henka sidestep and then an audible sigh of relief by his opponent Kotodaigo, who secured his possibly promotion-clinching kachikoshi. J6 Akua 3-10 (1)(1) 3-10 Mitoryu J7 J8 J9(2) 4-9 Yago J10 Takagenji 6-7 (o) J11 J12 Asagyokusei 3-10 (x) J13 Tomokaze kyujo (x) J14 Akiseyama 7-6 (1) Ms1 Ms2 Kotodaigo 4-3(o) 5-1 Asabenkei Ms3 Fujiazuma 4-2 4-2 Chiyonoo Ms4 Ms5 It remains to be seen if Kotodaigo's four wins will be enough to get promoted; currently he's reliant on both Fujiazuma and Chiyonoo failing to get a fifth win. Further slots opening up in juryo could also help his cause, naturally. The Day 14 schedule sees Asabenkei go against Jokoryu as expected, while Fujiazuma is getting the call in juryo against Yago. A Fujiazuma win here would see him promoted for sure as he'd be moving up to #2 in the promotion queue. (Leaving aside that it would also make Yago demotable, which will be more relevant to Kotodaigo and Chiyonoo's chances of promotion.) Edited March 20, 2020 by Asashosakari 4 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,663 Posted March 21, 2020 Juryo yusho race through Day 13: 11-2 J6e Kotoshoho 10-3 J5e Kotoeko 9-4 J3e Terunofuji, J12e Hakuyozan Four rikishi were two wins off the pace, and three of them failed to pick up the win on Day 13, so only Terunofuji retained his shot at the yusho. He's still trailing by two, of course, as one of the losing 8-4 rikishi, Chiyootori, did so against leading Kotoshoho. His Sadogatake stablemate Kotoeko returned to his winning ways against rookie sekitori Midorifuji, looking more like his dominant self from up to Day 10 again. Erstwhile co-pursuer Hakuyozan found himself defeated by Terunofuji to leave both at 9-4. Terunofuji has faced all three fellow contenders already, but Hakuyozan can still meet both Sadogatake rikishi. We're getting neither of those two pairings for Day 14 though: J5e Kotoeko (10-3) - J14w Akiseyama (7-6) J6e Kotoshoho (11-2) - J5w Kyokushuho (7-6) J4e Tobizaru (8-5) - J12e Hakuyozan (9-4) J3e Terunofuji (9-4) - J11e Wakamotoharu (8-5) Kyokushuho is the highest KK or KK-trending rikishi that Kotoshoho can still face. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,663 Posted March 22, 2020 (edited) Day 14 (results, text-only results) 12-2 Ye Hakuho, Yw Kakuryu 11-3 M13w Aoiyama, M9e Takanosho 10-4 Se Asanoyama, M3w Mitakeumi And so this empty arena tournament is coming down to that most prized finish, a winner-takes-all bout to close out the basho. Not sure too many of us would have expected that a few days ago. Both yokozuna prevailed over their lower ranked co-contenders, although only Hakuho had an easy time with Aoiyama (as he usually does). The outcome of Kakuryu-Asanoyama has already been debated elsewhere, so I won't rehash that here except to say that it was a very close decision that has kept the junior yokozuna in the joint lead. The third match among yusho contenders saw Takanosho continue his excellent basho with victory over joi maegashira Mitakeumi, although the later results served to eliminate him from the race anyway. Asanoyama's ozeki hopes appear to have come down to the very last day now, where he is facing incumbent Takakeisho after all. The ozeki managed to defeat fellow young guy Onosho to grab his 7th win and enter senshuraku on the KK/MK bubble. I'm still inclined to think that an Asanoyama win would see him promoted, not least because to not do so would risk having no ozeki at all after the next basho. Conversely, it appears likely that finishing on only 10 wins (and with three straight losses) won't be doing it. We know the identity of at least one sekiwake for the next basho now anyway, after Shodai secured his kachikoshi against Takarafuji. As it stands we have no less than four candidates to join him: It might be Asanoyama, it might be Endo who wasn't able to grab his own KK against Abi but might still do so tomorrow, or a maegashira could make the direct move to the third-highest rank. Top-ranked Daieisho should be assured of at least a promotion to komusubi, having clinched the winning record against Ryuden, but could be passed by Mitakeumi if a sekiwake promotion is possible. Mitakeumi could still find himself stuck in the maegashira ranks altogether, on the other hand, although they might be willing to open up an extra slot if Asanoyama doesn't go up to ozeki and we'd otherwise be stuck with a 7-man sanyaku. On the flipside it also remains possible that as many as three lower sanyaku slots will need to be filled. There's no shortage of candidates for slot #3 either, with Okinoumi, Yutakayama, Onosho and even low-ranked Takanosho in the mix. 12-2 Hakuho Y Kakuryu 12-2 7-7 Takakeisho O --- 10-4 Asanoyama S Shodai 8-6(x) 4-10 Hokutofuji K Endo 7-7 (o) 8-6 Daieisho M1 7-7 Okinoumi M2 7-7 Yutakayama M3 Mitakeumi 10-4 M4 M5 Onosho 8-6 M6(x) 8-6 Takarafuji M7 M8 11-3 Takanosho M9 ... M13 Aoiyama 11-3 With Hokutofuji deep in makekoshi territory his expected senshuraku matchup with sekiwake Shodai has been scrapped and he won't be part of the sanyaku soroibumi with the participants of the last three bouts now; Shodai will face Takanosho instead, Hokutofuji gets equally underperforming Shohozan. The rather more important matches at the end of Day 15 will be Takakeisho-Asanoyama and Hakuho-Kakuryu, of course. It took five days, but top division rookie Kotonowaka has earned his debut kachikoshi at last. With the recent losing streak he has almost certainly played himself out of any sansho considerations though. Kotonowaka's opponent today was Nishikigi, who remains on the bubble for tomorrow. Daiamami and Azumaryu both fell to 5-9, against Tamawashi and Tochiozan respectively, and should be impossible to keep in makuuchi now. Tochiozan has likely left things too late, given the strong list of promotion candidates in juryo. Meisei produced his fourth win in five days, today against Ishiura, and is ordinarily safe by the numbers at 7-7. However, with the spectre of either the M18e slot disappearing or a possible overdemotion to make room for all worthy juryo rikishi, he's well advised to go for kachikoshi tomorrow. And so, despite at least 4 makuuchi slots available already, it's still impossible to call things for any of the juryo contenders. Even Terunofuji, now with 10 wins at J3, could conceivably find himself as low as #5 in the promotion queue if top-ranked Kotoyuki clinches the last minute kachikoshi. M10 Tochiozan 2-12 (~) ... M14 Nishikigi 5-9 (1)(x) 1-4-9 Tsurugisho M15(x) 5-9 Azumaryu M16(0) 7-7 Meisei M17 Daiamami 5-9 (x)(o) 8-6 Kotonowaka M18 --- (1) 7-7 Kotoyuki J1(~) 7-7 Chiyoshoma J2 Wakatakakage 9-5 (0)(0) 10-4 Terunofuji J3(1) 9-5 Tobizaru J4(0) 10-4 Kotoeko J5 Kyokushuho 8-6 (~)(0) 11-3 Kotoshoho J6 None of the 8 juryo rikishi are paired up for senshuraku, so there's an untold number of ways this race could end up going. Up in makuuchi Meisei is going against fellow 7-7 Kagayaki, while Nishikigi is facing 6-8 Sadanoumi. The juryo demotion race has finished up a day early. Heavyweight trio Akua, Mitoryu and Akiseyama all secured their salaried spots, Akiseyama is even KK for the first time in 9 juryo appearances. Yago, on the other hand, is very likely headed down to makushita now after losing a long and hard-fought match against makushitan Fujiazuma - the assist he was given by the banzuke committee last time has not helped after all. 32-year-old Fujiazuma will be returning to juryo for the first time since Haru 2017. All that's left to be settled here is the identity of the third promotee who will join Asabenkei and Fujiazuma: For now it's still Kotodaigo in line for the honours, but Chiyonoo could move ahead if he defeats Takagenji (J10w 6-8) tomorrow. Of course, with as many deteriorating sekitori as we're having these days, a sudden intai announcement by somebody can't be ruled out, which would open up space for both Kotodaigo and Chiyonoo. (Or perhaps even for Yago...) Asabenkei ended his promotion campaign with an untroubled win over Jokoryu and has finished with impressive 6 wins. J6 Akua 4-10 (o)(o) 4-10 Mitoryu J7 J8 J9(x) 4-10 Yago J10 J11 J12 Asagyokusei 4-10 (x) J13 Tomokaze kyujo (x) J14 Akiseyama 8-6 (o) Ms1 Ms2 Kotodaigo 4-3(o) 6-1 Asabenkei Ms3 Fujiazuma 5-2 (o) 4-2 Chiyonoo Ms4 Ms5 Edited March 24, 2020 by Asashosakari 2 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eikokurai 3,437 Posted March 22, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Asashosakari said: I'm still inclined to think that an Asanoyama win would see him promoted, not least because to not do so would risk having no ozeki at all after the next basho I think this is a key consideration if he wins today and Takakeisho enters May kadoban. Setting Asanoyama a new target for May risks him not hitting it and putting the Kyokai in a very awkward spot, particularly if he not only misses the target but does so badly that his Ozeki run is reset to zero. It may seem unlikely on current form, but you never know in sumo. He could makekoshi and be forced to start all over again in July ... and then where would we be? No Ozeki and not even a candidate in waiting. All would hinge on Takakeisho getting 10 as an ‘Ozekiwake’ just to have one guy at the rank. If I were in the Kyokai, I’d take Asanoyama’s current numbers as they are and promote him rather than roll the dice. He’s managed four double-digits in a row in joi and sanyaku. Even taking away the fusen wins he’s averaging ten a basho at this level. His one makekoshi in the past year was a still quite respectable 7-8. Before that was his yusho. The Kyokai *need* to promote someone and everything is aligned to give them a perfectly good reason to promote Asanoyama. 33/45 is a benchmark that’s supposed to indicate consistency across multiple basho. For me, 40/60 (fusen excluded) demonstrates consistency just as clearly. Edited March 22, 2020 by Eikokurai Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
specialweek 2 136 Posted March 22, 2020 So if doesn't meet the number next basho it would put him in the category of so many before him that they were promoted prematurely. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eikokurai 3,437 Posted March 22, 2020 (edited) 7 minutes ago, specialweek 2 said: So if doesn't meet the number next basho it would put him in the category of so many before him that they were promoted prematurely. Not necessarily. A rikishi can fail for a whole number of reasons. What if he gets injured? What if he’s just demotivated after being denied promotion? What if he gets coronavirus? He could also just, you know, have one off basho in five. There’s a reason they usually measure consistency across just three tournaments and not more. Sumo is a tough sport and hitting 10+ wins five basho in a row is hard, especially in joi/sanyaku. The fact he’s already done it in four is an achievement in itself. Edited March 22, 2020 by Eikokurai 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Katooshu 3,334 Posted March 22, 2020 (edited) This discussion makes me wonder who took the most consecutive losses right before their ozeki promotion...I think it's a few who are tied for 2. Asa could be a new record holder if they do promote him anyway. Edited March 22, 2020 by Katooshu Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dapeng 236 Posted March 22, 2020 12 minutes ago, specialweek 2 said: So if doesn't meet the number next basho it would put him in the category of so many before him that they were promoted prematurely. Sure, Takakeisho is already a big disappointment. But I have a feeling that Asanoyama will make a better ozeki than Takakeisho. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eikokurai 3,437 Posted March 22, 2020 (edited) But Takakeisho wasn’t promoted prematurely. He got 34/45 wins in junior sanyaku. Actually, he managed to hit the usual target twice. No leniency was shown to him. His promotion was deserved without question. Edited March 22, 2020 by Eikokurai 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,663 Posted March 22, 2020 24 minutes ago, Katooshu said: This discussion makes me wonder who took the most consecutive losses right before their ozeki promotion...I think it's a few who are tied for 2. Correct. Fifteen-bout era: Daikirin Aki 1970Takanohana Aki 1972Wakamisugi Hatsu 1977Musashimaru Hatsu 1994Takayasu Natsu 2017 (Also Mienoumi Nagoya 1976, but that was an automatic 10-5 repromotion.) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
