Next Japanese and gaijin Ozeki?

[yamaneko 2]

Who will be promoted next? Im guessing with all the ozeki now, its going to be harder to get the 33 wins or whatever is the minimum.

For Gaijins, i think baruto might be next...roho and kokkai just havent shown that they can compete at that level. Baruto of course hasnt proven much yet, but the zensho yusho juryo have only been accomplished by future ozeki/yokozuna if im not mistaken. Ama i dont think can do it, sekiwake i think might be his peak. None of the other mongolians either i dont think as far as asaseki, and tokitenku, etc.

For Japanese, i really dont know. Dont think miyabiyama and kotomitsuki have a run in them. Kisenosato is always up and down, i cant see him doing it for a few years.

Regardless, i think that kaio and/or chiyotaki will retire before we see a new ozeki.

[Jejima 1,415]

I want to say Baruto for the gaijin, but I fear I may be jumping on his bandwagon a little early. I think after three basho or so in Makunouchi we may have a clearer idea of his potential.

I'm starting to think (joining others (Dribbling...)) that maybe the Miyabiflobmonster may be the best bet amongst the current Japanese ranked at the top....

[Fay 1,677]

I still believe in Roho, he should make it back to Sanyaku with the aim of getting Ozeki (Scratching chin...)

For the japanese site I take Miyabiyama (no plob and flop and no monster (On the banzuke...) ) and in the very near future Kotoshogiku (Carried away on a stretcher...)

[Blue_Wolf 24]

Baruto is next BIG "thing" in sumo world. No wonder, no doubt about it! He's just that good.

[Kishinoyama 596]

I of course will choose Baruto for the next gaijin Ozeki (what a shock huh?). As for the next Japanese Ozeki, that is a tough one. I think I will go with Kisenosato even though he has not lived up to the hype so far. (Carried away on a stretcher...)

[Cammy 0]

Well I have to give it to Miyabiyama for Japanese and Gaijin I guess I would go with Baruto.

[Zuikakuyama 1]

I dont think Miyabiyama has in him to make 33 wins. He will be a steady sanyaku competitor like Takatoriki & Akinoshima (as will be the case with Mickey and Wakanosato).

I wouldn't like to guess anyone (either foreign or Japanese) who would be the next ozeki. It is way to early, but the best rigth now seems to be Baruto (foeign) and Kisenosato (Japanese).

[aderechelsea 125]

personally i cannot think of anyone at this point.

Maybe Baruto but i cannot say with confidence since i have rarely seen him fight.

from the Japanese crop it looks more like a makushita rikishi might bloom rather than the Blob. Kisenosato needs to get a joi-jin KK before i even consider him as an Ozeki wannabe ....

but anyway ... 5 Ozekis are fine for now, no rush to get a 6th.

[Bishonohana 0]

:'-( This is sad to say, but I'll say it... I can't think of anyone that good at this current stage to be the next Ozeki. (Help me...)

Like aderechelsea said, we have enough for now, unless some Ozeki retires... ;-)

[Flying_Monkey 0]

I don't know about next... but both Baruto and Homasho will get there eventually. Miyabiyama... no. Kisenosato... maybe.

I can't stand either Roho or his brother's sumo. They both have this tendency to look like they have no idea what they are doing on too many occasions. I think Hakurozan is more naturally talented, but neither will get to Ozeki ever...

[kaiguma 0]

Ama Rocks!!! ;-) and I think he can make it to Ozeki in the next 6 tourneys if he really busts his tail . . . and he has been. He's made amazing headway in only a few basho. My question: where have all the 'Soup' Rikishi gone?

As for Japanese Ozeki, Wakanosato (Help me...) could be there on the Hatsu Banzuke, no prob. Don't believe me, let's see how he does in the next couple of weeks. I predict another double-digit performance.

[sildan 0]

As for Japanese Ozeki, Wakanosato (Help me...) could be there on the Hatsu Banzuke, no prob. Don't believe me, let's see how he does in the next couple of weeks. I predict another double-digit performance.

It'll be really interesting to see if Wakanosato has got his game back fully. Four great basho in a row is a lot to ask from a guy finally getting close to his proper place on the banzuke after a nasty injury.... It'll be good to have him back, though.

I'd probably have to pick Kisenosato (I like the young guys), but I don't think we'll see it for a while. Maybe if Kaio and Chiyotaikai retire soon, Wakanosato will step up.

Ama as Ozeki! That would rock (he the most entertaining one out there), but I just don't know if he has the size. Perhaps guts and spirit can make up for it. If I had to say, it'd be Baruto (since I'm not a fan of Roho or Hakurozan, and I don't know that Kokkai will learn his footwork), but he's got to prove himself in the division first.

Edited May 3, 2006 by sildan

[Asashosakari 19,667]

As for Japanese Ozeki, Wakanosato ;-) could be there on the Hatsu Banzuke, no prob. Don't believe me, let's see how he does in the next couple of weeks. I predict another double-digit performance.

It'll be really interesting to see if Wakanosato has got his game back fully. Four great basho in a row is a lot to ask from a guy finally getting close to his proper place on the banzuke after a nasty injury.... It'll be good to have him back, though.

I'd be very surprised if we're going to see the Wakanosato of two or three years ago once more. He was beginning to look weaker against top competition even before his injury, and the top ranks are more competitive now than they were before his injury drop. And needless to say, the last two tournaments aren't really indicative of anything, given the reduced level of opposition.

Edited May 3, 2006 by Asashosakari

[Kaikitsune Makoto 209]

Kisenosato for sure.

Maybe Kotooshu can get back to ozeki when he gets demoted!

[Flying_Monkey 0]

Ama as Ozeki! That would rock (he the most entertaining one out there), but I just don't know if he has the size. Perhaps guts and spirit can make up for it.

I'd love to see it happen, but I think he is too lightweight. I hope I am proved wrong...

[Kishinoyama 596]

Ama as Ozeki! That would rock (he the most entertaining one out there), but I just don't know if he has the size. Perhaps guts and spirit can make up for it.

Yes! That would be great. I don't think he can make it but having him closer to the top of the Banzuke will make the matches he is in more exciting. He has more 'heart' than many of the guys in Makuuchi. Including some of the guys close to the top.... ;-)

[Mark Buckton 1]

when he entered makunouchi, Ama was the same weight as Taiho at the same point in his career. Thing is, Ama doesn't look like he has increased in size.

[BuBa 77]

when he entered makunouchi, Ama was the same weight as Taiho at the same point in his career. Thing is, Ama doesn't look like he has increased in size.

I hope in year or two he should be getting bigger. I mean they all do around 24-25, "bokemons" anyways.

[Sasanishiki 57]

when he entered makunouchi, Ama was the same weight as Taiho at the same point in his career. Thing is, Ama doesn't look like he has increased in size.

Ah, but a key factor here is the size of their bodies. Ama may not be able to put on much more weight because he is a small frame. He may be at the limit of size. How tall was Taiho (I'd suspect a fair bit taller than Ama)? If taller, then Taiho had a larger frame on which to put and carry weight.

[Asashosakari 19,667]

How tall was Taiho (I'd suspect a fair bit taller than Ama)?

Pretty much a wash. Taiho 1,87 - Ama 1,85.

[Kishinoyama 596]

Ah, but a key factor here is the size of their bodies. Ama may not be able to put on much more weight because he is a small frame. He may be at the limit of size. How tall was Taiho (I'd suspect a fair bit taller than Ama)? If taller, then Taiho had a larger frame on which to put and carry weight.

Good points. According to a website I looked at, Taiho is 187 cm tall. According to the sumo.goo website, Ama is 185 cm. I did not think Ama was that tall. Of course their is the big difference in weight. I'm sure Ama would like to gain some weight but I guess he just can't do it. Maybe if his metabolism slows down some, like mine ;-) , he can put on more weight.

EDIT: Asashosakari beat me to the punch (Eh?)

Edited May 3, 2006 by Kishinoyama

[Itachi 396]

Japanese? Miyabiyama was good enough to do it once and he is beginning to look good enough again. He just got 10 wins as komusubi and since his spirited efforts in the basho during which his father was dying, his competitive fires seem to have been rekindled. I doubt that he will actually earn another promotion but he looks as likely as anyone in the short term.

I have hoped for years that Wakanosato would put it together for long enough to make it and he has climbed back to joi after yet another setback. Maybe when Kaio and Chiyotaikai retire he will take a run at it again and actually get there.

Kisenosato seems to have potential but he hasn't done well enough in makuuchi for me to imagine him winning any yusho. He is very young so perhaps he will develop into a champion but I'm still waiting to see it.

Beyond them, I look to young rikishi like Kadomoto, Nakanishi, or Homasho.

Foreign? Baruto is an obvious selection. He seems unstoppable so far. Will he learn well enough to compete with the best for the yusho each tournament? Maybe. We'll have to wait and see.

I agree that Roho, Hakurozan, and Kokkai are not good enough to ever make it. They should be good competition around joi for a while though.

Wakanoho looks promising. How about a long shot for Gagamaru? Mokonami? I don't think Ama will be able to do it unless he gets bigger.

[Shimpu 0]

I think Kotoshogiku has everything Ozeki needs. Great frame, massive lower body. He is also quite young hence he has some time to improve. Kisenosato is also very well built and even younger. Tall, big and strong but I think Koto is more promising as for now. Foreigners? Hmm, Baruto. Big but I think it's not enough. I'm waiting for Natsu to see him in the "real world". (I am not worthy...)

Edited May 4, 2006 by Shimpu

[ikishima 0]

Right now we have one yokozuna and five ozeki. I get the impression that there is room for a yokozuna or two but it would be hard to fit more than six in the top two ranks (if Asa stays healthy).

I think back to the Akebono-Taka-Waka-Maru-Takanonami years. Taka, Waka and Takanonami did not have to fight eachother and there were enough wins to go around. Dejima and Taikai came up later as there were a few more injuries to the yokozuna and during the decline of Waka & Nami.

Assuming that everyone stays healthy (not likely), I don't think there are enough wins to go around for all of the ozeki plus any additional ones. If Kaio and Taikai falter...

BART is the most likely gaijin

and

I don't know about the Japanese, Mickey and Wakanosato are thirty this year and I thought they would both have made it by now. Both Musoyama and Kaio had been promoted by that age (I think). It is going to have to be someone younger and I just can't imagine who.

Edited May 4, 2006 by ikishima

[Zentoryu 154]

I agree with Ikishima, I doubt there will be another Ozeki promotion until either Kaio, Chiyotaikai or both exit stage right (which admittedly could be very soon).

When the time comes, it won't be Wakanosato, I think he's too old now and the competition for him in the top ranks is a lot stiffer than it used to be. I also seriously doubt that it will be Miyabiyama. Kisenosato has a lot of developing to do before he can be considered a serious threat for promotion. Kotoshogiku? Possibly.

As for the next gaijin Ozeki, I know I'm jumping on the bandwagon here, but it will probably be Baruto. He seems to have all the physical tools needed to make it to the top (amazingly fast for someone of his size). I just wonder how many people will jump off the Baruto bandwagon the second he has a rough basho... (I am not worthy...)

Anyway, the next few years should be an interesting time at the top of the rankings, as the last of the old guard (Kaio, Chiyo, Waka, etc) begin to step aside and the newbies start taking their places.

Edited May 4, 2006 by Zentoryu