Kashunowaka

And Tosanoumi, Tochinonada, Akinoshima... the guys who could beat anyone or lose to anyone on any given day. What would sumo be without them?

I'd be surprised to see *anyone* string together 3 successful basho for an ozeki return. It's only happened once before.

It's actually his 4th basho in makuuchi, day 2. So your memory is about right @RabidJohn.

Now is the time for you to do a Terunofuji. Gambatte!

Nah, as a former ozeki he doesn't qualify for the Next Ozeki moniker.

The next ozeki? Takanosho, obviously.

I am out of reactions so I'll just say welcome!

Could you then say - avoiding the double negative - that Miyabiyama's approval was animous?

Regarding 32 wins and ozeki promotion: out of 26 promotions in the last 30 years, 4 were after 32 wins and 3 of those in the 2010s. Shodai's case with 8-7 / 11-4 / 13-2Y is arguably stronger than 32-winners Kisenosato, Goeido and Asanoyama because of that yusho and going 13-2, which neither of the others did in their ozeki runs. It resembles Chiyotaikai's 9-6 / 10-5 / 13-2Y in 1999 a lot. If you get the chance to promote a sekiwake after a 13-2 yusho, you take it.

Of course! Didn't think of checking the original text, and I didn't read through the previous thread. Makes perfect sense (although it might be by accident). I'll try to stop thinking of that melody as a Christmas song.

Found the thread:

Odd choice of music when the cup is presented: Händels' music from the oratorio Judas Maccabeus, more known with the text "Tochter Zion, freue dich" (Daughter Zion, rejoice). I guess they just wanted a nice tune which everyone knows. Do they always play that?

I am delighted that Shodai managed to finish with 8 (!) straight wins and go 13-2. And Tobizaru has won everyone's heart.

We'll see about Kotonowaka... He didn't finish this basho well, I expected him to dominate juryo more. If he is cut from the same cloth as his father he will be a makuuchi regular and occasional sanyaku but not more. Edit: for the record, Kotonowaka senior was one of my favourites to watch. Perfect sumo body. Devastating uwatenage. Often ended up in bouts which got stuck several minutes. Perennial under-achiever.

Good sumo between Kotoeko ... eko ... eko and Takarafuji.

The wonderful thing with sumo is that should the unthinkable happen, e.g. 8-7 at M17 / 15-0 at M16 / 15-0 Ke, it is perfectly fine to break the "rules" and promote to ozeki from komusubi since there are no rules. It is also fine *not* to promote with 38 wins in 3 basho.

Another disappointing rikishi was Nishikifuji, who went from 7-3 to 7-8 in his sekitori debut.

And Oki does the Hoshitango and keeps his score unblemished.

And this means that Asashoryu also turns 40 today. Happy Birthday, Pierre!

W10e fought valiantly against Mitakeumi, who looked tentative. In the end Mita saved his sekiwake rank - good!

Takanosho has certainly earned his place in sanyaku. It will be interesting to see if he can stabilize his sumo on this level.

I don't think that helps, as at least two 11-2 rikishi should face each other tomorrow.

Agree.

And poster-boy Akiseyama at 35 does one of the best basho in his career.

Thank you!