Washuyama

I would consider it a "favorite 30" or "most popular 30" rather than a "top 30" as Endo, Ura and even Takamisakari are higher than a number of Yokozuna and Ozeki. As a extra, the show had a female panelist/guest list what I understand as the "most attractive" rikishi. (I'm not sure though as my understanding of Japanese is EXTREMELY limited)

For some people (not sure if this includes Hakuho), citizenship is a very personal and heartfelt thing. Renouncing all allegiances to what has been "home" must be very difficult. Especially if one thinks of themselves as a very patriotic person.

Maybe this guy will surge to that role...

I wonder if they are real mushrooms or fake like the food you see in front of restaurants. Assuming the latter, but this IS Japan...

Hak: "Mmmmmmmm, 'shrooms..."

Funny, to me, because it's about Japan too.

Another stat for Hakuho that is probably a record. He has had 79 Makuuchi basho and has earned either yusho (39) or jun-yusho (21). To come in 1st or 2nd in 75% of his top division basho, to me, is just insane. I checked a few others out of curiousity: Taiho - 63%, Asashoryu - 60%, Chiyonofuji - 51%, Futabayama - 51%, Takanohana II - 50%.

Those are his predictions. (Though, not out of the question). Officially, we'll find out Wednesday who gets promoted to Juryo as that's a change in "status" (now a sekitori and entitled to perks such as white keiko mawashi, tsukebito, no more chores and a few others). The rest of it is a mystery until the end of August when the Aki banzuke is released.

I think one of the reasons Chiyonofuji has the edge with whomever answered the poll is age. It's probably safe to sa the majority of sumo fans now are probably 50+ years old. That would make Chiyo most popular guy in their youth(or at least young adult years). The image of him has stuck and probably grown and would be nearly impossible for anyone to pass him. I also find it funny about the criticism of Hakuho. Wasn't it just a few years ago when "everybody" was saying "Why doesn't Asashoryu act more like Hakuho?" or similar sentiments. I remember somebody mentioning back then that Hakuho had the hinkaku of a Japanese yokozuna. My, how times have changed!

A lot of rikishi past and present fall into that category: Yamamotoyama, Konishiki as the obvious two. Even Yokozuna Onokuni could have been better a few kilos lighter.

While the basho is not over for Takayasu and he could mathematically still get 10 or 11 wins, 8 or 9 is probably more realistic. It is very hard to carry the momentum from the ozeki run straight into the next basho. Some are able to (ex. Hakuho - 14-1Y) and some aren't (ex. HMF, Kakuryu, Goeido - 8-7). I tend to discount the first basho after a Y or O promotion due to all the commitments required. I do kind of expect him to be "in the mix" for Aki, though.

I thought the same when he made ozeki (and Baruto before that). He's still young but I think his knees will keep him "mortal." (for lack of a better term)

Wow! for that kind of money for a new book it should contain a small video screen that reads the damn thing to you!

I agree. It probably will never be broken. Considering Futabayama's 69 rensho went from 1/1936 to 1/1939 (AND he went from M3e to Y in that span) and Hakuho's 63 went from 1/2011 to 11/2011. It appears bashos were only held in January and May in the 1930s. An ability for a sumotori to rest and heal for 7 months has to do wonders. On another note, I honestly wonder if this "new blood" in the joi has a future dai-yokozuna among them. We have been spoiled since the 1960s with an almost continuous presence of one. From Taiho (slight break in between) to Kitanoumi to Chiyonofuji to Takanohana to Asashoryu to Hakuho. (that's 172 yusho and counting among them). I personally would like a period with a number of very good yokozuna and ozeki before another great one emerges.