ryafuji

The main feeling I have at the end of this basho is a huge sense of relief that Kisenosato lives to fight another day. I dunno if Hakuho’s yusho was really zensho worthy. He looked a bit shaky on a couple of occasions. Still, it was an impressive comeback. Maybe taking a few basho off by withdrawing if he is just a little injured, with the odd yusho thrown in, will be the way he gets to 2020 and the Olympics.

I thought Takakeisho getting a kachikoshi for the first time in sanyaku deserved a kantosho. Yoshikaze perhaps lost votes due to his very low rank. Ryuden fell away rather badly.

I hope he can still get medical care back in Russia.

"My most memorable match? Aki 2001- I beat then Jonidan scrawny kid Hakuhou by abisetaoshi." And Hakuho survived?

Futabayama is the gold standard; he supposedly never made one in his entire career.

It has happened one other time in makuuchi. Chiyonofuji went 14-0 in March 1989 but had to withdraw on the final day after dislocating his shoulder throwing down Onokuni. He still won the yusho.

The highest quality opponent Kise has faced since his injury? I know Tochi has his own problems but I really think Kise will survive now. I had my doubts after seeing him blasted out by a 0-7 Tamawashi but maybe you can put that down to rustiness. It’s clear that Kise has lost a significant amount of strength but he seems to have enough to battle through this tournament at least.

They aren’t really comparable, as Osunaarashi didn’t fight any matches. They don’t usually relegate anyone who fought a yokozuna.

It’s two guys watching the monitor in fact, but I don’t think they can initiate a monoii - only the five ringside judges.

You should always copy from someone who has numbered them - then you'll know no-one is missing. Wow, kuroimori is short one too. That's three players!

Reported as an ankle injury in the English Kyodo News - I presume that's an error?

For the third time, I think.

Has a yokozuna ever intai'd midway through a basho which he began 3-0?

I don't think I've ever seen so many mono-ii in one day. Also can't decide if Kise is brilliant defensively or just lucky.

Clear win by Yoshikaze. Despite Chiyoshoma’s bewilderment there was no need for a mono ii.