Tochinofuji

I like where this is going. A Kyokai Goon Squad, with representatives from each ichimon (complete with underlings), going out on degeiko hit jobs...

Agreed. No offence was meant by the joke, but I appreciate it may be taken as in poor taste. Sumo walks a tough line - too harsh on the discipline side is no longer acceptable (which is for the better in my books, both for sumo and for society), but a certain degree of perceived force is often required in such a physically tough environment. I feel like the classic military style of assigned manual labour around the Kokugikan, heya, etc., is likely the best that can be done with some candidates, along with suspension in short order. I also feel like Otani may need to be a bit of a test case. If you're being told off twice in one basho and it seems to have no effect, maybe you should sit out the next one. Hell, for this sort of behaviour I'd say a current and retroactive suspension of sorts would be helpful. We count this tournament as all losses for banzuke purposes, your yusho is revoked and playoffs done as necessary among the jun yusho takers to find the official yusho taker, and maybe you try not to be quite so outrageous next time.

This may warrant the full karaoke treatment.

That was my sense, but figured the more knowledgeable members here would know the actual deal. And I can't see the Kyokai being keen on the new-fangled "work from home" life.

As the person who may have started the side discussion, I agree I don't know that there would be a point. My only thought would be it would help formalize the recruiting pipeline and help solidify it as exclusive. From Miyagino's perspective, that might be advantageous, but may not be from the Kyokai's perspective. I didn't mean to imply that the scheme should be considered or would necessarily be beneficial; mentally I was approaching it more from the perspective of both formal ethics and job requirements - I didn't know whether a kabu-holder was permitted to have a formal role with amateur sumo clubs in that way.

Ahhh, that makes sense. I took it to mean current heya mates, not former ones. I should have at least checked the database before asking! Thank you!

Does the ban on same-heya bouts only apply to makuuchi? Or to sekitori? I (apparently quite incorrectly) thought it was a blanket ban outside of playoffs in all divisions.

What's "Send location" in Mongolian?

I'm also always wary of a rikishi relying too much on utchari. Like Goeido and his kubinage, while the utchari is an impressive throw it's a bit of a desperation move, indicating you've likely been on the losing end of the match up to the reversal. Not to say that Wakamotoharu is over-reliant on it at this point, but if I were to pick one over the other I'd stick with Wakatakakage's hazu-oshi style yorokiri.

Makes sense! I knew his dad was a coach there, but hadn't thought through Ishiura taking on a similar role as part of a greater Miyagino strategy. Thank you! I suppose interesting aside, I wonder if it would be possible for Ishiura to obtain a kabu to stay on with the Kyokai in some capacity and still take on a coaching role. Likely unnecessary, but would add an interesting official connecton between Tottori and Miyagino stable or the broader Isegahama ichimon.

What do we know about his retirement plans? Has he secured a kabu?

While I like Wakamotoharu, I have to say as a big fan of Sadanoumi I was rooting against him. But with an utchari like that, I can't even be upset about it!

That's my understanding. They will simply keep adding to his run in terms of the record. Think of the record as being consecutively showing up for matches in which you would be allowed to participate. Any injured rikishi is welcome to participate in all of their matches, but is choosing not to. Tamawashi was not allowed to participate in the matches in question by the powers that be, and so they aren't relevant to his streak.

Clearly Isegahama needs to read the first several volumes of Hinomaru-sumo.

You mean to say I've been excommunicated for my misdeeds over a joke? Oh the humanity!