Tochinofuji

I think many, myself included, would argue the opposite. They could absolutely force his retirement, in part because Abi was a warning about how seriously the rule was to be taken, and moreover Asanoyama was an ozeki when he broke it. Prior warning and higher position made a forced retirement a real possibility. I think his popularity and his very real potential to become the next Japanese yokozuna stayed their hand, rather than any thought as to the Abi precedent (which as I say above may well have cut the other way at any rate).

I would generally agree, but to me the wild card is the yusho. To my mind, it adds that extra bonus to make a 32 win run work (or even 31). See: Chiyotaikai, Musashimaru, and Onokuni who all had a single digit tournament in their run and less than 33 wins overall. I appreciate none had their yusho, douten, or jun-yusho in the first of the three tournaments, and the older precedents may not be all that persuasive, but it adds some weight to the argument the 33 win standard is flexible when there's that something extra. There's also Asanoyama, who had 32 and a jun-yusho, but all three tournaments being double digit wins.

While I think it's more likely just a bad call, one thing that may support you here is it has seemed like there have been a few matches lately where a rikishi's foot has turned over while falling at the edge, allowing the top of the foot to touch before the opponent went down or out. I remember once upon a time at least in descriptions of the rules to be enough to end a match. Maybe less so now? (All very much a reach I think, but hey, that's half the fun!)

I have to say, I love that kabuto kesho-mawashi.

As the father of a soon-to-be four month old, can confirm Sumo Counting is in the regular rotation. We also have Sumo Opposites, but as it doesn't have sentences, etc., it gets a bit less play.

I'm quite interested to hear the discussion, but have little to add of my own. My understanding was always that it was a horizontal plane - that is, if the dohyo extended outward indefinitely (or was just flush on the ground) and you would have hit the dirt, but didn't solely by virtue of the fact that the vertical edge of the dohyo needs to be somewhere, you've broken the plane and out to have lost the match. That said, as you note there seem to be a lot of matches where is clear one rikishi crossed the plane before the other hit the actual dirt and didn't lose, so I've always been somewhat confused about the references to it as it doesn't seem to be a rule. But am interested to get the more experienced members' take on things as it is referenced not infrequently.

I mean, to be fair, anything other than "we're having him treat his injury by mounting the dohyo and gambarizing" in the sumo world does sound like the application of some sort of proprietary secret sauce (yogurt-based or otherwise).

Not sure how that is disrespectful. A lot of gyms with a BJJ side will have pictures up of Kano Jigoro and then Maeda Mitsuyo, followed by the particular Brazilian lineage in question. Usually on a wall, sure, but as Katooshu stated featuring the pictures is a sign of respect of the roots of the arts (both BJJ and MMA) and the role Kano and his students, both direct and descendent, have played in them.

Can someone remind me the name for the staggered stance that Wakamotoharu takes at the shikirisen? I recall it was once seen as a "sign of greatness" or some such thing, but can't remember where. And well done to Sadanoumi for executing a textbook judo uchimata-sukashi to counter Akua's kakenage attempt. Just beautiful. Interesting that it's effectively it's own kimarite of sorts in judo, but a more pedestrian-sounding yoritaoshi here.

Just to build on my previous analysis, as we know Takanofuji lost to Shoma Shibisai in what was seen as the former rikishi's first real challenge. Shoma recently had another match in Rizin for the usually New Year's Eve show, taking on Hideki "Shrek" Sekine. Shoma lost that latest match by referee stoppage due to being grounded and pounded by Shrek in the second round. While it sounds like Shoma was winning solidly until he wasn't, he ultimately lost to a 48 year old with a generally limited skill set. Please don't get me wrong, I am a big fan of Shrek, and love watching him grapple both gi and no-gi. He's an excellent pure grappler, and I highly recommend watching his grappling matches. But as an MMA fighter, he's...not excellent, and feels like a throwback to when a good grappler could win without ever learning any real striking skills. While he's done fine in Japan, internationally he's appeared in One Championship on three occasions, and lost all three outings (including suffering one of the promotion's fastest knockout ever against Alan Ngalani). All that to say, the domestic heavyweight MMA talent pool in Japan is pretty shallow, and while Takanofuji may do fine there, have some fun, and make some money, he's not likely to be a fighter of any real note (even allowing for some improvement in his skills). While one can't conclude that because A beat B, and B beat C, A can beat C, it's at least a starting point analytically. Caveat as before: none of the above is intended to be dismissive or belittling, and a passable career as a pro fighter is impressive in its own right regardless of ultimate relative success. Also, having trained with a few MMA fighters in the past I am well aware any of the fighters discussed here would smash me.

To celebrate what would have been Wakanohana I's 85th birthday is my recollection there as well (which looks like it was a couple days earlier).

I've always felt it seems more post-hoc justification than legitimate rule application. It applies when it achieves the desired result, and it sure won't stand in the way if the gunbai pointed the way the MIB wanted. Not that I mind a bit of discretion, but I feel like calling it a "rule" might oversell it a bit.

That is in line with my take. He'll be a passable sideshow heavyweight in the mostly domestic scene. But for him being an ex-rikishi, you likely wouldn't hear of him. I don't anticipate him "making it" and moving internationally to One, Bellator, and certainly not the UFC. He simply doesn't have the skills or athleticism. I also don't see him taking a Rizin championship, but the heavyweight division in a lot of Japanese organizations tends to be very thin. Not that there is anything wrong with any of that in the slightest. Just like "only" making it to Juryo isn't something to sneer at, having your name known as a fighter regionally is nothing to scoff at. I don't like the guy given his attitude, but I certainly respect his willingness to get into the MMA ring and compete. He may be being fed some cans, and there's always the spectre of matchfixing, but for the most part he's throwing down with guys looking to knock him out, and that takes some guts.

I'm not sure about the Japanese context, but at least in other countries, the prosecution has a number of alternative measures available other than pursuing charges. This can involve an individual agreeing to abide by certain restrictions, engaging in voluntary community service, etc., in return for prosecution not being pursued. Failure to abide by the terms of the agreement means that charges on the underlying offence can/will be pursued. Often used for first time non-violent offenders to see about preventing future offences without unduly harming societal prospects (which often encourages rather than discourages future offences). Not that there is any evidence this is what happened here, and assuming such alternative or diversionary measures are available in Japan, but simply pointing out that just because charges aren't being pursued doesn't mean that some action hasn't been taken of which the public isn't being made aware.

Interesting, as to my mind it would be the opposite. The endowment kabu would undoubtedly remain a rare thing available to only high performers (in the ring at least), and by removing the limit you remove the clog - "do nothing" oyakata can't clog the system by sitting on the limited number of kabu, preventing others from entering. (As an aside, I appreciate my version of the clog is theoretical, I don't know of any qualified rikishi unable to obtain stock due to lack of availability, but I'm not exactly a fount of knowledge on the matter)