Tochinofuji

Evidence would seem to suggest at least this far. No fuss yet, the basho has started, and the news cycle has moved. I would imagine that is this was an official appearance as a commentator the expectation that Wakamotoharu would need to interact with the talent to some degree was well understood. Plus, I don't think that it was a bad look for sumo, or would be perceived that way. He behaved perfectly well, he just refused to back down or not show his warrior spirit, as it were. Still, early days yet, but I would have thought if there was going to be any sort of public rebuke it would have happened already.

Daiseizan, J13w.

Interesting to me that Abi ended up ahead of Wakatakakage given the one rank difference in favour of WTK, as compared to the one win difference in favour of Abi, but I also haven't done any database searching for comparators.

I took it that the 13 and 14 win reference was to this basho, saying that both are good enough for them to be on runs next basho (it was said before the bouts on day 15). He wasn't setting a minimum number of wins to take the rope if either win the January basho. That said, the only thing worse than my reading and writing in Japanese is my speaking and listening, so would love for someone better versed than me to provide a summary!

I thought Kirishima seemed irritated that Takanosho slapped him around quite so much, but have to say - if you're not a yokozuna and open with a harite/harizashi, I'm not sure how irritated you should be getting that the other guy slaps back.

Tai, which my understanding is symbolic of "omedetai", meaning auspicious, etc., but basically "congratulations".

For the language nerds like me, for his four-kanji saying he went with 唯一無に, yui-itsu-mu-ni, meaning unique or one-and-only, stating 唯一無に力士を目指す, he aims to become a unique rikishi, or I suppose peerless, etc. (any corrections here would be most welcome!) Very much looking forward to how his career as ozeki and beyond unfolds!

I have to say, I wasn't his biggest fan, but he certainly earned a ton of credit in my books for his grit and determination to make as much of his body and style of sumo as he could. I also quite deeply respect his decisive and prompt retirement when he felt he could no longer perform as he wanted to. I'll certainly raise a glass to the exit of Takakeisho-zeki and the rise of Minatogawa-oyakata.

To be fair, Nishikigi was the destroyer of worlds a few basho back. He's not an opponent to take lightly.

From a distance it seems quite underwhelming, but up close I think it actually looks quite stellar.

Overall, about what one expected. No real MMA potential, and mediocre striking, but Terutsuyoshi showed solid durability when it came to eating some big shots, landed a few of his own, and threw a surprising leg kick or two. I also give him a lot of credit for standing and trading rather than more regularly going for just a straight push out. Ganryujima remains an unconventional sideshow organization, but a fun one that knows what it's about. A good choice for Terutsuyoshi to try something new, and hopefully make some money. I don't anticipate seeing any full transition to MMA, and hopefully it's either a one-and-done or at most he only makes the occasional Ganryujima appearance.

Will update with my commentary on the match later today so as not to spoil for those that want to watch the match without knowing the result.

Fight link here, intro begins at 57m45:

Like @Reonito, I tend to simply click "Unread Content" and read threads I'm interested in. In general I have no idea which subforum an individual thread is in. Accordingly it makes no difference to me, so I went with Britney Spears. That said, I do appreciate the rule-based approach of "if basho related, then basho", so if pressed would likely lean "yes".

Looks like we haven't had a komosubi promoted directly to ozeki since 1938, so would be interesting to see.