Tochinofuji

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.

To me it makes sense. It's less about "fairness" of competition than it is with the integrity of competition, the organization, and its members. Many, if not most, amateur sports organizations have codes of conduct, and Organization A recognizing that expulsion from Organization B means you would have been expelled from Organization A had you been a member at the time is both rational and prudent. There may well be exceptional cases, and those can be dealt with based on their facts through the discretionary power the IFS undoubtedly has.

Thankfully the Ganryujima rules aren't standard MMA, and generally have a ringout rule allowing rikishi to do a bit better than they tend to do in organizations like RIZIN - three push outs in a round while one fighter remains in the ring is considered a match win. I actually really like what they do, even if I'd prefer a bit more ground work. Definitely a fun organization, and as far as options go it's likely the best one for him (even if it's not going to set up much of a career).

Another solid article by John Gunning: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2024/08/21/sumo/sumo-nfl-style-changes/

I can say, I used BuySumoTickets to purchase tickets for Hatsu 2019, and found their service was excellent. Will definitely use them in the future, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

I think it was a little unfortunate that a close technique like that won as it was otherwise a great match. In sumo terms, I think it would definitely be a torinaoshi and the match should have continued. However, on judo rules it was a clear kouchi counter to Murao's tani otoshi attempt that landed Murao on his butt and side, with Bekauri being close to chest on to the mat. Fairly clean wazaari leading to the awasete ippon in my books.

I thought it was because Rouga bowed and was heading to leave effectively before Oshouma was ready to bow himself. The gyoji likely wanted them to bow to each other/sync up on that front. That said I just watched the digest and so may not have seen the wide angle of the first bow. (ignore the tag below: I tried to say it was Kintamayama's digest, but the tagging process seems to have caused my browser to throw a fit and now won't let me delete the tag! @Kintamayama@Kintamayam@Kintamayama's@Kintamayama@Kintamayam@Kintamayama's)

I must say it's been great to see Wakatakakage back in makuuchi, however since his return it seems like his footwork is still just a step behind where it was when he was tearing it up as a sekiwake. I appreciate this is likely a consequence of a bit of ring rust and getting the confidence back on his knee, but it really would be great to see him keep his feet under himself a bit more and get a touch of his old stability back.

I can see it cutting either way, but I feel like the marketing/narrative preference is a passing of the torch rather than it being dropped and the next guy happening by to pick it up. Ultimately though, I think it's a narrative that likely really only matters to those of us to whom they really don't need to market. Those of us that care are already invested, and those they would need to win over likely aren't phased by the presence or lack of a yokozuna. But I may also underestimate the economic importance of more casual or passing fans.

I mean, aside from probably another 6 months to a year of yokozuna pay? I feel like they do want a competing yokozuna, but no yokozuna at all feels like it brings its own problems. I think there would be a certain acceptance of him hanging around symbolically. That said, this wouldn't be the first and won't be the last time I've misread such things (assuming I'm wrong) so I wouldn't exactly wager a steak on my take. Addendum: for clarity, I don't mean to say that he'd be hanging around to milk the NSK for cash or implying anything untoward in that respect - I think it would be about the symbolism of having a yokozuna in place. The paycheque just doesn't hurt.

I think there's a good chance we won't see him complete another basho again if he does get his 10th yusho, but also think we're more likely to see him waiting in the wings and going kyujo for a while so he can fill the role of a yokozuna off the dohyo until someone else steps up to take the rope, rather than an immediate retirement.