Morty

For me the fact that Takakeisho has even managed to get to a point where he has had two Yokozuna runs is staggering given he is only 5'8" tall in an open weight division, fighting some guys nearly a foot taller than him, and he's exclusively an oshi specialist. He's been Terunofuji's main rival during his second phase (ie return to Ozeki and Yok) despite the fact he's giving up 6 inches and 25 kilos to him. He's done it by piling on way more weight than his frame should carry, and as you say, going beyond what he is physically capable of. I reckon that's why he is never far away from getting injured. It must be hell on his knees. Just watching him climb on and off the dohyo this basho made me wince, and after one bout he looked like he was in so much pain he was about to cry. He is the ultimate overachiever given what nature has given him to work with and I have nothing but admiration for him as a result. I have no doubt all that damage he has done to his body in pursuit of something that should have been beyond a man his size, will make his post-sumo life pretty miserable. Imagine what he could have been if he was only four inches taller?

Does that make Asashoryu Ty Cobb?

I'm sorry to do this to you but after three years at war Ted Williams came back to the majors and had a slash line of .342/.497/.667 for and OPS of 1.164 with 38 homers, and was voted MVP. It was close to his best year ever. I don't know what his first at-bat that year was like but he sorted it out. Of course I'm not arguing that Asanoyama is Ted Williams.... I'm not sure even Hakuho was Ted Williams

Utchari!!!! That was awesome, absolutely loved it. Imagine being Hokoseiho thinking you've got that one won and then suddenly you're in the air and being flipped over. Wakamotoharu is the best Utchari exponent we have seen in years.

Yep, he's been shown up in a number of bouts by experienced quality wrestlers who know how to exploit opportunities given to them. It shows how significant the jump in quality is between the top and the bottom of the Maegashira ranks

Kinbozan struggling at this higher level and looking a bit lost. The jump in quality between M14 and M5 is huge and for the first time he's not finding it so easy and is looking at a losing record

Those two torinaoshi provided spectacular outcomes for the spectators, with the redo bouts being way more gripping than the originals. More than two for the price of one.

Methinks Hosh is a bit too interested in the alpha male stare downs. He should concentrate on emulating his uncle's winning ways before he emulates his other traits. Takayasu's face after he gave him that hearty throw was classic

He's closing in on a sixth straight MK in a row. At his best he was always Mr Reliable - you knew he would get a respectable KK and be a challenge for the top guys. He's still Mr Reliable, just the other way around now

To hark back to a conversation from earlier this basho, I got a good looks at Ajigawa Oyakata's (ex-Aminishiki) bonce while he was on shimpan duty today. He's still got a bald spot at the back which argues against a syrup or a weave. Instead it looks like a comb-over (his) left to right.

Now, Day Two was a quality day of sumo. Some really great matches, quality belt bouts, drama at the bales. Thoroughly enjoyed it

Pics? As someone who got my Wig Spotters Badge as a boy scout I can pick a piece at 20 paces.

I thought he had 2 sukuinage as well but one of those was a loss to Kiribiyama. But three throws, or 25% of his wins, is a pretty fabulous improvement.

Yep, he looks completely gassed out after every bout and just looks tired in general. Post-covid fatigue? It has been mentioned he has had long covid symptoms. I have had after effects for well over six months since I had it and I'm not a top athlete having to compete against the very best. I wonder how many rikishi have been impacted this way. There are a number who appear to have fallen off a cliff in the past couple of years which may be the result of this.