Benevolance

I wish the word on the street had clarified a bit more about what sort of clinic Shodai was going to put on.

Takayasu co-leading the pack after 6 days, looking pretty decent and is clearly the most promising rikishi for the jun-yusho.

I think the real trick for Shodai is figuring out how to win this basho whilst simultaneously remaining kadoban next tournament for his yokozuna run.

Early days, but Shodai obviously cruising to victory and a big promotion...to Ozeki Prime!

Word on the streets is that Shodai is going to put on an ABSOLUTE CLINIC in Fukuoka and show these sumo clowns who the REAL BOSS is.

Terunofuji just needs to gambarize.

I love the Fukuoka tournament for those very reasons. As a foreigner, it makes it feasible to walk up and get tickets. Plus the Fukuoka 'winter' weather is basically shorts and t-shirt weather back home, and the sun doesn't set at 4 pm, and....

I have faith that this current batch of sanyaku can achieve new lows never before thought possible.

I think that understates just how well Yuma performed in his bout against Asanoyama. It should be huzzah to Yuma for doing a very good job, especially along the bales, and not 'boo-urns' Asanoyama for not getting seven wins.

The YDC stopped just short of recommending karaoke.

Ha ha! In the lower division, Byakuen (171 cm 67 kg) went straight at Amamidake (178 cm 155.5 kg) like the latter had stolen his wallet.

To be clear, that's 10 Canadian dollars. Which is, like, about the same value as 1 slightly used American pretzel, which is what I'll mail you if I lose the bet.

10 bucks says it's decided by a Slippiotoshi

That's my favorite one, too!

Maybe we'll get to see the majestic and elusive double henka!!!

I briefly had hopes that Takakeisho might be able to grab the rope back at the end of 2020. He seemed like he'd recovered from his injury during his ozeki run and put up that junyusho and yusho back to back. In hindsight, it's probably best that he didn't, because he'd probably already have had to retire with his results since. And, sadly, he's been the most consistent ozeki over that time period.

Maybe Otani's just getting a head start on promoting his inevitable post-sumo MMA career?

Shodai showing the Ozeki Pride by putting up the same sort of numbers as Tamawashi. A different order, sure. But it's the same numbers.

Okay, nevermind. Shodai's back in the race.

Shodai was the only person who realized that this basho was finishing on opposite day, and he takes the yusho with a 14-1 record.

The problem is, they can't even really make Hokotofuji fight higher up the banzuke, either, because if they put him against the sanyaku it's giving him free wins.

Then Shodai is walking the path of greatness! And, uh, maybe playing golf this basho? Whatever sport it is, it's not sumo at any rate.

I know the sanyaku looks bad, but if we pretend that they're tennis scores the whole scenario changes! At 6-3, Wakatakakage won his first set! Good work Wakatakakage!

I'm starting to think that maaaaybe this one isn't going to be a Shodai yusho.

Shodai does sometimes seem reluctant to give that extra shove.