Swami

Hearty salutations from the Swami! Swami

Hearty salutations from the Swami! Swami

Hearty salutations from the Swami! Swami

Very sad news indeed. Swami

Yes, I'm surprised that Musashimaru hasn't built up contacts like Takamiyama did, which resulted in recruiting both Konishiki and Akebono. Swami

For the information of British fans, Konishiki features tonight at 2100 Channel 4 with Paul Hollywood. Swami

Any idea yet who is likely to become his new shisho when Asashio reaches 65 in December? Swami

Kitanofuji performed his after he had left the association (voluntarily), with Chiyonofuji & Hokutoumi as his attendants, so perhaps that would work OK, with Harumafuji participating. Yes, I agree it looks unlikely that Onokuni will be fit enough for his kanreki - although they didn't think Tochinishiki or Taiho would have completed theirs, and both did with relative ease. Swami

Hearty salutations from the Swami! Swami

Hearty salutations from the Swami! Swami

Hearty salutations from the Swami! Swami

Hearty salutations from the Swami! Swami

The OB bouts are a far cry from what they were when they first started, you had Kitanoumi v Wakanohana II, Takanohana I v Asahikuni, Masuiyama II v Kaiketsu, Mienoumi v Takanosato, Hokutenyu v Asashio (1991), then 1992 you had Kitanoumi v Wakanohana II, Chiyonofuji v Hokutenyu. Swami

I reckon Kakuryu will be next to retire and despite what he says about being around for the Olympics, Hakuho won't be far behind. He can't keep on withdrawing indefinitely. Swami

It used to be that ozeki demotions were relatively rare, now it is quite rare for those ozeki who failed to make Yokozuna to end their careers as ozeki. Technically Goeido has ended his career as ozeki, the last ones prior to him were Kaio, Tochiazuma and Musoyama - and further back would be Hokutenyu, Asashio and Wakashimazu. The struggle for kabu is obviously an issue, Kirishima was the first one to really continue after demotion (in fairly recent time) because of that. Swami