Swami

Any word on Wakanohana II and Mienoumi? Obviously Masuiyama II remains fairly active. Swami

Great photos. Sad perhaps that his exit from sumo tarnished his reputation but no doubt he was a superb Yokozuna. Swami

Sad news indeed. Swami

The average height hasn't increased as much as I thought it might have. Other sports like rugby union players are much taller than they were 30 or 40 years ago. Swami

Happy birthday and hearty salutations from the Swami! Swami

Happy birthday and hearty salutations from the Swami! Swami

Hearty salutations from the Swami! Swami

Happy birthday and hearty salutations from the Swami! Swami

Hearty salutations from the Swami! Swami

Happy birthday and hearty salutations from the Swami! Swami

On balance I'd say Baruto would have the edge - if both men were at their peak. How about adding ex-Kirishima into the mix, the ultimate tsuridashi specialist (and utchari of course)? I also remember Chiyonofuji lifting Mitoizumi out in September 1989 which was quite a feat. Swami

He did seem especially bad these last couple of tournaments, as soon as he made the first step onto the dohyo he lost his footing immediately. Surely this is a lesson to any new recruit coming in, in terms of not how to do it. Swami

Happy birthday and hearty salutations from the Swami! Swami

If this is indeed correct surely someone needs to take him in hand and urgently get him on a diet. Swami

Indeed. Swami

Yes, it seemed he had stayed at 199kg forever. He's another one whose weight seems to have got the better of him. Swami

I think for his own welfare now his oyakata or someone may have to make the call for him to stop. Swami

Hearty salutations from the Swami! Swami

Hearty salutations from the Swami! Swami

He should quit straight away and try to start losing weight immediately. The statement "reaching 300kgs is cool" is terrible, if that is what his main aspiration is. In addition, for his size, he has remarkably little power. Swami

At what point will he stop and think - is there any point in continuing? Even getting back to the lower levels of Makushita would be a major achievement for him at present. Konishiki at his heaviest lost a lot of his mobility but never looked anywhere near as ungainly as Orora. Swami

Happy birthday and hearty salutations from the Swami! Swami

Hearty salutations from the Swami! Swami

He really needs to quit now, even the most optimistic would say there isn't any hope of a comeback. Former Kotokaze returned to Makunouchi from the depths of Makushita after his first severe knee injury in the late 1970s but Terunofuji has too many complications. If it was just his knee, he might have had a chance. Swami

The saddest thing from Orora's point of view is the fact that he seemingly feels the need to say reaching 300kgs would be cool. Surely he himself can see it hasn't doesn't his career much good? Swami