Kotogouryuu

How would you say he compares to others with a total of six basho of experience in sumo?

Agreed. Terunofuji only pushed Takayasu when the match was still very much on. Like he's supposed to do.

Weeeellll... Hokuseiho has shot up the ranks faster than his skillset has developed. He'll get to work on a bit of mobility and speed before his Jyryo debut.

Oh that is a good point. Is what they'll never say.

No. I'm predicting what what the whingers will use as argument. I think Kisenosato's promotion was well deserved, and have no question over Terunofuji's.

They won't. They'll just appeal to Terunofuji's better recent record.

It would be odd to deny him. It is "two consecutive yusho or equivalent". We've seen less to be concidered equivalent than JY-JY-Y-Y-JY. What I think will happen is Hakuho and Terunofuji will meet 14-0, with Hakuho taking the zensho and Terunofuji getting the rope anyway. I just think Hakuho's skillset will allow him to attack Terunofuji's weaknesses. This is one case, however, where I would be glad to be proven wrong.

Hakuho will have scouted his technique by now. He leads with his left leg, meaning his right one isn't as strong. Hakuho will try to exploit this, and being Hakuho, he just might succeed.

I hated Terunofuji back then for that henka. But I do understand now he was already injured then and was desperate to save his own skin. His comeback has been admirable, and do like how he has shaped his sumo to suit his current state. Look at his legs, how carefully he positions them and uses leverage to the best of his ability while avoiding further injury. Him getting the rope now would be a very good story, and I like stories. That said, if I've noticed how he tries to get the left leg to the front, surely Hakuho has, as well. It's going to be hard to Terunofuji to beat him. But I'm very excited to see the match.

That was good old Hakuho right there. Drive from the hips, very hard to defend against.

Well.. body control, sumo technique, confidence and ring sense can certainly be taught, all of which can manifest as speed.

It would be quite interesting if Takakeisho managed to pull off a zensho yusho in July, with Terunofuji losing only to him. That would give them something to think about.

I suspect the "Kakuryu rule" was actually the "Kisenosato rule", and Kakyryu just happened to achieve it first, and put the comitee in a tough spot. I would not be surprised if they've since revised the line, and Y+J just isn't enough anymore.

Well if he makes ozeki, surely then. Before that... he's quite popular, so changing the name isn't really temping. Don't mess with the brand.

As an Endo fan, I've said this many times: Endo's legwork is phenomenal. His base of balance is so wide that when he's on form, he can beat anybody. The problem is, even a small injury can weaken the base so much that has a hard time putting it to full use constantly.