Highway

My problem with it is that in the minds of some it may cast a shadow over the basho, and whoever wins it will get a "good job on winning, but it's not quite as impressive as there were no yokozuna involved" - which is absurdly unfair to the winner and all others who do well this basho. I'm not necessarily going to 'blame' injured wrestlers for being out, but at the same time keeping yourself injury-free is indeed part of one's overall performance and legacy. Again, everyone can suffer an injury here and there, and I'm not saying wrestlers should rush coming back in, but at the end of the day those that do participate and do well deserve total and complete 100% laudations for their success, because they answered the challenge while others did not. Simple as. So Kakuryu....he always deserves respect for making yokozuna of course, but unfortunately there should always be a heavy asterisk next to his name noting that he did not perform well as a yokozuna. If your body is too often injured, it is not that different from a case of always showing up but performing poorly. You are not being successful, and that's that. Hakuho obviously is the exception to everything because of just how legendary his success to date is....but honestly if you are only completing one or to basho per year and there is no explicit reason to believe you will get much better, maybe it's best to retire.

Congrats to Shodai, well deserved. Again I think his composure this basho has really been improved, he withstood some big charges where he could have been in trouble. What an effort though by Tobizaru, as everyone says, he will be a name to remember. No Yokozuna, maybe the sunset is setting on some legendary careers, but once again we have an exciting ozeki collection.

I think Shodai has really grown in composure recently, and whatever happens tomorrow he can build on a very good showing this basho.

Quite crazy how open it is. Takakeisho maybe the favorite but he's always in danger of a loss out of nowhere. Terunofuji looking really well and a great comeback this basho, but he has a hell of a tough test tomorrow with Hokutofuji, can't wait to see that one.

I'm sorry but how in the world was that not a win for Aoiyama? Yes he technically stepped out first, but Takayasu was flying down dead body defeated a good time before that. If that was not dead body I am a pelican. Aoiyama was on his feet, perfectly balanced, in control, while Takayasu was falling flat on his stomach with no attempt to do anything about it. We've seen the dead body rule used plenty of times in recent basho regardless of who stepped out first, but suddenly for this bout it didn't count? Really confused here.

God yeah at first I thought he fell on his neck, it looked brutal.

Yep, I'd eat my hat if Takakeisho doesn't make yokozuna. Whether that's in the immediate future or a year or two, barring injury he has everything it takes.

What a fun and exciting basho this turned out to be. Really enjoyed. Lots of interesting matches poised for September.

Mouth-watering prospects for tomorrow, who knows what is going to happen. But actually my gut feeling is Terunofuji will get the win vs Mitakeumi and settle it there. Asanoyama has really dropped the ball the past couple of days. Now if there is a 3-way playoff, and if the victor of Asanoyama and Shodai has to fight the first two rounds...that means he will have had 3 consecutive bouts one after the other. That's gonna be tough.

Terunofuji is writing such a crazy story. Wow. And he looks so confident too, like it's no big deal for him. Which is not a lie, he has always been a top talent. Very happy and excited for him.

Too bad for Kak. But Hakuho, Asanoyama and Takakeisho all look very good, I really hope they stay healthy and battle it out for the basho. Early days but Terunofuji also is looking solid, what a comeback tale he is writing.

So so so so happy sumo is back! And the fans, small amounts or not, make a big difference for me. It just injects life into everything that's happening. Lots of big names looking healthy, good to see that too.

If the Olympics are gone, surely that means no sumo until at least September? No sumo with fans at least - maybe two more closed door basho ? Though IDK if it's not best just to cancel everything until September. Sadness, just deep, deep, profound sadness abounds.

Hakuho is a master at mind games no two ways about it, Aoiyama seemed to be carrying some confidence but that was neutralized fast. Very tough the Asanoyama-Kakuryu bout. At first I thought for sure that was Aso's win or at least a do-over, as he swung Kakuryu out, but the replays do show that Kak kept himself excellently in the air and Aso's arm hit first.

For real. He has no chance now - not that many do against Hakuho, but he knows exactly how to beat Aoiyama every time and executes it flawlessly.

WOW Aoiyama sole lead 3 days remaining. Looked very good today against Mitakeumi. One difference this basho is that he is going forward and pushing more often, not always going back and going for a slap down as he usually does. It really will be crucial who he faces the final days - I don't think he can handle a yokozuna or someone with much better technique than him, but with just 3 days to go and given that he can afford a loss, he has to be flowing with confidence. Really looking forward to Asanoyama-Hak tomorrow too, that one's massive.

For me Tokushoryu is earning a lot of respect for refusing to pull out and fighting on despite his very bad record. Too often high rankers pull out with sudden injuries when results start looking really poor.

Ah, that makes sense then.

Spirit isn't too low, is what it's meant to say perhaps? Brilliant sumo from Onosho to get a well deserved win, looks like Hakuho will have a battle in his hands to win the basho. Turning out to be an exciting one - hope Aoiyama can keep it up.

For its proximity to China and size of population, Japan is doing pretty darn well if the statistics are true. They must be doing something right. Here's hoping Chioymaru is alright.

My man Aoiyama is a very big fish when he is in a small pond. Really dominates. Well all know what happens when he plops into a bigger pond...it's more fun watching him at this rank honestly. Good to see Hakuho in full health, my money is on him.

I'm sorry but that's kind of silly and not...correct. I'd understand if the basho was already on its way and they had to finish up the last few days with no fans, but deciding to hold the whole thing from the start with no live audience? Fans are the lifeblood of every sport, it won't be just "strange" without them, it will change the dynamic of the whole thing. Postponing it is still the right choice if concerns are that high.

So I'm going to Japan and Tokyo for first time in September, have been a fan of sumo for years. I only have a short time there though and am with other people. I really want to go to one of the tournament days, but would only have the final hour or hour and a half to stay at most. Ideally I'd stay longer but not an option. So would is still be a good idea to go for that short amount of time? I don't want to come off as a clueless tourist, but that's kind of what I will be. Very unlikely I'll get to visit Japan again anytime soon. Any advice? Thanks,

Lol this was epic in some ways. No one can say anything against Tochi pulling a henka, after the FIFA-level referring yesterday the sumo elders can't complain. Plus a yokozuna should be ready for anything. Congrats to Asanoyama, what can you say. Imagine if a month ago someone told him he would be basho champion and getting a cup by Donald Trump.

Did they hire FIFA referees for that bout?? That's one of the worst calls I've ever seen.