Mongolith

Hope Kiri just pulls out and has an extra weeks rest. Tbh not even sure why he even came back. Just go Kadoban and get the 8 wins next tourney.

I don’t understand why he is coming back either. Maybe some pressure as bet Teru is gonna pull out soon.

I am glad Hakuho retired on a relatively high note with a zensho. Was a shame he did not really get to really participate in the olympics as he wanted and that BS petty report denied him elder stock. Not a huge deal as he will likely get the familiar Miyagino name soon according to the comments. Still surprised that the YDC are being so petty to even lash out at Hakuho after he already announced his retirement and hope he just ignores their requests. Not much to say as it was certain that he would retire this year and most opinions on him have already been expressed.

Hak used to be the model Yokozuna behavior wise and he was never loved. He was just too dominant and was in the way of the next Japanese Yusho winner/Yokozuna. Other than that ridiculous showdown with the ringside judges I would not say his behavior has been over the top. Yes his late shoves and his elbow are a bit distasteful but he tones it down when he needs to. His slap on Kise was overblown as he did not use his elbow and why should he defer to a yok that has been given a free pass for 18 months. I know this is an unpopular opinion but I kinda prefer this emotional/cocky Hak rather than the machine he used to be.

They make a real nice looking couple. Did not even know that you could do so well outside of the main LGPA tour.

I don't really understand this obsession with yaocho or mukiryoku sumo. Of course shenanigans have happened with the 2011 scandal, minato okayata rambling on to his lover, old recordings of oyakata encouraging straight up sumo, the 7-7 senshuraku statistical study, and committees looking out for "lethargic sumo". Hell I still think it goes on everyone once in a while with people like Goeido getting thrown a bone to reach ozeki if a yusho is secured. I am just not a mind reader and refuse to believe that every damn bout Hak loses is part of an overall conspiracy to spread the wealth with his Mongolian cabal. I prefer to think that most bouts are on the up and up or at least the main ones that affect the yusho race.

Yeesh Endo is getting treated like a pinata this basho. Smack him around while the goodies (kensho) fly out. The ozeki crop looked pathetic today other than Giku who gave a good effort. Fuji at least is injured but the other two should put up at least some resistance against the yoks.

Winning this tournament does zilch for your reputation (Doubt this win changes anyone's perception of Goeido as an Oz or most even knew Haramafuji was the record holder). Seems like it is a mandatory event for all non-injured rikishi so while they are there most will at least put up a token effort for the crowds. Guessing if everyone is going half speed and trying to avoid injuries then a more talented (typically higher ranked) wrestler will have a higher chance to win the tournament as they have a higher base.

As has been mentioned, 10 wins don't appear to be enough to force an extra slot. 10 + 10 might do it, since then he would be on am Ozeki run.As for the other part of the question, 8 wins + 10 wins don't make the start of an Ozeki run for anyone, let alone Tochinoshin... 13 wins next basho would get him to 31, nowhere near enough to force a promotion from Komusubi to Ozeki. A zensho might hypothetically do it, but nothing else. Edit: And let's face it, Tochinoshin is good, but nowhere near Ozeki quality yet. 8-9 wins at the jo'i is his normal good performance. Unless he really steps up his game, the Ozeki ranks don't need another Goeido. One Goeido is one too many in the Oz ranks imo. His sumo is just a wild roulette from deer in the headlights (What he looked like v. Kaisei) to the hokey pokey (Last basho or the one before) to sometimes solid sumo. At least Shin usually delivers solid power sumo (My fave style). But yes the Oz talk is much too early and he has to show a marked improvement in the sanyaku before he is considered. I always pinned him as an eventual Ozeki (Maybe cause he looks a bit like Kotooshu) and have been a bit disappointed at his slow progress.

Kaio is one of the greatest ozeki ever and no I do not believe switching him with Kise would make any difference to Kise fortunes. If anything Kaio would easily be a Yok in this era seeing as how they lowered the bar continuously and still Kise could not jump over it. Hell Kise's yok run took so long that Kak decided to jump at the chance Kise opened. Ozeki like Kotoo, Baruto, Kaio, Haramfuji, Kak have all taken their yusho chances when they came (Yet Kise is often seen as their equal or even superior). Even tenho got one in there when Kise could not step up to Baruto. Kise is just a perennial choker that is on an everlasting yok run when he can't even yusho once. Seems like every basho when a true contender drops out that this could be Kise's basho (Don't say it too loud as it could jinx it). Kise is just gonna be remembered as a solid ozeki and nowhere near this hypothetical 1%.

I looked up the name at the sumo official page and it showed him. Either by looking up his name or by scrolling down to Place of birth: Canada. Don't know maybe the database was down for a bit. http://www.sumo.or.jp/en/sumo_data/rikishi/search

Yeah I sorta remember that list but could only recall Kise. Anyway glad there was no funny business and Goeido got the Kadoban he deserved. Just hoping next basho he either steps up and gets at least DD to preserve his Ozeki rank or gets a MK and loses his rank. Just painful watching him scrape to KK at every basho. Overal was pretty happy with this basho. Geeku showed that there is still some life in him, Shin finally looks like he could be the successor to Kotoo I always pinned him to be, Fuji showed some real grit in forcing a playoff, and Ichi while looking a bit lethargic managed to do pretty well. Kak imo was a worthy winner even though I did not care much for his shenanigans vs. Tochi & Kise.

If Asa is the Hinkaku standard before the noose tightens then Kak has a lot of rope to play with. I don't think Kak should resort to those moves but calling for his head/retirement is a bit much. A couple apologetic words and maybe slightly stooping his head during his victory parade should be enough atonement. Hell its not like the henka was even that succesfull as it was the counter that won it.

Wow Kak really does not give a shit what anyone thinks this tourney. He deserves every bit of criticism he gets after 2 pathetic Henkas. Guessing he is gonna be public enemy #1 in the papers for a bit. Still that was a very nifty reversal at the end. At least he did it to Kise who I never cared for and there will not be another over-hyped tsuna run for him. Still what a shitty way to end the basho with Fuji getting crippled and the dead on Yusho champ acting like a punk..

Not sure what you mean by this; if Terunofuji manages to win both of his matches, Kisenosato has no chance. If the Yokozuna beats 'sato' tomorrow it is also game over for 'sato'. :-) Imagine the rage if he pulls a henka on Kise😈 Would be funny but hoping for a shennanigans free last few days.