ScottyJoyJrBebe

Impossible because they still have to meet. Day 15 you think? It totally slipped my mind. I'm gonna have to root for Yoshikaze, he's on fire.

best dressed rikishi? Well, since most disappointing ozeki is already taken this basho... "Ozekiwake" Goeido

Ok, so...lets say Myogiru and Okinoumi holdout and get their KK. Now, Aoiyama gets a MK, what would it take to FORCE a promotion for Yoshikaze? 10-5? 11-4? Would the fact that he beat BOTH Yokozuna factor into it? When was the last time we had 3 Komusubi? EDIT: Personally, if Aoiyama gets his KK, and Yoshikaze goes 11-4, wouldn't that STILL be a FORCED promotion? I remember someone saying last basho that 3 wins is a BIG difference.

Not sure how serious you are, but an 11-win jun-yusho is pretty much worthless for a tsuna run. I would have to concur with that assessment. I read somewhere once that 13-2 is considered the "minimum" record for an "equivalent performance". Didn't Kaio once win a yusho with 12-3, then was told that he needed to win the following yusho with a 15-0(!) record to get his tsuna (2003 I think?) I know the NSK is tougher then in the past with Yokozuna promotions. I for one believe Terunofuji can still take this basho, even without he 15-0 I predicted.

Ichinojo did a great job of absorbing Osunaarashi's attack and sticking with him until he could use his size to his advantage. Ichinojo is MOST DEFINITELY NOT SLEEPING this time around. Depending on how the next two days go, I could see him at M2w or even M1w in November. Almost there, lets get that KK!!! EDIT: So, If Terunofuji loses, and Kisenosato and Ikioi Win, that would be QUITE the set up for Day 15!!

I'll be honest, I was expecting a few to go flying as well. I will be paying attention to Osunaarashi vs Ichinojo. not to mention a TON of other matches to watch closely. I have this feeling Goeido will play spoiler to Kakuryu.

This basho should have a one-off award, the "WWE Spirit" for Osunaarashi :-D

Wonder how much was used when Mitoizumi was active???

I must agree. I do respect the views of everyone else that sees him as a fluffy teddy bear. unfortunately as a fan of Ichinojo, I see him getting that Ozeki before long. All the greats had their weaknesses, Ichinojo is no different. I still say he will be a contemporary of Terunofuji at Yokozuna.

yea, he will be a good yok.. besides him, who you guys think will be the next 1/2 yokozunas? 72nd Yokozuna=Terunofuji 73rd Yokozuna=Kisenosato (Wishful) 73rd Yokozuna=Ichinojo (Realistic) I don't see Ichinojo ever making it until after Hakuho and Harumafuji both retire, and even then only if no other comparable talent comes along in the next 5 years. With a little more strength and technique, Oosuna will distance him over the next year. Endo is only a couple of years older and still has plenty of time, and even Tochinoshin is only 27. I see Ichinojo filling Okinoumi's shoes as the talented but perennial disappointment. Although I see your point of Osunaarashi and Endo as candidates, I thoroughly believe its just a matter of time with Ichinojo, as this very basho is showing. His loss to Kakuryu was hard fought, and that win over Tochi(Choki)ozan honestly surprised me. Will he have to wait? Probably. Will he get overshadowed? Perhaps. Will he be a Yokozuna? I think so.

yea, he will be a good yok.. besides him, who you guys think will be the next 1/2 yokozunas? 72nd Yokozuna=Terunofuji 73rd Yokozuna=Kisenosato (Wishful) 73rd Yokozuna=Ichinojo (Realistic)

I loudly and insistently want Ichinojo to win tomorrow, and I don't believe in jinxes, nor anything like that. :-) I'm sure were not the only ones that believe that Kakuryu had to FIGHT for his victory. Ichinojo is doing markedly better than last basho. I don't think a KK is too far away for him. Double Digits? We can hope :) Terunofuji, looking like a Yokozuna since day One, although once again, I believe that Myogiru made him FIGHT for his KK. Kisenosato, staying in the hunt, and looking solid as well. Welcome back CHOKIozan, didn't expect to see you for another few days........ Okinoumi lost to himself, really. Yoshikaze, defeated by returning WWE brawler Osunaarashi, still looked good, KK for sure, would LOVE to see him at Komusubi next basho (K2w maybe?) Kotoyuki, my most recent addition to fanhood, breaking even today, and getting heat for "the most respectful bow in the business", well, it made me a fan, and also missing his bark.

I see that tomorrow its Kisenosato vs Choki.....uh....TOCHIozan. THAT'S the match I will be paying attention too. Terunofuji 14-1 Y. Kisenosato 13-2 J. It would have been decided on the last day by a straight up match, but now it will be decided by the last match.

I'm sorry, but did you misspell "Tochiozan"?

What goes around, comes around. One Slap to the face, One Kyujo I believe Ichinojo is quite awake this time, just ask Takayasu.

Yoshikaze, DOUBLE kinboshi, WOW!! get that KK so you can have the outstanding performance this basho! -Ichinojo, well done, he would appear to have woken up in time for the basho (so far) -Kotoyuki, Toyohibiki-style for the second day in a row, but still a fan. -Tochiozan, here's hoping that CHOKIozan doesn't appear around day 11 or so..... -Tochinoshin, first win. Hoping to get that kk to stay in sanyaku. -Goeido, is Goeido. -Kagamio, channeled is inner-Harumafuji VERY well. -Ross Mihara, still going strong :-D

I know I commented about it earlier in this thread, and it was confirmed that if it's a jun-yusho, it (more than likely) needs to be an "equivalant" performance, like Kakuryu did (14-1-P D, 14-1 Y). Historically, that has not ALWAYS been the case (Tamanoumi, Wakanohana 2, Mienoumi, Onokuni) but I'm thinking that it would have to be along those lines for Terunofuji. Does anyone have a "dark horse" prediction for the yusho?

So, next basho will be Kakuryu's FIRST as Yokozuna 1 East? As much as I would like to see Kakuryu get his 2nd yusho, I'm fairly confident Terunofuji starts his Yokozuna run in the basho.

Maybe one final run in the Sanyaku??

With Yokozuna Hakuho out, I will "adjust" my prediction as follows: Terunofuji 14-1 Y (Yusho Deciding match on Day 15) Kisenosato 13-2 J (Same as above) Kakuryu 11-4 Ichinojo 10-5 Kotoyuki 8-7 (That respectful bow during his match just won me over, I'm a FAN :-D) Osunaarashi 4-11

Me too. :-D I know I recanted my 10-5, but wishful thinking can work, especially because he could still loose to all 4 ozeki and kakuryu, and STILL get that 10-5 :) Perhaps I need to RETCON my recant into just Tochiozan's 12-3. Unfortunately, I still believe Osunaarashi will bottom out with 4-11 :( no recant there.

Your top 2 are probably fine, especially if this turns out to be a fluke for Hakuho, but 12-3 and two 10-5s from continuous underachievers is indeed very wishful thinking. I don't think that can mathematically happen unless Kakuryu, Kisenosato, Giku, and Goeido average 10-5 or 9-6 or something like that. I will recant the 12-3 and the first 10-5, but I do believe that Ichinojo at M4e can pull off that 10-5 with <maybe> a fighting spirit award. I'm at least happy that it appears he has not put on any additional weight. Edit: YES, I do believe Terunofuji will get this one, even with the play-off I predict.

Congrats to Okinoumi for a STUNNING and CONVINCING victory today!!! Nice to see Ichinojo is awake this time (So far) Lets go for 10 wins!! GO ICHINOJO!!! Tochiozan, lets go for 11 wins for a continued run for Ozeki. I have a feeling Osunaarashi is gonna bottom-out this tournament. 4-11 :( My prediction for Aki: Terunofuji 13-2-P Y Hakuho 13-2-P D Tochiozan 12-3 J Okinoumi 10-5 S Ichinojo 10-5 K (Yes, I realize this is VERY WISHFUL thinking)

Appreciate the clarification. Koji Kitao. I actually watched him live on PPV in WWF WrestleMania 7, the same year I first started watching sumo, and had NO IDEA of the connection.

May I just give my thanks and admiration for such a well-presented, well-explained and well-researched topic. If your ever in Hawaii, let me know, you have earned dinner on me!!! (One day, a game manufacture will take a chance, and create a sumo game with all the greats in it, able to challenge one another in fantasy bouts we can only dream of. One day)