Gospodin

Where can one donate for new bandages for Hokutofuji ? By now his favorite set looks simply ragged.

I´d prefer to meet some of them and have a nice talk. But if I had to - Aoiyama or Ichinojo, because I am pretty sure I could run from them and save my life.

This timehe faces all of the highest ranked, he didn´t in July.

By limitations I mean although Terunofuji has improved his footwork, he makes (or can make) little use of it, and still relies on brute force. I can´t imagine this will be sufficient to take the yusho, even with facing depleted sanyaku ranks.

Yes, under a new oyakata who probably gave him a stern lecture about focus, etc. Perhaps that´s what Mitakeumi needs.

That not-so-mild scare, imho, showed Terunofuji´s current limitations. It will be interesting to see if he continues winning his bouts before perhaps facing Takakeisho.

Personally I never noticed that rikishi who were ranked last put up significantly atypical performances in perspective of their skill, health and age.

If he really wins, they should remove that M17 spot, like the 13th floor in hotels, just for different reasons...I´ll be having had enough then...

I understand. I am sure it slipped by me, but of the recent Yokozuna, I have only Hakuho´s left uwate grip as an almost sure thing. The others ? No idea.

That´s disturbing, and sounds immature. He even lost to Hakuho after he already had a firm morozashi.

A quick look at the sumo database shows the majority of Asanoyama´s wins come by yorikiri. About one third are pull/push down/out techniques. Then comes the uwatenage he is favoring lately. It also shows that he has already beaten all oshi specialists (Takakeisho, Tamawashi, Abi,..) at their own game. I wouldn´t call that limited, and definitely not very limited. http://sumodb.sumogames.de/Rikishi_kim.aspx?r=12291

It is definitely Monday morning quarterbacking, but in hindsight I think Takanohana´s troubles began the day he entered professional sumo.

I am wondering about the decision Kotoshogiku is going to make. Tradition says former Ozeki do not carry on in Juryo (I know, there are examples, one very recent, who did). But since he clearly demonstrated he still has it to compete in lower Makuuchi before he got injured, perhaps he will give it another try instead of retiring. On the other hand, his body language wasn´t that convincing he is ready for that.

Next step: implement a handicap system. Yokozuna have to start with their back to their opponent, etc

As for Kakuryu, you could get your wish pretty soon. Injuries aside, he isn´t the same since his oyakata died. Hakuho. I expect him to continue restoring order every second basho for another year or so. BTW: John Gunning´s remark that as sumo writer you feel like a TV critic <sic> commenting on Game of Thrones is a gem.