Gospodin

Tochiazuma became Ozeki in 2002. He retired in 2007.

All sumo wrestlers suffer from metabolic syndrome during their active careers. They incur irreversible damage to their body already while being active. The most obvious is the strikingly high prevalence of type II diabetes.

Takayasu is really missing his training partner. Maybe coincidence, but since Kise is out, Takayasu´s sumo is all over the place-no concept.

Watching Tamawashi´s initial reaction - dismay and disgusted about himself, I can´t imagine anymosity towards him. It is not the culture. I remember interviews with injured rikishi stating to try to get healthy as quickly as possible, so that their opponent does not have to worry about them.

Brain injuries by doing sumo might justify a separate thread. Just inferring the findings from the NFL, rikishi seem to endure the equivalent of hundreds of car accidences over their careers.

Agreed. The call was perfectly right.

Is that a kind of surgery that you can do immediately or not at all, like some shoulder tears ?

Before his yusho, a special rank of Ozekiwake for him has been suggested here.

Just as a side note - a bet before the basho on Takekaze beating Terunofuji by yorikiri, of all kimarite, could have earned one a nice sum. Even with Terunofuji in truly bad condition, I had to read that line twice to believe it - not Takekaze´s win, the kimarite.

Does the custom that former Ozeki retire when falling out of the top division apply here ? edit: for Terunofuji

Are steroids prohibited in sumo ? As for painkillers, I wouldn´t necessarily expect opiods to be an issue. But in an age where average gym goers are washing down copious amounts of ibuprofen before and after training sessions to numb their joints, I wouldn´t be surprised if a similar routine would exist in sumo.

How is that rule interpreted ? Are judges at liberty to let the fight continue if the other wrestler "accepts" the false start because he finds himself in a favorable position, like Kotoshogiku ? Something like a free play in football ?

Harumafuji has been frequently using tottari in his career. Chances are Ura might have "stolen" it from him.

Doesn´t being ranked in sanyaku for one tournament make a wrestler eligible to become an elder, regardless of total number of tournaments as sekitori ?

His attitude on or off the dohyo ?