Gospodin

I haven´t heard this term in a veeeery long time. Seems like there are RPG fans around :-). As for Terunofuji - he seems to have an answer for everything that is thrown at him, until he is in a position to overpower his opponent, really nice to watch.

Several bouts today that ended with a streak of unnecessary roughness. Coincidence or are some rikishi less restrained, with the absence of spectators around the dohyo ?

Similar here. There are afterhours clubs, opening around 2am and close at 1pm, and both women and men receive a kind of very attentive service. They don‘t have a shady or immoral reputation, and are known for being able to fulfill any (usually crazy) request, save prostitution and its likes. You just need to be prepared to pay about four to eight times the prices of a good restaurant.

Does that really translate to „tapir“ ?

On another note: if he does, do you think he will change his shikona upon his return ?

This two-strike punishment has a great edge: he really has to change if he wants back, and he needs to prove it for a year at least. In my opinion it was very well thought through, to allow a final, unbiased judgement. Not something like a season-long suspension in MLB, sitting on your couch, and then come back where you were, because you just happen to be a pretty rare talent. I love Sumo

Yes, you need the file provided via a messenger service or mail. Or the original. If they wantted to have that thoroughly resolved, I can‘t imagine they couldn‘t have obtained that. Also the content of a pic alone usually provides an incredible amount of information most people are not aware of.

If they really wanted to, they could have verified quite easily when the picture was taken. Read out the meta data of the image, and everything´s solved, every computer freak can do that. I suppose they don´t use analog cameras anymore... But perhaps that would have stirred up too much attention.

Can someone enlighten me what exactly qualified Terunofuji for the Gino-Sho ?

I don´t think that has changed that much. He is still the strongest candidate at this point. The last few bouts just showed the holes in his game he has to work on.

I like Terutsuyoshi´s openness. He was also the first rikishi from Isegahama stable fighting an opponent from Takanohana stable after the Harumafuji incident. He showed the same attidude today - "No way I am going to lose"

What would you have done ?

Neither Baruto, Asashoryu or Musashimaru could have out-muscled him, imho. Asa in his waning years, say, 2009, would still beat the current version of Terunofuji,, due to his technical superiority, and, even then, outstanding quickness. I have to admit I am excited about his comeback, yesterday he looked like a one-man wrecking crew. Hopefully he can keep that up.

Terunofuji‘s upper body strength is absolutely incredible. In 20 and some years watching I haven‘t seen anything close. Shodai should be no match, if he manages his nimble footwork like he did against Asanoyama.

Is it just me or do the gyoji and shimpan give less than a ..... about both hands down before the tachiai this basho ?