Gospodin

Injured back and all, but It still baffles me how nimble Ichinojo was in his Makuuchi debut.

Remembering the years of discussions here for "disappointing" time and again, it´s somehow surreal to read through a conversation whether he did now.

My money´s down he does. Even if he is permanently restricted by his injury, his talent should take him to lower Makuuchi at least.

Are his X-rays he posted still available here ? With all due respect: regardless of the martial art, if you are caught in an armlock you accept your fate and give in.

I am 100% certain you are referring to Kaio/Chiyotaikai after 2004. Chiyotaikai peaked early, as the majority of oshi wrestlers do, and Kaio was arguably one of the strongest Ozeki ever until his last yusho. BTW I really miss his kotenage. That lightning quick left grab of the wrist out of nowhere, pull and pat on his opponent´s shoulder was great technique. Nobody employs it like that today.

So the Yokozuna took responsibility and restored order in the end.

Uff, millimeters away. That was the closest avoidance of kadoban status I have ever seen.

Anxiety over securing promotion, perhaps ?

Excluding injuries, what are the chances of three kadoban ozeki all maintaining their rank in the next basho ?

Like I said, I´m getting old :-). No more trivia from me - promised.

oh, I missed that one. Two rikishi left. I´m getting old

Tochinoshin. Muscled him out during his Ozeki run. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaM59YGNzRo

To ease off a bit, before things get going today - a little trivia (apologies if I´m boring/annoying you). Hakuho almost never lost when he had his left uwate grip. There is one riikishi left in Makuuchi who beat him when he had his favoured grip. it was also the last time. Guesses ? :

I don´t know, but his record indicates it is very probable that he will drop from Juryo.

It looks like the final sunset is imminent for Shohozan. I will miss him and his charisma.