Rocks

Tragic end to an otherwise illustrious career, worthy of a bio movie. Good luck and God bless him. I am sure he will have a very long and illustrious career as an oyakata, filling the hole left by Takanohana, without all the craziness and scarves. I expect you will see a very lovable, warm side to him now the pressure of having to perform on the dohyo has been lifted.

Day 4: Jokoryu

I don't see anything in the rules. What is the rule for betting on a fusen match in ODD? Doesn't count?

Abi not Endo enough to go. But I wish Ura great time!

$277? That's cheap. Plus you get to check if you can see where Harumafuji split his head open with that karaoke remote.

What's the usual way? Stop betting if you have bet 15 already and your score is over 30?

It's already more than the record for 4 days and they haven't even fought that yet.

Made me realize Hattorizakura is too old for this list. My how time flies...

I wonder too. I wonder too how embarrassing or sad it would be seen as there. It would make a great story even in loss. Imagine it's Day 8. An 0-7 Kisenosato, determined to try until their is no hope, mounts the dohyo and loses for the 8th time and gets that most ignominious of records, a Yokozuna makekoshi. As he departs the dohyo for the last time a grateful Emperor stands and applauds the effort of the only Japanese Yokozuna to try to win, no matter how futile it seems, as he himself then departs the Kokugikan for the last time as Emperor. It may come off as too nationalistic for many but I think it would a be beautiful. Certainly not sad or embarrassing to me.

Had Kise not been injured and instead was as healthy as he had been with the confidence of Yokozuna status he would have surpassed Kakuryu in total Yusho.

Have to get off one train? Get on another, Kaisei.

Yes,. because he can't seem to stop it from ending. But Kisenosato knows as much as anyone he is a very mental athlete. He knows if he can win 1 he can win 5. Mental state has always been his bugaboo. That same indecisiveness that has held him back his whole career will make deciding to walk away very, very hard. I seriously doubt Kise thinks to himself he can't beat these guys, just that he isn't doing so right now.

The point would be, it ain't over. If he retires that's it. No matter how small a chance there is for him it's infinitely larger than if he walks away. Kisenosato has had a great career. He is an outstanding ozeki who reached the pinnacle of his sport, winning 2 yusho and attaining Yokozuna status. He has more than done himself and his nation proud. That is what people in Japan will remember, not how his career ended. Everyone will, rightly, blame that on a very unfortunate injury to what was one of the most consistent and healthy rikishi ever. Why anyone thinks he should be concerned about his legacy or the Yokozuna status at this point I have no clue.

Wow, last night they came right out and said he'd be back for Day 3. Still, I expect him to go Day 4.

Getting very crazy. I feel sorry for the Ozeki. What a collective nightmare. Kisenosato has a lot of company to commiserate with. Speaking of Kise...he solves his inability to get his favorite inside left grip by giving up the morozashi? Interesting strategy. The guy is totally lost at this point. But I wouldn't put him down as a sure loss to Nishikigi on Day 4. Nishikigi did well today but nothing overpowering, Kakuryu just had a terrible strategy. Takayasu is definitely off but he has been struggling early in the basho lately. If he can shake it off I think he still gets his KK. Tochinoshin and Goeido are kadoban bound though. I doubt either finishes the basho. Takakeisho is looking very impressive still but it was much closer today. A tactical retreat really served him well this match but Day 4 against Mitakeumi is going to be tough. Surviving a long match with Ichinojo was just what Hakuho needed. I don't expect a zensho from him but I think he is still the prohibitive favorite for the yusho at this point. Ichinojo looked great so far, I just hope he doesn't have his usual let down after losing a close one in a big match like he usually does. As far as Kise pulling out I don't expect anything like that before Day 6 even if he loses the first 5. He's already breaking records for ineptitude as a Yokozuna here, adding a few days to that doesn't change anything.