Churaumi

He was one of those journeyman maegashira regulars for a long time, even making sekiwake. But he ruptured his Achilles a couple years ago, and coupled with advancing age, he’s not what he was. He has always looked like that, however. He used to be surprisingly nimble for his body type, but the injury took a lot of that away.

He’s got some leg muscles back. His legs were so skinny when he started over.

I remember there being a pretty spirited kosho debate thread around the time of Ura’s injuries...might be a good read if you’re new to these parts.

You’d think they’d plan for such things. I don’t know any more than has been reported here, so I don’t know why the hospital there can’t treat him. I don’t know if there is some other wrinkle particular to Tomokaze’s health or insurance or whatever. I assume it’s his size, and the hospital just can’t readily accommodate a huge man? If so, why are they having violence contests without a hospital nearby that can treat reasonably expectable injuries? Why don’t they have plans to move invalids back to Tokyo? I know it’s rare, but obviously it happens. From the outside and across an ocean, this looks a mess.

Two people poop themselves, everyone has to wear diapers.

It looks bad and could easily be taken out of context. A lot of workplaces have policies like this...I’ve never personally experienced it, but I have been told by others their boss saw something they didn’t like on their social media and cited company rules about conduct to get them to delete it. One was holding a beer in their off time wearing something with the company logo on it, which I get. I think it’s stupid, but I get it. Others were less justifiable, but they also aren’t sports stars that are supposed to embody the virtues of “Old Japan” either. It’s a big reason my Twitter is just used for following, I have zero posts. And, no Facebook. Come creep on me, boss man!

But how old is his cardiovascular system? Joking aside, his joints are bad. I think he’s got the drive to make juryo but the body isn’t there anymore.

How old is the rest of him, though?

Time to revise my reasoning. I still say low juryo, but the falling old timers are mostly down the banzuke now. The competition at the top of makushita will take its toll on him. He may make juryo again, but I think the injuries and conditions and wear-and-tear will be a drag on him.

Hoshoryu pulls it out, but all the others have too rough a time of it. Takayasu is kk, Takakeisho is kadoban, Mitakeumi gets the 12 wins I predicted in another poll and whether or not he wins is the third ozeki in January. Tochinoshin won’t pull it out, no matter how many henkas he resorts to in the second week. The yobidashi will proudly elevate a pink macaron to the heavens for the pleasure of the friendship with the people of France.

He’s probably been dishing it out for a long time. The rules just changed underneath him and he hit the kid who would tell someone who would listen. The sumo lifestyle is fascinating to me, too. The traditions and practices are so different from even the modern Japanese lifestyle that it’s a wonder anyone does it. However, if what is going on doesn’t produce good wrestlers in a humane way, what good is it? I feel more for Takuro than Takanofuji. Takuro is just older and didn’t adapt to the new ways. Takanofuji is young and should know better. He wasn’t even around for the old ways. If a kid gets beaten because he’s slow with the washing up or whatever, does that make him better in the ring? If he’s only doing things to avoid pain, isn’t that the definition of cowardice? Seems to me like pain isn’t something they should be conditioned to avoid when the job is running full-speed into giants.

Meh. He is young, talented, and works hard. Even if this results in a permanent deficit, he should be able to adapt his sumo to compensate. The question is, will he be able to compensate enough. My money is on yes, but I won’t stake your life on it either.

It’s a game people watch for fun. It shouldn’t be built around human misery.

Seems to me they really wanted to punish Shikimori, since his offense was a little more sensitive and he also had a history of blown calls and swaying in the dohyo on occasion. Seems like Takuro’s treatment is more a recognition that times have changed and they can’t keep people around whose instinct is to do things the old way. Seems like this has changed fast in the sumo world, I’m a relative neophyte here but things have changed a lot in the 6 years I’ve really followed sumo goings-on. I suspect we’ll see more like this as those who can’t adapt their behaviors fall back on old methods and the youngsters see their complaints taken seriously.

Mitakeumi will get 12 next basho. It will also be the first time a specific prediction of mine comes true.