Churaumi

Would it, though? Injured sekitori falling down the banzuke the last couple years have had their hands fuller than I expected.

He could have just sat out until his knee got better enough to do sumo on, but how pathetic would it have been for him to be fighting in jonidan if it took that long? And the competition down low is fierce, he may not have been able to compete at his advanced age. Better to retire with class than hang on in his situation. I’m just glad he did it.

Looks like I’m batting .000 so far, come on red macaron!

I was a little torn between love him and indifference, but had to go with love since I find him entertaining and he seems to take enforcement of rules more seriously than other gyoji. My wife hates him with a passion, but sometimes it’s handy to have a reason not to talk to each other for a while.

That’s why I’m not a big fan of the argument. Ichinojo beat Hakuho fair-and-square. Hakuho is a pro, and if his judgment is that he can work around his ailments I trust he can do so. If Hakuho is too hurt to win, he sits. I can see how my quote might be misleading on my position, but I think we’re arguing in the same direction @Dwale.

I’m not a huge fan of the “if so-and-so wasn’t hurt” thinking, because they wrestle who shows up in whatever condition they are in that day. These guys are pros, Hakuho’s gameplans have shifted with his injuries. I don’t know that Ichinojo’s gameplan shifted from “be huge,” but that countered the Hakuho that showed up effectively.

Kind of glad Bariki didn’t get through, even Hattorizakura might be too much in his condition. The maulings wouldn’t have been fun to watch. Any word on what the deal is with him?

Sucks for Tochinoshin to go pretty much immediately kadoban again after the last few basho worth of drama, but he was getting hard to watch. I wonder what’s on his certificate?

That’s a long shot but rumors of his demise have been exaggerated before.

There is no pattern, it’s just how many jonokuchi they choose to promote each tournament. It’s not too uncommon for a new wrestler to get a close makekoshi and still get promoted within jonokuchi, but I don’t know how common it is in terms of moving up to jonidan that way. I think it has happened, I just don’t have time to research right now. It seems they like to keep jonokuchi for the new guys, the helpless guys, or the occasional broken guy that has to work back up.

I think you’d have to have two lists; one list for chronic injuries and one for short term injuries. Almost all the top guys have some condition every fan learns of sooner or later, whether it is a joint problem, diabetes, sleep apnea, etc., that affect the basic way a rikishi wrestles or trains. Then there are the bumps-and-bruises-and-sprains, which might have a short term effect or pair with a chronic condition to lay a wrestler low. I don’t actually think something like this would be a horrible idea, since knowing what is ailing a rikishi can add a layer of drama and help fans catch up on events quickly.

Tochinoshin just looks off this basho. Don’t know if he’s hurt, or if he’s still fighting that hangover from Georgia. He does seem to push his body really hard, and it does catch up to him. Could just be that. Either way, he’s kind of hard to watch so far this basho.

US viewing times already suck, pushing them later might help push them to an awful early morning instead of the middle of the night. But, I think adding bouts is a bad idea. The lower guys need bouts to weed out the nonhackers and the makushita guys need a limited number of bouts to make each one matter. Also, increased matches will drive increased pay, which opens all kinds of issues for discussion. It might actually diminish the importance of a juryo promotion.

Just glad Tochinoshin got to go home and see his people. He’s got fame and fortune but for whatever reason he only sees his wife and baby only rarely, from what I understand.

I’m predicting the makuuchi wall will have three new splats on it, Takayasu is the only kadoban of four ozeki in September, Aminishiki will stay juryo at least one more time, and a red macaroon will be presented to...someone. The poll didn’t ask who.