since_94

Yes, that was a banger. Could have gone either way right up to the end. Thrilling!

I think some of us jinxed him with our praise for his performance up to Day 10

'Twas brilliant, and wonderful to watch him make it look almost effortless against a (relatively) huge opponent in Kagayaki. He's quite the scrappy fighter, the diminutive one, no to mention him being obviously well versed in techniques. Maybe a judo background? Imagine if he had more size to work with. Regardless, I'm a fan, and hope he'll be sekitori for many years to come.

Hatsu. Joker's always wild (since the end of Hakuho's dominance, anyway)

Your fault, for the jinx.

Indeed. Feels like the nadir. Yet I am still entertained by today's bouts, and there are a lot of rikishi to support/follow, nothwithstanding.

I hear ya, but I thought he took it in stride today. Haven't re-watched, but I seem to recall he even proffered a semblance of a bow in despite the ignominy of defeat, hoisted with his own petard, as it were. He's growing. As a person.

TOCHINOSHIN! Stayin' alive, baby!

Anybody else LOL and shout out loud, "What a BURN!" when seeing Chiyoshoma henka'd by, of all people, the ungainly Tsurugisho. I'll say it again: "What a BURN!" HA! Edit: I see already others did. Knew I wasn't alone.

Ball-room dancing

Quick google search suggests you are correct. It’s a conundrum, for sure, if the dual kadoban—> demotion scenario were to transpire before a Mitakeumi promotion.

If there were no Ozeki, Terunofuji would just be listed as Y/O on the banzuke, as I understand it, though I stand to be corrected. Meanwhile, the NSK would be left ******** bricks and making sacrifices to the gods to protect the grand champion’s knees until the precarious potential power vacuum could be resolved without compromising the established promotion criteria.

Turning back to our Oho watching, my involuntary exclamation watching his dispatch Chiyotairu with a hitakikomi was an appreciative “Smooth!” So well executed. Again, he just looked so poised throughout the bout, and there’s no denying his physique looks like he’s built for at least Ozeki, IMO, barring injuries. Ura brought the excitement with the Superman-esque fully launched oshitaoshi push out of Daiesho. Fans liked it more than the recently discussed leg-pick. Abi showed impressive ring awareness in a recovery against the (sometimes) wily Okinoumi, circling and getting behind him after nearly being pushed out himself.

Anybody remember Ichinojo’s dramatic throat slam of Yoshikaze on Day 12 of Hatsu 2018? Maybe a bit of karma coming back on him

There was the feeling they fed a depleted Shohozan to the ex-Ozeki. I can’t be the only one.