Mufuu

Most importantly: a stunning green macaron! Stellar basho.

Oof: Aoiyama no henka!

...and you complain about other posters’ “tone”s? Brilliant. Otherwise: let’s all define Sumo.

What’s a matta you? You gotta no respect. ...et cetera. Otherwise, my day 5 Mitakeumi concerns and hopes have been confirmed and/or enjinxed. Also: Tochinoshin wants to remind you all that your puny Morozashi are futile.

Oi... my boy Mukaida, from a 3-0 start to 3-3.

Yes - with the doo-doo foot again.

I have a similarly-derived respect for Hattorizakura.

My deepest and most humble apologies...

Well... the past five days of undefeated Yokozuna performances have been refreshing and honestly a quite a bit exciting, but it's hard to see this run progressing much further. Kisenosato's victories have all been hard-fought nail-biters, and I figure Hakuho caught a bit of luck in not getting Okuridashi'd while presenting his backside to a flat-footed Takakeisho. It has been noted here that we have not seen 3 undefeated Yokozuna through day 4 (or more) since Haru, 1989 (Hokutoumi, Onokuni, Chiyonofuji) - that collective winning record will hold through day 11. Beyond that, Futabayama, Terukuni, and Haguroyama each held spotless records through 12 days of Hatsu, 1943. How far do you think this current streak will run? Anyhow (and trivia aside)... I'm still waiting for Mitakeumi to mentally fall apart somewhere around day 8, but am hopeful he has left that habit behind him. Also: dark horse Hokutofuji, anyone?

Cupping isn’t a “treatment” for back pain, location notwithstanding.

umm... Jk24e Mukaida.

Hakuho's "dream" of summer is Genghis Khan? dreamy...

Thank you. I was about to draft a largely agitated and possibly incomprehensible response along these lines, but you've saved me the effort.

Well, as I understand it, Kakuryu met the YDC's ultimatum with his performance at Hatsu, albeit not exceptionally. I'm sure anyone at the dinner table could have suggested that his participation in Haru would be a greater benefit to Sumo (overall) than the potential career harm of under-performance (or non-completion). Sure, it's pressure... but putting aside the prospect of worsening injuries, it's kind of compelling. I mean: we have three "active" Yokozuna. Everyone involved would like at least one to show up.

Hrm, I couldn't help but think: "Chiyoo?" "Chiyo-NOO!!!"