Kaninoyama

Takarafuji/Terutsuyoshi are injured and/or over the hill. Atamifuji just made his Makuuchi debut and is only 20 and probably not quite ready yet for that leap. Midorifuji and Nishikifuji are thriving. Add in injured Yokozuna Terunofuji and the stable has 6 active sekitori. There's absolutely nothing wrong with Isegahama-beya.

Generally speaking, henkas don't lead to injuries any more than proper tachiai do. It was just a freak accident. It could have equally been Abi KO'd from Takayasu's brutal kachiage if he had chosen to go straight forward instead.

He and Asanoyama were always compared with one another since their amateur days and came up through the ranks as rivals, with Asanoyama from Toyama and he from neighboring Niigata. I get the feeling that he had much higher (pre-suspension Asanoyama-like) expectations for himself that he ultimately failed to achieve, and probably just came to the realization that injuries and perhaps his own limitations were going to keep him from ever realizing them.

Astounding that there are people arguing that when Takayasu was crumpled on the ground following the Abi bout that it was because he was demoralized. That's ridiculous. He bashed his head against Abi's shoulder and got knocked out. End of story there. Now after the bout, when he realized that he let another opportunity go by and was in no condition to fight even if he had had another go at it, yes, he was soul crushed. But that's not why he needed to be helped off the dohyo.

Gutted for Takayasu. Still have hopes for a former stablemate Kisenosato-like redemption story after so many heartbreaking attempts. Aside from his basho-end failures, he's as strong as anyone in sumo right now. If today's defeat didn't destroy his will forever, as they say, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger...

Yeah, rewatching the YouTube video in slow motion, it does appear that Abi jumped to his left, and Takayasu tried to react to that and turned his own body into Abi's, where the contact with Abi's shoulder happened. Henka or not, doesn't detract from Abi's win. It's part of his repertoire and anyone facing him should be prepared for the possibility. Saying this as an Abi fan who was rooting for Takayasu all the way.

In the reply, Takayasu's head appeared to connect with Abi's left shoulder square on, so was it really a henka, or was Abi's explanation an accurate account of what actually happened?

No, Kintamayama's translation is spot on.

A healthy, committed Abi in this era of no dominant rikishi at the top is very much an Ozeki candidate, along with Hoshoryu, Wakatakakage, Kotonowaka, and even Kiribayama. Next year should be both entertaining and unpredictable, and the sumo landscape is likely to look much different a year from now than it does today.

In the interview, the announcer mentioned that Shikoroyama-oyakata has been hospitalized. Could have been added inspiration for Abi's win. When asked what he thought his oyakata would think of his yusho, Abi answered: "I've done nothing but cause him trouble, so hopefully this win has made him a little happy." That's when the tears started to flow.

Mainoumi made the exact same observation.

Abi has been terrific since coming back from his suspension. Not at all underserved and far from a fluke. Omedetou Abi!

Yes!

If it's come to this, let's go Abi!

Takakeisho was visibly winded when drawing for order. Caught a huge break by going second.