Eikokurai

Injuries/the body doesn’t work like that though, especially as you age. I’ve pulled muscles in my back just shifting in my seat. Something catches and … that’s it. Just because Takayasu is used to butting heads doesn’t mean the next headbutt won’t be an issue.

Just a bit of fun for the year, this is a tracker for sumo win streaks inspired by New Zealand rugby’s Ranfurly Shield. That’s a shield won by a challenge system. The holder retains the shield for as long as they’re winning, but then whoever beats them takes the shield and tries to hold it as long as possible. We’ll start with Terunofuji as the ‘holder’ since he won the most recent bout in 2021. Whoever beats Terunofuji first takes the ‘shield’ until he himself loses. We’ll see at the end of the basho (and year) who held it most and for longest.

If that doesn't count as a henka, the word has lost all meaning.

They're not going to deny an undeniable record like a 14-1 or 15-0. It's only a bit grey if it's 13-2 or less, imo. But let's also see how Takayasu, Wakatakakage and Hoshoryu do next basho as well. The Kyokai can use its discretion to promote TY after 11-4 > 12-3, even though it includes hiramaku records. WTK has less of a case with 11-4 > 8-7, but he has a yusho and if he gets a second with a good record it could be enough to justify the nod. Hoshoryu makes the weakest case of all as this is his first double-digit KK at Sekiwake, so technically only the start of an Ozeki run, but if he somehow managed a zensho, that's a reasonable excuse to promote. If Takakeisho ends 13-2Y, and one of the other three can become Ozeki, it's easier for the Kyokai to give TK the rope I feel.

I simply described what happened at the tachiai. That said, he was clearly physically affected beyond disappointment. He could easily have been crying because he knew was in no shape to fight a second bout if the chance had come.

I don’t see how that disputes what I said.

I feel bad about this but I can’t let my two minutes of effort go to waste.

His head hit Abi's upper arm/armpit and his neck went back.

Well, now I hope Takakeisho smokes Abi into row three. Nothing illegal, and Takayasu's head hit his armpit, but henka is a cheap way to win in these circumstance.

Oh, Abi, you little bugger. What have you done?

Two wins required, but back to back. Edit: I guess you're counting the previous ones.

Tomoesen!

Not content with simply escaping kadoban every second basho, bored Shodai set himself a new challenge: to escape Ozekiwake every third basho.

Shodai can't even manage the minimum KK, ending 6-9 like Mitakeumi. Shodai will need to come back in the new year a different man if he wants a hope at 10 wins.

I'm torn now. I really want the tomoesen, but I also want WTK to get 9-6 to keep the Ozeki bid kindling. True, 9-6 is not a strong middle basho, but if he has a great January, then 11-4 > 9-6 could be enough. 8-7 less likely.

He may have slipped out of the yusho race, but Hoshoryu ends with a very solid 11-4 to launch an Ozeki run.

Oh, no, Takayasu, don’t do it again. Still, great value for the fans. What a finale!

Better a 0-15 that gets you permanently remembered in the history books that a soon-to-be-forgotten 1-14!

Abi’s tachiai style makes it harder for Takayasu to land an elbow. Abi’s hands are up quick, and his arms are long, so he’s usually good at keeping guys away from his face.

Nice summary. Thanks for keeping track.

I only see one 33/45 since his Ozeki promotion and that included a 8-win kyujo tournament (followed by a 12+13). He had a 32/45 beginning with his Ozekiwake basho though.

So, Hoshoryu and Oho both fade and fall out of yusho contention entirely. Takayasu surely has to make it over the line now … Worth pointing out that Takakeisho has managed 10+ wins three basho in a row now, almost unnoticed due to other circumstances. That’s a very solid Ozeki record even accounting for the weaker competition. It’s his most consistent run of three since he got the rank. A win tomorrow will make it 33/45, same as Ozeki promotion level.

As with all things in sumo, these are only guidelines. The Kyokai has tremendous discretion. If we get to a situation with only one Ozeki and a Yokozuna, and Takayasu gives them an excuse to say yes, I can see them promoting him. He’s proven himself at this level for years, only losing his Ozeki rank previously because he was injured at the time. The banzuke needs two Ozeki and Takakeisho isn’t a guarantee.

Exciting finale ahead of us then. Oho handled Hoshoryu much more easily than I think many of us anticipated. Sets up a great weekend. Could Takayasu return to Ozeki soon? 11-4 last basho at M4 followed by a minimum of 10-5 this time at M1, if he implodes. With Mitakeumi out and Shodai probably Ozekiwake in January, that could work in Takayasu’s favour if he puts up similar numbers in the new year. With a yusho in there, no doubt for me.

I left an opening for others to fill. :)