Kotomiyama

I feel honoured to have seen Hakuho's career. One day he will retire and he will continue to be the Gold Standard of Sumo.

Before senshuraku I would like to talk about Abi. He arrived at Makuuchi like a wave, pushing forward with almost unstoppable force but then retiring backwards after reaching a peak. Although he continues to be a one-trick-pony in this basho I have seen him a more wise rishiki. He has learned to pause in the middle of the battle and he is not as eager to push at all costs as before. If he keeps perfecting his style and developing his awareness, he could stay in Makuuchi for a long time, and I will be happy to root for him.

Video for those interested: https://youtu.be/FuW7p98xjWw

Very interesting thought exercise as you say. Just to continue a little bit with it: I think becoming a Yokozuna has a monetary side as well. Besides the benefits bestowed by the kyokai, there has to be an increase in earnings from advertising, endorsements and other contracts derived from this ultimate manifestation of sumo. Those benefits will stay to some extent after retirement. Taking all into account, I don't think Kisenosato would have wished for staying as an Ozeki even if he knew he would be injured so badly in the beginning of his Yokozuna career.

Each community has its etiquette and apparently in reddit you should cross-reference "the real world" or another community. At least is what they do when they participate in AMAs (Ask Me Anything). Don't be surprised, redditors are wary of impersonators, but in general they are nice as anybody else.

Reassuring words from Aminishiki. Interesting how he remarks the two-way realtionship as others have pointed before. I did not like Takanoiwa, but I dislike more seeing a rishiki being forced to retire.

Takakeisho yusho! His first and surely not his last. I agree with the opinion that he can be Ozeki in the future, but no more. I feel sad for Takayasu. He has everything to succeed... but he never seems to have enough of it. With the Yokozunas kyujo, Goeido injured and Tochinoshin underperforfing, he probably thought that it was his moment to shine. Let's hope that he is able to find what little extra he needs to win his first yusho and then we can start talking about a future Yokozuna.

Video for those who don't remember:

Two Yokozunas are out, the other is in his way to retirement. One Ozeki is performing as expected, Tochinoshin is not in his best shape... And what about Goeido? Well, he seems to be on the line for yet another 8-7 basho. He is even capable of getting a makekoshi. We'll see.

Tochinoshin: A tough basho for him and he manages to get KK almost on his last opportunity. I hope that he recovers for November. Mitakeumi: He was able to pull a delicate dancing move over the strawbales under pressure of a bulldozing Takayasu. A movement to show to the people that thinks that rishiki have no agility. Hakuho: He is not my favourite, but I am happy to witness the Greatest of All Time making history. His basho is perfect so far and we have one more bout to rejoice.

Kisenosato vs Tochinoshin It was more than the usual bout, it had the drama of a Greek tragedy, where you know the loser is going to suffer just a little bit more than the winner. I still think that Tochinoshin can make it, but he has no margin of error.

A couple of thoughts about two rishiki no one has mentioned yet: Yoshikaze. Who would have thought that after last basho he would start with 4 straight wins? Certainly not me. Abi. His Makuuchi debut was fantastic and he rose in the banzuke... until the rest realized that all they have to do is endure the tsuppari to the throat and grab his mawasi. He needs to add more tools to his sumo.

His first visit to the upper ranks was disappointing, now he seems to have found a way to get solid results with his blender-style sumo.

Ichinojo and Endo is becoming one of the most interesting bouts each basho and today did not disappoint. Glad to see Kisenosato back, but I cannot shake the feeling that we are witnessing his end.

Greetings. After lurking the forum for months, I decided to join the community. I look forward to participate and learn more about ozumo. A little bit about me: I come from Spain and I've been following sumo since the early 00s, mostly through Eurosport. After Eurosport decided to stop offering sumo, I struggled to find good quality information until I found the now classical YouTube channels (@Kintamayama, Grand Sumo Awesome and Jason All-Sumo). My all-time favourite rishiki is Kotooshu (The first part of my forum shikona is chosen because of him). From the active rishiki I am partial to Chiyonokuni, Ikioi, Endo, Kiokutaisei and Tochinoshin (in no particular order). I am married and I have two-year old twins. I hope to visit Japan one day, when the kids grow. That's all for the moment. I look forward tho see September basho together with you.