Kotomiyama

Great finish to a really nice tournament. With the old guard retiring, we have now yet another yusho winner. I wonder if November would set a record of most Makuuchi yusho winners in the banzuke: Hakuho, Kakuryu, Takakeisho, Asanoyama, Shodai, Mitakeumi, Terunofuji, Tochinoshin, Tamawashi and Tokushoryu if I am not mistaken. Edit: I was indeed mistaken, I forgot Kotoshogiku

Tomorrow's Shodai vs Asanoyama is going to be really nice... while I get Tobizaru's bandwagon on the route.

Before the basho was sad because without Abi there will be "something" missing. I don't know what that "something" is, but Tobizaru has it. Maybe is his style, his continous jumping around... I don't know, but I like it. Who's driving Tobizaru's bandwagon? I want to jump in!

I wonder if Asashoryu is an example of what is said inside a heya. Alternatively he could be just another (idiot) bully longing for his glory days.

NSK has made a good decision. As other have pointed, enduring a 3 Basho suspension with half the pay and no bonus is a test of Abi's commitment to Sumo. If he decides to continue and manages to behave, I would root for him more than ever.

Sad news, for sure. Abi was different and he hadn't reached his full potential. I hope this situation can be reversed somehow.

Tochinoshin's loss was hard to see. He was able to carry Terutsuyoshi like in the old days but he couldn't finish. He has lost his power and I don't see hope in his eyes. I think he will be back in Georgia by Christmas...

I wish they prove me wrong. I really like both

My thoughts on this Basho: We have been waiting for the change of the guard for such a long time and yet we were not prepared when it finally has arrived. Goeido and Takayasu will never be Ozeki again. Tochinoshin is in fast decline. Kotoshogiku is slowly descending to Juryo. Kaisei and Ikioi barely survive in the bottom of Makuuchi. And above all, Hakuho and Kakuryu are profiting from being Yokozuna to extend a little bit their respective careers. And while the old crumble, the young destined to substitute them seem not ready yet. Takakeisho, for instance, is excellent when he is able to pull his oshi-zumo, but if the bout goes to the belt his performance becomes average as best. Asanoyama has everything to become Yokozuna, but he needs time to become consistent enough (let's hope he is able to wait and prosper). Hokutofuji and Abi will be in Sanyaku for long, but certainly not above Sekiwake. There are good prospects among the Maegashira, Meisei, Kiribayama, Onosho, Terutsuyoshi... let's hope they progress and fill the upper ranks in the next years. I leave Enho apart. Step by step he keeps climbing and at the moment he has not yet found his peak. His win against Abi is something to show to non Sumo fans and probably will be in the best moments of the year. Finally, a victory of a M17 is something to celebrate. Watching Tokushoryu clinching the basho after giving it all against Takakeisho (20 ranks above!) is another example of why I love Sumo. I look forward to Osaka...

Imagine you just awake from coma since February last year: Tochinoshin and Takayasu no longer Ozeki. Goeido failing to save his kadoban status. Mitakeumi no longer in sanyaku. Ichinojo stuck in Juryo. Terunofuji climbing the ladder like a rocket. Enho aiming for sanyaku and deserving it. I love Sumo.

No rishiki seems to take it more seriously than Hokutofuji. I think that his sumo relies mostly in his willpower.

Indeed it was. Great bout and a solid basho so far.

Feels good to jump in excitement after a bout. Great match by Endo, a fine technician, maybe the finest of the banzuke.

My thoughts on three rishiki this basho: Ishiura - In his first stints in Makuuchi he was an adept to henka. This basho he chose direct confrontation and earned a well deserved KK. Sumo is better with him, Enho and Terutsuyoshi. Meisei - Makekoshi to learn. I still see him as a future sanyaku mainstay, but he has to be patient and hone his tools. He might achieve what Endo promised and is yet to deliver. Abi - Yes, he is weird, unorthodox and nonchalant (note his salt throw). He seems to have only one trick in the bag, but he still manages to win. We all thought he was not going to stay long in sanyaku and he might be sekiwake in January. I cannot root for him, but he has earned my respect.

Sotogake, what a fine movement to secure the yusho. Hakuho is still the alpha leader, the rest can only hope to snatch a championship when he is injured.