yohcun

Kataonami seems to be turning a corner. They've gone from 2 rikishi to 5 in pretty short order. Look out, Sadogatake.

To reflect his Mizunami ( 瑞浪 ) hometown, I think is the guess here.

I can't believe it never occurred to me before now that that's probably what the sideburns are all about.

Juryo was already basically a farce this basho, so why not.

Good for Sakigake. His first yusho at any level. He looked on a mission through all his playoff matches, so I'm glad he managed it.

This might've been asked earlier, but... When they draw straws for the bye in the playoff, does the rikishi who got the bye in the first round (of 9), get exempt from the second round bye draw (of 5)? It seems like they should, or there's a decent chance of someone just lucking his way to the final round.

They spend so many years honing and perfecting their tachiai, though. Wouldn't it be chaos if there were sweeping changes made now? Imagine telling Chiyotairyu, for example, that the can no longer cannonball the way he always has, and now has to start standing.

Ah, poor Oho. Getting the extra-extra long shin-Juryo interview treatment.

Members of the YDC transcend rage itself and volunteer to stand in for the absent yokozuna pair. They lose in a playoff to Mitakeumi.

Yeah, I know they need money badly, but I can't even feel much interest in a basho this devastatingly depleted. And that's to say nothing of the health risks, of course. edit: Also sneaking into the kyujo deluge - Toyohibiki (the end?), and Shishi.

Shikoroyama still looks awful, but that could be lighting.

Kasugano-oyakata (Mitch Hedberg) on golf.

Yes! That must be a huge weight off the shoulders. It is off mine. I would've been happy for him whatever path of post-sumo life he chose for himself, but it's great news to know he'll be around as an oyakata. He's been showing more flair to that role since the move to Michinoku.

Ozeki back-scratching?

Good for him. Hope he has a better time than the last 王 shin-juryo.