Godango

I maintain that I liked the staredown, but I also understand and appreciate the opposing viewpoint. Is there any reason Gonoyama was spared comment/rebuke at the time (I may have missed if he wasn't)? I understand YDC isn't interested in rank and filers so it's not worth a mention from them; it just interests me. If he (Gonoyama) had popped his fists down after 10 seconds of starting that would have been the end of it. Two to tango, etc.

Gotta love a 13-2 to finish the year and lead into a tsunatori.

In fairness: "Gōnoyama, you're a MK trending first timer joi member. Stop staring down an ozeki and put your hands down.". Also I'd just like to clarify I like them both. As they mounted the dohyō I said to my wife "hey this should be a fun one" and I was delighted.

I'm with you. I loved the staredown. I loved the dominance. I loved the look afterwards. That was an ozeki letting an up-and-comer know who's show it is. I understand the opposing viewpoint and if Hoshoryu wasn't such a delight off the dohyo I'd probably agree, but he puts the game face in and is on means business in the dohyo. Love it.

He and Street Fighter's "E.Honda" are what piqued my childhood interest in sumo.

Obviously Terunofuji showed we should never write anyone off. But Asanoyama is no Terunofuji.

I voted yes, because I'd rather be wrong about him earning promotion than right about him not.

This has been my thought the whole time regarding his promotion chances.

I was indeed including the doten in the 'potential', five definitive tsuna runs (assuming we include this). My thinking in including them; 12-3 D isn't unprecedented as being included in a tsuna run, though admittedly pre-Futahaguro. Had he followed up with a strong yusho promotion could have been justified. Arguably could have been included justified with 12-3, but not surprising it was missed. It's only in hindsight that you'd say these definitely weren't tsuna runs, imo. But the point stands if we go with the five.

He's been kadoban once when injury wasn't an overt factor. This will be his 7th potential tsuna run. With all due respect, I feel you're being unfair to him.

A fair take, but to be pedantic it's as impressive isn't it? Averaging 11 per basho?

Couldn't agree more, it's as an as near-zero chance as anything. I just am interested in the hypothetical.

The bigger promotion question is whether another 11-4 yusho via playoff would earn promotion. For what it's worth, I think yes. That's two yusho or equivalent. We've never seen 22 wins to get there so sure it's unprecedented, but it's by the book.

I'm behind the 8-ball as I have a lot going on, just watched day 10. All I can say is, "...of course".