cyclonicleo

Sad to see Goeido retire but doing so now shows me that he waned to leave on his own terms. Maybe he realised that his injuries over the years were going to place his long-term health at potential risk, maybe he feel out of love with the sport. Either way, reaching Ozeki is a huge achievement in and of itself, as is a zensho yusho, so he can be extremely proud of those achievements and be held in high esteem for them. I am glad to hear that he has found a place in the sport outside of the dohyo, especially as so many rikishi struggle with post-retirement life.

One of the more crazy basho's, but there have been a few in the past year. Can't wait to get home to watch today's highlights. Enho has proven to be very interesting and fun to watch, though I have agonized over how the former Ozeki corps have done. With Goeido headed for Sekiwake, Takayasu to Komusubi and Tochinoshin to the near bottom of Maegashira, its been rough. Worst of all though, is Kotoshogiku, whom I fear is headed straight for Juryo, or, to retirement. Still, Hokutofuji has had a cracking basho, as has Takakeisho and who would've predicted that we'd see Shodai and Tokushoryu is the running for the cup! Craziness.

Sad to see him retire but I think he's chosen the right time. I hope his future is a bright one!

Great to see Endo pick up his win against Hakuho and the crowd reaction was something to behold. Two kinboshi on consecutive days is incredible. The look of anger on Hakuho's face really said it all.

Disappointed with Nishkigi this basho. If his eyesight is *that bad*, has he contemplated corrective procedures, like LASIK? Surely a laser eye clinic would love some publicity by helping a top end rikishi, right? No? Ok. Ishiura has had some cracking bouts this time around - certainly Enho might try to pick up a thing or two, if not already. Enho could do with more muscle as his speed isn't really enough, as most of the division has kinda twigged to his tactics. Great to see fmr-Kisenosato on guest commentary yesterday too - more of that would be great. Finally, i'm a bit unhappy with Hakuho - I sense a lot of frustration from him and its starting to show in his demeanor and matches. Forearm here, the odd push back there, some of it being behaviour that, for me, isn't becoming of a man in his position. Am I being a bit too harsh? Probably.

Methinks that this basho, Shohozan has shown that he might have an MMA career in the offing with some of those KO-slaps. Then again, Takakeisho showed his slapping power too yesterday. What a crazy basho.

That'll be a sad day. I'm no fan of his but he'll be missed.

I do agree. I think Hakuho should've taken the higher ground but Tamawashi was playing silly buggers a bit with him.

I was a bit disappointed to see that. Hakuho is human though, but I thought it was a bit unbecoming of a Yokozuna.

I absolutely LOVED this. This is the sort of thing that makes for great TV and brings in casual punters. Yes, its not strict and the NSK would be decidedly cheesed off, but this is the sort of thing that livens up a basho. A bit of spectacle never hurts and this was rather intriguing....and Konnosuke was pissed!

A couple of random thoughts: * Mitakuemi is concussed. He has to be. There's no other reason I can think of that sees him perform so poorly after a knock on the head. He really needs to go kyujo now because the more blows he takes, damage far worse the damage will be to his brain long term. * Terutsuyoshi needs to stop throwing so much damn salt! It's no wonder that he's not getting any grip in the dohyo - he's slipping on his own salt! * Watching Takayasu fight and favor his left side is heartbreaking to see. I give him credit for wanting to save his rank but he's going to have someone yank on that left arm and tear the pec even more. * Is it me or is Shohozan engaging more in boxing matches than actual bouts now. Those slaps pack some power and he's had a couple of rikishi virtually knocked out on their feet already. * Takakeisho - what has happened to him? Where is his vigor?

Do you think Kotoshogiku is staring down retirement? I've been critical of Mr Bumpetty but I will be sad if he has a poor tournament and ends up in Juryo.

If anything, some of these injuries should shine a light on how these are managed and what improvements could be made. Do the heyas and the NSK have the resources to improve the standard of care and rehabilitation for injured rikishi though? I highly doubt it. Could they still improve though? I believe so. Its been a devastating tournament for injuries so far, and I hate to say it but i'm expecting to see Takayasu withdraw at some point as well (likely after he achieves the wins he needs). Also, Mitakeumi hasn't been the same since the cut over his eye; I wonder if he's actually concussed and is hiding it?

Yikes. It looked really bad in the footage.

That's a heck of a drop. I'd prefer to see Ichinojo focus on losing fat, gaining muscle and strengthening his lower back and core (amateur hour here, ignore my rubbish assessment, please). Better to sit out, rehab and go to juryo and still get paid, than to try and compete and potentially suffer a career-ending injury. He's got plenty of years left in him, so looking after his back now will really help.