Reonito

Counting a 7-8 as part of a run would be ... different. Also, I know you're joking, but K -> O is not a thing as far as I can tell.

Total lack of respect for the Makushita yusho race (I don't know what's wrong with Tochimusashi, but he's gotten progressively worse since his yusho in his Juryo debut at Aki)

Might as well stick with what I mapped out pre-basho. 6. Nishikigi

that was actually one of his best starts: 2022.03 S1e 12-3 Y Are you perhaps thinking of this (one of a very few JY from 0-3)? 2022.09 S1e 11-4 J

It's very rare for someone to start 2-2 and win the yusho; the last time was Harumafuji's 11-4 swan song. No one has won Makuuchi after starting worse than that (it's been done from 1-3 a couple of times in Juryo).

I've got Tobi-Koto pencilled in, but I can see them going with Tobi-Wakatakakage. I don't think they'll schedule in rotation order but I'm not completely convinced.

They have choices available for intra-san'yaku, and I am not confident I understand all the nuances of torikumi order with this rare configuration, so this feels like a coin flip, but at least it'll be educational. 5. Onosho

Even earlier tomorrow: Asanoyama-Ichinojo!

Right in front of the shimpan, too.

4. Wakamotoharu

Winner instantly promoted to Yokozuna.

Some great names in the top 32, and a few just outside.

The only Day 1 absence posted so far.

3. Tamawashi

Apologies; I was typing too fast. Thanks for fixing!

Okay he's officially out.

With two hours to the deadline, I've decided to enter. Let's see if the Yokozuna follows suit and wrecks these picks (actually, day 1 should be Abi either way, though day 2 ought to switch to Ryuden, not that we're allowed conditional picks). 1. Abi 2. Shodai

Not sure his competition at M15 is going to be all that much harder than it was in Juryo.

As far as I can tell, yes.

Don't know how seriously to take it ... is this just for the optics or is there a real chance he'll enter?

Over in another topic:

Sounds like there's real uncertainty regarding Terunofuji's participation. Based on a quick look, this might not affect the Day 1 pick, but would certainly affect Day 2.

So which is it, guys? Not sure who the ultimate YDC/NSK authority is here.

Not sure yet if I'll be able to play ... are consecutive kosho allowed?

I thought that might be it, but that's a harder query to do since someone can hang out at K for multiple basho, either as M->K(n)->S or as S->K(n)->S. Looks like the total number of separate promotions to S tops out at 8, but I'm not sure how many of the drops in between didn't reach M.